First, let me make something very clear. Whether you’re a dentist, painter, software developer, medical equipment manufacturer, dry cleaner or the Mayflower Madam - you’ve got something to market and sell.

Therefore, “Marketing” and “Selling” are not dirty words. They are your friends, your best friends. Embrace them. And never think you are above them.

They will pay for your kid’s college education. They will buy you a bigger home or a totally unnecessary second home. They will buy you Lexus’s and Porsches, Parisian vacations and unnamed and possibly illegal vices and vulgar affectations.

And when you’re done, they will buy you a very cushy retirement, and even leave you with lots of money to give to your spoiled kids from your numerous marriages - which they helped you create and afford, respectively.

So here are three tips on how to market and sell better and faster so you can get all and more of the above that much sooner…

The Amazing Power of the Three “S’s”

The first “S” stands for… Story.

When you were a babe… that is, a child… what did you ask Mommy and Daddy for at bedtime?

Okay, asking to stay up a little longer may have been your first choice, but when that appeal was thoroughly exhausted… you asked them for what?

Okay, a glass of water. And after you drank the glass of water… and, went to the bathroom, again… then what did you ask for? (Boy, you were a sly one, weren’t you?)

Good. Thank you. You asked them to tell you a story?

And the point being… we all love and want to hear a good story. We’ve embraced stories ever since the first stories were grunted around a Woolly Mammoth Bar-B-Q, and “story boarded” on an open house cave wall.

Story telling may even be the “oldest” profession. And even if it takes only second place honors, it just proves that…

Stories and Sex… “Sell”

And when you combine the two - Hello, Watch Out! You’ve got one hell’uva marketing tactic, though not necessarily a recommended one if you’re selling to religious zealots, Tipper Gore, most of the business to business (B2B) sector, and children.

And for that reason, sex is not one of the three “S’s”.

Back to stories…

We watch TV, we Tivo, go to the movies, read books - why? Because we instinctively enjoy gossip - no, well… maybe. It’s because we enjoy a “good” story, and always will. A good story captures our imagination… and holds our attention.

What constitutes a good “marketing and sales” story?

People. It’s a story about people whom our target market (prospect or customer) can easily identify or empathize with…

And… it’s a story that clearly highlights a product related problem or need (the beginning), a growing crisis that begs for a fateful “buying” decision (the middle) and a cost-effective and profitable solution (the happy end).

When you show the origins of your product or service - how it came to be developed, the vision and impetus behind it, and how it has helped a particular customer or two (think: case histories) - I assure you, your sales will be far higher and greater, than if you don’t.

So Tell a Good Story… When Selling Your Product or Service

Now for the second “S”, which stands for… the difference between the fish and the fishing pole.

I’ll explain…

Surely, you’ve heard the adage that goes: give a man a fish and he’ll have food for a day, but give a man a fishing pole and he’ll have food for a lifetime.

Well, forget it. It doesn’t work in marketing and sales.

Your prospects and customers don’t want a fishing pole (unless their shopping for one at The Sports Authority). Given the choice, the average consumer will always opt for the fish - not the pole.

As an enlightened, spoiled and unbelievably lazy 21st Century consumer, whatever we want - we want it now, and we want it already assembled.

If it Smacks of Work We Just Won’t Buy it

The other night I couldn’t sleep. Earlier in the day I had delivered a banner ad to a client (a well known investment newsletter publisher) for whom I had also written a subscriber acquisition sales letter, to which the ad linked.

The banner ad read: Immunize Your Portfolio Against Future Stock Market Shocks, Click Here Now, yada, yada…

Not bad, right. Well, something wasn’t right. And I couldn’t put my finger on it… until I awoke at 3 in the morning with the answer.

“Immunize” means that the reader must do something in order to gain a perceived benefit. But, if I use the power of “S”…

And turn “Immunize” into “Immunizes” - it means, at least in the reader’s eye - which is the only eye that counts - that the perceived benefit is immediately and automatically conferred - no assembly required.

“Makes Your Life a Lot Easier…”

Or…

“Learn How To Make Your Life a Lot Easier…”

Which ad would you click on first?

Whatever you’re marketing or selling, in whatever medium, online or off, and whenever applicable, use the power of “S”. It will put more money in your pocket a heck of a lot faster.

Now for the third and final “S”, which stands for… Sleep. Yes, sleep.

If you’ve been knocking your head against the wall for hours, searching for an elusive solution to a thorny problem, marketing or otherwise - call it quits, and take a nap.

What do you think Thomas Edison did whenever he couldn’t figure out how to get one of his soon-to-be successful inventions to work? He took a nap… and sure enough, when he awoke there was a light bulb above his head.

When you shut your eyes and drift off - with a question or a problem in the forefront of your thoughts - you intentionally task your subconscious to filter through all the garbage, the conflicts and distractions, which blocked you while you were awake.

It worked for me in the “Immunize” example above. Till the next time… lock your office door, take the phone off the hook, pull down the shades, put your feet up on the desk… and snooze.

Barry A. Densa is a freelance direct response copywriter. Visit href="http://www.writingwithpersonality.com/">http://www.WritingWithPersonality.com to see how Barry persuades his client’s prospects to buy, inquire or subscribe using “salesmanship in print”.

How do the home tests work?
The FDA approved home test kit can be purchased on the internet or by phone. Initially, a person gets assigned a special code number for identification purposes. This helps to keep HIV testing as confidential as possible. Kits normally include a lancet that is used to prick the finger then one must swipe the blood on a testing card.

Once the blood test is complete, one must package and ship to a specifically designated laboratory for analysis. Results should be back in about a week. In addition to receiving the results via phone, one could request paper documentation via fax, email or mail with the test results.

The more reputable HIV kit manufacturers do provide counseling services, both pre and post test.

In addition, some home kits are available in certain retail stores. These kits either require pricking a finger or swabbing the mouth with a specially provided oral sponge. Results are promised within 5-10 minutes of the initial test. There is no laboratory or counseling services. However, because they are not FDA approved, they none can be legally marketed in the US as an HIV test.

Are they reliable?
The FDA approved test, called Home Access is considered by be highly reliable and accurate. Those tests, which are not approved by the FDA, have not been proven to have a statistically significant factor of reliability, nor can they be tracked for accuracy of results. Independent laboratories may have checked for accuracy and validity of these non-FDA approved tests, but the FDA has stringent and rigorous testing protocols that individual laboratories may not follow.

In addition, some of the tests, when used improperly can give false results. This is due to lack of training on how to take the test properly or correctly interpret the results. No matter, the false result could cause tremendous suffering to the individual being tested and possibly further spread of HIV if the person believes he is not infected when he truly is.

Products and Costs
Home Access tests usually retail between $40 and $70 for one test, with express results being the differentiator.

Non FDA approved tests usually retail for $20 or less, but probably will not stay on the market for long. The FDA monitors sales in the United States of any test not approved by the FDA to ensure that no misrepresentation occurs. Unfortunately, many of these non FDA approved manufacturers “guarantee” accuracy and verification of results, much to the detriment of those who purchase these kits without doing the proper research.

Ty Johns is a researcher and writer on many health related products and is a contributor for an informational website Home HIV Test Kit

Growing bonsai is something that has a bit of a learning curve, most people don’t just instantly have the ability to grow the stunning, beautiful trees that the experts do and this is something they need to work on. In this article I will share with you some of the key points when it comes to growing your own bonsai trees, make sure to take note of them for your own efforts.

Keys To Growing Stunning Bonsai Trees

* The watering is very important - You absolutely need to learn about how to properly water your plant, this is one of the biggest things in bonsai growing. You can learn about it from many different sources, it doesn’t really matter but just make sure you read up on it.

* Remember to repot your plants when they need it - As your plant grows bigger and the roots do also, you will more than likely need to repot it so that it has more room to grow, more plants start of in a small pot simply because of the fact that they are small but as they grow you will need to make sure the plant has plenty of room to grow, this would probably occur once a year.

* Make sure your tree is getting sunlight - You CAN keep your bonsai tree inside your home, however, I would reccommend that you keep it somewhere in which it can get natural sunlight as this should help it grow better.

* Shape it yourself - Many people think that by just leaving their plants to grow that they will end up with an amazing looking bonsai tree and they won’t need to do anything to get it, wrong, you need to shape your tree so that it turns out the way you want, you can’t just expect it to happen on it’s own, you take action and make sure it becomes the most beautiful tree you have.

* Have fun - Yes, that’s right, growing bonsai is not just about making a stunning tree but it’s also about having a good time doing it, you should have fun and enjoy the process of growing bonsai and you should enjoy the outcome of your efforts also.

These are just a few things I think you should realise and remember when you are growing bonsai trees, there is much more for you to learn and you can do so from many different sources over the internet, so get reading and start growing.

Discover how you can grow beautiful bonsai trees easily at:

==> http://www.BonsaiTreeCareInfo.com

You could have your own stunning trees in no time!

With a few simple tools, anyone can repair a malfunctioning toilet.

Basic Toilet Construction:

Toilets are simple devices and they are all work in a very similar manner. They are based on two items, a bowl and a tank although some manufacturers have models where they have molded these two items as one piece.

The bowl sits on the floor and has a rubber or wax gasket sealing the drainpipe to the base of the toilet. These gaskets should not be reused. They are very inexpensive and anytime the bowl is lifted from the floor, the gasket should be replaced. I prefer the wax gasket as I feel it molds better to any imperfections in the porcelain material on the base of the bowl and the drainpipe flange. The bowl is held down tight to the drainpipe with two bolts. The bolts, which should be brass, are designed with heads that fit through slots in the toilet drainpipe flange. These bolts stand straight up and fit into the holes in the base of the toilet. When tightened they compress the gasket between the base of the bowl and the flange and subsequently hold the toilet tight to the floor. In a few instances, there may be an additional two holes in the toilet bowl base. These holes allow for the placement of two additional fasteners through the base of toilet and into the floor.

The tank contains two basic parts, although some manufacturers have designed a mechanism that contains both functions of the two parts. One of the parts is a float valve that allows water to enter the bowl to a certain predefined height. The other is a flapper valve that allows the water contained in the bowl to the tank.

A gasket and two or three brass bolts, washers and nuts hold the tank to the bowl and compress the gasket to prevent water leakage.

The incoming water pipe, which should have an independent valve, connects directly to the base of the float valve.

Repairing A Toilet:

Prior to making any toilet repairs turn the valve off that supplies water to the toilet and flush the toilet.

Symptom: Water is continually running. The problem is either the float valve or the flapper valve (or both).

To replace the valve, using a sponge remove any water left in the bowl, remove the nut that holds the water intake pipe from the base of the toilet bowl, remove the nut that holds the flush valve tight to the bowl (located just above the water intake nut and it is on the outside of the bowl), remove the float valve assembly and install a new unit. Tighten the nut that fits over the thread on the bottom of the float valve (this nut compresses a gasket on the inside of the tank between the bottom of the tank and the float valve), put the water intake pipe back in position and tighten the nut that holds it to the bottom of the float valve. Turn the water to the toilet on and look for leaks.

If the flapper valve needs replacement, you may have to remove the tank from the bowl. This is dependent on the manufacturer of the toilet and style of valve used. Some flapper valves can be replaced without removing the tank. If you know the manufacturer of the toilet, you can easily buy the correct replacement. If you don’t know the manufacturer, take a close look at the flapper valve and then buy a suitable replacement. Follow the installation instructions with the replacement. If the tank has to be removed, I recommend replacing the bolts, washers, and the gasket that sits between the tank and bowl. In many cases once these gaskets are compressed they will not reseal properly once removed.

Symptom: Water on floor. A defective gasket that seals the bowl to the drainpipe usually causes this problem. However, the first thing to check is the incoming water supply. Make sure that there are no leaks around the incoming water supply valve or the water supply pipe where it connects to the toilet. Secondarily, if the toilet tank is wet on the outside it is due to condensation that will drip onto the floor. Foam liners are available which will help to prevent condensation.

Once you have eliminated the incoming water supply or condensation as the problem, you can assume the problem is a defective toilet gasket. This also assumes the toilet bowl is sitting tight to the floor. If the bowl rocks or moves, you can try to tighten the bolts that hold the toilet to the floor and drainpipe gasket. To replace the gasket, flush the toilet and remove the nut that holds the incoming water pipe to the bottom of the flush valve. Remove the nuts on the bolts that hold the bowl to the floor (you may have to remove the bolt covers, use a screwdriver on the edge and pry upwards, the caps should pop off). Once the nuts are removed, lift the toilet straight up and off of the protruding bolts. The toilet may feel like it is glued down; it is the old gasket that is holding it in place, wiggle the toilet, and it will come free. All toilets have the drain trap molded into the bowl; this means that there is water still in the bowl, so expect water on your floor! Once the toilet is removed, the gasket will be fixed to the drain flange and/or to the base of the toilet bowl. Remove all of the old gasket material using a scraper. Place a new gasket over the molded drainpipe that protrudes from the base of the toilet. Lift the toilet over the bolts (I recommend replacing the bolts) and lower down so the bolts are protruding through the holes in the toilet base. Using the nuts, washers and if applicable the bases for the bolt caps; tighten the nuts to compress the gasket to the drainpipe flange. It is best to hand tighten the nuts by going back and forth between the two bolts rather than tightening one all the way down and then the other (this will provide better seating of the gasket). Replace the caps (it may be necessary to cut the tops of the protruding bolts, using a hacksaw, in order to get the caps to fit. Always cut the bolts above the nuts). Reconnect the water supply line.

CAUTION: All toilets are molded from porcelain, which is a very brittle material. Tightening any bolts with to much force may cause the porcelain to crack!

For additional information on home improvements or repairs visit Renovation Headquarters.

People all over the world are grieving due to some loss in their life. Grief will break down a body! David says, in Psalm 31:10, “My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my guilt, and my bones grow weak.”

I think the loss is always there when you lose somebody. I lost my parents within five months of each other and I still miss them. My Mother died Christmas Eve 1985 and my Daddy, June 4, 1986 (a day after his 76th birthday).

The next month my husband was given the choice to lie or leave at his job. He left. I couldn’t find what life meant at that time and my health quickly followed my thought life. I spent six months on the couch barely being able to lift my arm. I spent the next 14 years with burned out adrenals and fibromyalgia.

The past can really take it’s toll on you if you don’t take the toll on the past. The devil tends to whisper in my ear things that would want me to feel guilty and awful about many things in life, but I know that each day of my life regardless of how awful will be/has been used for good. God promises that to those who love Him. We don’t always see it, but I know it’s that way.

It wasn’t until I got a book, “A More Excellent Way,” that I began to learn Truth and take control over my emotions and guilt and pain. My first health victory with this knowledge was for the fibromyalgia to leave overnight, never to return. That was on May 6, 2000.

So, when I see what a mess I’ve made of something or what an awful circumstance has happened in a season of my life, I realize that the pain can mold me into a better person. I know my heavenly Father has a plan for me that I can’t always see and no matter how much garbage the devil throws at me, He is always on my side.

There is war in the heavenlies for our souls and daily lives and it is a true battle to make it through this fallen world, but with our hearts in Christ it can be a pleasant journey and the load is a little lighter when we hang on to those ahead of us — and those behind us

We have Christ’s strength within us to draw upon, for Isaiah 53:4 says speaking of Jesus, “Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrow” and the end of verse 5 is, “and by His wounds we are healed.”

Do we believe the Word or do we believe the whispering between our ears. The devil’s kingdom has nothing to do but destroy our faith. He certainly can’t keep us from heaven if we’re saved through Christ, but he can keep us from joy and peace on this earth if we let him. Revelation 20:10 says, “the devil who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur….” Don’t wait until the end of the world to get rid of him. Take the power in you to do battle now.

Search for what the root of the pain is that you feel and then take the axe to cut it out. Choose to be healthy and think healthy. The past is past and you are only allowing yourself to be buried with the past, which means you have no future. Life will never change until you change your mindset about it.

I’m still renewing my mind with the book, “A More Excellent Way.” As I read and reread it’s contents, I find more revelation each time. When the follow-up book came out to teach me how to apply what I’d learned in the first book, I really got excited. Sometimes we have a lot of good information, but if we don’t know how to put it to use, how to apply it to our lives, so we are still defeated. “Biblical Foundations for Freedom” gives specific direction for particular spiritual issues. It put’s the enemies deed in the Light of Truth.

The fact that Christ did take upon Himself our sickness and disease. We have access to that power for healing within. It’s a process. It’s a precept upon precept kind of walk and it’s been the most exciting journey of my life! I eat healthy and have a totally different attitude about what life is all about.

God still provides our income from the sale of herbs and supplements because it’s His provision for us and others while we learn to apply His Truth. God is always good and His perfect will is for us to be free of sickness and disease.

Donna L. Watkins lives in Central Virginia with her wonderful husband enjoying birds, wildlife, gardening, forests, nature travel and her cat, Squeek. She has one grown-up son who inspires her life in many ways. Read more of Donna’s articles at TheHerbsPlace.com and subscribe to her free mailing, A Healing Moment. http://www.theherbsplace.com/ahm.html

Fast loans are a way of getting a loan quickly. There are numerous types of fast loans, from check advance loans to personal loans. Some are harder to get than others.

Some require collateral while others do not. They all vary in the terms and conditions, so when looking for a fast loan it is important to weight the options.

Check advance loans are where a person gets a short term loan that they secure by writing a post dated check. These loans are usually given for a short period of time, anywhere from two weeks to a month.

When the loan is due the borrower can either pay off the loan or let the cash advance store cash the check they gave them. These loans are usually for small amounts, ranging from fifty to a couple thousand dollars.

Another fast loan is a title loan. This type of loan using a car title for collateral. The lender takes possession of the car title upon the rendering of the loan. If the borrower defaults the lender then can sell the car to recover the amount of the loan.

The lender will usually get a nice profit over what is owed by the borrower but they are under no obligation to give the excess to the borrower.

There are also quick loans for homeowners, these are called fast secured loans. These types of loans are secured against the borrowers property as a second charge behind that of the mortgage. A fast secured loan would generally be paid out to the client in around ten to 14 days.

The speed at which fast secured loans complete is dependant on a number of variables, such as the borrowers credit history, property value and employment status. That said, fast secured loans are one of the fastest forms of finance currently available.

Pawnshops are another type of fast loan. A pawnshop is a store that buys used goods. A person gives the shop their goods in return for money. They are given a short period of time in which they can return to repurchase their merchandise or payback the loan.

If the person does not return to pay the loan the pawnshop then takes full ownership of the merchandise and can resell it to recoup the amount of the loan. Most often people simply let the pawnshop keep the merchandise, except in cases where the merchandise is especially valuable.

A newer type of fast loan is an online loan. These are often comparable to traditional loans but take far less time to set up. These loans are often set up as automatic withdraws. The lender gets the borrowers checking account information and each month deducts the loan payment.

This can be a little risky especially if the borrower does not have the money there to pay the loan. There are a lot of online lending scams so a borrower should make sure to check out any lender they are dealing with before signing a contract.

Fast loans often come with high interest rates or in the case of title loans and pawnshops, end with the lender making a nice profit over what was owed should the borrower default. These loans come in handy, though, when money is needed in an emergency.

James Copper writes on all areas of finance and investment. He works for Any Loans who source fast secured loans and fast loans for people with credit problems.

Obesity is one of the problems that arise nowadays. Indeed, if not taken care off, it really can be harmful to your health.

You see, being obese can bring you high risk of having lots of different illnesses and diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiac ailments and so on. Obesity can even lead to death. So in order to avoid such problems, you have to do something about it now.

There are plenty of ways you can do in order to lose weight, one of which is taking herbal remedy and add it to your daily routine. Herbal remedies can be a helpful supplement to lose that unwanted weight. There are plenty of herbal remedies you can use in order to lose that unwanted weight.

One of these herbal remedies that you can use effectively in losing weight is hoodia gordonii. Hoodia gordonii are popular diet pills that surely help you lose your weight.

Hoodia gordonii is situated at Kalahari Desert region. It is cactus like plant. Hoodia gordonii has an active molecule that works as an appetite suppressant; it actually tricks the brain by telling that you are already full.

This cactus like plant was used by San people to suppress their hunger especially when they go out for hunting. Indeed, it was proven to be effective and safe.

This is actually one of the herbal remedies that you can use to lose weight. There a lot more. But hoodia gordonii is one of the well-known diet pills or herbal remedy.

Yes, hoodia gordonii can help you lose your weight but do not rely on this herbal remedy alone; you have to something to make it work faster.

Watching your calories intake is one way of helping yourself to lose weight and be healthy. You have to eat proper amount of food and with the right nutrients. Better to avoid foods with lots of sugar and fats. Eat the right amount of fruits and vegetables. Maintaining a balanced diet can help you be healthy and to lose that unwanted weight.

Exercise is another thing you have to consider. As a piece of advice, take an hour of your time in exercising. This can help you lose weight and be physically fit.

‘Health is wealth’, as the saying goes, so you really have to do all these things in order to make sure you’ll be having a healthier life. In doing all of these, it can prevent yourself from having other illnesses and diseases that can be harmful to you.

You can consult your doctor about your weight problem and can tell him or her about the herbal remedy you plan to take. Your doctor can even actually advice you to take such herbal remedy for your weight problem. And can give you the right dosage for the herbal remedy.

So if you are suffering from such problem, do not lose hope, and be determined to lose it. You see, there are a lot of ways to help you lose weight. Research and find the best herbal remedy that can help you. But to not forget to maintain balanced diet and do some exercises.

Article Author Eliza Maledevic from http://www.Jump2top.com, a SEO Company.Know more about Hoodia Gordinii at http://www.hoodiastore.org

You should write a book. It just may not be for the reasons you think.

The quickest way to get started in the information business is by doing an audio interview. Do a quick outline or put together a few questions. Find an expert. Record an hour interview. You now have a product. No more than 2 hours were invested in the process…and a minimum amount of money (a simple phone recording device can get you started).

A book takes at least a week to write, and you have to pay for a well designed cover to sell it. Yet, I still recommend a portion of my clients create a book. Why?

It’s simple really. Becoming an author provides you with immediate benefits that are hard to compete with in any other way.

1. Improve Credibility for Consultants and Coaches

If you’re currently doing any consulting or coaching, having your own book separates you from the competition. Would you rather hire the consultant who studied all these books…or the author of the books they studied?

Instead of simply giving someone your business card or a brochure, you can hand them your book. You’re the expert. While most people won’t “read” your book, it now goes on their shelf with other books they’ve purchased. It makes them feel better just having it.

2. Increase Fees

Want to increase your fees? Publish a book. This one goes right along with number one. You’ve improved your credibility, so you can now raise your rates. This includes consulting, coaching, and speaking fees. You’re a busy author (doing publicity campaigns and more). Your time is valuable.

You’ll also run into less price resistance as an author. It seems miraculous, but your perceived value in the eyes of your clients has now went up. You’re an author…and your “expert” fees seem more reasonable now.

3. Generate Publicity

Send out review copies. Do radio talk shows. The media is starved for good interviews. You now have something to talk about in your new book (I recommend creating your book with publicity in mind from the beginning).

Not very many people will listen to an interview and hire you to consult with them. They will buy your low cost book and be added to your customer list. Then you can follow up on them with all your higher profit items on the backend.

4. Backend Sales

A book is a perfect entry point in your product funnel. Let’s say you sell DVDs, home study courses, and even do workshops. Your higher price point items might require an endorsement from a trusted source or someone to speak to them on the phone. The book simply has be offered as a solution to a problem they’re having. It’s an easy sale.

You can then have upsells and other offers throughout the book. Don’t turn the entire book into a sales letter. DO offer items that solve their problems. The book can be a doorway into your other product offers.

5. Deepen Your Knowledge Base

Even if you never sold a copy, a book can still be profitable to you. It requires you sit down and organize your thoughts. You have to outline. You have to study your subject more in depth. You’ll have a broader base of knowledge and skill when you’re finished with your book.

To put it simply…writing a book will help you grow. It will stretch you. You’ll come out of it with greater knowledge, experience, and value to give to others.

Terry is the owner of the Integrity Business Blog, Find out more about how you can Earn More By Working Less by creating your own books, CDs, DVDs, and more at his Free blog today: http://www.terrydean.org

I’ve lived most of my life
… thinking about
… planning for
… worrying over
the future!

It’s easier to get away with doing this rather than thinking about and worrying over the past. It’s obvious we can’t change the past, so we can easily see how much of a waste it is to dwell in the past, but dwelling in the future is just as wasteful.

Maybe people who like to be in control of things dwell on the future, assuming if they think and plan and ponder it long enough they can get exactly what they want out of it.

Actually most of the thoughts, plans and worries are based on the past - not making the same mistakes or not doing what somebody else in your family has done. The past is something we definitely can’t change, but how we respond to it is a big choice of who we become in this life.

There are plenty of books to tell you how to get what you want out of life … as if life is about getting what you want. When has that ever consistently happened for any human being? Seems like a futile purpose to me.

I do believe that having plans and hopes and dreams are good for us, but we must hold them lightly as Christians because our ultimate desire should be to be more Christ-like and that is the ultimate end to our purpose on earth.

Our real life is in eternity. That’s where all the fulfillment and rewards will come. Don’t let the television and magazine advertising make you believe it’s all about YOU and making this life what you want of it. If we have given our life to God, we are to let go of control and walk in the steps of Jesus. We can surely affect the future by the choices we make based on our past. How we respond to events in our past can determine what we may be able to get out of the future.

Circumstances will sometimes cause people to make vows.

“I’ll never be like … “
“Nobody is going to ever be able to hurt me like that again.”
“I’m not going to make any more mistakes and my life will be perfect.”
“My family is not going to be like the one I grew up in.”
“Every thing I try to do fails. I’m not going to dream again.”

Don’t base your future on what your past has offered you. How you respond to things makes a big difference. That’s why the Word says not to let the sun go down on your wrath. Never go to bed with issues not resolved in your own mind and heart. As much as it’s possible live peaceably with all men. Don’t go on to another day if there is any unforgiveness from a previous day of your life. The devil will weave it into a straight-jacket on you!

You don’t have to accept what somebody has done to forgive them. You are simply choosing to allow God to handle the results of the offense and you are freeing yourself from the bondage and life-altering power that unforgiveness brings.

Ask God now where you’ve allowed the enemy to build a strong wall around your life due to past events and your responses to them. Resolve those issues today …. better yet, NOW!

” Our thoughts are silent words that only we and the Lord hear, but those words affect our inner man, our health, our joy and our attitude.” — Joyce Meyer

Donna L. Watkins lives in Central Virginia with her wonderful husband enjoying birds, wildlife, gardening, forests, nature travel and her cat, Squeek. She has one grown-up son who inspires her life in many ways. Read more of Donna’s articles at TheHerbsPlace.com and subscribe to her free mailing, A Healing Moment. http://www.theherbsplace.com

The broken road
Countless detours
Many distractions
Fatal attractions
Seductive illusions
Numerous intrusions
Continual confusion
Devilish delusions
Hurtful disappointments
Rejection and depression
Suppression of expression
Foul and evil oppression
Professional regression
No purposeful progression
Many painful lessons
Irritation and aggravation
Belittling and breaking
Limiting and unsettling
Numbing me to feeling
My energy diminishing
My passion depleting
My will to live dying
My insides deeply crying
All the while readily denying
Weary of tirelessly struggling
Battling and fighting negativity
Painting a pretty picture
Believing for an open door
A divine manifestation or cure
Such hardships I do endure
My heart becoming impure
Tainted by circumstances
I become increasingly skeptical
Condescending and critical
Knowing only my present
My perception seems factual
That for which I am believing
Is not reality, nor actual
Broke, busted, and disgusted
Emotionally abandoned
En route to my destiny
Dreadfully lost and stranded
I have nothing else to do
Know one else to turn to
It is then I have a meltdown
Look up to my Creator
Utter some choice words
Of disgust and reproof
Wandering why so uncouth
Conditions would befall me
Certainly there must be
A much better life for me?
I cannot accept this happily
By no means is this my
God intended purpose
For which I was created
Undoubtedly I’ve deviated
Gone off somewhere
Now just trying to survive
I frankly don’t even care
I am furious and mad at God
Who has left me here to trod
This burdensome path alone
My heart aches and disowns
This distasteful situation
I forsake utter devastation
Harness my will power
My personal power
To arise this hour
Somehow believe again
In God I have a Friend
Though He moves
Often very differently
Than I would prefer
He takes longer
Than I wish to endure
I know this for sure!
It’s not about things
Life is about the King
To whom my soul sings
My heart does bring
Praises and an offering
Of sweet heartfelt thanks
Gratitude and affection
Because these my trials
Have boldly confronted
My inner imperfections
Pulling me daily nearer
Continually closer toward
My Savior, Christ my King
Immanuel, my everything
Most merciful, my all in all
Omnipotent, Almighty God
Big Daddy far up in the sky
Don’t reason or often ask why
Believe like a child and do try
Welcome our heavenly Father
He will come and straighten out
This tormented messed up guy
Gently smooth the rough edges
Fix the broken, crooked places
Uplift the valley of low self-esteem
Supernaturally level mountains
Of relentless pride and obstacles
Opposing and thwarting my purpose
Because when I realize and divorce
My bitterness and self-righteous attitude
Stop speaking so unkindly and crude
Humbly embrace and take this food
To be nourished and strengthened within
Everything I’ll conquer and over it win
Because I will personally know Him
Intimately, relationally, and powerfully.
This will be an unshakeable foundation
My primary and uninterrupted ambition
Hence this initially unwanted broken road
Has surprisingly blessed me amazingly
Opening my understanding to clearly see
To life up my eyes and take them off of me
To earnestly seek God’s immense ability
To know and love Him wholeheartedly.

Me straight to You

Paul Davis is a life purpose and love coach (professional & relational), worldwide minister, change master, and FL real estate agent.

Paul is the author of several books including Breakthrough for a Broken Heart; Adultery: 101 Reasons Not to Cheat; Are You Ready for True Love; Stop Lusting & Start Living; Waves of God; Supernatural Fire; Poems that Propel the Planet; and God vs. Religion.

Paul’s compassion for people & passion to travel has taken him to over 50 countries of the world where he has had a tremendous impact. Paul has served in many war-torn, impoverished and tsunami stricken regions of the earth. His Dream-Maker Inc. is building dreams, breaking limitations & reviving nations.

Paul’s Breakthrough Seminars inspire, revive, awaken, impregnate with purpose, impart the fire of desire, catapult people into a new level of self-awareness, facilitate destiny discovery and dream fulfillment.

Contact Paul to minister, speak at your event or for life coaching:

RevivingNations@yahoo.com, 407-284-1705.

http://www.DreamMakerMinistries.com

http://www.CreativeCommunications.TV