Smart LifeStyles

All Things Work Together...

Titus 2:1 "You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. 2:3 "Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live..." 2:4 "Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, andto be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God."  My homebased businesses puts me in front of women of all walks.  I have opportunities to be a witness and role model.

It all works together.

I ran into "Just Bill" Peters the other night and he asked me where my suitcase of business cards were. I laughed and told him I only had one card because my products and services were related. My products and services are focused on living a healthy and happy lifestyle.  Not the lifestyle of the right and famous, but a balanced lifestyle.

I prayed to be the 'virtuous woman' when I was younger.  I later realized what a foolish prayer that was.  Have you really paid attention to what it takes to be a virtuous woman?

1. She brings her husband good all the days of her life. [Perfection]
2. She has to make the decisions about their home and works with her hands.
3. She is travels far and wide to supply food for their table.
4. She gets up while it's still dark and starts her day (4-5 am around here)
5. She is involved in real estate dealings.[Independent Product Consultant]
6. Her arms are strong for the daily tasks. [Consistent Exercise Routine]
7. She has a profitable business and is able to pay her bills.
8. She is creative with her hands, a[Sews and Fashion Designer]
9. She is active in charity.[Charity Board Member]
10. She makes linens and things. [Independent Product Consultant]
11. She is self-confident and balanced.[A Leader]
12. She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue. [Woman of Wisdom/Wise-Ager]
13. She runs the household and does not sit idley
14. She is adored by her children and her husband.

The Wife of Noble Character

I do pray to be a blessing to my family and friends. I do pray that my business decisions are a blessing to my customers and clients.   I do pray for wisdom and understanding as I recommend my products and services; and as I sit side-by-side counseling based on my business experience and insight given to me by the Holy Spirit who never leaves me. 

Proverbs 31:10-31  Read it and pray that you truly understand what it means to be a Godly woman living in today's world.

My products and services:

Healthy Body inside and out: http://www.tinyurl.com/onesmartlady2 - Tahitian Noni International

Healthy Passion for Chocolate: http://www.dove-chocolate-discoveries.com/sites/onesmartlady - Dove

I also sew, knit, crochet and write.  :)

Thursday, May 6th - National Day of Prayer (click here)

I was pleasantly surprised last night at Revival when Dr. Guns message was a confirmation of my blog, "Come Chill Wid Me."  I sent it to my pastor, Rev. George Holland, Sr. and he agreed that it was a revelation and the I was blessed by Dr. Guns' message from Tuesday night and how the Lord gave me a glimpse of Wednesday night's message.  Dr. Guns spoke from Matthew 10:1-16.

Jesus gave his disciples their marching orders. He gave them the authority to speak in his name and act on behalf of the father. 

• To preach "The Kingdom of Heaven is near"
• To heal the sick
• Raise the dead
• Cleanse those who have leprosy
• Drive out demons
• Freely give as they have received
• Rely on the provision of God
• Find a worthy host
• Eat whatever is set before you

He planned every aspect of their ministry including how to handle rejection.

Look at the list, what is it you can or are willing to do to further the commission. If you say yes to becoming a disciple, what are you willing to do?

Jesus also gave the commission to Heal. We can use our spiritual gives to heal by going to those who are truly hurting. There are those who are moved to be missionaries and they go to the places in the far corners of the world to do the Lord's work. Then there are others who stay at home, but they send money and resources to assist in the healing.  Which are you? Are you a person is a missionary and travels to the needy? Or are you a minister who stays but works toward sending the necessary resources so the world can be healed. To fulfill God's commission you have to be either one or the other.

Lastly, Dr. Guns told us that Jesus told his disciples not to worry about the results. That's his job..."judgment belongs with God."  Jesus said, "If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when  you leavethat home or town.  I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town."

Dr. Guns reminded us that when we do accept the commission that our first assignment is to work within our homes.  In the bible, the jews were the lost sheep, they were discontented with God. Well look at the homes today. Aren't our children as they grow away from us becoming more like the jews? Aren't they becoming not just discontented with God, but with us and the rules and standards that we set down for them?  Dr. Guns gave us a static that is staggering.  Children born between 1977 and 1994 are the most violent generation ever lived. 

Jesus said, "Go to the lost sheep of Israel." He told them to go home and preach the gospel. He is telling us to go home and tell our families that God has saved us from eternal damnation.  To tell our families that our God is alive. To ask them, "Are you going to heaven? Or, are you going to hell?"

My prayer today on this the National Day of Prayer is for more parents to take back the leadership role of their home. Our children are finding other leaders to follow; leaders that know how to speak the language of today. Leaders that know how to satisfy the cravings and longings that we as parents cannot sooth or explain.  I pray Lord that parents whether single or married form a bond to bring their children back to you.  Not just drop them off at youth ministry events, but also get involved with youth ministry. 

Jesus said to go to the lost sheep of Israel...well we know in today's age our children have become your lost sheep. I pray that parents follow your command. I pray that they preach "The kingdom of heaven is near."  Parents should inform their children that unless they get rid of the black and milds; herbal essence, boozing and sexing the kingdom of heaven will not be theirs; but they WILL burn eternally in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 19:20, 20:10, 14-15, 21:8) which we call hell. Harsh words but true. This is the commission that Jesus told his disciples to preach. (Matt. 10:5-8) I pray again that all parents step up and become true disciples. Amen

Last Night of Revival: Thursday, May 6th  7:00 PM Green Grove Baptist Church 240 Cushman Avenue, W. Berlin, NJ

Wednesday, May 5th - 'Come Chill Wid Me' (...see more)

What draws our children to respond to the call "come chill wid me" and not the call "come follow me"?

Last night I slept knowing that I have two of the greatest relationships in the world; my relationship with Jesus the Christ and my husband. I like a number of Christians who are parents also want the best relationship that we can with our children; and for their children to continue their relationship with Jesus. But as our children grow out of their young teens and finish high school and move on to college or not, they move away from their own personal relationship with Jesus and begin hanging out with people who bring them "immediate" comfort (false as it is).  I've been there myself I can relate.

My question, how can we give understanding to our children how drinking, smoking herbal essence and sexing is so detrimental to their lives? Can you help answer this question?

Last night at Revival, Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Guns, senior pastor of 2nd Calvary Baptist in Norfolk Virginia began to answer that question for me in his lesson on how to say "Yes" to discipleship and accepting the challenge.  That wasn't his title, but that is what I got from his message. Last night he taught from Matthew 4:18-22 when Jesus began preaching and called his first disciples.  The first question he asked was “What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus; not necessarily a member of a church?” What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus Christ?

In the scripture, Peter, Andrew, James and John gave up everything that they knew; their home, their business and their family to follow Jesus. Jesus simply said, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”  The call to follow Jesus is a call to discipleship.  The definition of discipleship in this case is having an adherence to Christ to form a partnership with Him; to accept His mission and vision and carry it out faithfully.

Last night Rev. Guns focused on the commission to carry the gospel to the whole world.  My thoughts this morning are, how about carrying the gospel to our children where they really need to understand Jesus.  Not just plan activities that will keep them busy and out of trouble.  As a new parent, I am finding that children are like pets that are kept on leases and when they reach a certain age are let loose to run free. We believe that they are trained and well suited to roam on their own. Yet once they are out of our sight, they run into others who come from all walks of life. Now wouldn’t it be wonderful if the training they received in our churches held and they were strong enough to withstand the temptations of the worldly new friends?

“Follow me” Jesus said.  This is the challenge that we have been given.  Rev. Guns said that most people now days are searching for their own individual purpose. “Purpose Driven Lives” is a great tool to find God’s desire for our lives. Yet, our children search for their purpose through the tools of radio, internet, television and movies and amongst themselves.  Millions of dollars are spent to tell our children their purpose in life is to have as much fun as they can pack in because life is short and tragic.

“Follow me” says the advertisements and the pimps and the drug dealers and the little boys and little girls with raging hormones. 

“Follow me” says the black and milds and the forties and the tequilas and the condoms that swear they will protect them from pregnancy and disease.

“Follow me” says other religions that offer whatever attracts others to their doctrines.

The first disciples left their family to followed Jesus.  He called them individually.  They were not special with super powers. They were ordinary people. But, they had Jesus in front of them living, breathing and teaching. It is so much easier to follow flesh and blood.  The challenge for us and our children is to see Jesus as still living and breathing even though he may not be flesh and blood, he still lives. Our challenge as we follow Jesus is to make him real to our children.

I know many good Christian parents have experienced the depth of despair as they witness their children moving further and further away from what they were taught as they grew up in the Lord. The challenge is great but do-able. Jesus has changed ordinary people into extra-ordinary people. He can also change a desperate situation into one of triumph. 

To help our children first we must say, “Yes I will follow you Lord.” Then dedicate ourselves to the challenge of obedience. Learn to be consistent in our walk; not just when we are expected to or when being watched. Commit ourselves at any cost to follow Him.  Get our home right, and then turn our sights to join the global crusade to spread the gospel. By strengthening ourselves and then our home, we strengthen the body of Christ.

This is the message that I received from the first night of our Spring Revival. I can't wait to get there for tonight's lesson.  I'd love to see you there at  'The Grove' - 7:00 PM - 240 Cushman Avenue, West Berlin, NJ.  Call (856)767-5423 for additional information. Here's our website: http://www.greengrovebaptist.com

Tuesday, May 4th - From Humble Beginnings (...see more)

How important is it to be humble as you grow your ministry and your business?

Below is an excerpt from Green Grove Baptist Church’s Prayer Ministry leader Sis. Donna Stove.

“Humility is not our culture's most valued asset or most desired character quality. But, humility is what is demanded -- not so much because it's commanded (though that would be enough), but because we've "earned" our need of it. Every year brings another wave of major failures in morality, character, and spirituality. Even on our best days, we all fall short of God's holiness. Rather than progressing culturally, we find ourselves slipping. Our need to approach God with humility is "earned"! So let's be humble and call upon the Lord, throwing off our sin and seeking after him!

Prayer:

Holy and Almighty God, your deeds are awesome, your faithfulness is overwhelming, and your mercy and grace are such blessings. Yet we come to you knowing that you hear us, despite the incredible distance between you and us, between your worth and holiness and our lack.  We confess that we, and our culture and country around us, have made a mess of what you so wonderfully blessed us with.  We come humbly asking that you reassert yourself in our nation at this time in clearly recognizable ways.  We ask this in faith through Jesus' name. Amen.”

Amen! 

As I read this prayer this morning, I my thoughts turned to humility. I get confused sometimes about what humility really means.  I found a definition online (love Google) and it says: “Humility is the quality that lets us go more than halfway to meet the needs and demands of others.”

That definition makes me feel better because that is how I believe that I am. I am willing to go more than halfway in my relationships as a woman, a wife, a mother and an entrepreneur.  I have learned over the years through God’s leading to be more caring and understanding of the other person’s needs.  It has placed me in situations where I take on more than I should, but the Lord has blessed me in the end for those choices.

But then again there is this quote: "Humility is a strange thing. The moment you think you've got it, you've lost it.

Scripture verse from Job gives another look at the word Humble.

Job 8:7  "Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be."

From a lowly beginning you can rise to success.  Why do we always equate the word prosperity with success? Because prosperity according to Webster is the condition of being successful or thriving.

The word for today is Humility.  Be humble as you go through your day. Be open to the challenge of growing in the Lord and be gracious as you do what you do.

Saturday, May 1, 2010 - Retiring #9736

With a lot of sand still in my eyes, I sit to write about my evening with my brother retired police officer Avon Edward Wilson.  After 39 years, distinctive years I may add, my brother Eddie, to the delight of my mother, siblings, aunt, uncle and cousins, has come to the end of his police career. During these years I rarely saw my brother with the exception of a family function; Christmas, Thanksgiving, Funerals and an occasional family picnic.  On August 3, 2008 I had the honor of having my brother escort me down the isle of my wedding and give me away. 

We are two of seven children; five in the first marriage (William Douglas, Avon Edward, me, Eric Owen, and Lisa Ann) and two from my father's second (January Nicole and Paul Owen).  Dougie and Eddie were always called by their middle name.  I am really happy that did not carry over to me otherwise I would be Marie.  I don't feel like a Marie. They actually called me 'Skinny Minnie' because I was a stick until I reached my thirties. 

I always loved my brother Eddie a little more than the others. I think we all have one favorite sibling. He was popular, athletic and kind. I remember in July 1967 when Eddie enlisted in the Air Force, I had just begun work at Bell Telephone as an information operator; now known as directory assistant or just 411.  I couldn't concentrate on my training session because my heart was broken. "My brother is going to war," I cried when my trainer noticed I was upset. My supervisor not only allowed me to leave early that day, they sent me to the airport in a cab to see my brother off.  I remember the happy farewell we gave him as we sent him on his way. You have to understand those times. Vietnam was heating up and a lot of the operator's sons, brothers, boyfriends, and husbands were also going to war.

The Lord blessed Eddie and our family. Eddie didn't go to Vietnam, but served his four years in San Antonio, Texas; Libya, North Africa; Topeka, Kansas and finally Fort Worth, Texas.  While in the service he finished first in his class in canine training and received honors as a Canine Handler in 1969 and again received honors in Wiesbaden, Germany in 1970.  In 1971 Eddie returned home and joined the Philadelphia Police Department.

While reading his dedication from last night’s program, I also learned that over the years he served as Uniform Patrol and Burglary Detail and made a total of 1,500 arrests.  In 1987 he was assigned to Reports Control Unit; in 1988 the Police Detention Unit; and finally in 1990 the Mobile Crime Detection Unit now known as the Crime Scene Unit. 

In 1984, I remember the call that Eddie had been shot by a sniper while on surveillance. There was another incident while chasing a suspect, he stepped down on his foot and ripped his achilles heel. How blessed he has been to work as hard as he has and come through with only two injuries.

I write this now, because usually you read these accolades in an obituary.  I pray that Eddie has many, many healthy years of retirement. Of course, I know that he won’t just sit on the front porch of the home that we were raised, but together we will be writing his books and developing programs.

One of the most incredible gifts that my brother received last night was to find out that his picture is on the cover of “The Encyclopedia of Crime Unit Investigation.”  Incredible!

We need role models for our children. How about your family? Don't wait until sitting at a funeral to get to know your family.  Don't wait until they put together a family reunion to find out about your ancestory. Now that my brother has retired I look to spending many hours of us getting to know each other better.  It's never to late.

After all I am only half way through my journey.