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Article Marketing Basics: The Free Way to Drive Traffic to Your Website

Posted by Paradise on August 11, 2010 at 10:23pm

By Serena Carcasole, President, Virtual Business Solutions ON DEMAND

If you’re looking to drive traffic to your website and establish yourself as a go-to person in your field, I’ve got the answer for you: article marketing. Article marketing is a low-cost (or free, in most cases) yet highly efficient way to grow your business online.

Article marketing isn’t as simple as throwing together a few thoughts and sticking your so-called article on your website. No, there’s much more to it than that. Before you start to panic, take a deep breath - I’m going to tell you the basics to help you get started. In fact, by the time you’re done with this article, you’ll have everything you need to start driving more traffic to your website today.

First, let me assure you that you don’t have to be the world’s best writer to succeed with article marketing. On the contrary, what you really need is a few good ideas, knowledge of your target market’s needs, and a sincere desire to help them find answers. Oh, and a good spell checker or editor to catch the little typos that will annoy your readers and, quite possibly, make them lose the credibility you’ve worked so hard to build up.

But enough talk; let’s get started already!

1) Pick a topic
Your first step in article marketing is to pick a topic. It needs to fit into your business goals (in other words, don’t write about gardening if you’re a dentist who’s trying to use article marketing to grow your dental business).

Think about the problems you solve for your clients and start talking about the steps you take to solve them. You may lose a few do-it-yourselfers who will take your tips and run, but most readers will be touched by your helpfulness and, when they give up on doing it themselves and decide to outsource the work, who do you think they’ll turn to?

2) Choose relevant keywords
Once you have the topic picked for your first article, you need to choose the keywords that will get the most attention from your target market.

If you put all of your time and effort into an article about “widgets” but most of your readers use the word “gadgets” in their searches, you’re missing out on some prime opportunities.

How do you know which keywords to choose? Just use a keyword popularity tool (look it up in Google and you’ll find a few free options).

3) Start writing already!
Here are a few tips to help you get started with your article marketing campaign.

a) Don’t worry about the title at this point - that’s best left for the end, when your article is polished and ready to submit.

b) Keep it short and sweet. Your readers have a lot of competing demands for their time, so you need to grab their attention with short sentences and paragraphs.

c) Use subheadings as much as possible. Most readers skim articles looking for specific information, so help keep them reading by offering sub-headings to pique their interest.

d) Use lists - numbered or bullet points. Another method to help readers get the most from your article marketing efforts.

e) Use your keywords! Try to use your keywords as much as possible without going overboard (if every other word is “widgets,” you’ve gone too far). Try to use the keywords at least once in the introduction, again in the conclusion and a couple of times within each paragraph - again, without overdoing it.

f) Put some thought into the title. You can go bold with an attention-grabbing title (Is Your TV Making You Fat?) or a tips list (Top 10 Ways Your TV is making you fat).

g) Proofread, proofread, proofread! Look over your work with a fine-tooth comb or, better yet, ask a friend, trusted colleague, or professional editor to check it for you. As stated above, you don’t want to lose credibility.

4) Publish your article
a) Once your article is polished to your liking, you’ll want to publish it on your site. After all, the search engines love fresh content!

b) Your next step in your article marketing campaign is to submit your article to article directories. You can find various free and paid versions online…just do a search for article directories.

And there you go! Now that you know the basics to help you get started with your article marketing campaign, you can get started sending more traffic to your website and generating more hot prospects who will be interested in learning how your products and services can help make their lives easier.

---Source: Duct Tape Marketing April 19, 2009 (www.ducttapemarketing.com). Serena Carcasole is a marketing consultant and president of Virtual Business Solutions ON DEMAND (www.vbsondemand.com).

Learn The Truth About CASH GIFTING (2 Part Video Series)

Posted by Gee Renee on April 10, 2010 at 1:07pm

To many the thought of receiving money that you "didn't work for" is so foreign, yet it is practiced every day in possibly every country in the world. Check out my 2 part video series on The Truth About Cash Gifting, and see why cash gifting is the #1 cash generator on the internet today. Learn how even the US govenrnment gives us the constitutional right to give and receive cash gifts Tax Free!!! Watch these 2 Videos, then visit http://Luke638Works.info

Part 1: The Truth About Cash Gifting

Part 2: The Truth About Cash Gifting

Giving & Receiving....A Way To Prosper Today!
Gee Renee
http://Luke638works.info
http://ILeverageCash.com

Who Is Gee Renee..Anyway?

Posted by Gee Renee on April 10, 2010 at 12:58pm

Hi everyone, Gee Renee here. I wanted to post this short bio, introducing me to the BBWO community.

I was born and raised in The Bronx, NY, and am the 2nd eldest of 7 children. I have always been a trend-setter and a go-getter. I was the first to do many things in my immediate family; from breaking my leg to leaving home, to graduating from college, to getting married. I am also a born-again believer in The Lord Jesus Christ

For the past 18 years, I have been honored to be married to who I call "the greatest living Jazz Pianist", Mr. Levi Barcourt (bar-coo). Together, we have 3 beautiful children, who I know will one day leave indelible marks on this world. In addition to being a mommy and a wifey, I am also an entrepreneur.

After working in Corporate America for 16 years; 13 years ago, I was privileged to stay at home and become a full-time Momprenuer. I've owned my own baking business; worked as a church administrator, and as a network marketer. Currently, I am a first-time author, writing my first book, a baby name book, entitled, "You Were Destined To Be."

My current online activities includes that of an Internet Marketer. I promote cash leveraging programs, and am passionate about helping others "Create Wealth so they can Leave a Lasting Financial Legacy." Offline, I am also the co-owner of LB Music & Entertainment, Inc., a premier entertainment company, serving the NY Tri-State regions.

If you'd like to learn even more about me, please check out my profile at: www.myspace.com/gee.renee. As a member of BBWO, I am seeking to network with and befriend women who are driven to succeed, and have a will to fulfill their God-given destiny.

I'm looking forward to building additional syncopated and synergistic relationships here!

Remember, "Destiny is Not left up to Chance…It's a Matter of CHOICE!!!

Peace & Blessings,
Gee Renee
http://ArdyssInternationalWorks.com
http://lose2-3sizesnow.com
http://ileveragecash.com
http://luke638works.info
http://thepowerofTEN.info
http://lockyourspot.com/geerenee

How to Know if Your Website is KILLING Your Business

Posted by Paradise on January 2, 2010 at 9:08pm

How to Know if Your Website is KILLING Your BusinessBy Barry A. Densa, freelance marketing & sales copywriterJust because you build it, and they come... doesn’t mean they’ll stay.So you’ve got Google adwords, banner ads, co-registration and joint venture deals, postcards, print ads, radio commercials, your mother-in-law and everyone else you can bribe, cajole and threaten, driving traffic to your website.Yes! You’re an absolute genius at driving traffic to your website. You’re getting a gazillion hits and unique page impressions—every minute!You’ve got so much traffic, tying up so much bandwidth, that Al Gore is thinking of producing a new movie about you: An Inconvenient Internet Presence: How one marketer destroyed what I invented.And yet, despite all your fame and glory... no one’s buying what you’re selling!In other words...Your Website Sucks!Way back in the stone age of Internet history... roughly ten or so years ago... a website was a website was a website.They all looked alike, they all worked alike (which basically meant they really didn’t do anything) and they all accomplished the same thing—pretty much nothing.A website was a virtual business card. And since every business ordered business cards, every business ordered a website.And then vanity and misguided creativity took hold of the entrepreneurial imagination.The business card website quickly evolved into a multi-varied, multi-page behemoth. And as technology grew faster than our ability to master its consequences, the art of website design became an addiction—consuming the health, time, patience and money of the website owner—and the unwary visitor.Pop-ups, hover-overs and other hovercraft, Web 2.0, RSS, flash media, video, audio, 4-wheel drive, GPS, this and that, inspired and invigorated web developers and designers to continually raise the bar. Their ultimate end game: keeping visitors hostage to a website—tossing them into the black hole of Web pyrotechnics, where nothing, not even light can escape.And it didn’t bother them in the least that their Frankenstein website creations required an eternity to load on the average computer screen—eating RAM, disturbing REM, crashing hard drives, destroying transmissions, shackling legs in irons—lions and tigers and bears, oh my!Okay, let’s get back on track here...Today, there are basically two and a half types of websites... those that inform and educate, those that inform, educate, and sell... and those that only sell.Do You Know to Which Group Your Website Belongs?Are you sure?As a marketing and sales copywriter—I can tell you in a heartbeat.I get phone calls and emails—almost daily—from individuals and company representatives lamenting the fact that their website doesn’t convert, and they want to know if I can help.My first question, of course, is... how much money you got, pal?(Just kidding... but it is in the back of my mind.)Anyway... here are those two and a half website styles in a nutshell... and in their absolute worst incarnations...The “I’ve really got nothing to say” WebsiteTypically, this website belongs to a small business owner. They’ve got a single product or a single service that they’re offering—yet, they have 20 or more pages on their website.They’ve got a home page, a contact page, an “about us” page, a mission page, a subscribe-to-our-newsletter page, a link page, a testimonial page, a preferred vendor page, a site page, a leave-a-comment page, and a product page for each person, animal, business or situation for which this one product can be of use.But... there’s only two or three sentences on each page—if that much! So by default or design, graphical wizardry fills the remaining and yawning void.Now, is there anything wrong with having a “brochure” style website?Of course not—if you’re GE, Amazon, Dell Computer or any other business that has a diverse and extensive product and service mix.For quicker and easier surfing (read: optimized usability) such a company needs a website that will logically and intuitively segment their wares and information onto different web pages.But, if your company is a one-trick pony... a microsite will do you just fine.Why waste your visitor’s time, forcing them to click here and there (and out of boredom flee to your competitor’s website), when everything they need to know and find about you, your product or service can comfortably and ergonomically fit on one page?“...But I don’t want my website to look like one of those long-scrolling websites, you know, the type that sells information products!”You’re laughing. Trust me... I hear that all the time, and it kills me.My preferred retort to that bit of ignorance should be: “Well, those sites, the better conceived ones, typically rack up millions of dollars in sales—usually in a very short time. And so how much did you make last week?”But instead, I politely suggest that they tell their Web designer to be sure to stay away from that sort of, uh, look—but still put it on one page (two at the most).Which now brings us to “that” sort of look, or site, the long scrolling, one-page kind.The Kick-butt, Killer Commando WebsiteBecause I don’t want to get into the debate, again, over whether long copy outsells short copy (it absolutely does!)... let me just state that a long scrolling, one-page, “information product kind” of website has but one purpose in its virtual life. To sell one thing—and to sell that one thing right off the page—right then and there!And because “properly executed” websites of this kind can sell, and sell very well... uninitiated and salivating entrepreneurs who won’t take the time—or spend the money—to achieve a similar level of selling sophistication... will blindly, poorly and sacrilegiously copy that type of website’s form and style—while ignoring its compelling substance.They’ll slap up a website, using a website design program they downloaded off the Internet the night before.And then they’ll fill it up with pages and pages (the amount of which seemingly corresponds, oddly enough, to the entrepreneur’s age) of overblown, hype-filled, irrelevant, stream of conscious verbal diarrhea.And Holy Baloney! The impossible promises they make—with no credible proof provided—and the multitude of “freebies” offered (valued at thousands of dollars more than the $49.95 or $495 program, system or product being hawked)—is an absolute marvel to behold.And then, of course, there’s the false deadline and limited supply (without a reasonable explanation as to why).The list of unadulterated snake oil BS, sales gaffs and obvious chicanery on these sites is endless—indeed, the list is as long as the website.Fortunately though, few are swindled, and these sites disappear relatively quickly, simply because...they don’t sell well.And yet... the online, long-copy, scrolling sales letter, when conceived with good and honest intentions and executed with consummate sales skill, can quickly create a fortune, and a loyal and well-deserved following for a gifted entrepreneur where neither existed before.That cheap imitations have muddied the worth and image of one of the mightiest and most sublime manifestations of salesmanship in print... is unfortunate. But they will endure... to the benefit of seller... and customer.Which now brings us, finally, to the website by half...The Landing, Splash, Squeeze PageThis rose by any other name—should be short, sweet and to the point.What a surgical military strike is to the field of combat, the landing page is to the theater of marketing. Its sole purpose is conversion—to get the reader to buy, subscribe or inquire—fast. All the “selling and persuasion” typically comes before the visitor lands on this short-copy, quick-strike page.Interestingly, one mistake many marketers make in regard to the landing page is not in the design of one—but in the lack of one.They’ll do all the right things (hopefully) to generate traffic—but rather than drive the visitor to a page that is a dedicated follow-up to the ad the visitor just read—they drive them to their company’s home page, instead.Then the visitor has to hunt and click for their particular item of interest.If you give a visitor/potential buyer the slightest opportunity to get sidetracked and not complete the desired action—they will!Another mistake is not designing the landing page to look and read the same way as the ad that attracted them in the first place. In short, there’s no continuity—no sense that they’re in the right place—primarily because there’s no repetition of the offer made in the ad.Even though the potential customer has already been seduced, persuaded and sold on purchasing your product or service—or just providing their email address—you still must continue to seduce, persuade and sell them on your landing page.You just don’t have to take as much time doing it. Just repeat the salient selling points already made in the ad—including the guarantee or risk reversal element.But don’t be too quick and smart about it, either.Don’t request your customer’s credit card number in a cold, calculating and peremptory manner. Continue to entice and excite your customers on your landing page—so that they can’t bear to wait a moment longer to give you their name and email address... or their money.---Source: Barry A. Densa is freelance Marketing and Sales Copywriter. Visit WritingWithPersonality.com to see how Barry converts prospects into buyers using "salesmanship in print". And while there, sign up for his highly regarded FREE ezine: Marketing Wit & Wisdom!---

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How to manage the Negative, the Nay Sayer, the Questioner

Posted by websites24seven.com on September 10, 2009 at 7:00pm

Negativity, Doubt, and Rebellion – this behavior is more than annoying. It is destructive, counterproductive, and primarily hindrances. The term commonly used to refer to this type of behavior is pessimism. The pessimist has a tendency to only see, anticipate, and emphasize the bad, the unfavorable, the problems. Pessimists tend to question, complain about, or criticize rather than offer contributions towards productivity, can do attitudes, or offer solutions.How can we work towards a shift in this behavior?Read More...http://hosannapublishing.ning.com

Dream Big

Posted by Joneen Horton on June 24, 2009 at 2:30pm

Are you making plans for your business and wondering if you can actually achieve them? As a Christian business person you must plan, but make sure you acknowledge God in all your ways. Allow Him to interrupt and change your plans as He desires. There is nothing too big for our God and if you can dream it He can lead you to it and far greater than what you can dream (Ephesians 3:20). So when we acknowledge him in all our ways and allow Him to direct our paths – He will lead us into the God given desires of our lives!So what is your desire? To begin a ministry? DREAM BIG and do it! To purchase land for a women’s shelter? DREAM BIG and do it! To buy a new home? DREAM BIG and do it! Don’t look at what you don’t have, look at your God and know that with him all things are possible…DREAM BIG!

What are you saying about your business?

Posted by Joneen Horton on June 17, 2009 at 2:00pm

I was talking to a friend recently and we discussed confessing the Word of God over every situation in our lives-including our businesses. It seemed we both had gotten slack. I was quick to repent and go back to what I know- confess His Word if I want to see victory. Romans 4:17 says to call those things that be not as though they are. I had to tape the Word up on my bathroom wall and mirror to remind myself that my confession is my profession. Speak life into your business and watch it grow.

Gather Information

Posted by Joneen Horton on June 10, 2009 at 1:30pm

I have been on this “feeding frenzy” of information from successful business owners and entrepreneurs to enhance my own business. Implementing what I’m learning and moving forward in my goals is exciting! Sometimes it feels like I’m on information overload and then I remember what a Minister once said to me; “chew the meat and spit out the bones!” I take in a lot of information (meat) discerning what is suitable and viable versus what is trash (bones) is a must. Get the information, more importantly understand the information and implement what is suitable for you. Whether you’re starting a new endeavor or working to grow what you are currently involved in, gather information… and remember to spit out the bones.

Move Forward

Posted by Joneen Horton on June 3, 2009 at 4:00am

As believers our lives are a continual transformation. In this process of transformation there are hurdles, obstacles, trials and falls; yet all that we experience becomes a testimony of God’s goodness, mercy and grace in order to encourage others to believe in Him. Don’t get hung up on the mistakes, be quick to repent and move forward in His goodness.

Does anyone write proposals????

Posted by Rae Goodman on June 1, 2009 at 11:30pm

Hey Sistas,I am in process of expanding my business. In casual conversation, a Human Resource Manager from a national corporation requested my proposal. She wants to submit it so I can develop a small entity on-site. I have the gift-of-gab, but I do not have a proposal. Do you or anyone you know write grant/proposals? If so, please contact me.RaeThanks for all the advice and support. Fortunately, I found someone to write by proposal and business plan.Thanks a bunch!!!!

More Great News About My New Book - Sneak Preview of Book Cover Summary

Posted by Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke on May 31, 2009 at 8:28pm

Official Logo for That Which Awakens Me products and apparel(drawing appears on inside of book)Copyright 2009 by Madelyn C. LeekePhoto Credit: Leigh Mosley - http://www.leighmosley.comBlessings All,Happy early June!Last week I received an email from my publisher iUniverse, Inc. with the revised cover copy polish for my book cover and iUniverse's web site. The cover copy polish is the marketing copy and vital to the success of my new book, That Which Awakens Me: A Creative Woman's Poetic Memoir of Self-Discovery. It convinces people to buy it. My book editor Wayne and I reviewed the text and made a a few changes before I sent it back to iUniverse. Get a sneak preview below.Now I am celebrating that I made it through step 2 of the publishing process. I can use the cover copy polish to finish my author web site (http://www.anandaleeke.com - launch date is late June). The next step is reviewing the manuscript in book form. After that, I have to work with the art team on the book cover. My new book will be released in late summer.If you are looking for a great book to read this summer, check out my debut novel, Love's Troubadours - Karma: Book One (2007 - iUniverse, Inc.) - www.lovestroubadours.com and my book reading list - http://www.lovestroubadours.com/id19.html.Stay updated about my new book and creative adventures by:1) Reading my author blog.http://authoranandaleeke.wordpress.com - launches on June 12) Joining my Facebook Fan page.www.facebook.com/pages/Ananda-Leeke/689967009063) Following me on Twitter.http://twitter.com/anandaleekeEnjoy your summer!Peace and Creativity,AnandaSNEAK PREVIEW OF COVER COPY POLISHTITLEThat Which Awakens MeSUBTITLEA Creative Woman's Poetic Memoir of Self-DiscoveryAUTHORAnanda Kiamsha Madelyn LeekeBYLINEAuthor of Love's Troubadours - Karma: Book OneKEYNOTEPoetic reflections highlight the inspiring memoir of a lawyer turned writer/artist/yoga teacher who used bar exam failures and unemployment as a catalyst for self-discovery.PAPERBACK COPYIn the poetic memoir That Which Awakens Me, Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke shares her journey of self-discovery from a law school graduate to a creative woman who learned to open the door to authentic living.When Leeke graduated from law school in 1989, she was a twenty-something with a life plan focused on becoming a successful attorney. Using her multiple bar exam failures and two bouts of unemployment as a catalyst for self-discovery and lifestyle reinvention, Leeke followed her own unique path during the past twenty years and made changes in the way she feels, thinks, lives, works, and manages her finances. Through poetic reflection and personal stories, she shares the lessons that taught her to trust her intuition, expand her spiritual practices, heal emotional wounds, tap into her creativity, discover her passions, open her eyes to hidden opportunities, volunteer and serve her local community, travel the world, and heed her calling as a writer, artist, creativity coach, yoga teacher, Reiki Master practitioner, radio host, blogger, social media strategist, and innerpreneur.That Which Awakens Me provides insight for anyone seeking guidance on how to both handle and benefit from the ups and downs of their own life journey.AUTHOR BIOAnanda Kiamsha Madelyn Lee ke is a writer, artist, creativity coach, yoga teacher, Reiki Master practitioner, radio host, blogger, social media strategist, and innerpreneur. Her poetry has been published in Beyond the Frontier: African American Poetry for the 21st Century and she is the author of Love's Troubadours - Karma: Book One. She lives in Washington, D.C.

I want to establish my non profit, now what?

Posted by Alive Inc & ALIVE Magazine on May 31, 2009 at 5:14pm

Dear Coach,I want to establish my non profit entity to provide technology training to individuals with disabilities. While this is my passion, I don't have a client base and I know it takes time to receive your status as a 501 c 3. I am not sure of what steps to take. Help!-- Bridgette, MaineGreetings Bridgette,Thank you for writing in Bridgette. Great mission. Have you thought about volunteering with an NPO providing services to individuals with disabilities - filling a service gap they may have? Also, you want to take the time to design your program while you complete IRS Form 1023 to apply for your status as a 501 c 3.After you design your program, you could contact NPOs in your area and secure a collaborative partnership with one of these organizations so that they are your fiscal agent until you receive your status? If you decide to establish a collaborative partnership with an organization, you want to be sure the expectations for both parties are clearly defined.CoachAlive Inc.coach@aliveincorporated.comThe Savane Groupwww.thesavanegroup.com

Free-Writing Technique

Posted by Dominique on May 31, 2009 at 5:07pm

Today Barbara Smitherman was featured in an interview on The POV Lounge. She submitted an article on "Free-Writing Technique" Her article was very informative. I know every writer will be able to use the information she has provided.So log into The POV Lounge http://povlounge.blogspot.com and read her interview as well as her article.Please give us your feedback. We always want to hear back from you!See you there!

Poetry Week Workshop!

Posted by Dominique on May 31, 2009 at 5:01pm

Tune in all next week to From A Writers POV Ning Network's first Poetry Week Workshop.All week we will do exercises on poetry writing and give tips. If you are someone who would like a little more knowledge, practice and help on poetry writing, join our group where the workshop will be featured: http://fromawriterspov.ning.com/group/thepovwritersworkshopI look forward to seeing you there!

My Father's Business

Posted by iris celeste on May 31, 2009 at 2:23pm

A close friend of mine and I were discussing an incident that transpired in the Book of Matthew between Jesus and his twelve chosen disciples. Just before The Last Supper Jesus declared that one of them were going to betray him. Of course, they all denied the claim. However, that’s not what shocked me. What caught my attention was not the disciples’ reaction, but Jesus’ response. All along He knew who was going to betray him and when that betrayal would take place…but he changed not! He treated Judas no different from the other eleven. Now how many of us would have responded in the same manner? I know I would have shown all kinda attitude up in there!!! But Jesus did not concern himself with such trivial tactics. He was strictly about his father's business. He refused to take his eyes off the prize and allow anyone or anything deter him from his mission here on earth.I pray for such dedication and focus. I confess there have been moments when I was doing the right thing, I thought for the right reason but when faced with opposition I allowed it to hurl me off track. But after rereading the message in Matthew it shed some light. What I do for the Lord has nothing to do with popularity, being respected or recognized, neither fame nor fortune. It has absolutely nothing to do with any of those things. In fact, it has nothing to do with me! God selected me as one of His vessels to be used for His glory. Therefore, warfare is expected...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.The devil doesn't want me to reach my goal and though he can't stop what God has already predestined, his objective is to discourage me. He wants to keep me stressed out and distracted enough where I don't have the time or energy to do the work of the Lord. Remember in the desert when he approached Jesus and taunted him in his weariness. But Jesus wasn't fazed nor did he try to tackle the devil in his own strength. He fought back with the word..."it is written, worship the Lord your God and serve Him only." Whether he was confronted with antagonists or entrusted friend, Jesus never diverted from his assignment. Likewise, when assaulted with lies, encounter hurtful accusations or simply misunderstood, do as Jesus did and retaliate with scripture..."did you not know that it is necessary for me to be about my Father's business."Iris Celeste, Authorwww.irisceleste.com

The Secret

Posted by iris celeste on May 31, 2009 at 2:22pm

Everyone’s running scared talking about America is going through a recession. It’s time like these that economy strategists predicts cutting back and saving money a must. Really? Is that what a recession causes, cut backs? Because if that’s so, I’ve been in a recession for quite awhile now. In fact, I grew up in a recession! We didn’t always have the best of everything, but we made the best of what we had. I surely didn’t prance around in designer outfits, but my clothes were clean and well-kept. We didn’t always eat high on the hog, but every night our bellies were full. It was nothing for my mama to cook up some salmon patties, grits and home-made biscuits for dinner. That’s right, dinner! And we were happy to get it. I often wondered if everyone else was eating as well as we were. RECESSION! Please.You see, back then our parents knew how to make do! But nowadays people don’t know what making do is. They just want to do better. Which is nothing wrong with that. However, don’t forget where you came from. Don’t forget what brought you through. Don’t forget this too shall pass… I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.God is in control of everything, even the recession. The shape the economy is in today is no shock to Him. It didn’t sneak up and catch Him by surprise. He knew this day was coming and He made provisions for it. Provisions for you and I. You don’t believe me. Well…let me remind you of an era when Egypt experienced the same ordeal. The land of Egypt was going through a famine—a recession—Pharaoh chose Joseph, one in whom is the spirit of God, to be in charge to provide for the people during this time…there was famine in all the other lands, but in the whole land of Egypt there was food. Everybody’s belly was full. It may not have been what they wanted, but they were supplied with what they needed. Just as God made provisions back then, He will provide for His children today...every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows—or the economy!Iris Celeste, Authorwww.irisceleste.com

Due Season

Posted by iris celeste on May 31, 2009 at 2:20pm

I have learned that life is not always fair. I’m not going to always get what I want when I want it nor will things easily come my way. Nevertheless, in the midst of going through, God is there. It is He who keeps me from losing it all…my mind, my finances and even myself. Just when I am about to do something completely foolish, God steps in. He thoughtfully removes a bad influence from out of my life. He closes the door of a potentially disastrous business venture. He locks up all possible expansion for advancement. Why you ask? I ask. The timing simply wasn’t right.Though my spirit is fully aware of this knowledge, my flesh instinctively wants to fight against it and it is at those times when I am tempted to make things happen in my own strength. I toy with the idea of maneuvering people and circumstances around to better suit my needs. But then, I’m reminded of Sarah’s story in the bible. God had made her a promise and when it didn’t manifest in her timetable, she plotted her own plan. Her impatience causing disorder and chaos. However, God remained faithful and the promise was delayed, but not denied.God has His own reasoning as to when and how He rains down miracles and blessings and He has ordained an appointed time to release blessings into my life…for in due season we shall reap a harvest. I may feel I’m ready to elevate to the next level in my career. But God knows there is still a work He needs to perform in me. Delayed, but not denied. I’m packed and all ready to move into my new home right NOW. But God sees down the road that the interest rate/price will be lowered and therefore making the house more affordable. Delayed, but not denied. I cannot understand why I continue to run into the wrong guys and have yet to run into the Right One. But God recognizes my potential and is using this time prefecting and preparing me to birth a ministry for Him. Delayed, but not denied.As my fruit ripens, God keeps me in a holding pattern. While in transition, He is maturing me. Strengthen and stretching my faith. Grooming me for what’s about to occur...when He has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold. Strategically aligning the atmosphere for the anticipation of my arrival…Yet I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory He will reveal in ME later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for the manifestation of when God will reveal who His children really are! Confirmation that the best is still yet to come—in my due season!Iris Celeste, Authorwww.irisceleste.com

Powerless

Posted by iris celeste on May 31, 2009 at 2:19pm

Have you ever been tired…of mothering? Truth be told, I have. I’ve been to the point where I wanted to throw in the towel and just give up. I’ve even gone as far as contemplating dropping my boys off to their father and not returning. I would simply keep driving and not look back. I was tired. Burnt-out. Exhausted. Spent. Overwhelmed. Underappreciated. Anyway, you call it, it all comes up the same…t-i-r-e-d! I was tired of giving and giving, receiving nothing but bad attitudes and ungratefulness in exchange. I fuss and I punish, only to have disobedience resurface. I attempt to love them into submission, with no avail. Tears become my closest friend as I ponder where I went wrong. My heart grieves a slow death as I watch up-close the destruction of my hopes of having a perfect family.Reality check: After the Holy Spirit slapped me around a bit I was brought back to remembrance of how when I was at my worst what my Father did for me—His very imperfect child…You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6 Wow! He didn’t turn His back on me as I acted up and ran amuck. He didn’t wash His hands of me when I was a wayward mess. Instead, while I was my filthiest, dirtiest self He continued to show me love. Real love…God demonstrates His own love for us in this while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Roman 5:8Jacob was a practiced trickster. Noah an alcoholic. David a renowned womanizer. All imperfect. All flawed. All God’s children. But, yet, they all were used for His glory. Who am I to think of abandoning my own children of promise, when God didn’t permit me to fall by the wayside? Children are a gift of the Lord. The fruit of the womb is a reward. Psalm 127:3I’ve found motherhood cannot be contained in a box with a pretty red bow tied on top. Heartaches are guaranteed. The laboring will be heavy and intense. You won’t have the answers to all the questions. You will feel defenseless to their pouty mouths and puppy dog eyes. They will try you at every end. Your patience will be lost. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel…Little children, you are of God (you belong to Him) and have (already) defeated and overcome them (the agents of the antichrist), because He who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4Iris Celeste, Authorwww.irisceleste.com

Have you Mastered the Balancing Act?

Posted by Joneen Horton on May 31, 2009 at 4:00am

Balance is a precious thing. Some days I have it and others …not so much. I don’t think my life is particularly busier than most; I just try to cram 40 hours of activity in a 24 hour day! I’m learning to cut things down to manageable size tasks and even to not work every day; yet I still feel a twinge of guilt when I’m sitting at my computer and my sons want me to stop and play basketball or color. I have a great husband who doesn’t mind pitching in and doing when I’m “in the zone”. There’s always a nagging that I should be able to do more. Looking for tips from some other busy women…how do you keep everything in balance?

Submit your Inspirational Writing!

Posted by Dominique on May 31, 2009 at 2:12am

Do you have an inspirational message you would like to submit to encourage someone else? Submit your inspirational message today and it will be published in next month’s newsletter.We encourage those who love to write and love to inspire through their writing to submit a writing today. Your inspirational words could help someone else.We allow writings on varies topics such as:Spiritual Growth and Relationship With GodPraising GodFighting the Temptation of the WorldParenting/ChildrenHealth/Exercise/Weight Gain/Weight Lose etcSubmit a writing today!http://ladiesofchristproverbs31.webs.com/donateyourinspiration.htm

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