In this episode, Chris and Diane discuss their favorite tips and tools for making the most of your time in God's Word.

Show Notes & Links:

-Why just reading the Bible is not enough (James 1:22-24).

-Surprising data about how many people engage with the Bible regularly. Be one of the 20%! The key word there being "engaged."

-How to use SOAP to get the most out of your Bible reading.

-An introduction to the YouVersion Bible app for your phone or device and how to download.

-Diane and Chris share their secrets for starting the day right by beginning the night before.

Links: Click 'em, they're live:

Download the YouVersion Bible app to your phone or device.

Sign up for our email list and get your First Things First tool for free and instructions on how to download Chris Baxter's 30-day devotional, The Heartbeat of God. You'll also be eligible for our monthly book giveaways as well.

Link to other two episodes on First Things First (7 & 8)

Question of the Week:

If you already have a morning routine going, tell us about it and how it inspires you. You can comment on the podcast episode page at womenfinishingwell.com/episode9 or on our Facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/womenfinishingwell/

Help Us Get the Word Out

If you listen on iTunes, would you be willing to leave a review to help other women find us? You can search for our podcast home page on iTunes and you'll find a link to review there.

Would you consider posting a link to today's episode on your Facebook page or emailing a few friends? Here's the link: womenfinishingwell.com/episode9

In this episode, we interview Chris Baxter, author of The Heartbeat of God, about her unique and powerful 365-day devotional. This is the reading plan we recommend in our First Things First tool. You won't want to miss!

Links & Show Notes:

-How a daily habit of journaling turned into a book.

- A look at the unique conversational style of Chris' book and how each day's devotion started as a personal prayer.

-Chris' treadmill story. You'll love it!

-Chris tells the story of how her personal time with God evolved over the years.

-Words of encouragement for listeners struggling to began a daily personal time with God.

Links: Click 'em, they're live:

Link to Chris' book on Amazon

Link to Chris' website: Respite For the Weary

Link to download the YouVersion Bible app to your phone

Get the Free First Things First Tool:

Sign up for our monthly email here and get our First Things First tool to get your personal time with God on a new track! Bonus: All our email subscribers are in a drawing for free books every month. This month's giveaway book is The Heartbeat of God by our guest. You can unsubscribe at any time. You'll receive a confirmation email after you sign up so be sure and confirm your subscription. Hint: You may have to hunt in your Spam folder.

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Would you consider leaving a review on iTunes. Search our podcast homepage on your phone or laptop and leave a review there. Thanks!

Share a link to this week's podcast on your Facebook page:

Connect With Us!

Answer this week's question of the week on the podcast page at or like or Facebook page and join the conversation here.

In this episode, Chris and Diane introduce the third "W" of the First Things First morning routine. They look at the tale of two carpenters in Matthew 7:24-27 and their own life lessons.

Show Notes & Links:

- The tale of two carpenters. Which foundation are you building on?

-Why only reading the Bible may be building a shaky foundation.

- 7 benefits of digging into God's Word from Psalm 119.

- 4 guidelines for Bible study from James 1:25:

1. Look intently.

2. Continue to do this (Diane's story).

3. Not forgetting what you have heard (Chris' story).

4. Just do it.

Links (Click 'em, they're live):

-Get the free First Things First tool here. Don't forget to look for the follow-up confirmation email right after you sign up.

-Join the conversation and get links to good stuff on our Facebook page.

Scriptures in this episode:

Matthew 7:24-27, The Message and NIV

Psalm 119, especially verses 111-112.

James 1:22-25

Help us get the word out:

Here's the link to share this podcast with a friend:

https://womenfinishingwell.com/episode7/

If you listen on iTunes, would you consider leaving us a review to help other women find us? Just search for our show's home page in your podcast app or iTunes and leave a review there. Thanks much!

In this episode, Chris and Diane start a short series on how to put together a morning routine that will revolutionize your relationship with God. Part one.

Show Notes & Links:

-Introduction to a morning routine that will change your life: First Things First.

-Why your "devotions" are not just a box to tick off.

-Why is morning important anyway?

-Our stories

-Introduction to the "5 W's."

-What is a Wake-Up Call?

-How drinking water in the morning can make a huge difference in your health.

-Sign up for our free tool and get your mornings super-charged.

Link to The Practice of the Presence of God with Brother Lawrence

Link to the post on the benefits of drinking water in he morning.

Link to sign-up for our email list and get the free First Things First tool

We want to connect with you and hear what you have to say. Click here like our Facebook page! You can find us there.

Would you consider leaving us a review on iTunes to help other women find us? If you are on your iPhone, go to our home page (you can search it on iTunes) and scroll down under all the episodes. There is a spot to leave us a review there. If you are listening on your laptop or device, search for our podcast on iTunes. When you get to our home page, click on the Ratings and Review tab and leave you review!

Would you consider sharing the link to our podcast with a friend? Here's a link that will take them to our podcast home page: https://womenfinishingwell.com/podcast/

We'd love to hear what you think. You can leave a comment below. What was your biggest takeaway or question from this show?

In this episode Chris and Diane show you how to identify your communities of influence. These are the people God has put in you life to inspire. Where has God planted you?

Links & Show Notes:

"For too many of us, our emotions are the engine pulling the train, but emotions should always be the caboose."

What you'll learn in this show:

-How to identify your communities of influence--who are they?

-Why it's important to recognize these people as recipients of our legacy.

-How to identify the people in your circle of influence?

-Your communities of influence are people you see at places like the grocery store, in the gym, at the coffee shop, or even at church.

-Tips how to remember names and how to extend last minute hospitality to people you don't know well.

-How Diane turns a one-dollar Diet Coke at McDonald's into an opportunity to connect.

Link to Dale Carnegie Training Center post on how to remember names.

Scriptures:

1 Peter 3:15

Connect and Share Your Thoughts:

Tell us what you think in the comments section below

Click here to Join the conversation on our Facebook page.

Help us spread the word:

Here is the link to this podcast to share with friends: https://womenfinishingwell.com/episode4/

In this episode Chris and Diane talk about the importance of identifying your circle of influence in the process of finishing well.

"For too many of us, our emotions are the engine pulling the train, but emotions should always be the caboose."

Show Notes:

-What is a circle of influence?

-Why is your circle of influence important to building a legacy?

-How to identify the people in your circle of influence?

-The four key truths about your circle of influence (Heb. 12:12-13)

1. "Don't sit around on your hands" - developing your circle of influence is a journey of purpose.
2. "Clear the path for the long distance runners" - these people are your "long haul" people.
3. "So they won't trip and fall" - our responsibility to our circle of influence.
4. "And run for it!" Throw off everything that hinders you and run hard for the finish line.

-Meet Diane's Elephant Sisters

Scriptures:

Hebrews 12:12-13 (The Message)

Links: Click 'em, they're live:

Here is the link to this podcast to share with friends!

Link to our Facebook page.

Link to explanation of Dunbar's Numbers

In this episode Chris and Diane visit the Biblical truth of God's corrective teaching in our lives and how embracing these "course corrections" can lead to a closer walk with God.

Show Notes & Links:

"God does not have a Plan B for your life; He has a restored Plan A."

-Why the word "discipline" needs a makeover.

-Why God's corrective teaching is part of His unfailing love.

-How our parents' disciplinary style can skew our view of God's correction. Chris and Diane tell their stories.

-Perseverance leads to completeness (James 1)

Scriptures in this episode:

• Hebrews 12:1-2, 5-13
• James 1:2-4

Links: click 'em, they're live

-Link to share this episode with friends:

-Link to Max Lucado's book, It's Not About Me

-Be sure and visit our Facebook page to connect and let us know how we can pray for you.

In this episode Chris and Diane talk about detours and why they're a good thing. They each share a personal detour they found themselves on and how God used it to reveal some important lessons.

Show Notes & Links:

"Have you ever found yourself in the wilderness when you thought you were on the right path?"

-Know your strengths. They can help you soar and lead you astray.

-Sometimes God lets us go on a detour so we'll end up closer to Him.

-Detours often involve pruning--and sometimes that hurts.

-We can't always understand what God is doing in our lives. Sometimes it just feels like hurt. Watch out for peace-busters.

-Call on your SIC (sisters-in-Christ) friends to pray you through.

-Scripture verses in this show:

• Exodus 13:17 - God's detour for the Israelites.
• John 15:10: 1-10 - God's pruning plan.

Links: Click 'em, they're live:

Link to this episode to share with friends:

Link to our Facebook page

If you want more information on the Clifton's StrengthsFinder assessment (we are not affiliates of this organization but have both taken their assessment and read their books)

In this episode, co-hosts Chris Syme and Diane Bradley introduce the show, tell their own stories, and talk about how to leave a legacy of faith that lasts for generations.

Show Notes & Links:

"Legacy is about investing our life into the lives of those God has placed around you. That infusion of purpose inspires generations after you to build their own legacy of faith."

-Why this podcast?

-How to identify your circle of influence - those you are building a legacy for.

-What does it mean to pass on a legacy? Pick up your baton!

-What kind of legacy do you want to build?

Links - click 'em, they're live!

-Leave a comment and let us know what you think! Link to the podcast episode on the Women Finishing Well website.

-A link to the podcast you can share with your friends: https://womenfinishingwell.com/episode1

-Link to the next episode - there are four available at launch!