Confident Christian Women

Confident Christian Women

By Michele BowmanReligion & SpiritualityChristianity
Download on the App Store

Confident Christian Women episodes

  • Summer Series Week 9 Book Conclusion "Community & Connection"

    Can you believe it? We have come to the
    conclusion of our chat. Community and
    connection is probably one of the hardest, but
    most rewarding things we can pursue while
    on earth. People need people. I know you
    introverts are probably saying out loud, “No I
    don’t. I’m good.” Then there are those of you
    who are like me, an extrovert, always looking
    for new friends while sometimes
    overwhelming people with our “friendliness”.
    At least I admit it. I am not oblivious to it.
    When my husband Rick and I are going out
    with new friends we both remind each other,
    “Don’t forget to let them talk. It’s not all
    about us.” We have definitely improved over
    the years. On that note, let’s talk about what
    our main mission is while we are on earth.
    As Believers and Followers of Jesus Christ,
    we are to share the gospel and make
    disciples. The best example we have of how
    to make disciples is to look at what Jesus did.
    He spent time with people. They lived
    everyday life together. Yes, there were times
    Jesus went to be by Himself. We all need that
    one-on-one time with God, to prepare us and
    get refreshed to go back to where the people
    are. We can’t make disciples if we are not
    connecting with others and building
    116
    community. According to the MerriamWebster dictionary, community is a group of
    people with a common characteristic or
    interest living together within a larger society.
    As Disciplemakers, our common
    characteristic is that we love Jesus and we
    want others to know Him.

    Daily Scripture Affirmations
    1. God is with me and He is fighting for me. (Deuteronomy 20:4)
    2. I have peace that surpasses all understanding. Philippians 4:6-8
    3. I have everything I need to live a Godly life. 2nd Peter 1:3
    4. Fear does not hold me captive. 2nd Timothy 1:7
    5. God is intentional with my life; all things are working together for my good. Romans 8:28
    6. I extend love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control to others. Galatians 5:22-23
    7. God covers me with His feathers; I find refuge under His wings. Psalms 91:4
    8. I represent the light of Christ; I shine His light wherever I go. Matthew 5:14-16
    9. I will seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness. I will have everything I need. Matthew 6:33
    10. I am not who I once was; I am forgiven. All things are made new. 2 Corinthians 5:17-11. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, and I will boldly magnify the Lord in my body. Philippians 1:20
    12. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
    13. I am a fellow citizen with the rest of God’s family. Ephesians 2:19
    14. I am God’s workmanship…His handiwork…born anew in Christ to do good works. Ephesians 2:10
    15. I have been raised up and seated with Christ in heavenly places. Ephesians 2:6
    16. I have been made alive together with Christ. Ephesians 2:5
    17. I was chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and without blame before Him. Ephesians 1:4
    18. I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing. Ephesians 1:3
    19. Christ lives in me, so the life I am now living is Christ’s. Galatians 2:20
    20. I am given strength in exchange for weakness. 2nd Corinthians 12:10
    Thank you Lord for another day with breath in my lungs. Help me to live today in a way that honors you.
    Help me to love and serve those around me.
    Give me eyes to see people as precious souls like you do.
    May the work I do further your kingdom and point people to you.
    Help me to bring glory to your name, and not mine.
    May I live out your purpose for my life confidently and with perseverance.
    Help me walk in freedom and victory because of Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection. Thank you for loving me, in Jesus name amen.

    19 min
  • Summer Series Week 8- Book "Doing, Doing, Doing"

    Doing, Doing,

    Doing has become a form of how to measure our self-worth.  We are bombarded with messages from
    self-proclaimed success gurus everywhere we look.  They are eager to teach us “how to be more
    productive”, “how to accomplish more in our day”, and how to get things
    done”.  The world teaches us that
    overachieving lives are fulfilled lives.

     

    We see

    advertisements and videos like this everywhere we look.  These “experts” are happy to help you
    increase your productivity for a fee of course. 

     

    Now don’t get me

    wrong, we are not supposed to be lazy people sitting around eating chocolate
    bon bons, sipping our favorite coffee drink all day while scrolling social
    media. 

     

    What if we truly

    asked our Heavenly Father each morning what He would like for us to do that
    day.  I will be the first to admit I am a
    list person.  I love the satisfaction of
    checking each item off the list. 

    A good friend of

    mine and I have had conversations about our “to do” lists.  We both have been guilty of adding something
    we did just so we could check it off the list. 
    We can’t be the only ones who have done that, can we?  Have you ever done that?

     

    I am not saying

    having a “to do” list is a bad thing.  I
    know it helps me to remember what needs to be done.  But we don’t need to get our confidence or
    self-worth from what we do, no matter how big or small it is. 

     

    Have you ever won

    an award or received recognition for achieving a certain goal?  I won’t lie and say that it doesn’t feel
    great to get recognized when you accomplish something you have been working on.

     

    But what happens

    if that big thing we were trying to achieve never happens?  What if no one makes a big deal about it when
    we do achieve it?  That can also affect
    our identity if our confidence is not found in Christ alone. 

    This world,

    especially in America teaches us to work hard and keep hustling.  We are bombarded with lies from society and
    even in some churches that being an overachiever is to be applauded.

     

    But what if some

    of the things we are achieving are not things God wants us to do?  What if it just looks good and we do it
    without asking Him.?  Have you ever done
    something and then asked God to bless it? 
    I know I have and then I blamed it not working out on the devil when
    maybe it just wasn’t something in God’s plan for my life.

     

    Most believers

    know the story of Mary and Martha, but putting it into practice is not always easy,
    is it?  We can get so busy “serving” in
    our local church like Martha that we don’t take time to sit at Jesus’ feet like
    Mary.

     

    Are you concerned

    with what other people are thinking about you? 
    To be honest they aren’t thinking about you as much as you think they
    are.

    The Bible even

    says that Martha was distracted with much serving.  It’s easy to get distracted from what’s truly
    important now if we are not careful. 

    Over time if it

    becomes a habit, it will affect our lives more than we realize.  How do I know this?  Because I have personally experienced
    it.  For nine years I was trying to
    accomplish something and will admit now that I have completely stopped working
    towards that goal.  I was
    distracted.  Did I stop loving God during
    that time?  No, not at all.  Martha loved Jesus and thought what she was
    doing was important. 

    I thought what I

    was trying to do was going to help a lot of people because of the money I was
    going to make.  I would then be able to
    give to a lot of the causes I am passionate about.  That’s what I believed.  I would be able to “retire” my husband.  That’s a whole other issue that was wrong
    thinking on my part.  I am so grateful my
    husband is a hard worker and good provider. 

    Can I be honest

    with you and say I believe it was sent as a distraction in my life?  It looked good and sounded good, but it
    became a distraction.  I will not blame
    anyone, even the devil.  I allowed it to
    become a huge distraction from what I should have been focused on. 

    Listen to this episode to see what you should do and not do.

    13 min
  • Week 7 Summer Series-Book "There's No Place Like Home"

     

    We spend most of

    our time in our home so it should be a pleasant and comfortable place to be,
    right?

    But it should not

    become an idol.  Our confidence or value
    of who we are should not come from our home.

    There are four

    things a home should be: safe, comfortable, pleasant, and clean.

    Now don’t get me

    wrong, it’s alright to have a nice home, but don’t let it become an idol you
    worship.  I know you are thinking “I
    would never make my home an idol.”  I am
    sure you would never intentionally do that.

    Let’s talk about

    how it might be an idol and you don’t even realize it.  It’s okay friend.  This is not judgement.  This is us having real talk about real life
    and lies we have been taught.

    How about a four

    letter word that people may get embarrassed about when talking to others?

    Rent.

    Have you ever

    felt less than because you were renting and not buying your home?

    You might have

    even noticed someone’s facial expression change as if they were judging you
    because you were renting. I am sorry if that happened to you.  I have experienced that in the past and it’s
    just silly.

    Our value should

    not come from whether we own or rent a home. 
    Just like it should not come from how old or new, how big or small, or
    anything else about the place we live.

    Unfortunately, American

    culture has made the size of our home a status symbol. 

    I am

    curious. 

    Do you think the

    Israelites ever compared their tents?

    Do you think

    pioneers compared their log cabins?

    Maybe they did,

    maybe they didn’t.

    But we are

    talking about us right now. 

    Do you get a

    proud feeling when someone says, “You have a beautiful home,”?

    Do you get your

    feelings hurt if someone does not compliment your home?

    Do you compare

    your home to everyone else’s that you see?

    Do you look for

    things that are wrong with other people’s homes and feel proud because your
    home is not like that?

    I know these may

    be hard questions to answer.  If they are
    I pray you will ask God to help you to view your home and the homes of others
    in a different light.

    As believer’s and

    followers of Christ we are not supposed to be caught up in our possessions so
    much that we get our identity and worth from them.

    Some people love

    to decorate, and they have a real gift for it. 
    I applaud you if you are one of those. 
    Just make sure you’re decorating for your family and yourself, not for
    social media.

    We and our family

    should have a home that is pleasant. 

    Making your home

    cozy and inviting if you have the gift of hospitality, does not have to be a
    problem.

    Hospitality is a

    wonderful way to encourage others.  You
    know I am all about that.

    Make your home a

    safe place for your family and others so that they know when they are there,
    they will not be treated as the world treats people.

    It's you and your

    willingness to invite people in that’s the gift.

    It’s you that

    will cause them to want to be there not your home or possessions.

    Have you ever

    been to someone’s home and it did not look like anyone lived there?

    It’s totally

    alright for you not to have the “perfect” home. 
    I want you to remember that if you are worried about someone visiting
    and afraid they will judge your home, then you probably need to check your
    heart.

    We are not living

    by the opinions of other people any longer, are we?

    Say it with me,

    “I am not living by the opinions of other people.  I am living a godly life and do everything as
    unto the Lord.’

    I hope you are

    still with me and haven’t thrown the book in the trash or across the room.


    Be sure and listen to the full podcast to hear the rest of the story.

    You can follow me here on Instagram

    MICHELE BOWMAN (@confidentchristianwomen) • Instagram photos and videos
    Here is where you can get a copy of the book https://a.co/d/442vJbZ

    17 min
  • Week 6 Summer Series- Book "What Is Your Perspective on Food?

    This is such a big subject that everyone has an opinion about, don’t they?  I know I shared in the body chapter about

    going on fad diets to lose weight and be a certain “acceptable” size. 

    I want this portion of the book to be about how amazing food is for us and hopefully change

    the way you look at it.

    I will admit that in the past I had a very distorted view of food.  It was in two categories.  I labeled it either “good” or “bad”. 

    If it helped me lose weight it was considered good.  Any

    other results would mean it was bad.  I
    used to view potatoes as the enemy. 

    But there was a time in the early 90’s when a blonde woman with short spiky hair made rice and

    potatoes popular as a way of losing weight for about 5 minutes.  If you remember her you are my age or older.

    I will always say the best way of eating is eating real food. 

    But if you eat a donut, it’s not the end of the world. 

    What is real

    food?  Real food is minimally processed
    foods like fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, nuts, and seeds. 

    Stop going on “diets” that have a deadline. You need to approach your eating habits

    with how you want to live the rest of your life. 

    Stop thinking that if you indulge in your favorite dessert occasionally that you are

    a failure.  I can’t tell you how many
    times I have eaten my favorite cookie or some good ole southern Banana Pudding
    and had feelings of guilt.  Do you know
    how crazy it sounds when you allow food to make you feel bad?  I know we have been programmed this way. 

     

    How many times have you allowed this guilt feeling to turn into a binge fest

    because you wanted to get all the “bad” foods in before you started your “diet”
    again on Monday? 

    It’s only Thursday and you might as well enjoy the weekend and eat all you can

    right?

    Wrong!!!  We have to let go of these lies we have been

    taught about eating being all or nothing.

    It’s the same for your exercise schedule. Are you exercising every day? Do you feel

    like a failure if you don’t go to the gym 6-7 days a week?  I know I felt that way many times.  I even felt guilty for not working out. 

    There have been plenty of times where I felt like I needed to workout extra because I

    ate too much.  Now I do strength training
    with weights three times a week and enjoy walking a mile or two a couple of
    times a week.

    Michele Bowman• Christian Health Coach (@healthyand_fitafter50) • Instagram photos and videos

    10 min
  • Summer Series Week 5- Book- “Body Image”
    Moving forward to one of the two biggest areas (no pun intended) of my life I have struggled with for over forty years, my body size and shape.
    It has just been in the couple of years that I have gained a much healthier view of my body.
    One of the biggest weights you will ever drop is stop worrying about the opinions of others.
    Anyone who follows me on social media knows I am a huge advocate of eating more real food than anything else. But I won’t lie, I love a good meat lovers pizza and white chocolate macadamia nut cookies. There needs to be a balance. We will talk about a healthy relationship with food after we talk about body image.
    Part of the balance should not have anything to do with the size or shape of your body. Listen to this chapter and be sure and share with other women that you believe need to hear this message.
    10 min
  • Chapter 3 “Your Physical Appearance”
    I am so glad you are still here after reading the clothing chapter. Most likely this one will step on your toes. But I pray you will receive it as love from one sister to another. I am only sharing these things with you to help you find freedom that you don’t even realize you are missing.
    When my eyes were opened, I started questioning everything I had been taught and realized the enormous amount of lies I believed.
    In this chapter we are going to expose lies that we have been taught about our face and body.
    How many promises have you heard about a product or service that will improve your outward appearance?
    “Check out this miracle wrinkle erasing cream.”
    “Look at this super-duper eyelid lifting lotion.”
    “You need this cellulite blaster.”
    “Get the body you have always dreamed.”
    “Checkout how I went from a size 12 to size 2 in 3 months.”
    We could go on and on with these one liners we see and hear everywhere. How many of them have you believed? I confess I have believed many of them and allowed my body image to be distorted by these “promises” from total strangers most likely trying to sell me something.
    Before those of you who sell skin care get your feathers ruffled, please hear me out. I am a huge advocate of helping women have healthy skin. Good skin care is a great way to help prevent skin cancer, psoriasis, and other skin conditions.
    But marketing products to “help” women with their “flaws” is a part of the problem.
    When we tell women it’s not acceptable to look whatever age they are, we make them think that there is something wrong with them. Be sure and listen to this episode to be encouraged and stop believing lies. Order the book on Amazon https://amzn.to/3ViCEJ3
    15 min
  • Chapter 2- “Who Are You Wearing?”
    Who are you wearing?” That’s the question they ask the “popular” crowd as they stop and pose so they can be photographed on the red carpet.  
     
     Personally, I haven’t watched awards shows in years.  The same “stars” are judged the next day and their choice of clothing is either praised or trashed.  
     
     Have you ever let what others think about your clothing determine what you wear?  I know I have done this many times.  Now let me confess about my who are you wearing era.  Confession is good for the soul, and I pray it helps you know that you are not alone.   
     
     I remember the first time I thought “who” I was wearing mattered.  The summer between 8th and 9th grade I learned about designer jeans and shoes.  I was looking in my TEEN magazine to see what types of clothes I should look for when my mom took me school shopping.  
     
     The emphasis was on the label across the right back side.  It was a person’s name.  Back then the popular names were Jordache, Pierre Cardin, Gloria Vanderbilt, Calvin Klein, and others.  Did you wear any of these?  These designer jeans ran between $40-$50.  Now that I look back that was a lot of money in the early 80’s to spend on a 14-year-old girl whose body was constantly changing.   Be sure and listen to this episode for more on our clothing compared to our confidence in Christ.
    24 min
  • Chapter 1- Social Media: A Blessing and A Curse
    What’s the one thing that has been a blessing and a curse for the way women and girls see their worth?
    Did you guess social media? WINNER WINNER chicken dinner! I am not sure where that came from but it fits if you guessed right.
    Don’t you agree that social media has changed the way we do so many things?
    Before social media we had TV, magazines, and billboards telling us what types of things would make us look “perfect” and be more popular. Those of us that have been around a while realized that everything, we saw was not always real. There was a thing called airbrushing and trick photography that they used in advertising.
    Then along came the internet. We started seeing all the beautiful ads of those seemingly famous people we knew and wondered how much they were getting paid to promote that product. Then if you are like me, you start yelling at the computer or smartphone, “Can’t people see that this supermodel from thirty years ago selling anti-aging cream is totally using some kind of wrinkle erasing camera filter???
    As if that was not enough lies for Satan to sell us, along comes social media. I remember having a Myspace account and thinking this is a fun thing. Poor Tom ended up having the competition run him off and many of us were interested in the new shiny toy called Facebook. Be sure and listen to this episode to be encouraged and share with a friend who you believe would also be encouraged.
    27 min
  • Book Intro: Woman, Where Is Your Confidence?
    This is the first of an 8 week summer series. The best way to celebrate the one year anniversary of my book, “Woman, Where is Your Confidence?” is to let everyone hear it that has not read it yet. For the next 8 weeks I will be reading one chapter from the book. I pray it encourages you in your walk with Christ.
    Daily Prayer for Confidence in Christ alone
    Father I come to you with all of my doubts and ask that you renew my mind.
    Help me take captive any thoughts that are not true about me as your daughter
    Help me to cast all of my cares on you.
    Help me not to be anxious about anything.
    Help me not to compare myself with others.
    Help me not to do anything out of selfish ambition.
    Help me not to focus on the world’s standard of beauty.
    Teach me to embrace the fact that I am unique.
    Teach me to serve and value others above myself.
    Remind me that I can do everything you have called me to do and it’s not in my power, but in your power that works in me.
    Help me to surrender every area of my life to you.
    Thank you, Lord, for your loving kindness and amazing grace.
    I pray that today I will walk in full confidence in you alone.
    I pray that others will see Christ in me and desire freedom that only He can give, in Jesus name amen. Daily Scripture Affirmations
    1. God is with me and He is fighting for me. Deuteronomy 20:4
    2. I have peace that surpasses all understanding. Philippians 4:6-8
    3. I have everything I need to live a godly life. 2nd Peter 1:3
    4. Fear does not hold me captive. 2nd Timothy 1:7
    5. I have a future filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
    6. God is intentional with my life; all things are working for my good. Romans 8:28
    7. I extend love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.
    Galatians 5:22-23
    8. God covers me with His feathers; I find refuge under His wings. Psalms 91:4
    9. I represent the light of Christ; I shine wherever I go. Matthew 5:14-16
    10. I will seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness. I will have everything I need. Matthew
    6:33
    11. I am not who I once was; I am forgiven. All things are new. 2nd Corinthians 5:17
    12. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ and I will boldly magnify The Lord in my body.
    Philippians 1:20
    13. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
    14. I am a fellow citizen with the rest of God’s family. Ephesians 2:19
    15. I am God’s workmanship…His handiwork…born anew in Christ to do good works. Ephesians 2:10
    16. I have been raised up and seated with Christ in heavenly places. Ephesians 2:6
    17. I have been made alive together with Christ. Ephesians 2:5
    18. I was chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and without blame before
    Him. Ephesians 1:4
    19. I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing. Ephesians 1:3
    20. Christ lives in me so the life I am now living is Christ’s. Galatians 2:20
    21. I am given strength in exchange for weakness. 2nd Corinthians 12:10
    Thank you Lord for another day with breath in my lungs.
    Help me to live today in a way that honors you.
    Help me to love and serve those around me.
    Give me eyes to see people as precious souls like you do.
    May the work I do further your kingdom and point people to you.
    Help me to bring glory to your name and not mine.
    May I live out your purpose for my life bravely and with perseverance.
    Help me walk in freedom and victory because of Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection.
    Thank you for loving me, in Jesus name amen. Link to purchase book https://amzn.to/3JPxiOD
    21 min

About Confident Christian Women

From the publisher's feed

Have you believed a lie of false confidence that you get from something outside of Christ?