New Business Venture!

After much prayer and contemplation, I jumped in with both feet to pursue a new small business venture. I'm so excited to announce that I am an Independent Consultant for Blessings Unlimited®. I was introduced to this company by Regina Barnes through mutual connections in iBloom. The Spirit does truly work in mysterious ways!

Blessings Unlimited® was founded by DaySpring® (a division of Hallmark), the world's leading producer of Christian greeting cards. For over 35 years, DaySpring has partnered with Christian stores in local communities to offer meaningful products. Blessings Unlimited continues that tradition and extends the opportunity to the home. They offer a unique blend of business and ministry. Their exclusive, message-based products include home decor items and gifts created to encourage hearts, build relationships, and bring beauty to the place you live. Through home parties, called Gatherings, they provide a unique shopping experience and a business opportunity which provides the freedom and flexibility to spend time on what is most important to you.

I hosted my first Announcement Gathering in my home on Thursday, July 28, 2011. It was such a thrill to spend an evening with my guests while introducing each product which carries a message from God's Word. The company motto sums it all up:  "To pursue the heart of God and bring blessings to others."

From the fullness of His grace, we have all received one blessing after another. ~ John 1:16 NIV

Have you been looking for a way to contribute to your family's income? Whether you want a fun, new career or a flexible part-time business that allows you more time with your family, you can choose a path that suits you best. Combining your work and faith is an incredibly rewarding way to live and make a living. You can find more information about being a consultant on my web site. I'd love to have you join me!

In celebration of my big new business venture announcement, I'm going to give away one FREE product (retail value up to $25) to one lucky winner to be selected in a random drawing. To enter, simply open your home for a Blessings Unlimited Gathering by being a Hostess. You can do so by calling me directly between August 2-9, 2011. Calendar your Gathering for any future date between August 11 and October 11, 2011 to be eligible for the random drawing. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, August 10, 2011. I can't wait for you to see the products personally. Click here to preview the new catalog. We are nearing the "Season Of Hospitality!"

Thanks in advance for supporting me and helping me get this new business venture off to a fantastic start!!!


Kim Hawkins, Independent Consultant
Call me:  (210) 328-1829

Yes, I Get Angry!

I’m a Christian and yes, I get angry. I’d be lying if I said, “I didn’t.” Anger by definition is to experience displeasure or hostility. What you do with the anger is key. Anger is a healthy emotion. When you feel it, own it! This means you can admit it’s about me not you. For example, if I did house work all day (to my chagrin) with no help from my spouse I could respond with the following:  “I was upset you did not help with the housework today.” What I choose NOT to say:  “You should have helped with the housework.” Notice the placement of I and you. When I start the sentence with you, I give up my ownership. Feel it, own it and move on!

In Week 24 of my self-published book, 52-Weeks of Resolve the focus for the week is:  Keep your anger in check. Bear in the mind, Scripture gives us this healthy tip more than once:

Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate with your heart on your bed, and be still. ~ Psalm 4:4 NJKV

“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give peace to the devil.” ~ Ephesians 4:36-27 NJKV

Anger is permissible but sadly, it travels with bad company, a really rather wicked group:

But now you must rid yourself of all such things as these:  anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language from your lips. ~ Colossians 3:8 NIV

When you can, avoid anger; when you can’t be cautious not to take the path that leads to other things that can go hand-in-hand with it. There are numerous references to God’s anger. God was angry because He was displeased with people. God doesn’t just storm around being angry for no reason. Jesus was angry at the moneychangers in the temple; yes, He too was displeased but He did not sin!

“For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Generally speaking, when you feel anger this is your indicator that you have needs that are not being met. Address the issue in a healthy manner. This means you let the other person know you are not okay with whatever is going on. When dealing with emotions, we can be thrown off balance. I encourage you to find your balance by utilizing the gift of the Holy Spirit with God on one side and Jesus on the other. Peace to you! ~ Kim

p.s. Summertime is a time when many of us catch up on projects.  What projects are you working on? Link up with me and others fellow bloggers such as A Bowl Full of Lemons (see button on page).

Q. Pride?

We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. ~ 2 Corinthians 10:12 TNIV 

Why do we compare?

• Let’s compare notes.
• How does this compare to our competitors?
• Compared to thus and such…
• The two don’t even begin to compare…

Comparison can be both good and bad. Take taste and smell. We generally know how certain food items taste and smell, if either of these is off, we know there is danger. This could be called a healthy comparison. However, we tend to hear ourselves and others comparing one another’s looks, manners and abilities and this is not wise.

Many comparisons stem out of pride and this too, can be good and bad. Pride by definition is an inordinate state of self esteem; it is also, a reasonable or justifiable state of self-respect. Compare, if you will, these two examples:

1. The latest movie release is about a character consumed with pride and vanity.
2. As parents of the valedictorian, they showed great pride in their child’s accomplishment.

Whatever we do must be to the glory of God. The apostle Paul reminds us:

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. ~ 2 Corinthians 11:30 TNIV

God, Himself spoke on boasting.

This is what the Lord says:  “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let those who boast, boast about this; that they understand and know Me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord. ~ Jeremiah 9:23-24 TNIV

For it is not those who commend themselves who are approved, but those whom the Lord commends. ~ 2 Corinthians 10:18 TNIV

If pride is the question, humility is the answer! ~ Kim

p.s. "Humility will relieve you of the obligation to promote your own self interests, thereby eliminating the need to strive to prove yourself to others." ~ Unknown

Parenthood Merits Honor

The Bible was written in the languages of ancient Palestine:  Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. This fact is important because things truly do get lost in translation.

In both, the Old and New Testaments we are instructed, not suggested, to obey, honor and listen to our father and mother. Jesus said, “Follow me.” Even He “was obedient” to his parents (Luke 2:51).

Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. ~ Exodus 20:12

Children, obey your parents in the LORD, for this is right. Honor your father and mother—which is the first commandment with a promise—“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” ~ Ephesians 6:1-3

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. ~ Proverbs 1:8

A wise child heeds a parent’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes. ~ Proverbs 13:1

The eye that mocks a father, that scorns an aged mother, will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley, will be eaten by the vultures. ~ Proverbs 30:17

Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’” ~ Matthew 15:3-4

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the LORD. ~ Colossians 3:20

The Greek word for honor means “to revere, prize and value”. As parents are over their children, children must be taught that this “rank” merits respect. We bring life to the word “honor” when we regard our parents with great respect and hold them in high esteem. This means we show them feelings of deep admiration which are elicited by their abilities or achievements. Even when relationships are strained by our humanness we can look for that one praiseworthy thing. What can we do to hold our parents in high regard or a favorable light? Remember actions speak louder than words. Although you may not recall the words you will find a memory of an action which truly resounds of a parents love.

Mom, Dad, I love you just because! ~ XOXO ~ Kim

Let's Talk About....

Listen to the word:  hospitality

Spell the word:  H-O-S-P-I-T-A-L-I-T-Y

Use the word in a sentence:  It was refreshing to be met with such hospitality after our long journey.

Hospitality is about:  treatment—reception—disposition.

It is defined as the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers. It’s also defined as the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way.

God's Living Word has the following to say about hospitality:

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. ~ Romans 12:13 TNIV

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ~ 1 Peter 4:9 TNIV

It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth. ~ 3 John 1:7-8 TNIV

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. ~ Hebrews 13:2 TNIV

Hospitality is more than opening your home to others. It’s about opening yourself to relationship with guests as well as that stranger in the store, on the street or sitting across from you in the doctor’s office. Some encounters only come once, seize them and make them memorable.

Now that I’ve given you some food for thought, go out into the world and smile at strangers, make polite conversation while you wait in line at the grocery store and if you’re really feeling it, extend an invitation of yourself in some meaningful way.  ~ XOXOXO—Kim

IN GOD WE TRUST

TRUST. . .

• One in which confidence is placed.

• A charge or duty  imposed in faith or confidence or as a condition of some relationship.

• Depend.

• To permit to stay or go or to do something without fear or misgiving.

• Rely on.

• To hope or expect confidently.

The United States motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" first appeared in 1864 on a two-cent coin due to increased religious sentiment which existing during the Civil War. It wasn't until July 30, 1956 that Congress passed a law making "IN GOD WE TRUST" the United States' national motto.

War is a state of conflict teamed with aggression and disruption. Today, both individuals and nations are fighting all types of wars:  war on crime; war on drugs; wars between nations; war against sickness; the list goes on and on. So, with all of these varying wars going on, is there a current increased religious sentiment? If not, why not?

Scripture reminds of this:

And the LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." ~ Job 2:2 TNIV

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ~ 1 Peter 5:8 TNIV

With full knowledge that this evil lurks among us, who can you trust?

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

~ Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson

As a citizen of the Kingdom, are you trusting in God? Rely on Him! ~ Kim

Lists Were Meant To Be...

In Their hearts human beings plan their course,

but the LORD establishes their steps.

~ Proverbs 16:9 TNIV

I glance at the list; it's overwhelming.

I can't find the list, I search to no avail.

I start a fresh list on a crisp piece of paper.

Oh, the sanctity and insanity of the list.

The list is me planning my course. Honestly, sometimes, my plans aren't realistic. If God were writing my list, it would be one half of what I cram onto that tiny post it note or recycled scrap of paper. So the list is AWOL and I'm left to search the recesses of my premenopausal mind for some shred of what was scribbled on the list. I write things down because I can't remember them and now, adding insult to the injury of my memory lapses, I can't remember where I put the list. So, I stop.....I cry out the the Master, "Oh, LORD establish my steps." I can make all the plans, all the lists that I want to. In the end, it is My Heavenly Father who guides my steps. Go where God sends you. Godspeed! ~ Kim

ASK!

Why do we put our human limitations on God?

Why do we doubt His faithfulness?

Why are we afraid to ask Him for anything?

I don’t have all the answers.

The Old Testament makes reference to a man named Jabez. That’s it, just this one mention of this particular man.

Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested. ~ 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 NKJV

His name literally meant “he will cause pain.” He asked God with a believing heart for very specific things and God allowed his prayer to be fulfilled. What a great example of faith!

Through Scripture we are repeatedly reminded to ask God:

But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ~ James 1:6 NIV

I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. ~ John 16:23b-24 NIV

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. ~ 1 John 5:14 NIV

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. ~ John 15:7 NIV

"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” ~ Luke 11:9-10 NIV

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” ~ Mark 11:24 TNIV

So, what’s holding you back? ASK! ~ Kim