book

Passion With A Purpose

Passion with a Purpose

Passion with a PurposePassion is less and less talked about these days.

It has been replaced with the idea that

we have to simply accept whatever current

situation life presents us with at the moment.

There is less and less encouragement,

and more and more discouragement,

when it comes to discovering our individual God-given passions.

This is disappointing because our God-given passions have been given to us with a purpose.

 

Passion with a Purpose

What does passion mean to you?

That was the question Christian author Deborah Bateman asked readers in an article published at LivingBetterAt50.com.

She also asked several other questions like “what do you love?” and “what would you do if no one paid you anything?”

Deborah gives the encouragement to “Discover what you love and do it!”

And she goes on to say…

“I hope you discover your passion, because when you do you get so much joy out of it. Don’t get me wrong, it is still work. Sometimes you may get tired or frustrated, but when you love something you keep coming back to it. No one has to prompt you to do it. You do it because that is what you love.” (read entire article here)

Deborah H. Bateman is a Christian author of multiple books including “Finding Our Identity in Christ.”

Find out more about Deborah Bateman and her books on her website at www.ChristianDailyResources.com.

Have You Tapped Into Your God-given Passion?

The Bible gives us many warnings about the passions of a sinful nature and the need to keep them under control. A powerful way to do this is to keep the first and primary passion of our heart toward God and His Word.

“The passion of my soul’s desire is for the house of the Lord; my heart and my flesh are crying out for the living God.”
Psalm 84:2 (BBE)

The passion of Christ is the ultimate example of passion with a purpose. It was not only a passion with a purpose, but a purpose in line with God’s will, and a passion that came with a price.

“To whom also He showed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”
Acts 1:3

Have you discovered your passion? It is worth discovering – even if it comes with a price. It will put a spark in your life, energize you and give you a positive drive to move forward, and a zeal to strive toward success. Why? Because your God-given passions come with a purpose, line up with God’s Word, and cause you to be a blessing to others!

May you tap into your God-given passion and live with a purpose and a life full of growing prosperity!

Be Blessed to Be a Blessing!

God bless you always,
Brenda

BEFORE YOU GO… Please Share your Passion in the comment section below and then like and tweet with others…

 

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CHRISTIAN MEDITATION GUIDE: Biblical Answers To The Top 20 Questions About Meditating God’s Word

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION GUIDE: Biblical Answers To The Top 20 Questions About Meditating God’s Word

Christian Meditation Guide Book Now Available!

Christian Meditation Guide Biblical Answers Book

Growing Prosperity Productions Presents: “CHRISTIAN MEDITATION GUIDE: Biblical Answers To The Top 20 Questions About Meditating God’s Word” by Brenda Marsolek.

This book was published late February 2012 and is now available for purchase as an ebook and print book.

I discovered that there is a lot of confusion, and many questions when it comes to the topic of Christian Meditation. Yet, God makes is very clear in the Bible that –

YES, Christians need to Meditate His Word!

So let’s get started clearing up the confusion. I’m sure you too have had some of the same questions included in this book…and I trust the answers will help open the eyes of your heart, as they did mine, to the mind and life-transforming power of meditating the living Word of God!

I originally addressed and wrote these Christian Meditation questions and answers, in December 2009. I published them online individually as articles and also as an email series.

This Christian Meditation Guide is now expanded and published in book form as a response to the requests to have it compiled in one handy reference.

My prayer and desire is that this resource is a blessing to you, and that you are encouraged and inspired to make Christian Meditation a daily part of your life. I pray that you will be empowered with Gods’ Word and live always in the peace of his presence!

Be Blessed to Be a Blessing! God bless you always!

Love in Christ,
Brenda

Growing Prosperity Productions

Find out more about the book and purchase on Amazon here:

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION GUIDE: Biblical Answers To The Top 20 Questions About Meditating God’s Word

p.s. thank you in advance for your purchase, ratings & reviews! 🙂

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The Path to Wealth Best Seller Book Status on Amazon Kindle

“The Path to Wealth” Best Seller Book Status on Amazon Kindle

THE PATH TO WEALTH Best Seller Status

The Path to Wealth Book by TS LinscottI want to thank everyone for your support

in helping put this book on

the Kindle Best Seller list in December!

“The Path to Wealth” by T.S. Linscott

was republished in print form early 2011.

The ebook/digital version was then published on Kindle August 17, 2011.

Today, December 15th, four months later, it made #23 on the Kindle Best Seller list for Education-Finance!

Best Seller Status Screen Shots (click image for larger view)

The Path To Wealth Book Kindle Best Seller StatusThe Path to Wealth book Kindle Best Seller Status

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you again!

And may God’s powerful financial principles become a regular part of all Christian’s lives so that more and more may be blessed to be a blessing!

God bless you always,

Brenda

P.S. For those of you who have read the book, your ratings and reviews on amazon would be greatly appreciated! 🙂

 

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The Path To Wealth by TS Linscott

“The Path To Wealth” by TS Linscott

The Path To Wealth Book Review

The Path to Wealth Book by TS Linscott“THE PATH TO WEALTH”

by T.S. Linscott

This book was first published in 1888 with the complete title:

“The Path to Wealth; or, Light From My Forge.”

Revealed within the pages of this

valuable book you’ll find powerful,

timeless teachings regarding God’s money laws…

  • A DISCUSSION OF GOD’S MONEY LAWS
  • THE RELATION BETWEEN GIVING AND GETTING
  • CASH AND CHRISTIANITY

The teachings in this book are provided in a series of ‘talks’ that take place in a blacksmith shop over 100 years ago. The discussions include important insights into monetary principles from God’s Word; which continue to reveal to us today How to Acquire Wealth and Have Financial Success!

In this wealth and financial success book, author T.S. Linscott, shares the dynamic tithing truths that have helped thousands of others discover the ‘secret’ of supernatural growing prosperity.

The following is an excerpt from pages 80-81 of “The Path To Wealth”:

“A good deal of our preaching, our thinking, and even our devotions, either vaporize or spiritualize God’s promises. Our natural unbelief tends to put off the fulfillment of them until we get to heaven or sometime in the future. Unbelief hates literal and present tense promises. But these promises are literal and material; they are for here and now; they are to be enjoyed on earth; they challenge us to a contract or bargain with God.

As stated before, He promises money for money; you pay me a tenth, says God, and I will give you earthly and material blessings. I will give your fingers skill as mechanics; I will incline employers toward you; you shall get the highest wages; strikes shall not affect you; I am with you, and will see that you are provided for.

I will make you prosperous as businessmen; I will incline you where you can make good bargains; I will send the people around to you to buy; while the man next door, who neglects My cause may become bankrupt, this curse shall not touch you. I will look out for your bills when they are coming due; I will see that your bank account is sufficiently large; in a word, I am your partner and will look out for the interests of your business.

And to you thinkers, who earn your living by your brains, I will make your thoughts clear; I will give you the holy impulse to originate ‘thoughts which breathe, and words which burn;’ your productions shall stir men’s hearts; your works shall be in demand; I will make people buy the productions of your heart and brain; only pay me your tenth, and you shall be cared for.

Seed time and harvest shall never fail you farmers; I will bless your crop; I will multiply your stock; the blight and the mildew shall be kept from your farms; remember, I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; I will do to you as I did to them, only remember me as they did.

I will give health to all of you; death shall not take away your little ones; they shall live to a ripe old age; I will open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

These are the blessings promised by God in the Bible. Who among this company will this day pledge his tenth to God?” (end of excerpt)

“Are You Tired of Going in Circles Where Your Finances are Concerned?”

In days of economic uncertainty, it is important for everyone to get a working knowledge of truth to prosper.

You can prosper by using God’s spiritual principles in your finances!

The source of all financial abundance is God and with Him there are no limits. Trouble is, too many people are slow to learn the principles that will cause them to excel financially.

Get your thinking clear on how to work them and you’ll no longer use words like recession, poverty, and lack.

In order to receive financial abundance from God, we must do our part. If we do our part, He’ll do His part and meet our needs according to His riches in glory.

Most people don’t like to hear about tithing and it puts them in fear. But you’ll have no problem tithing if you see God as your source of supply.

The tithe is seed money of wealth and is compared to sowing. The more a person gives, the more that person receives. Financial prosperity is one benefit of tithing. It puts us in partnership with God.

We are told to bring the tithes into God’s house and then test Him and see if He does not open the windows of heaven and pour out such a blessing on us that we don’t have room enough to contain it! (Malachi 3:10)

Tithing is a step of obedience and trust that God will take care of our finances. God promises to pour out a blessing to the tither.

I truly believe tithing is a key to living a godly, successful, and prosperous Christian life.

“The Path to Wealth” book has been republished and is now easily available in an affordable print version.

In it many of the common questions people have about tithing are addressed and answered, such as:

  • Is Tithing Still For Us Today?
  • Who Should Tithe?
  • Is a Person In Debt Obligated to Tithe?
  • If God is the Source of All Supply, Why Does He Need My Money?
  • Where Should the Tithe Be Given?
  • How is the Tithe Calculated?

In “The Path to Wealth”, Linscott also points out many of the biblical advantages of tithing.

God put it on my heart almost two years ago to republish this book, and it is my earnest wish and prayer, just as it was of the original author, that this book may be productive of good, and lead many a person to ‘bring all the tithes into the storehouse’ in response to the demand of God.

“Where your treasure is,
there will your heart be also.”
— Luke 12:34

You can find out more and purchase the book here:
The Path to Wealth by TS Linscott

May you be blessed to be a blessing!

God bless you,
Brenda

Growing Prosperity Productions

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Crazy Love by Francis Chan

“Crazy Love” by Francis Chan

“Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God”

Crazy Love book by Francis ChanFrancis Chan is a pastor and bestselling author. He is best known for his book Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God.”

Book Description from Amazon:

“God is love. Crazy, relentless, all-powerful love.

Have you ever wondered if we’re missing it? It’s crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universe—the Creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E-minor—loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love.

And what is our typical response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss. Whether you’ve verbalized it yet or not…we all know somethings wrong.

Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical, solutions?

God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isn’t working harder at a list of do’s and don’ts—it’s falling in love with God.

And once you encounter His love, as Francis describes it, you will never be the same. Because when you’re wildly in love with someone, it changes everything.”

Francis Chan – “Crazy Love” Book Introduction Video

In a recent article at ChristianPost.com, they shared a notable experience, Chan recounted that happened before he published his bestseller “Crazy Love.” :

“He and his wife always wanted to be people who could “live generously” and just write checks to people. One day, he prayed that God would raise up wealthy people in his church that didn’t care about their stuff. If that didn’t happen, then Chan asked God to make his family rich so they could give their wealth away.

Little did Chan know that God would answer his prayer through his book Crazy Love, which brought in over $2 million in sales last year. He said all of the money goes to a fund that enables him to live out his dream of writing out checks.

‘I had no idea. I didn’t even think of making money off it,’ shared Chan. ‘My life is ridiculous. God, the way you answer my prayers.’

“Our God listens to us. Our God is a living God.
He’s not a block of wood you made up that’s
not going to answer you. My God listens to me.
He answers me.”

— Francis Chan

Chan was also quoted as saying at a recent pastor’s conference:

“His biggest failure in ministry is when during his busy periods he turns his prayer life into a to-do list for God rather than a relationship of abiding in Christ and a relationship of love.

‘My guess is many of you guys struggle, so focused on the work of God that you neglect the person of God. So much pressure, so much criticism. There are periods that we forget that in the pursuit of fruit, that if we just abide in Him then fruitfulness is a guarantee,’ reflected Chan.

Although many pastors believe that God is sovereign, that belief doesn’t flesh out in their lives most of the time, he said.”

“Are you about Him and do people see that in you?
That you are man or woman who can’t get enough of God?”
 
— Francis Chan

May you continue to pursue a passionate love relationship with God!

God bless you,
Brenda

P.S. You can purchase “Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God” by Francis Chan at Amazon.

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Live Healthy – Is Stress and Anxiety Taking You for a Ride on the Emotional Roller Coaster?

Live Healthy – Is Stress and Anxiety Taking You for a Ride on the Emotional Roller Coaster?

Find Out How Stress Affects More Than Your Moods!

Get off the emotional stress roller coasterLive healthy and stress less.

I know; much easier said than done in today’s busy world.

Are you stressed out these days?

Well you need to understand that worry and anxiety affects more than just our moods.

Truth is, even if we faithfully practice healthy habits like exercising and eating properly, the benefits we’ve gained from that will be thrown out the window if we let stress get the best of us!

The Stress Flare

How are your stress levels after you’ve had a long day at work and traffic on the freeway slows to a crawl? Or how about running late in the morning when getting the kids off to school because one unexpected thing after another continues to happen?

Listen, we’ve all been there as situations that are out of our control cause our tempers to flare and sometimes reach a boiling point. But what we need to be aware of is how this stress affects our body.

What happens in these stressful situations is that the body revs up production of a hormone called cortisol. Blood vessels constrict and divert the flow of blood from processes like digestion to the quick-acting muscles in the arms and legs, where an energy burst could be needed. The heart races to keep up with the frenzied motion, and the resulting hyper-alertness causes all sorts of anxiety.

We have to realize that even if we are health-conscious and go to great lengths to take care of our bodies, but we give stress, frustration, anger, worry, and anxiety the upper hand, we wipe out most of all the health benefits we have gained.

When we worry extensively, harbor bitterness, or give in to anger, these emotions pile stress on our immune system and weaken its ability to work properly. Stress is a key source for many ills such as: hypertension, elevated heart rate, headaches, and hormonal imbalances in the body.

Emotional Roller Coaster

Researchers are finding it more apparent that emotions are powerful forces within the human mind that clearly affect the body and soul. The proper adjustments in attitude can help prevent us from becoming unhealthy individuals.

Don Colbert, M.D., in his book Deadly Emotions, says that an emotional roller coaster saps a person physically and psychologically, which can leave both mind and body depleted of energy and strength. He also points out that medical studies indicate:

  •  The mind and body are linked, which means how you feel emotionally can impact how you feel physically.
  • Individuals who are fighting depression have an increased risk of developing cancer and heart disease.
  • Emotions such as anxiety and fear have been linked to heart palpitations, irritable bowel syndrome, tension headaches, and more.

Don’t Worry. Be Happy!

Negative emotions alter body chemistry and can be a force that affects us in many ways. For example, it can affect our ability to sleep and digest food.

When life’s pressures build, we tend to revert back to unhealthy habits and turn to junk food for comfort. And we have no problem justifying it because of the intense pressure at work or at home, in our relationships, or dealing with financial setbacks, etc.

Be aware though, that turning to a diet of comfort food, junky snacks, or gooey desserts is going backwards, not forward, on the road to healthy living. Instead of these rich foods taking your mind off your troubles, they can actually compound your difficulties and add even more emotional stress. Know this and strive to make the better choices even in the midst of your struggles.

“Have no anxiety about anything; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
— Philippians 4:6-7

So, go ahead; don’t worry – be happy! In reality, worry and stress are symptoms of a lack of trust in our heavenly Father. We need to work on doing what Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:34-35 to cure anxiety; which is to ‘seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself.’

May you seek first the kingdom of God and let His peace keep your heart and mind as you enjoy a life of growing prosperity!

God bless you always –

Cheers,
Brenda

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Dad, If You Only Knew by Josh Weidmann

Dad, If You Only Knew by Josh Weidmann

Dad, If You Only Knew: Eight Things Teens Want to Tell Their Fathers (but Don’t)

In honor of the upcoming Father’s Day, I was looking for a video to celebrate all dads out there.

In the process I ran across this video and book and decided to do a separate post. For anyone who had, or currently has a Father who is an active part of your life; you know how important your dad is. And for those who don’t, you also know the great struggle that loss can cause in life.

The book: Dad, If You Only Knew: Eight Things Teens Want to Tell Their Fathers (but Don’t)” by Josh Weidmann and coauthored by his dad James Weidmann, sounds like an excellent resource for helping dads connect with their children.

Someone on Amazon commented that it is a great resource for both parents, and not just dads. The older I get, the more I also appreciate the positive influence of friends and family when it comes to raising children. Especially with so many single parent families. Raising healthy children is a job that requires utilizing all the help that is available.

Here is the description for the book “Dad, If You Only Knew”:

Listen Up, Dads! Your Teen Is Talking to You!

As exasperating as parenting can be during these volatile years, your teen is depending on you for steady faithfulness, love, and guidance. And because teens often find words elusive and expression difficult, they probably haven’t told you the things they wish you somehow automatically knew. So let Dad, If You Only Knew… be your guide. Josh Weidmann, just out of the teen years himself, joins his father, James, to help dads understand where their kids are coming from. It’s a messy world they live in, and meeting them in it is no simple task. But knowing these essentials now makes fatherhood eight times easier!

Welcome to Your Teen’s World

It doesn’t matter if you have the most picture-perfect, ideal-in-every-way teen or one who’s in full-swing rebellion. That teen you love is a “riddle wrapped in a mystery.” No father can know what his teen is really thinking.

That’s why youth communicator Josh Weidmann teamed with his father, Jim, to help you bridge the gap. In Dad, If You Only Knew…you’ll get an open, honest glimpse inside the teen mind. Josh’s extensive research, combined with pointed direction from a father’s heart, provide you with the practical guidance you need to establish a healthy, thriving father-teen relationship. It’s one you desire, your teen needs, and you both can’t afford to miss.

Story Behind the Book

“The resounding cry of teens for their fathers rings in my ear. I have been speaking to youth for five years and the greatest void I see in teens’ lives is the one left by their dad. I am only twenty-three years old myself, and to this day I can say that my dad is the most influential man in my life. Because of his impact, I have asked him share in this book. We have written this message in hopes of helping dads reengage in the vital father-teen relationship.”
— Josh Weidmann

God bless you –

Cheers,
Brenda

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Budgeting – Dave Ramsey Money Makeover

Budgeting – Dave Ramsey Money Makeover

The Power of a Budget and Baby Steps to Beat Debt and Build Wealth

I’m sure you have heard of Dave Ramsey; often referred to as today’s financial guru.

His path to wealth is based on seven, simple, common sense baby steps.

However, before taking the first step, he teaches the importance of a written monthly budget.

Ramsey’s book The Total Money Makeover”made the NY Times Best Seller list. He also teaches these principles in other books and courses. Plus you’ll find him on the radio, TV, at live events and his website is www.daveramsey.com.

Dave Ramsey’s recommended baby steps are below:

1 – $1,000 to Start an Emergency Fund

We all know it is only a matter of time before the unexpected emergency happens. This is for the unexpected things we can’t plan for.

2 – Pay Off All Debt Using the Debt Snowball

List all of your debts and begin paying them off starting with the one with the smallest balance. Once the first one is paid begin using the “extra money” toward paying the next on the list, etc.

3 – 3 to 6 Months of Expenses in Savings

After the first two steps are completed it is time to start building your full emergency fund.

4 – Invest 15% of Household Income Into Roth IRAs and Pre-Tax Retirement

When you reach this step, you’ll have no payments except your house. Now it is time to get serious about building wealth.

5 – College Funding for Children

Make sure you have already started investing 15% of your income in step 4 before saving for college.

6 – Pay Off Home Early

Now is the time to begin putting all extra money toward the mortgage to realize the dream of life without a house payment.

7 – Build Wealth and Give!

Time to build wealth and give like never before. Leave an inheritance for future generations and bless others with your excess.

video clip of Dave Ramsey:

Our society today is lacking in financial common sense and discipline. Everyone wants to have things “now” but figure out how to “pay” later.

There is hope though, and there is help for anyone who wants it. I’m always very encouraged to hear the success stories of those who have gone through the Dave Ramsey course.

If your finances are a mess, it is not too late to reach out for help, make a plan, and begin taking the first step to turn things around! 🙂

May you be blessed to be a blessing!

God bless you always,
Brenda

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