GirlfriendIT

Unfortunately, our society screams for beauty and physical perfection. The media in America showcases beautiful females to promote the majority of products for sale.

So what do we do? How can we stop being so “appearance focused?”

We can start by listening to God’s truth that we are wonderfully created, (Psalm 139:14) then, say something positive about yourself.

Hear from special guests, Wendy Smith and Rachel Dotzler

"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” ~ Neal Donald Walsch

When we think of comfort zones we think of ruts, routines, boredom, and predictability. Thinking outside the “zone” evokes an adrenaline rush or a sensation of being highly caffeinated! Excitement, adventure, and risk are the antithesis of comfort.

It can be tempting to settle and snuggle into our comfort zones because of convenience, safety, and of course, comfort! But does life in those zones create memories and stories that you’ll be talking about in 25 years??? (It's all about the story, girlfriends!)

Several years ago we were hosting a global trip for women in the jungles of Peru. We were asked if we wanted to take a walk into the jungle, complete with spiders and snakes. The adrenaline started to activate and we immediately said YES! Our guides led the way with machetes in hand as we followed with great anticipation. We were not disappointed. Along the way we met a boa constrictor that some of the natives said was friendly. Is that even possible? We were asked if we wanted to have them put it around our necks. Of course we said yes... our adrenaline was now off the charts! It was a moment - out of our comfort zone - and a story we are still telling today!

What is waiting at the end of your comfort zone? Join us Thursday as we explore and take you on an adventure with Robin Gerblick, founder of Exodus Retreats.

How do I help someone become more fully human???

How can I help others integrate all areas of the human experience (social, cultural, spiritual)?

How does my vocation fit into the mission of this world?

If these kind of questions keep you up at night, listen in this week as Dale and Jonalyn Fincher, founders of Soulation, show us how they not only help individuals tackle these uncertainties but they help rejuvenate others with biblical truths. Dale and Jonalyn are speakers and authors and their latest book, Long Live the King, is out this month on Amazon!

This month is a special time as we celebrate Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection. Listen to the show and let’s be intentional together as we prepare and become more whole, free, and as the Finchers say, “more fully human!”

We are sitting in the Miami Airport waiting for our flight, staring at the overhead TV monitor watching the celebrities walk the red carpet – it’s Oscar Night! Cameras are flashing, microphones are waving and the celebrities are poising for gawking onlookers and paparazzi. The world is watching . . . and so are we! One part of us is intrigued, the other is sad. Yet, we want to watch . . . only because it is convenient. It raises questions about our culture and our fascination with celebrities. We want to know what they are wearing, who they are with, and are they likable? Is this idolatry and perhaps a little narcissistic? What do we love? What do we value? What do we display on our own “red carpet” in life? We all have a red carpet that we walk that symbolizes the things we love and value. Are you absorbing the world’s values or Gods? In 2012, Bethany Jett won the Florida Christian Writers Conference Writer of the Year award. Her debut book, The Cinderella Rule, hits bookstores in Aprilof 2013. She is represented by Amanda Luedeke of the MacGregor Literary Agency. Bethany speaks to parents and teens, mentors students in her youth group, coaches cheerleading, and is raising three boys with her husband. Bethany will be chatting with Patty and Lisa - don't miss it! Join us this week on Girlfriendit Radio for a value added show!

I just read Arron Chambers’ blog on “Top 10 Things That Can Drain a Preacher”, and had a smile on my face the entire time. Whether you’ve been in ministry for a decade or a month, you can relate to some of these top 10 things, which were compiled from responses of his FB friends. They are hysterical and highly relatable.

Aaron is a Pastor, Author, Speaker, Leadership Consultant, Marriage Coach, and Blogger! He will be on Girlfriendit Radio this week, and you do not want to miss him!

{The following is excerpted from Arron Chambers’ blog.}
10 Drainers

1. When, after a sermon, someone from the congregation asks, “May I give you some constructive criticism?”

2. When, at a board meeting, a deacon says, “Let me play the Devil’s advocate.”

3. EGR’s: Extra Grace Required People.

4. Having to see your salary posted on the wall outside your office when you know that every other Elder and Deacon makes twice as much as you do and thinks that you are overpaid.

5. When someone approaches you and says, “The Lord told me to tell you…”

6. When, after a speaking engagement, someone hands you a check and says, “I hope this is enough.” For the record: This is a no win situation because if the guest speaker looks at his $50 check for delivering 3 sermons, a lesson, and preparing a small group lesson for a weekend church retreat and says, “No, that’s not enough,” you’re liable to immediately judge him as a preacher who is only in it for the money, but if he looks at it and says, “Sure, it’s enough,” you’ve forced him into a situation where he may have to be dishonest to not appear to be greedy. Just pay your guest speaker enough to cover his expenses, to recognize the value of his time with you and the time away from his family, and the amount of work it took to prepare for the event and I’m sure it will be enough.

7. When someone walks into your office without knocking or checking with your Administrative Assistant, sits down, and asks, “Preacher, you have a moment to talk?”

8. Those people in the church who turn every conversation into a benevolence request.

9. When you do a wedding for a young couple and they pay the DJ $1000, the photographer $1500, spend $500 for the cake, $5000 for the reception hall, $1000 on flowers, $2000 on a dress, but—a month after the wedding—send you a $25 gift card to Golden Corral as payment for doing their wedding.

10. When someone uses the Prayer Request Card to deliver a harsh and anonymous criticism.

Can you relate? Listen in and let’s love better together!

This is one of the most touching and refreshing and inspiring stories I have read in a long time. If you had made this story up, I wouldn’t have believed it, but it’s true. We all need something to inspire us, and I promise you, this book will make you want to stand up and do something nice for people. What a wonderful and needed story for all of us. An Invisible Thread is fantastic.”

Mike Huckabee
Former Governor of Arkansas,
Host of Fox News’ “Huckabee Show”

Can “Love” truly change lives?

We have never heard a story of love that didn’t lead to transformation. Stories are powerful and God uses them as His Stories. When we open our eyes and ears to them we see where we can fit into a story or make our own. Listen in to Girlfriendit Radio as we chat with Laura Schroff and the impact that love has made on two people because she chose to stop and give time to an 11 year old that was begging on the streets of New York.

Now 25 years late, this meeting has turned into a friendship that has impacted not only their lives but so many around them.

Laura has been featured on the Today show, Rachel Ray, Fox News Huckabee and several more top media news. But this week . . . listen to her from girlfriend to girlfriend..

Just Love . . . period.

The following is an excerpt of an article by Harmony Dust:

So who am I?

Does what I’ve done in the past define who I am in the present?

What do I love? What are my dreams?

At their core these are questions of identity and purpose.

If we anchor ourselves in the truth, that what we have done is not who we are, then part of the process of picking up the pieces is determining what things that we are going to leave behind. Some of the things that used to “work” for us just don’t work anymore. Habits that don’t serve us. Thoughts that tear us down. Beliefs about who we are that hinder us. Old defense mechanisms that helped us survive at one point, but are not needed or helpful in the new life we are building.

What circumstances cause you to retreat?

What false beliefs are connected to these circumstances?

Join us this week on GirlfriendIt Radio as we unpack more of these vital questions and get closer to discovering our authentic selves with Harmony Dust of Treasures Ministries. Don’t miss it!!

Love! Do we over-use and abuse this word – or – do we not use and demonstrate love enough in our lives?

Patty has been candid with us about the pain surrounding the tragic death of her mother in recent shows and a piece of that story surfaced for her publicly last week with the death of the man who murdered her mother almost 13 years ago.

My heart, and I am sure many other hearts resonate with the struggles Patty and Lisa have talked about before: How do we love those that are hard to love???

It is our commandment to love; specifically to love God and love others.

What message are you communicating on a daily basis? What about when pain hits your path in life, is it harder to love?

This week, Patty will be chatting with special guest, former Beatles manager Ken Mansfield. And the Beatles really wanted to give the world a message when they came out with the song, “All You Need is Love.”

You won’t want to miss hearing former Beatles manager, Ken Mansfield’s fascinating story! His unique story touches a world of decadence and gives glimpse into a life of success that few people can fathom. And most poignantly a life that collides with a path of pain and comes crashing to the ground…to the foot of the cross, where he discovered love!

Join us and listen in to this Thursday’s show. And connect with us via Facebook, Twitter or our website and share your stories of Love…we would love to hear them!

Remember…Love is all we need!

What do the words holy sexuality stir in you?

Do you believe that these words go together?

Do you have a distorted view of God and your sexuality?

Perhaps sin or past pain in your life has infested your heart and blocks the truthful view.

What do you long for God to help you with or redeem with regards to your sexuality?

If everyone is doing it, why should one save sex for marriage?

Is masturbation a sin?

Maybe this is a taboo topic for you…

If not, listen to this week’s show with Patty and Lisa as they discuss holy sexuality with special guests Dale and Jonalyn Fincher founders of Soulation.

They will unpack how a husband and wife can truly share themselves beyond an encounter of just heat and passion, but to the physical and spiritual interchange that comes from the mysteries that lay inside us.

God never intended sex to be boring or a dull act of reproduction . . .

You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win. Zig Ziglar

What’s your plan . . .

· Spiritually

· Ministry wise

· Financially

· Healthy wise

· Professionally

This is a question we seem to ask ourselves most often at the beginning of a new year when we are “planning” our year at a glance. Motivation is the highest at this time along with the desire to live a productive year and make it our best yet!

But . . .do you know where you are going? If not, it is almost impossible to create a plan . . . a plan that will inevitably go nowhere.

A few years ago, while sitting in a room full of people who were ready to learn how to create a Health Plan for a better life, a question was asked. We were asked to think of a number between 1 and 10 that best described our desire to live healthy. The facilitator then said, “If your number was not 9 or 10, you are not ready for ‘the plan’.” Desire accompanied with a strong determination is the thing – maybe the one thing to get your started.

How determined are you to succeed at a goal and stay the course of the plan to see it through? We are all plagued by self-doubt, insecurities and setbacks. It is the determination to succeed and an unfaltering commitment to your goal that plays a huge part in success.

Take our test. On a scale of 1 to 10, how determined are you to succeed this year at something? What is that one thing you have in mind (we know there are others) and what is your number? Are you ready to plan? Let’s talk more about this topic this week on Girlfriendit Radio with our special guest, Debbie Jones, Director of Spouse & Family Support | Stadia.