Friends or Acquaintances? - a new post by @ShelleyHendrix

A friend loves at all times, and is born, as is a brother, for adversity.

Proverbs 17:17 Amplified

I wrote Why Can't We Just Get Along? in 2012 and it was published in 2013; but long before there was a book, there was my own journey of navigating relationships and the challenges they inevitably bring. It was in the struggles of difficult relationships, that the teaching, now contained in the book, was born and practiced as I sought God's help to be a friend who had friends. Since that time, and since I've spoken on this topic so much as a result of what I learned and found to help ME find and cultivate peace, I've also begun adding some newer life lessons to that teaching. 

I'll share one of these with you today:

Sometimes we get upset with folks for not being "true friends" when in reality they're just being true to what they actually are - kind acquaintances. 

I've lost count of how many people have gotten their feelings hurt (myself included) when someone used their freedom to say, "no" to a favor or request that was asked of them. Oftentimes, in the name of "Christian love," we have a really difficult time saying "no" when we really should.

As we grow in maturity, one of the gifts we begin to receive and give, is what we tried to communicate in our earliest years: the power of saying NO. We're all given a limited number of yes's we can give in any day or season of life. We can't give all of them to acquaintances leaving nothing for our true friends or families. (As my team at Church 4 Chicks has heard me say, I'd rather get a firm no than a wishy-washy yes any day.)

A true friend is a priceless gift. A kind acquaintance is also a gift. But these friendships are not meant to serve in the same way in our lives. Allowing people the freedom to be who they are and what they are gives us freedom to enjoy our relationships for what they are without unrealistic expectations messing things up for all involved.

Maybe that person was not rejecting you or abandoning you. Perhaps she was a kind acquaintance who needed to save her "yes" for someone closer to her. This doesn't make you unimportant, nor does it mean your needs are unimportant - but it might mean you're looking to the wrong source to have those needs or desires met.

Is there someone you've been expecting more from than you should?

How might you better enjoy your relationship with this person by accepting that maybe he/she is a kind acquaintance and not a "true" friend?

Shelley Hendrix is the founder of Church 4 Chicks and the brand new Heart Smart- Counseling, Coaching and Consulting practice with her best friend and husband, Stephen Hendrix. 

You can find Shelley's website, social media links and more at www.ShelleyHendrix.com but you'll typically find her sipping coffee, taking pics of sunrises and sunsets in her new coastal hometown or wrestling with her crazy Beaglador named Annie.

6 Types of #Friends Every Woman Should Have ~ by @ValorieBurton #AWAKEN1Day

Valorie Burton will be our guest and one of our keynote speakers at the 7th Annual AWAKEN 1-Day Conference on November 8 and we would LOVE for you to be there!

Enjoy this helpful (re-)post from Valorie, pass it along to friends, and make sure to register before the deadline on October 31!  www.Church4Chicks.ticketbud.com

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Property of C4C 

6 Types of Friends Every Woman Should Have 

By

Valorie Burton

Do you rely on just one good friend? What would it take to nurture a few more close friendships? Why do you think some women are competitive with other women, but not the men? What can you do to put other women at ease and facilitate more authentic connections with women in your circle of influence?  

I want to share a special conversation starter with you from my latest book Happy Women Live Better: 13 Ways to Trigger Your Happiness Every Day. See the six specific types of friends every woman should have and spark up a conversation with your closest girlfriends this week to discuss what type of friend you may be.  

Points to Ponder

·         Studies show that it is a good idea to have several types of friends rather than relying on one or two to meet all of your needs.

·         Statistically speaking, your relationship with your girlfriends will likely outlast your marriage, your parents and your co-workers.  

• One study showed that when fewer than 15% of the women in a firm were in positions of power, the women were competitive and backstabbing with each other. But when women represented more than 15% of the powerful positions, women were collaborative. 

Do you have the right mix of friends?

Not every friend can meet every need. Some will meet more than one need, but few can do it all! Here are six types of friends every woman needs:

The Wise Friend.

You can count on them to talk you out of doing something you'd regret, help you solve your latest dilemma, and give all-around sound advice about just about anything.

The Fun Friend.

Want to have a good time, be adventurous, or laugh 'til your stomach hurts? You can always count on this one.

The Travel Buddy.

Drama-free, this friend is adaptable, maybe even adventurous, and loves to see the world.

The Relationship Coach.

Transparent, real and willing to listen, this friend has figured a few things out in the love department and genuinely wants to see you happy when it comes to romance.

The Career Comrade.

You share a similar background and goals in your work life, and encourage each other to higher professional success.

The Accountability Partner.

To maximize your potential, this is your go-to pal to help keep you on track.

Now, let's turn the tables. Think of your four closest friends. Which type of friend are you to each of them?

This post is an excerpt from my latest book, Happy Women Live Better: 13 Ways to Trigger Your Happiness Every Day. Discover your happiness triggers for FREE at www.happywomantest.com and order your copy of Happy Women Live Better at: www.bn.com/happywomenlivebetter

Garlands of Grace ~ A Guest Post from Dorothy Johnson

…as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.  Psalm 103:12

I often walk in the cool of the morning when we vacation at the beach. Although the places we go aren’t noted for large shells, I invariably return with a handful of small ones. I love the diversity of designs and find pleasure in even the tiniest specimen.

One morning, I noticed that many of the shells swept in by the tide still held a bit of water that sparkled in the sun. My thoughts turned to God’s promise that when we trust in Jesus, we become vessels of His living water, offering refreshment to others.

However, as I continued on my way, I also saw lots of empty shells. On close examination, I found most had a perfectly round hole that looked as if it had been drilled there. Any water they held when they landed on the beach had quickly drained out. They were lovely, and in some cases, the openings weren’t immediately apparent, but they were still empty.

Just like me sometimes, I thought. Some days I may look pretty good, but it’s as if the enemy of my soul has found my weakest spot and pierced it through ever so precisely. Whatever joy or evidence of God’s presence is there, leaks out before I even leave home.

Next, I noticed a scallop shell with a jagged gap marring its otherwise beautiful exterior. Looks like you’ve had some hard knocks. I know what it’s like to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. But you are still lovely. I picked it up and cradled it in my palm.

Before I knew it, I was gathering up all the holey shells in my path because suddenly I was able to see beauty and purpose in each one. I’d string them on a thread or cord to create a garland or necklace.

Isn’t that what our loving Father does with us? He’s just waiting to pick us up, wash us off and restore our souls. He doesn’t disqualify us because of our flaws and failures, past or present. In fact, I believe when we’re most injured by our own foolishness, He treats us with extra-tender care. All He asks is that we admit we need a Savior. When we seek His forgiveness, He makes us perfect in His sight through Jesus Christ.

 I like to think He might add us, one-by-one, to a scarlet cord, creating a beautiful garland to wear over His heart. The strands are never ending.

Bind us together, Lord, with cords of Your love.

Dorothy writes from her home on a ridge overlooking the Arkansas River in Little Rock. She has been involved in women’s ministries for nearly forty years, teaching Bible studies. Her passion is for people, especially women, to understand their value in Jesus.

Connect with Dorothy at her blog: http://reflectionsfromdorothy.blogspot.com/

Praying Like a Beggar or a Child? - A Guest Post by Sherri Sand

How often do we shoot spiritual flares of prayer toward heaven the moment our lives take on water like scuttled ships? Too often our prayers lack power because we pray from a place of fear.

Prayer should be a lethal weapon in the hands of a believer; tearing down strongholds, breathing life into dead bones. But too often we plead for our prayers to be answered. That’s the stance of a beggar child rather than a daughter.

What if we truly believed God would never leave us alone and forsaken?

That would be a game changer, wouldn’t it? Instead of shooting prayer toward a distant God in heaven, we turn and have a conversation with the One who adores us. The Friend who is closer than a brother.

Wouldn’t prayer be easier if we knew God’s heart for our challenges? The outcome He wants to achieve? Perhaps instead of going straight to prayer when difficulty arises, we practice declaring His goodness with thanksgiving and praise.

Out loud.

Where the enemy can hear us making a stand. Where we can hear ourselves speaking truth into a difficult circumstance. Where we give our emotions a chance to align themselves with Truth.

Where prayer becomes a relationship instead of a plea.

Where prayer becomes a hunger for more. A hunger for intimacy and connection that leads us to a place of stillness...where we can start listening.

Listening to the One who holds the answers to our every situation.

Or does fear tell us that in the stillness we will hear nothing but our own hearts beating?

Matthew 7:7 says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

Perhaps we don’t hear God respond because fear blocks our ears. Fear that we are speaking into a vacuum where our voice echoes back to us.

God waits for us to be still and come to a place of peace. It is in that secret place that He speaks. That understanding comes. Even if it is just: I Am With You.

His voice comes quietly. It may be a word, a thought or a picture that gently floats to mind. Don’t discount what may seem inconsequential. Often he speaks as softly as butterfly wings.

Teaching our hearts to praise him in the midst of difficulty will transform our internal atmosphere into a place of hope and peace, rest and joy. Praise and thankfulness push back the enemy’s lies. It opens up a place for us to listen. To hear God’s voice.

It is from the secret place we pray lethal and effective prayers.

Sherri Sand is an author and speaker. Her unique perspective unlocks truths and biblical mysteries to bring hope to the hurting and peace to the stressed. She desires to lead people into a deeper relationship with God, where living as victorious overcomers becomes the norm rather than an elusive desire. To read her blog and discover more about living in spiritual wholeness and about Sherri’s novel, Leave it to Chance, visit her web site.

Butterfly pic: http://pixabay.com/en/butterfly-insect-nature-green-199911

Don't Live Defeated ~ A guest post from @LynSmith

Don't Live Defeated 

by Lyn Smith

What God has promised, He will do!

The problem for us comes when it doesn’t happen in our time frame or in the way we envisioned.  That’s when discouragement and doubt can set in.

We begin to think God doesn’t care.  If He did, He would do something.  We allow that thought to swirl around in our minds for awhile, which leads to …

If He doesn’t care about my problem that means He doesn’t love me.  If He doesn’t love me then He isn’t working on my behalf, which leads to …

If God isn’t working on my behalf then I’m on my own so I better figure out how to solve my problem, which leads to …

Bad choices and painful consequences. Ugh.

Remember these two things:

1)  Discouragement and doubts about God’s character are never from Him. They are always based on wrong thinking.

2)  God’s priority is not your felt needs but your real need – a passionate relationship with Him that develops a Christ-like character.

The truth is, God does love you and is for you. Use these verses (and others) to replace the wrong thoughts with the right ones:

” … I have engraved you on the palms of My hands …” Isaiah 49:16

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1-2

 ” … Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.” Romans 10:11

“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion.” Isaiah 30:18

“Be strong and courageous … the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:17-19

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

(photo credit)

LynSmith.com

About Lyn...

Truth-Teller

Motivator … Leader … Teacher … Author

      Lyn is passionate about the awesomeness of God and His Word. Having lived the reality of God and proven His character through many challenges she brings truth, healing, hope and
power into her speaking and writing.

Two years ago, God began opening international opportunities for Lyn to speak at pastors’ conferences, women's conferences, rehab centers, and churches.  Passport and suitcase by the door, she is ready to go wherever God leads.

2013 will see the release of her second book, a collaborative effort with best-selling author Tommy Newberry.  She is currently working on her third book.

You can catch Lyn every Friday on the “Christian Discipleship TV” show.

Married with three children, she and her family live in Oklahoma.

Sanctus Real - Promises (The Official Lyric Video) from sanctus-real on GodTube.

Acknowledgements for True Prosperity

Photo by Amelia Grace Photography

Acknowledgements for True Prosperity

By

Debra Courtney

I walk in truth, in the light of God’s Word, according to His wisdom. I know the truth and the truth makes me free (John 8:31-32). 

I separate myself from darkness and God is a Father to me (2 Corinthians 6:17-18).

I walk in diligence and obey God’s commands and blessings overtake me (Deuteronomy 28:1-2).

I walk in faithfulness and I am blessed because I constantly do what is right (Psalm 106:3, NIV).

I believe; therefore I say what God says (2 Corinthians 4:13).

I honor the Lord by bringing Him all the tithe, so my storage places are filled with plenty (Proverbs 3:9-10).

I prosper as my soul prospers in understanding of the Word (3 John 2).

I sow bountifully so I reap bountifully (2 Corinthians 9:6).

God rewards me because I diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

I am of faith, so I’m blessed like faithful Abraham (Galatians 3:9).

God opens the windows of heaven and blesses me so there’s not room enough to receive it (Malachi 3:10).

I receive what I ask from God because I watchfully obey His instructions and habitually practice what is pleasing to Him (1 John 3:22, AMP).

I live a godly lifestyle, in obedience to what God says is right. Because I’m willing and obedient, I eat the good of the land (Isaiah 1:19).

The word of faith is in my heart and in my mouth (Romans 10:8).

I tell the mountains in my life to be removed and cast in the sea. I believe that those things I say shall come to pass, so I have whatsoever I say (Mark 11:23).

I give and it’s given back to me, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over (Luke 6:38).

I abound with blessings because I am faithful (Proverbs 28:20).

Because I fear the Lord, he teaches me how to choose the best and I live within His circle of blessing (Psalm 25:12-13, TLB).

I separate myself from darkness and God is a Father to me (2 Corinthians 6:17-18).

His truth is my shield and armor (Psalm 91:4). 

Call things that are not as though they were (Romans 4:17)! AMP