Below is part two in the Godly Mother series. This article has made me stop and question my life. Am I an honorable woman? Are you an honorable woman?
What is a Mother? part #2 by Sue C.
Characteristics of a godly mother:
A godly, virtuous mother is an honorable woman. Proverbs 31:28 says, "Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her." A mother should cause her children to honor her by being honorable, that is, by living a life deserving of honor.
The Bible gives many characteristics of an honorable woman. Following are some of them:
1. An honorable woman deserves a place of dignity or distinction. Psalm 45:9 says, "Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir." I realize that this passage is partly allegorical. However, all true believers are children of the King of Kings, and a godly mother is one of God's honorable women, decked out in God's riches.
2. An honorable woman seeks to live holy. She is not focused on fulfilling her own pleasures and her own desires; rather her heart longs to honour God. "If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD." (Isaiah 58:13,14a)
3. An honorable woman is humble; humility brings her honor. Proverbs 15:33 says, "The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility."
4. An honorable woman is content. Humility and a contented heart go together. In I Corinthians 12:23-25 God's word says, "And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another."
These verses are specifically talking about Christian members which serve in the church. They make reference to both the physical and spiritual body. Some members of the church body are women. Women are also members of a family unit. A body part or member that is humble does not adorn herself in gaudy apparel or go about looking for attention. She is quiet and content, doing her job faithfully and without complaint. When others see this, they look upon her with respect and honour.
I Peter 3:7 says that the wife is the weaker vessel in the home. She is a body part that has need. Therefore more abundant honor is bestowed upon her, and respect and care is given her which makes her more comely.
5. A honorable woman is highly esteemed by others. In Proverbs 31:31, God says, "Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."
6. An honorable woman is gracious. The first part of Proverbs 11:16 says, "A gracious woman retaineth honour." According to Strongs Concordance, to be gracious means to be kind and pleasant. Proverbs 31:26 says this about an honorable woman, "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness." A kind, pleasant woman is able to maintain honor. People remember her for her godly example and for her helpful words and works.
7. An honorable woman does not cause strife or contention and does not meddle in the affairs of others. Proverbs 17:14 says, "The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with." When a woman shows thoughtful concern for others without trying to interfere in their lives, others respect and honor her. They know that she truly cares about them.
8. An honorable woman is righteous and merciful. According to Proverbs 21:21, a person "...that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour." Honor comes from an upright life and merciful kindness to others even when they don't deserve kindness.
There are several more characteristics of a godly, honorable mother; and these will be enumerated in part #3. What a tremendous responsibility it is for a mother to be a godly woman. But a godly woman reaps the honor of others, the respect of her husband and children, and a life that leaves an example for others to follow. A godly mother lives a life that causes others to see how great and good God is.
(All Scripture verses quoted from KJV)
by Sue C.
About the Author
I was born to missionary parents in the country of Papua New Guinea. Because my parents faithfully taught me God's word, I accepted Jesus as Saviour at an early age. The Lord gave me a godly mother, and her life helped me to see the things described in this article. May this article encourage you.
Showing posts with label christian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label christian. Show all posts
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Your Relationship with the Lord
I loved this article so much that I read portions of it out loud to my husband. It is so important for us to seek out a personal relationship with the Lord. It's what He wants!
Worship Through Relationship....Are You Seeking God's Face or His Hand? by Karen Wolff
Have you ever spent time with one of your kids where all you did was just "hang out?" If you have grown kids, and you ask them what they remember most about their childhood, I would bet they recall a time where you spent an afternoon participating in some fun activity.
As parents, it sometimes takes a while for us to discover that the thing our kids want most from us is our time. But oh, time always seems to be the thing we find in short supply.
I remember when my son was about 4 years old. He attended a local preschool, but it was only a few mornings a week so, very often, I had this four year old who wanted my time. Every day. All day.......
So I would play board games with him in the afternoons. I remember he and I would always claim to be "Champion of the World" when one of us would win. Of course, beating a 4 year old isn't exactly something to brag about on my resume, but nonetheless, I always made sure the title passed back and forth....sometimes.
My son and I both fondly recall those days as very special times when we built a relationship. And the truth is....I had a hard time saying no to my son after all that relationship building. I knew my son wasn't hanging out with me just for what he could get me to buy him, but the relationship we built meant that when he did ask for something, my heart was more than willing to consider it.
Why is it so difficult to see that as a parent, God is no different? There are some who see God as a giant Santa Claus. You simply submit your wish list and wake up one morning to find that all is well. They fail to realize that relationship is everything. It's the one thing God wants more than anything else. And it's when we take the time to seek God's face, which is simply that ongoing relationship with Him, that He extends His hand because His heart is open to hear all we have to say.
A few weeks ago I read an amazing book called, "Daily Inspirations for Finding Favor with the King", by Tommey Tenney. In this book it talked about the importance and relevence of Christian praise and worship in building a relationship with God. What impressed me was the author's insistence that praise and worship must be directed to God's face and NOT His hand. If your motive is to love God, to spend time with God, to truly want to be in God's presence, then your praise and worship will be met by God with open arms.
If, however, your motive is to try to earn a blessing, or to impress those around you, or even to fulfill some sense of obligation, you've missed the boat....Completely.
So how do you know if your relationship with God is centered around His face or simply His hand? What can you do to make sure your motive is pure as you praise and worship God?
Spend most of your time with God in praise and worship. Letting God know how much you love and appreciate Him never gets old to God. In fact, praise and worship is the key that opens God's heart.
Come to God just as you are with an open heart. Letting God see ALL that's in your heart, good or bad, lets God know that you value your relationship enough to let Him see it all and do whatever He needs to do.
Look for opportunities to offer God praise and worship in things around you. All you need to do is see a beautiful sunset or one of the many other wonders of nature to offer God praise and thanksgiving for that miraculous blessing. God appreciates a grateful heart.
Don't be afraid to show God how you truly feel as you worship Him. There are those who don't feel comfortable raising their hands or showing any emotion during worship services. Yet those same people can be found at sporting events or concerts whooping, clapping, and hollering as if it really mattered.
I'm not saying you have to jump up and down or shout, but simply standing with open hands shows God that your heart is open and you want to feel God's presence. And most importantly.....
Don't judge, look down on, or criticize someone else because they want to show emotions and energy as they worship. Just because you aren't in the same place in your spiritual walk as they are doesn't mean what they're doing is inappropriate or wrong. Concentrate on worshipping God yourself so your focus remains on building your own relationship with God.
Christian praise and worship can be one of the most powerful ways to help you build your relationship with God. There is nothing better than feeling the love, peace, and acceptance that you feel when God's presence is all around you.
But just remember, like a parent, God is looking for that ongoing relationship. When He sees your open heart and your desire to get to know Him for who He is, His heart opens to hear all you have to say.
What a concept......seeking God's face and then feeling the blessings from His hand.
For more help on this topic, go to "The Key to Unlocking God's Door"
About the Author
Karen Wolff is the founder of www.christian-books-for-women.com, a place where women will find info, tips, and help with issues like overcoming fear, jealousy, and building self esteem. Find book reviews, recommendations, and submit your favorite books so you can be a blessing to someone else.
Worship Through Relationship....Are You Seeking God's Face or His Hand? by Karen Wolff
Have you ever spent time with one of your kids where all you did was just "hang out?" If you have grown kids, and you ask them what they remember most about their childhood, I would bet they recall a time where you spent an afternoon participating in some fun activity.
As parents, it sometimes takes a while for us to discover that the thing our kids want most from us is our time. But oh, time always seems to be the thing we find in short supply.
I remember when my son was about 4 years old. He attended a local preschool, but it was only a few mornings a week so, very often, I had this four year old who wanted my time. Every day. All day.......
So I would play board games with him in the afternoons. I remember he and I would always claim to be "Champion of the World" when one of us would win. Of course, beating a 4 year old isn't exactly something to brag about on my resume, but nonetheless, I always made sure the title passed back and forth....sometimes.
My son and I both fondly recall those days as very special times when we built a relationship. And the truth is....I had a hard time saying no to my son after all that relationship building. I knew my son wasn't hanging out with me just for what he could get me to buy him, but the relationship we built meant that when he did ask for something, my heart was more than willing to consider it.
Why is it so difficult to see that as a parent, God is no different? There are some who see God as a giant Santa Claus. You simply submit your wish list and wake up one morning to find that all is well. They fail to realize that relationship is everything. It's the one thing God wants more than anything else. And it's when we take the time to seek God's face, which is simply that ongoing relationship with Him, that He extends His hand because His heart is open to hear all we have to say.
A few weeks ago I read an amazing book called, "Daily Inspirations for Finding Favor with the King", by Tommey Tenney. In this book it talked about the importance and relevence of Christian praise and worship in building a relationship with God. What impressed me was the author's insistence that praise and worship must be directed to God's face and NOT His hand. If your motive is to love God, to spend time with God, to truly want to be in God's presence, then your praise and worship will be met by God with open arms.
If, however, your motive is to try to earn a blessing, or to impress those around you, or even to fulfill some sense of obligation, you've missed the boat....Completely.
So how do you know if your relationship with God is centered around His face or simply His hand? What can you do to make sure your motive is pure as you praise and worship God?
Spend most of your time with God in praise and worship. Letting God know how much you love and appreciate Him never gets old to God. In fact, praise and worship is the key that opens God's heart.
Come to God just as you are with an open heart. Letting God see ALL that's in your heart, good or bad, lets God know that you value your relationship enough to let Him see it all and do whatever He needs to do.
Look for opportunities to offer God praise and worship in things around you. All you need to do is see a beautiful sunset or one of the many other wonders of nature to offer God praise and thanksgiving for that miraculous blessing. God appreciates a grateful heart.
Don't be afraid to show God how you truly feel as you worship Him. There are those who don't feel comfortable raising their hands or showing any emotion during worship services. Yet those same people can be found at sporting events or concerts whooping, clapping, and hollering as if it really mattered.
I'm not saying you have to jump up and down or shout, but simply standing with open hands shows God that your heart is open and you want to feel God's presence. And most importantly.....
Don't judge, look down on, or criticize someone else because they want to show emotions and energy as they worship. Just because you aren't in the same place in your spiritual walk as they are doesn't mean what they're doing is inappropriate or wrong. Concentrate on worshipping God yourself so your focus remains on building your own relationship with God.
Christian praise and worship can be one of the most powerful ways to help you build your relationship with God. There is nothing better than feeling the love, peace, and acceptance that you feel when God's presence is all around you.
But just remember, like a parent, God is looking for that ongoing relationship. When He sees your open heart and your desire to get to know Him for who He is, His heart opens to hear all you have to say.
What a concept......seeking God's face and then feeling the blessings from His hand.
For more help on this topic, go to "The Key to Unlocking God's Door"
About the Author
Karen Wolff is the founder of www.christian-books-for-women.com, a place where women will find info, tips, and help with issues like overcoming fear, jealousy, and building self esteem. Find book reviews, recommendations, and submit your favorite books so you can be a blessing to someone else.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Answered Prayers Aren't Always What we Expect
I posted a Verse of The Day below this post. After publishing the post, I could not get the verse or my thoughts on the verse out of my mind. I decided that I needed to expand on my thoughts.
Answered Prayers
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7
This verse brought prayer to the forefront of my mind. My life is so very blessed by the Lord. He has given me so much and has answered all of my prayers. I know the Lord will provide for me, when it is His will that I truly seek.
When I was pregnant with my son, I prayed to our Father every day that He would give me a happy and healthy child. A simple request, yes, but it was my heart’s desire. The Lord answered my prayer and today my son is both happy and healthy. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t thank the Lord for that answered prayer.
Are answered prayers always this easy? Of course not. Sometimes the Lord answers our prayers in ways that we certainly do not expect. Sometimes the answer to a prayer is so difficult that you can’t imagine why it is happening to you. At the beginning of the relationship with my husband, I prayed that the Lord would make our relationship work and make it strong. Less than one year into our relationship, my then boyfriend, an outwardly healthy 26 year old man, was diagnosed with stage 4 malignant melanoma. The cancer had spread to his lymph nodes. The cancer was going to require one year of chemotherapy type treatments. A couple of months into his treatments, my boyfriend proposed to me. My answer was an immediate yes. It never occurred to me that I should consider anything other than yes. Why would cancer effect my decision?
A very dear friend once told me, “The Lord will never give you more than you can handle.” I made it my mission to live this message and make my fiancé live it as well. As a result, I went on to be the typical “bride to be.” My focus was on the having the perfect wedding (perfect dress, perfect flowers, perfect food, perfect cake, perfect music). Three weeks prior to our wedding day, my fiancé started having headaches, blurred vision and dizzy spells. His oncologist sent him for a brain scan to rule out a brain tumor. “WHAT? No, that’s not possible!,” were my reactions. What a wake up call! Somehow, I managed to forget how serious his condition really was. We went to the brain scan together, then waited for the results from his normally deadpan doctor together. As soon as his doctor entered the room, a huge smile spread across his face. It was then, that we knew there was no brain tumor. It was the treatments that were causing his symptoms.
It was at that moment, that I realized what the Lord was doing in our relationship. He was bringing us together on a level that so many, at our young age and stage in our relationship, never get to experience. At that point, I realized that the only thing that mattered was being married to that man. The perfect wedding no longer mattered to me. I gained the prospective I needed.
Have you ever heard the saying, “Be careful what you pray for?” Answered prayers aren’t always what we expect them to be. Sometimes they are straight and to the point. Other times, they are trials in our lives. Should these trials in our lives, keep us from asking?
Answered Prayers
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7
This verse brought prayer to the forefront of my mind. My life is so very blessed by the Lord. He has given me so much and has answered all of my prayers. I know the Lord will provide for me, when it is His will that I truly seek.
When I was pregnant with my son, I prayed to our Father every day that He would give me a happy and healthy child. A simple request, yes, but it was my heart’s desire. The Lord answered my prayer and today my son is both happy and healthy. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t thank the Lord for that answered prayer.
Are answered prayers always this easy? Of course not. Sometimes the Lord answers our prayers in ways that we certainly do not expect. Sometimes the answer to a prayer is so difficult that you can’t imagine why it is happening to you. At the beginning of the relationship with my husband, I prayed that the Lord would make our relationship work and make it strong. Less than one year into our relationship, my then boyfriend, an outwardly healthy 26 year old man, was diagnosed with stage 4 malignant melanoma. The cancer had spread to his lymph nodes. The cancer was going to require one year of chemotherapy type treatments. A couple of months into his treatments, my boyfriend proposed to me. My answer was an immediate yes. It never occurred to me that I should consider anything other than yes. Why would cancer effect my decision?
A very dear friend once told me, “The Lord will never give you more than you can handle.” I made it my mission to live this message and make my fiancé live it as well. As a result, I went on to be the typical “bride to be.” My focus was on the having the perfect wedding (perfect dress, perfect flowers, perfect food, perfect cake, perfect music). Three weeks prior to our wedding day, my fiancé started having headaches, blurred vision and dizzy spells. His oncologist sent him for a brain scan to rule out a brain tumor. “WHAT? No, that’s not possible!,” were my reactions. What a wake up call! Somehow, I managed to forget how serious his condition really was. We went to the brain scan together, then waited for the results from his normally deadpan doctor together. As soon as his doctor entered the room, a huge smile spread across his face. It was then, that we knew there was no brain tumor. It was the treatments that were causing his symptoms.
It was at that moment, that I realized what the Lord was doing in our relationship. He was bringing us together on a level that so many, at our young age and stage in our relationship, never get to experience. At that point, I realized that the only thing that mattered was being married to that man. The perfect wedding no longer mattered to me. I gained the prospective I needed.
Have you ever heard the saying, “Be careful what you pray for?” Answered prayers aren’t always what we expect them to be. Sometimes they are straight and to the point. Other times, they are trials in our lives. Should these trials in our lives, keep us from asking?
Verse of the Day
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."
Matthew 7:7 (Read all of Matthew 7)
New International Version
My Thoughts:
Our God is an Awesome God. He continually answers our prayers. Prayers may not be answered right away or in the way we think they should be answered, but they are answered never-the-less.
Prior to getting married, I asked the Lord to strengthen my relationship with my soon to be husband. Shortly after, my finance was diagnosed with cancer. I know what your thinking, that's not an answered prayer. Believe me, it was hard for me to see at the time. I had to take a step back from the situation and a particulary tough moment during the bout with cancer to see that it really was an answer to a prayer. Was this the way I wanted my prayer to be answered? Of course not. However, it made me see what was really important in life; our love for the Lord and our love for each other! I believe, in my heart of hearts, that the cancer brought us closer together and made us stronger. After dealing with cancer at such a young age and so early in our relationship, we realize that there is nothing that we can't handle together.
Matthew 7:7 (Read all of Matthew 7)
New International Version
My Thoughts:
Our God is an Awesome God. He continually answers our prayers. Prayers may not be answered right away or in the way we think they should be answered, but they are answered never-the-less.
Prior to getting married, I asked the Lord to strengthen my relationship with my soon to be husband. Shortly after, my finance was diagnosed with cancer. I know what your thinking, that's not an answered prayer. Believe me, it was hard for me to see at the time. I had to take a step back from the situation and a particulary tough moment during the bout with cancer to see that it really was an answer to a prayer. Was this the way I wanted my prayer to be answered? Of course not. However, it made me see what was really important in life; our love for the Lord and our love for each other! I believe, in my heart of hearts, that the cancer brought us closer together and made us stronger. After dealing with cancer at such a young age and so early in our relationship, we realize that there is nothing that we can't handle together.
Monday, January 8, 2007
Meditation
This article is a lesson for all of us. We could all use more time in meditation.
Is Christian Meditation a way to speak to God? by Jake Aubin
Christian meditation is a way of communicating with God. Christians can use this meditation to clear their minds of the busy thoughts of the day and concentrate solely on worshipping God and learning the truths of the Bible.
Centuries ago, monks began practicing Christian meditation by reading over verses in the Bible and then thinking about the truths in these verses. Often, they would say the verses to God as a prayer. In this way, the monks learned to speak to God in prayer, and learned how to tell God their own thoughts and concerns. By meditating on Bible verses and praying to God, the monks trained their minds to always think about God. They called this "contemplation", and it helped them to have a close, loving relationship with God.
By following this method of communicating with God, the monks created what is called the "ladder of prayer". The rungs of the ladder included reading Bible verses, thinking about the truths in the verses, praying to God, and learning to think about God always.
In the 1900s, two types of Christian meditation were used. Using a mantra, or word that is repeated to help the Christian focus on God, was one type of meditation. An example of a mantra would be the word Maranatha, which is an Aramaic word for "come, Lord". Christians would also use what is called a Centering Prayer, which uses a sacred word or words to bring the Christian into God's presence. These two types of Christian meditation helped the people using them to take their focus off their own problems and to turn to God to hear what He had to say to them.
A woman named St. Theresa of Avila created five steps to help Christians focus on God when praying. These five steps are known as the five R's.
- The first R is Ready: this is the step in which the Christian realizes that he/she is in the presence of God. To be ready to continue in prayer, the Christian thanks God for the many blessings He gives, and confesses any sins. - The second R is Read, and includes reading prayers, spiritual books, and the Bible. - The third R is Reflect. In this step, the Christian focuses on what he/she has just read in order to come closer to God. - The fourth R is Respond. It is at this step that the Christian speaks with God in an open and honest way about what he/she has been reading and thinking about. It is the most important step, as this is when God can share His wisdom and thoughts with the Christian. - The fifth and final R is Resolve. This is when the Christian thanks God for what he/she has learned, and closes the time of prayer.
These different types of Christian meditation can all be useful in helping Christians to meet with God, come close to Him, and learn His truths. Christian meditation does not save a person from their sins; it is a tool that can be used by people who are already saved to build a stronger relationship with God.
Is Christian Meditation a way to speak to God? by Jake Aubin
Christian meditation is a way of communicating with God. Christians can use this meditation to clear their minds of the busy thoughts of the day and concentrate solely on worshipping God and learning the truths of the Bible.
Centuries ago, monks began practicing Christian meditation by reading over verses in the Bible and then thinking about the truths in these verses. Often, they would say the verses to God as a prayer. In this way, the monks learned to speak to God in prayer, and learned how to tell God their own thoughts and concerns. By meditating on Bible verses and praying to God, the monks trained their minds to always think about God. They called this "contemplation", and it helped them to have a close, loving relationship with God.
By following this method of communicating with God, the monks created what is called the "ladder of prayer". The rungs of the ladder included reading Bible verses, thinking about the truths in the verses, praying to God, and learning to think about God always.
In the 1900s, two types of Christian meditation were used. Using a mantra, or word that is repeated to help the Christian focus on God, was one type of meditation. An example of a mantra would be the word Maranatha, which is an Aramaic word for "come, Lord". Christians would also use what is called a Centering Prayer, which uses a sacred word or words to bring the Christian into God's presence. These two types of Christian meditation helped the people using them to take their focus off their own problems and to turn to God to hear what He had to say to them.
A woman named St. Theresa of Avila created five steps to help Christians focus on God when praying. These five steps are known as the five R's.
- The first R is Ready: this is the step in which the Christian realizes that he/she is in the presence of God. To be ready to continue in prayer, the Christian thanks God for the many blessings He gives, and confesses any sins. - The second R is Read, and includes reading prayers, spiritual books, and the Bible. - The third R is Reflect. In this step, the Christian focuses on what he/she has just read in order to come closer to God. - The fourth R is Respond. It is at this step that the Christian speaks with God in an open and honest way about what he/she has been reading and thinking about. It is the most important step, as this is when God can share His wisdom and thoughts with the Christian. - The fifth and final R is Resolve. This is when the Christian thanks God for what he/she has learned, and closes the time of prayer.
These different types of Christian meditation can all be useful in helping Christians to meet with God, come close to Him, and learn His truths. Christian meditation does not save a person from their sins; it is a tool that can be used by people who are already saved to build a stronger relationship with God.
Sunday, January 7, 2007
Top 5 Most Important Things I Have Learned as a New Mom
Top 5 Most Important Things I Learned as a New Mom
My son, who is now 21 months old, has already given me many life lessons. It's funny how someone so small can teach you so much.
5) I am the Adult
When my toddler throughs a tantrum or lashes out in a fit of emotion, I remind myself that I am the adult in the relationship. I know better than to get angry in response to his actions. It is my duty to remain calm and show him what to do with his feelings. It is also my job to teach him that tantrums, hitting, kicking, screaming, etc. are not acceptable at his young age or ever. I am not perfect and don't always have the ideal reaction to his actions, but I am working on it through deep breaths and prayer.
4) Naps are Best Kept in the Crib
I told myself over and over that my son was just a bad napper. Three 30 minute naps per day for a 3 month old certainly must prove that he was, in fact, a bad napper. Somewhere along the line, when he reached about 5 months, I realized that his nap routine was more learned than natural.
It started because he fell asleep easily in the comfy swing (you know the kind you, as an adult, want to crawl into and take a little nap). As a woman in desperate need of a break, the swing became where he would take most of his naps. The problem was, he would only sleep for 30 minutes. Then, I found the solution, I let him sleep on me. Any parent will tell you what a comfort having an infant sleep on you is! It was then that I learned he would sleep for 2 hours when he was on me. Not only did he sleep, but I got to sleep. Yikes! Mistake!
You can not go through the entire napping years with a child sleeping on you. At some point you will reach the phase where you are not an exhausted shell of your former self, but a mom that needs to take advantage of that precious nap time to get things done. Once that dawned on, we started what I called "Mommy Boot Camp." We quit the naps in the swings and the naps on Mommy all at once. It was a truly painful process (and I may have caved in a couple of times), but it was worth it. He never did, however, recover from his short naps. They remained at 30 minutes until he moved to one nap a day. Now he is at 1.5 hours, which is still not fantastic, but I have learned to deal with it.
3) You Can Never Have too Many Friends
Friends are a life line for new moms. Who better to keep you sane? As a new mom you will make many new friends; friends who have babies the same age as your precious little one or maybe a bit older. These are the women that give you the most helpful advice. They give you advise that they, themselves, have already tested. They tell you what mobile is best, which sling works like magic, which songs are the most stimulating. In addition to being a wealth of knowledge, these women know exactly what you are going through and can empathize with you at 3:00am.
Don't forget about your old friends too. They are your source to the outside world, your source for sanity. It is when you have watched Baby Mozart for the 30th time that you need to pick up the phone and engage in adult conversation that doesn't not revolve around your precious little one.
2) Buy a Blanket Made for Swaddling
It's been proven that newborns are comforted by the snugness of swaddling. After fussing with the many receiving blankets, I gave up the fight. My precious little one always found a way to wiggle out, which resulted in screaming wakefullness. Arghhh! There had to be a better way. A friend (see lesson 3) told me about the swaddle blankets on the market. These things have actual velcro fastners. Hey, why didn't someone tell me about this sooner???
1) Invest in a White Noise Machine
It has also been proven that infants like white noise. It makes sense when you think about it. Think of how loud in must be in your uterus. The constant noise of the organs working, you talking, laughing, coughing, sneezing.... It has been said that these sounds can be as loud as a vacuum. It must be a scary experience to come out and have complete slience! I tried the recommended loud shushing (from a book, not a friend), but it just didn't work for me or maybe it was too much work for me. Regardless, a friend (See lesson 3) told me about the white noise machines. Magic! It calmed my fitful little one in an instant.
It is also my vow to get any new mom I know a swaddle blanket and a white noise machine. A new mommy-to-be will most likely find these gifts dreadful and boring, but I will attach a note that says, "Trust me."
Christian mom
Christian women
stay at home mom
stay home mom
My son, who is now 21 months old, has already given me many life lessons. It's funny how someone so small can teach you so much.
5) I am the Adult
When my toddler throughs a tantrum or lashes out in a fit of emotion, I remind myself that I am the adult in the relationship. I know better than to get angry in response to his actions. It is my duty to remain calm and show him what to do with his feelings. It is also my job to teach him that tantrums, hitting, kicking, screaming, etc. are not acceptable at his young age or ever. I am not perfect and don't always have the ideal reaction to his actions, but I am working on it through deep breaths and prayer.
4) Naps are Best Kept in the Crib
I told myself over and over that my son was just a bad napper. Three 30 minute naps per day for a 3 month old certainly must prove that he was, in fact, a bad napper. Somewhere along the line, when he reached about 5 months, I realized that his nap routine was more learned than natural.
It started because he fell asleep easily in the comfy swing (you know the kind you, as an adult, want to crawl into and take a little nap). As a woman in desperate need of a break, the swing became where he would take most of his naps. The problem was, he would only sleep for 30 minutes. Then, I found the solution, I let him sleep on me. Any parent will tell you what a comfort having an infant sleep on you is! It was then that I learned he would sleep for 2 hours when he was on me. Not only did he sleep, but I got to sleep. Yikes! Mistake!
You can not go through the entire napping years with a child sleeping on you. At some point you will reach the phase where you are not an exhausted shell of your former self, but a mom that needs to take advantage of that precious nap time to get things done. Once that dawned on, we started what I called "Mommy Boot Camp." We quit the naps in the swings and the naps on Mommy all at once. It was a truly painful process (and I may have caved in a couple of times), but it was worth it. He never did, however, recover from his short naps. They remained at 30 minutes until he moved to one nap a day. Now he is at 1.5 hours, which is still not fantastic, but I have learned to deal with it.
3) You Can Never Have too Many Friends
Friends are a life line for new moms. Who better to keep you sane? As a new mom you will make many new friends; friends who have babies the same age as your precious little one or maybe a bit older. These are the women that give you the most helpful advice. They give you advise that they, themselves, have already tested. They tell you what mobile is best, which sling works like magic, which songs are the most stimulating. In addition to being a wealth of knowledge, these women know exactly what you are going through and can empathize with you at 3:00am.
Don't forget about your old friends too. They are your source to the outside world, your source for sanity. It is when you have watched Baby Mozart for the 30th time that you need to pick up the phone and engage in adult conversation that doesn't not revolve around your precious little one.
2) Buy a Blanket Made for Swaddling
It's been proven that newborns are comforted by the snugness of swaddling. After fussing with the many receiving blankets, I gave up the fight. My precious little one always found a way to wiggle out, which resulted in screaming wakefullness. Arghhh! There had to be a better way. A friend (see lesson 3) told me about the swaddle blankets on the market. These things have actual velcro fastners. Hey, why didn't someone tell me about this sooner???
1) Invest in a White Noise Machine
It has also been proven that infants like white noise. It makes sense when you think about it. Think of how loud in must be in your uterus. The constant noise of the organs working, you talking, laughing, coughing, sneezing.... It has been said that these sounds can be as loud as a vacuum. It must be a scary experience to come out and have complete slience! I tried the recommended loud shushing (from a book, not a friend), but it just didn't work for me or maybe it was too much work for me. Regardless, a friend (See lesson 3) told me about the white noise machines. Magic! It calmed my fitful little one in an instant.
It is also my vow to get any new mom I know a swaddle blanket and a white noise machine. A new mommy-to-be will most likely find these gifts dreadful and boring, but I will attach a note that says, "Trust me."
Christian mom
Christian women
stay at home mom
stay home mom
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Spend Your Morning With The Lord
It's amazing to me how a gentle reminder to spend time with the Lord can be such an inspiration. My husband gets out of bed at 5:30 each day to get ready for work. Instead of continuing to sleep until 7:30 when my son gets up, I should (and plan to) get up and spend time with the Lord. Like the author says, I will do this for 21 days and see how things change.
Practicing Early Time With God by Demetria Zinga
"Spending time with God is something every Christian woman should set aside time for." Perhaps this is a fairly common statement that we've heard all too often. We all know this to be true, and yet it still seems to be a most incredible struggle to obtain that blessed time with God each and every day of our lives. So, how do we wear all the hats and still have time to be still and quiet in God's presence? How do we make the time to sit quietly before our Savior when our toddlers are stampeding through our living rooms with permanent markers only inches away from our furniture and walls? When do we find the time to say a prayer long enough to our Savior before we are interrupted with "MOM! She hit me!", or "Honey, I can't find my keys!" True, we all wear different hats--some of us are mothers, some of us are married, many of us work from home or have full time jobs outside of the home…but one thing we all have in common is our need for the peace of God in our lives. We ALL need the Lord!With that said, let's talk for a minute about some practical things we can do each day to allow the Lord first place in our lives. We are not only discussing our time in general with God each day, but the fact that we can also give God the first of our day. "Impossible!" you might exclaim…but it's true. We can do this! I am a living witness that despite the busy-ness of each morning, it is VERY possible for me and anyone else to give God the very first few minutes of each of my day. Try the following steps for 21 days and see if you'll notice a difference in your outlook on life. Also note any changes in your relationship with God (you'll most definitely feel more aware of how close the Lord really is to you, especially during many of your stressful times)! In addition, take note of your relationships to your family and friends, and to people around you. As you spend time, and EARLY time with the Lord, you will find your relationships with others changing as YOUR heart changes. Your heart will change because you start to become more like Christ as you draw closer to Him in fellowship each and every morning when you first awake. Here's how I do it:1.)Upon awaking each morning, thank God for a brand new day. Believe it or not, this very small act of gratitude takes you a long way during your stress throughout the day. 2.)Look out your window. Appreciate the nature. Thank God for what you see. Observe the weather. Whether it be raining or sunny, thank God for the weather. If it's raining, don't complain, but thank God for the rain. Thank Him for the sun. Thank Him for the birds in the air, and the trees. Thank God for His handiwork. 3.)If your children and husband are still asleep, that means you still have time to spend with God! So get started! Open your bible and read some scripture, then MEDITATE on it. Think about what it means to you. Consider how you might apply the scriptures to your life that day. 4.)Journal your thoughts and prayers to the Lord. Haven't invested in a journal yet? Get yourself one--it doesn't have to be the cutest and most expensive journal. You could even buy an inexpensive notebook…but do keep one on hand for your prayer times. Keeping a journal will help you monitor your growth in your relationship with Christ throughout the years. 5.)And if you are STILL the only one up for the morning, NOW you can take the time to retreat to a place in your house where you won't awaken anyone, and talk out loud to the Lord. Talking out loud does several things for you. Haven't you noticed that when we simply keep our thoughts inward and never verbalize them, many times they don't feel real to us? But once we verbalize our thoughts, they become tangible. It's the same with our prayers to our Savior. When we can, we should try talking out loud to Him as we would anyone else. It helps us to realize the tangible-ness of our Lord, and that He is as real as talking to our friends and family, and actually hears us. Talking out loud also cements our prayers and thoughts in reality. As our voice echoes our resounding prayers and conversations with God, we are able to hear these prayers with our own ears, and are confirmed with our hearts the truth and reality of our relationship with God, because after all, we were just talking to Him! Do you see how spending time with God first thing upon awaking each morning is not only possible but quite do-able, even for those of us with the most hectic schedules? We can do this! The benefits of spending time with our Savior each morning are awesome. We'll begin to notice our hearts become more pliable to His word. We'll start to notice a difference in our feelings toward others and our relationships with family, friends, and co-workers. We'll find the peace of God transcending our thoughts and minds. We'll begin to notice how strong and steadfast we are as we stand firm in our faith. As God becomes our rock and our fortress, we'll find ourselves unmoved by the chaos and stressors of life. Let's aim to strive for EARLY time with our Savior. Once you begin to implement this discipline, your life is sure to change!-- Demetria Zinga is the founder and owner of www.faith-media.com, a technology and consulting firm which specializes in web design and hosting, graphics and print designs, internet marketing, and e-training. She is also the founder of www.christianladies.net, an interactive ezine, blog, and podcast for Christian women.
About the Author
Demetria Zinga is the founder and owner of www.faith-media.com, a technology and consulting firm which specializes in web design and hosting, graphics and print designs, internet marketing, and e-training. She is also the founder of www.christianladies.net, an interactive ezine, blog, and podcast for Christian women.
Practicing Early Time With God by Demetria Zinga
"Spending time with God is something every Christian woman should set aside time for." Perhaps this is a fairly common statement that we've heard all too often. We all know this to be true, and yet it still seems to be a most incredible struggle to obtain that blessed time with God each and every day of our lives. So, how do we wear all the hats and still have time to be still and quiet in God's presence? How do we make the time to sit quietly before our Savior when our toddlers are stampeding through our living rooms with permanent markers only inches away from our furniture and walls? When do we find the time to say a prayer long enough to our Savior before we are interrupted with "MOM! She hit me!", or "Honey, I can't find my keys!" True, we all wear different hats--some of us are mothers, some of us are married, many of us work from home or have full time jobs outside of the home…but one thing we all have in common is our need for the peace of God in our lives. We ALL need the Lord!With that said, let's talk for a minute about some practical things we can do each day to allow the Lord first place in our lives. We are not only discussing our time in general with God each day, but the fact that we can also give God the first of our day. "Impossible!" you might exclaim…but it's true. We can do this! I am a living witness that despite the busy-ness of each morning, it is VERY possible for me and anyone else to give God the very first few minutes of each of my day. Try the following steps for 21 days and see if you'll notice a difference in your outlook on life. Also note any changes in your relationship with God (you'll most definitely feel more aware of how close the Lord really is to you, especially during many of your stressful times)! In addition, take note of your relationships to your family and friends, and to people around you. As you spend time, and EARLY time with the Lord, you will find your relationships with others changing as YOUR heart changes. Your heart will change because you start to become more like Christ as you draw closer to Him in fellowship each and every morning when you first awake. Here's how I do it:1.)Upon awaking each morning, thank God for a brand new day. Believe it or not, this very small act of gratitude takes you a long way during your stress throughout the day. 2.)Look out your window. Appreciate the nature. Thank God for what you see. Observe the weather. Whether it be raining or sunny, thank God for the weather. If it's raining, don't complain, but thank God for the rain. Thank Him for the sun. Thank Him for the birds in the air, and the trees. Thank God for His handiwork. 3.)If your children and husband are still asleep, that means you still have time to spend with God! So get started! Open your bible and read some scripture, then MEDITATE on it. Think about what it means to you. Consider how you might apply the scriptures to your life that day. 4.)Journal your thoughts and prayers to the Lord. Haven't invested in a journal yet? Get yourself one--it doesn't have to be the cutest and most expensive journal. You could even buy an inexpensive notebook…but do keep one on hand for your prayer times. Keeping a journal will help you monitor your growth in your relationship with Christ throughout the years. 5.)And if you are STILL the only one up for the morning, NOW you can take the time to retreat to a place in your house where you won't awaken anyone, and talk out loud to the Lord. Talking out loud does several things for you. Haven't you noticed that when we simply keep our thoughts inward and never verbalize them, many times they don't feel real to us? But once we verbalize our thoughts, they become tangible. It's the same with our prayers to our Savior. When we can, we should try talking out loud to Him as we would anyone else. It helps us to realize the tangible-ness of our Lord, and that He is as real as talking to our friends and family, and actually hears us. Talking out loud also cements our prayers and thoughts in reality. As our voice echoes our resounding prayers and conversations with God, we are able to hear these prayers with our own ears, and are confirmed with our hearts the truth and reality of our relationship with God, because after all, we were just talking to Him! Do you see how spending time with God first thing upon awaking each morning is not only possible but quite do-able, even for those of us with the most hectic schedules? We can do this! The benefits of spending time with our Savior each morning are awesome. We'll begin to notice our hearts become more pliable to His word. We'll start to notice a difference in our feelings toward others and our relationships with family, friends, and co-workers. We'll find the peace of God transcending our thoughts and minds. We'll begin to notice how strong and steadfast we are as we stand firm in our faith. As God becomes our rock and our fortress, we'll find ourselves unmoved by the chaos and stressors of life. Let's aim to strive for EARLY time with our Savior. Once you begin to implement this discipline, your life is sure to change!-- Demetria Zinga is the founder and owner of www.faith-media.com, a technology and consulting firm which specializes in web design and hosting, graphics and print designs, internet marketing, and e-training. She is also the founder of www.christianladies.net, an interactive ezine, blog, and podcast for Christian women.
About the Author
Demetria Zinga is the founder and owner of www.faith-media.com, a technology and consulting firm which specializes in web design and hosting, graphics and print designs, internet marketing, and e-training. She is also the founder of www.christianladies.net, an interactive ezine, blog, and podcast for Christian women.
Inspiration
Below is an article that inspires me. It is my desire to be the kind of mom she is talking about.
Mom's Joy by Demetria Zinga
"Mom, what am I going to do?" I moaned as I shared with my mother my woes of the hour. I was working a full time job and my heart was aching to be home with my daughter instead. This was a pretty difficult decision for me, especially since my job was providing a source of financial security for me and my family. Without it, we would definitely be in a rut to make ends meet. Very calmly she replied "Did you seek the Lord about it?" "Yes!" I cried, "and, well…I'm just not sure that He'd have me leave my family in a financial rut just so I could stay home with my daughter. What do you think?" The smile in her voice when she spoke eased my mind, and I knew immediately what I should do. Months later I had quit my job and was home with my daughter, raising her and being there to see her most precious moments and milestones. The Lord had protected our financial well being and had blessed my husband with a raise at his job. But before long, I was calling Mom again. "Mom?" I began slowly. Mom waited. "Well…" I hesitated, "I love being in school right now and everything, but…" and there I continued my woes of the hour as Mom patiently and attentively listened to every word I spoke. And once again, she not only listened, but spoke words of truth to me that I knew only God could have given her to share with me for that very moment.I have never seen her falter. In the face of adversity and moments of desperation, I have seen her call out to our Heavenly Father, and with such faith and trust in Him that it literally moves me. In the midst of her troubled situations I have observed the peace of God which resides upon her life and the joy of the Lord that radiantly shines from within.Oh, and although joy is something each individual has to receive on her own, I believe my Mother's joy is contagious, because I feel quite joyful around her!"The joy of the Lord is your strength" the psalmist David says. And it's true. Mom is a strong and determined virtuous woman who would go the extra mile just to have the assurance that our Savior is pleased with her. Because Mom never gives up on God, she is always joyful. And the joy of the Lord will cause one to smile even if she feels unhappy. So, although I've done my share of crying, when I go to visit Mom and tell her all about my woes of the hour, I can't help but to leave with a bright smile on my face. She leaves with me a kindled fire within my soul and continually reveals to me with her quiet smile and patient words how I can attain the same joy. As a treasure of jewels found in the desert sand, is the joy of the Lord I have found in my mother. My prayer is that I will reflect her image of extreme joy in Christ, now and in the years to come.-- Demetria Zinga is the founder and owner of www.faith-media.com, a technology and consulting firm which specializes in web design and hosting, graphics and print designs, internet marketing, and e-training. She is also the founder of www.christianladies.net, an interactive ezine, blog, and podcast for Christian women.
About the Author
Demetria Zinga is the founder and owner of www.faith-media.com, a technology and consulting firm which specializes in web design and hosting, graphics and print designs, internet marketing, and e-training. She is also the founder of www.christianladies.net, an interactive ezine, blog, and podcast for Christian women.
Mom's Joy by Demetria Zinga
"Mom, what am I going to do?" I moaned as I shared with my mother my woes of the hour. I was working a full time job and my heart was aching to be home with my daughter instead. This was a pretty difficult decision for me, especially since my job was providing a source of financial security for me and my family. Without it, we would definitely be in a rut to make ends meet. Very calmly she replied "Did you seek the Lord about it?" "Yes!" I cried, "and, well…I'm just not sure that He'd have me leave my family in a financial rut just so I could stay home with my daughter. What do you think?" The smile in her voice when she spoke eased my mind, and I knew immediately what I should do. Months later I had quit my job and was home with my daughter, raising her and being there to see her most precious moments and milestones. The Lord had protected our financial well being and had blessed my husband with a raise at his job. But before long, I was calling Mom again. "Mom?" I began slowly. Mom waited. "Well…" I hesitated, "I love being in school right now and everything, but…" and there I continued my woes of the hour as Mom patiently and attentively listened to every word I spoke. And once again, she not only listened, but spoke words of truth to me that I knew only God could have given her to share with me for that very moment.I have never seen her falter. In the face of adversity and moments of desperation, I have seen her call out to our Heavenly Father, and with such faith and trust in Him that it literally moves me. In the midst of her troubled situations I have observed the peace of God which resides upon her life and the joy of the Lord that radiantly shines from within.Oh, and although joy is something each individual has to receive on her own, I believe my Mother's joy is contagious, because I feel quite joyful around her!"The joy of the Lord is your strength" the psalmist David says. And it's true. Mom is a strong and determined virtuous woman who would go the extra mile just to have the assurance that our Savior is pleased with her. Because Mom never gives up on God, she is always joyful. And the joy of the Lord will cause one to smile even if she feels unhappy. So, although I've done my share of crying, when I go to visit Mom and tell her all about my woes of the hour, I can't help but to leave with a bright smile on my face. She leaves with me a kindled fire within my soul and continually reveals to me with her quiet smile and patient words how I can attain the same joy. As a treasure of jewels found in the desert sand, is the joy of the Lord I have found in my mother. My prayer is that I will reflect her image of extreme joy in Christ, now and in the years to come.-- Demetria Zinga is the founder and owner of www.faith-media.com, a technology and consulting firm which specializes in web design and hosting, graphics and print designs, internet marketing, and e-training. She is also the founder of www.christianladies.net, an interactive ezine, blog, and podcast for Christian women.
About the Author
Demetria Zinga is the founder and owner of www.faith-media.com, a technology and consulting firm which specializes in web design and hosting, graphics and print designs, internet marketing, and e-training. She is also the founder of www.christianladies.net, an interactive ezine, blog, and podcast for Christian women.
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
I like this article very much an am hoping I can make something like this happen for me.
Make Money Online by Building Momentum by: Liane Bate
The past month has been a very successful one for my online business in terms of traffic going up, number of new affiliates going up, and money in my pocket getting heavier. This really inspires me because after admitting to being lazy about my business over the hot summer months, I am just slowly starting to get back into the swing of things. I am just slowly starting to return to my daily to-do list after having made it more manageable and motivating for me to complete on a daily basis. I am not fully back where I should be in terms of work I need to be doing, and yet, it was my most profitable month ever. I have to say this really motivates me to work even harder, and be more consistent if I really want to make money online. I've realized that you can do this too by building your business momentum. Many people who want to make money online start a new program with the hope that they will make millions overnight. This just isn't realistic no matter what some online business owners may tell you. I've seen the effects that building momentum can have on your business. I've been through some ups and downs and everyone will experience these. But if you give up on your online business even before a year has passed, you don't even have the chance to get the momentum going, or see that next upward swing in your results, and it will come if you put the time and effort in! Let me explain by example what I mean by building momentum so that you can make money online…There are four ways I have done this, which are: Forum posting; Article writing; Blog posting; and Link generating. Forum posting means that you join some discussion forums on business related topics, or topics related to whatever your website is about. It's free to join these forums, and a great way to get yourself into a community of other people who are doing exactly what you are doing. You can share ideas, ask questions, look for information, help others, make new friends, and find out what all the top dogs are up to. At first you may think this is not at all really vital to your business and a waste of time. Well, think again! I have made sales simply from offering helpful advice in forums after someone followed my signature link to my site. A friend of mine who frequents a fishing forum told me that people won't even pay attention to you unless you have made over 500 posts. I thought he was full of it, until I had 500 posts, advanced in my status, and then had 1000+ posts. Believe me, people will pay attention to your posts the more you have because they can see that you have been around for a while and must know what you're talking about. This isn't to say you should go and spam the forums. That is a no-no! Make useful contributions to the forums and offer something of value on a consistent basis, and you will be building momentum for your business through forum posting. Article writing is the next way I have built momentum for my business. Again, this is something you don't do overnight – not if you write your own original articles like I do. This is one of the best ways to advertise your business these days. Provide an article with useful information, and submit it to an article distribution service that will distribute your article to thousands of publishers with your online business links at the end in the author bio-box. You'll be amazed at how fast your links get dispersed around the net – One-way links pointing back to your site! I have also found that the more articles you write, the more of an authority you become in your niche. The more articles you have to your name, the more people will realize that you have something valuable to offer, you can be trusted, and your readers may decide you're worth buying from. Similar to article writing is blog posting. The more frequent your posts, the more traffic you will get to your site. I recently found a tool on the net that allows you to type in your blog address to get a monetary value of what your blog is worth. Now I have posted my own articles, as well as other people's articles to my blog, and have added special news and reports in addition to that. According to the value I got for my blog, I need to beef up my blog even more! Obviously this takes time, and that is my point when I refer to "building momentum". If you quit early on, you will never have the chance to make your online business work for you or make money online. Finally, link generating is another means I have used to build momentum for my business. The search engines don't even like it if you gather links too quickly because they see it as a deliberate attempt to get a link back to your site. It is recommended that you gather links slowly, maybe 10-15 new links per week, and you want thousands of links pointing back to your site! This, too, will take time, and over time, you will see your link popularity grow if you continue to gather links by writing articles, posting your URL to the link directories, linking to the internal pages on your own site, commenting on blogs, posting in forums, and so on. Building momentum means taking the time, and making the consistent effort to build your business. It means not giving up pre-maturely, thinking nothing is working for you, and that you are not making any money online. If you take consistent action over time by posting in forums, writing original articles, making frequent posts to your blog, and getting as many quality links pointing back to your site, then have what it takes to make money online!
About The Author
Liane Bate owns a Plugin Profit Site web business, and is a member of Success University and the IAHBE. Visit: http://www.honestmoneymaking.com/ and http://www.HonestMoneyMaking.com/blog/
Make Money Online by Building Momentum by: Liane Bate
The past month has been a very successful one for my online business in terms of traffic going up, number of new affiliates going up, and money in my pocket getting heavier. This really inspires me because after admitting to being lazy about my business over the hot summer months, I am just slowly starting to get back into the swing of things. I am just slowly starting to return to my daily to-do list after having made it more manageable and motivating for me to complete on a daily basis. I am not fully back where I should be in terms of work I need to be doing, and yet, it was my most profitable month ever. I have to say this really motivates me to work even harder, and be more consistent if I really want to make money online. I've realized that you can do this too by building your business momentum. Many people who want to make money online start a new program with the hope that they will make millions overnight. This just isn't realistic no matter what some online business owners may tell you. I've seen the effects that building momentum can have on your business. I've been through some ups and downs and everyone will experience these. But if you give up on your online business even before a year has passed, you don't even have the chance to get the momentum going, or see that next upward swing in your results, and it will come if you put the time and effort in! Let me explain by example what I mean by building momentum so that you can make money online…There are four ways I have done this, which are: Forum posting; Article writing; Blog posting; and Link generating. Forum posting means that you join some discussion forums on business related topics, or topics related to whatever your website is about. It's free to join these forums, and a great way to get yourself into a community of other people who are doing exactly what you are doing. You can share ideas, ask questions, look for information, help others, make new friends, and find out what all the top dogs are up to. At first you may think this is not at all really vital to your business and a waste of time. Well, think again! I have made sales simply from offering helpful advice in forums after someone followed my signature link to my site. A friend of mine who frequents a fishing forum told me that people won't even pay attention to you unless you have made over 500 posts. I thought he was full of it, until I had 500 posts, advanced in my status, and then had 1000+ posts. Believe me, people will pay attention to your posts the more you have because they can see that you have been around for a while and must know what you're talking about. This isn't to say you should go and spam the forums. That is a no-no! Make useful contributions to the forums and offer something of value on a consistent basis, and you will be building momentum for your business through forum posting. Article writing is the next way I have built momentum for my business. Again, this is something you don't do overnight – not if you write your own original articles like I do. This is one of the best ways to advertise your business these days. Provide an article with useful information, and submit it to an article distribution service that will distribute your article to thousands of publishers with your online business links at the end in the author bio-box. You'll be amazed at how fast your links get dispersed around the net – One-way links pointing back to your site! I have also found that the more articles you write, the more of an authority you become in your niche. The more articles you have to your name, the more people will realize that you have something valuable to offer, you can be trusted, and your readers may decide you're worth buying from. Similar to article writing is blog posting. The more frequent your posts, the more traffic you will get to your site. I recently found a tool on the net that allows you to type in your blog address to get a monetary value of what your blog is worth. Now I have posted my own articles, as well as other people's articles to my blog, and have added special news and reports in addition to that. According to the value I got for my blog, I need to beef up my blog even more! Obviously this takes time, and that is my point when I refer to "building momentum". If you quit early on, you will never have the chance to make your online business work for you or make money online. Finally, link generating is another means I have used to build momentum for my business. The search engines don't even like it if you gather links too quickly because they see it as a deliberate attempt to get a link back to your site. It is recommended that you gather links slowly, maybe 10-15 new links per week, and you want thousands of links pointing back to your site! This, too, will take time, and over time, you will see your link popularity grow if you continue to gather links by writing articles, posting your URL to the link directories, linking to the internal pages on your own site, commenting on blogs, posting in forums, and so on. Building momentum means taking the time, and making the consistent effort to build your business. It means not giving up pre-maturely, thinking nothing is working for you, and that you are not making any money online. If you take consistent action over time by posting in forums, writing original articles, making frequent posts to your blog, and getting as many quality links pointing back to your site, then have what it takes to make money online!
About The Author
Liane Bate owns a Plugin Profit Site web business, and is a member of Success University and the IAHBE. Visit: http://www.honestmoneymaking.com/ and http://www.HonestMoneyMaking.com/blog/
Networking Tips for Moms At Home by Demetria Zinga
Plenty of christian moms today stay at home. After a year of battling the decision to quit my job, I finally "put my foot down", as they say, and returned home to raise my daughter. It wasn't the easiest decision, but, let me tell you, it sure wasn't the toughest! I enjoy every minute of being home to raise my child. Furthermore, being home has done wonders for my family as a unit, and drawn us closer together. When I was working my full time job I barely had time to prepare a decent meal. But today? I'm a health nut, and so is the whole family (ha)!But now, there's another dilemma. Being a stay at home mom has not affected my personality, of course, so I still have a lot of creative energy pent up inside! I thought to myself one day, "what better way to use this energy than to work towards a goal--perhaps start a business?" Not only would it bring in a nice supplementary income for my family, but having a business (or craft or hobby) would enhance my creative skills and strengthen my business expertise. I call it the project of my lifetime.The first thing I did was a little soul searching to seek God's direction for the type of business or project He would have me to embark on. I realized right away that although my personality was suited for several types of business ventures (selling crafts, designing websites, or providing secretarial services), I would soon either have to narrow it down to one choice, or start a business that combined all or most of my skills and interests. For me, choosing the right business was the hardest part. Once I settled on freelance web design and writing, it soon became my ultimate goal to find out as much as possible about these particular industries. In my thought, education and information is what separates the amateurs from the professionals. My goal was to be a professional in my field. This is where networking is highly important.If you're like me, the internet is probably one of the very best tools you can use for research. Not only is it a few feet away from me as I embark on my daily chores, but I keep my computer on at all times. Thankfully, we are using a broadband connection and can stay online 24/7 without having to worry about tying up the phone line. This, I should stress, is very important for moms who have businesses that require them to be online quite often, but who will need access to the phone as well. Once online, I begin my networking research by going to a search engine. My favorite one is Google (www.google.com) just because of its enormous searching capabilities. As a former library assistant, I can attest that Google is highly recommended in the academic and librarianship fields. I search for information in my fields using as many search terms and combination of terms as possible. With each result that I feel is important to me, I visit its webpage and bookmark it for future reference. Once I've bookmarked a bunch of pages, I go through each of these websites and study them, taking notes on what I feel is important to me in my field. I promise, you will find contacts this way, and it will be so much easier to network once you have a list of people whose companies and organizations you have researched online. In addition to an internet search, I feel that it is also important to find any books or other publications that are related to your industry. Study them and find out more about the authors. Find out if they have websites and how to reach them. Now that you have a compiled list of contact people, it's time to work the list! Before contacting these people individually (they are probably very busy), see if they offer newsletters, or other mailbits. You are looking for information on how they got where they are today. Remember, you are the amateur. They are the professionals. So, any information you receive from this contact list regarding their biographies and information on the field itself is important enough for your notes. Take plenty of notes, and keep them in a file folder. Every time you find a new piece of information on your subject matter, drop it in your file folder. And finally, if you absolutely need to contact your list of professionals for more information, I would recommend sending an email.But don't forget about networking with fellow amateurs! You can make some of your best friends and closest contacts online by joining mail lists such as Yahoo groups or MSN groups. These groups along with technologies such as Instant Messenger make it easier for you to find people with similar personal and professional interests and literally network with them on a regular basis. You will find out so much about your industry and probably learn more from each other regarding your profession than in any other way.Last but not least, be sure to network with the most important contact of all: your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Remember that it is He who gave you the passion and the calling, and it is He who will be with you each step of the way on your new journey.Happy networking!-- Demetria Zinga is the founder and owner of www.faith-media.com, a technology and consulting firm which specializes in web design and hosting, graphics and print designs, internet marketing, and e-training. She is also the founder of www.christianladies.net, an interactive ezine, blog, and podcast for Christian women.
About the Author
Demetria Zinga is the founder and owner of www.faith-media.com, a technology and consulting firm which specializes in web design and hosting, graphics and print designs, internet marketing, and e-training. She is also the founder of www.christianladies.net, an interactive ezine, blog, and podcast for Christian women.
About the Author
Demetria Zinga is the founder and owner of www.faith-media.com, a technology and consulting firm which specializes in web design and hosting, graphics and print designs, internet marketing, and e-training. She is also the founder of www.christianladies.net, an interactive ezine, blog, and podcast for Christian women.
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