In this episode podcast original co-host Diane Bradley returns to join Chris to discuss the challenges of building a legacy in your everyday life when God is calling you to a “new thing.” Show Notes & Links (Click' em, they're live) -The heart of Women Finishing Well’s calling: Romans 12:1-2 -God has called us to run a race with others and pass our faith to others in the race (Heb. 12:1-2, 12-13) -Review of the legacy seasons: Spring: women ages 25-40 Summer: women ages 40-54 Fall: women ages 55-75 Winter: women over 75 -Our circle of influence can change in various seasons. Be open to the people God puts in your life as you get older. -Moving into a new season can bring a sense of urgency and anxiety. But God will show you the next thing as you follow Him in trust. Scriptures about trusting God in a new season : 2 Peter 1: 13-15, Isaiah 43: 18-19 - When you want to take on something new, you need to put something down. How do we choose what to give up when God calls us to something new? Diane calls it “finding your best yes.” -Our stories: what we are moving on to. -When God does something new, it’s exciting!

Welcome to the last lesson (lesson four) in the online Bible study, The Four Seasons of Legacy Building. In this lesson you’ll discover how you are uniquely and wonderfully made by God to build a legacy of faith that lasts for generations. Show Notes & Links Where we’re going in this lesson: You’ll discover the unique purpose God has for you using our Legacy Inventory online tool.Clarify the definition of “building a legacy of faith in your everyday life.”Introduction to the Legacy Inventory: How are you wonderfully made? Step One: Who Am I?Step Two: Where Have I Been?Step Three: Where Am I Now?Step Four: Who Has God Put in My Life?Step Five: Putting it All Together As you access the online inventory, be sure you have all your tools ready (journal, Bible) and start each step by watching the video. Be ready to take notes on the video in your journal! After you watch the video, go through all the instructions and exercises for that step in the inventory. Warning: Life-changing information ahead! Scriptures for this lesson (New Living Translation, unless noted): Romans 12:1, The MessageJeremiah 29:11Php. 1:6Deuteronomy 11:18-21 Links (click ‘em, they’re live): Click here to access the Legacy Inventory on our website. Click here to access a pdf of the first two chapters of Building a Legacy of Faith if you don’t have a copy. Click here to get your copy of Building a Legacy of Faith on sale on Amazon. Both digital and print versions are on sale. Click here to access our Facebook community. Join us and share your legacy! Be sure and email us if you have any questions or just want to say “hi.” Email chris@womenfinishingwell.com

What does building a legacy of faith look like in the different seasons of life? In this episode, some of our former podcast guests will share their current legacy-building challenges.  Scriptures, Show Notes & Links: Scriptures we use in this podcast: 1 Cor. 9:26-27 Ps. 1:1-3 2 Pet. 1:12-15 Jer. 29:11 John 15:4 Show Notes: -Review of the four season of legacy building; their ages and characteristics. -The Challenges: Spring: time for parenting, friends, finding a place/time to serve. Summer: Change in parenting styles from the spring season because of kids' ages--giving them more freedom; job changes and trying to advance careers; finding the time and place to serve; few leadership opportunities for women this age; making time for friends. Fall: Identifying the next step in family and job transition; hard to let go and pass the baton to youngers, hard to connect with younger women and older women—too young for some, too old for some. Changing family status (children leaving, grandchildren arriving) Winter: How to ignite my stored energy to influence youngers; difficulty finding a place to serve; shifting of priorities and health challenges. The biggest challenge is the church's perceived irrelevance of women at this age. Links: Click here to download the Four Seasons of Legacy Building study guide. Click here to check out Jean Fleming's book, Pursue the Intentional Life. Click here to get your copy of Building a Legacy of Faith (book by Chris Syme). You can email Chris at chris@womenfinishingwell.com. The Tree of Seasons:

Welcome to lesson two of our online study, The Four Seasons of Legacy Building. This episode is dedicated to helping you get started with the study guide and lead you into an immersive experience with the study material. You'll get the most out of this episode if you download the study guide first here and follow along as you go through the podcast: https://womenfinishingwell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Lesson-4-study-guide.pdf Don't be in a hurry to work through this lesson. I recommend starting with 10-15 minutes/day with your journal. Pray that God will open the eyes of your heart as you listen and journal through the guide (Ps. 119:18).  Show Notes & Links: -God is the Orchestrator of all our seasons. -List of scriptures from the study guide. You may want to do a short study taking one scripture passage per day. We'll cover the basics of the SOAP method of study in this lesson in the Digging Deeper section. It's very user-friendly and will help you get more out of your Bible reading. • Psalm 1:1-3  • Psalm 78:2-4 • Psalm 145:4-6 • Exodus 20:4-6 • Colossians 3: 1-2 • Hebrews 12:12-13 -Be sure and use your journal to take notes as you are going through the lesson. Links Send me an email with any questions or just let me know how you're doing. You can email me at chris@womenfinishingwell.com. If you don't have a copy of the Tree of Seasons, you can save (right-click) the image below:

Get out your journal and get ready for lesson four in our Bible study, The Tale of Two Legacies. In this episode we’ll start the process of identifying what “season” of life we’re in and how we can craft the narratives that will help us build a legacy of faith in this season. Show Notes: What 2 Listen 4 in this lesson: In this lesson we’re going to learn the basics about the four seasons of legacy building and discover the stories (narratives) of your season. Before you start, download the image of the tree of seasons in the show notes or right click on the image below. We will refer to it in the podcast. Discover the season of life that defines where you’re at right now.Each season has unique narratives that help us build a legacy during that season. More on the how-to in lesson five.The seasons: Spring: ages 25-40*. New, exuberant life. These are the leaves on the far left of our tree of seasons.Summer: ages 41-54*. The season of strength and growth. The leaves are green and sturdy.Fall: ages 55-75*. This season is normally a season of transition and change– the one with the most vibrant colors of life.Winter: ages 76-plus*. This is a strong season of stored energy essential for the regeneration of seasons in the spring. The most challenging season of legacy building. *seasonal ages can vary a few years on either side Scripture verses in this lesson (all scripture is from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted)Psalm 1:1-3Psalm 78:2-4Psalm 145:4-6Exodus 20:4-6Colossians 3: 1-2Hebrews 12:12-13 Links and downloads: You can download your copy of the “tree of seasons” and your lesson four study guide under the lesson four resources HERE.  Download your Lesson 1 study guide here. You can email Chris at chris@womenfinishingwell.com with any questions or resources you need to access.  CLICK to visit our Facebook page and join the community of women learning to build a legacy of faith.

In this episode, we're introducing a new 4-lesson online study that will help you build a legacy of faith no matter what season of life you're in. Notes & Links: -When God wants us to step out, sometimes He leads us through some challenges. No worries--He's just getting you ready for what's next. -Join our new online study starting the week of April 24: The Four Seasons of Legacy Building where we will explore what it takes to build a legacy of faith in every season of your life. No matter what your age or season of life, we've got you covered.  -This study is great for grandparents and moms who have kids out of school in the summer. Click here to join our Facebook community Click here to subscribe to our newsletter and get episodes early and chances to win free books. The Four Seasons of Building a Legacy Tree:

In this episode of our new series, Help For The Hurting, we'll talk about the three kinds of questions to ask God when we are faced with a season of hurt. God wants us to bring him into our troubles. He knows the way through.  Show Notes & Links: There are some common challenges we face and questions we ask in a season of hurt: Common challenges: The misplaced "shame" of questioning God.The two truths we need to establish when trouble shows up. Three kinds of questions we face when we hurt: The questions we ask God (who, what, when, where, why)The questions the world asks us: if you really are a child of God, then why did God let this happen? Did God really say? The questions Jesus is asking us. The 5 W's: The questions and the scriptures. I encourage you to take some time and study these questions and answers to help you connect with God in a season of hurt. Today we'll talk about the first four: who, what, when, and where. We talked about the why in last week's blog post. You can read that here: https://womenfinishingwell.com/why-god-why/ Who is involved in the hurt—how far did it reach? Is it just me? Are there others? What is God’s take? It’s time to bring God alongside—He is the biggest “who” in the equation of every hurt. All things come through Him (not, "are caused by Him"—there is a difference. Read Romans 11:36). Are you protecting me in this? (Ps. 73:25-26, Rom 11:36, Ps. 23:7, Ps. 138: 7-8)What? What just happened here, God? Am I discerning the cause, the effect? Is this important? What attacks of the enemy do I need to guard against in light of what happened? Show me what is the truth and what is a lie or a conclusion fueled by my emotions? What do you want me to see? Are you protecting me? (2 Thes. 3:3, Is. 54:17, Psalm 59, Ps. 23:5, Rom. 12:2)When? How long will this last God? We need prayers for endurance, wisdom, and strength of heart and mind. When will I (my friend, these people) be restored? How can I keep connected to you in this trouble? How can I let go of this?  Ask God to help you walk through the process of grieving/making amends, or whatever needs to be done in His perfect timing. (Php. 4:13, Php 4:5-7, Ps. 29:11, 2 Chron. 6:19, James 1:5, Mt. 11:28-30, John 16:33)Where? Where are you, Lord? Are you here with me? Help me to see your healing hand in all this. Where can I turn? What friends, scriptures, and wisdom should I seek in this situation? It feels like You have abandoned me.  (Heb. 13:5-6, Ps. 73:23-26, Ps. 37:24-26) Links: click 'em, they're live: Listen to the kickoff episode of our new series here.Sign up for our newsletter to get new episodes delivered to your Inbox and chances to win fun prizes! Click here and be sure and check your email inbox for a confirmation after you sign up. Join our Facebook community. Meet other women finishing well.You can email me at chris@womenfinishingwell.com

In this episode, we start a new series called Help For the Hurting. You'll want to hear this kick-off episode with writer and speaker Melanie Davis Porter as she shares how God brought her family through a season of grief, and how He used that grief to inspire Melanie to reach out to help others through her writing and everyday life.  Show Notes & Links: Defining grief as a season and how God brings balance to our seasons.How the enemy of your heart can complicate your grief.Defining your season of mourning and its purpose for the healing journey.How to share your grief with others.How looking back at God’s faithfulness helps us deal with our present hurt.Why you should keep an inventory (journal) on how God shows up in your grief.Andrew Murray prayer for troubled times: “In time of trouble, say, First, He brought me here. It is by His will I am in this strait place; in that I will rest. Next, He will keep me here in his love, and give me grace in this trial to behave as his child. Then say, He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me lessons he intends me to learn, and working in me the grace he means to bestow. And last, say, In his good time he can bring me out again. How and when, he knows. Therefore, say, I am here (1) by God’s appointment, (2) in His keeping, (3) under His training, (4) for His time.” Where to find Melanie…(clickable links) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelanieDavisPorter/Twitter & Instagram: @melaniedavisporterBlog & website: https://melaniedavisporter.com/ *Start our podcast Bible study, The Journey Back to Your Heart, here: https://womenfinishingwell.com/episode161/

In this episode we take a look at how to set our heart and mind on making 2023 our best year ever. Learn the keys to building a deeper walk with God in the new year. Scripture verses we'll dive into: Hebrews 12:1-3, The MessageHebrews 12:1-2, NLTPsalm 90: 12, 17Philippians 1:6Romans 12:2, The Message Show Notes & Links: -Why we need to start out every year asking God to teach us to number our days. -The important difference between a goal and a purpose. -How to write a life purpose statement. Details are below in the tools section. -Always remember that it is God who works in you. We're seeking His purpose (Philippians 1:6). -"Transformation will happen when you consistently do what others occasionally do" (Pastor Ashley Wooldridge). Other tools you'll need: How to Write Your Life Purpose Statement: Get a blank sheet of paper. Title it, My Purpose in Life. Pray for wisdom.Start writing. Write. Write all you can. Words, phrases, complete sentences, Just write . Don’t stop and edit. Write more.Repeat step two until you get the answer that makes you either cry or jump up and down with excitement. Boil it down to a couple sentences. It has to make sense to you only. Chris' Life Purpose Statement: My purpose in life is to live and love for God, and bless all the people He puts in my life; to trust in Him completely to lead me in the way I should go, come what may; and to put on the easy yoke and carry the light burden. Links: Click 'em, they're live Tools for starting a morning time with God: 1. Load the Lectio 365 (app) on to your Apple or Android Device. It will help you connect with God in just ten minutes each morning: https://www.24-7prayer.com/resource/lectio-365/ 2. Take advantage of the reading plans on any book of the Bible or any topic in the YouVersion Bible app. Load it on to your Apple or Android device here: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/  You can also use this app to read from any Bible version, search for verses and topics, and study reading plans with friends. 3. Click here to learn more about the five-year journal.  -Click here to join the Women Finishing Well Facebook community-get involved in 2023! -Click here to join the email list and be a podcast Insider! Access to new podcasts, giveaways and more! Send Chris an email: chris@womenfinishingwell.com

This episode is the finale of our Bible study, The Journey Back To Your Heart. We'll discover that beginning with the end in mind is the key to our successful journey. Get ready to be blessed! Show Notes, Scriptures & Links: Scriptures in this episode: Hebrews 12:1-3, Hebrews 12: 12-13, Philippians 1:6, Colossians 3:1-2, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 1: 3-14, Matthew 7:13-14 -This episode brings us full circle in the journey back to the center of our hearts with God. As we step up to the starting line, we'll learn how a good beginning mindset produces a strong finish. -In this episode, we tackle our last life habit: begin with the end in mind. We aren't called just to start our race; we are called to finish well. -Running the race God has marked out for us to run: Jesus has already been there, done that. Learn how He did it! -Finishing the race takes perseverance--life is full of challenges. -Two keys to beginning with the end in mind and finishing strong: Keep your heart and mind fixed on things above, and the tools to help you do that.Determine to live counter-culturally. (Romans 12:2, The Message). Don't let the world squeeze you into its mold. The gate is narrow and the road to life is difficult. But Jesus is leading us! (Mt. 7:13-14) Links: Click 'em; they'll get you there: Click here to access the first episode (161) in the study and start your journey! For a deeper experience with this study, get a copy of the Bible study, Building A Legacy of Faith: how to influence others with your everyday life. Lectio 365 app for Apple or Android here Download the First Things First tool here You can connect with our Facebook community here. Find other women who want to finish well! Sign up for our mailing list here and get insider access to every podcast and giveaway! You can unsubscribe at any time. Don't forget next week's episode where we explore the process of setting our hearts and minds above for 2023. Learn the difference between purpose and goals. It'll wow you! Tell a friend.

In this episode, we discover the practice of rest as part of our Bible study, The Journey Back To Your Heart. Listen in as we learn together that rest is not found in a destination, but in a Person. Scriptures in this episode (all scriptures quoted from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted): -John 14:27, Matthew 11:28-30, Romans 12:2 (The Message), Psalm 23, Matthew 6:24-27, 2 Cor. 10:3-5, Colossians 3:1-2 (NIV) Show Notes & Links: -Rest is not found in a destination or a set of calming daily tasks—rest is an internal state of being that begins and ends in a personal connection with God.  -Jesus call everyone to His rest (Mt. 11:28)--no one is excluded! -Jesus is our shepherd. His job is to care for us. Our job is to let Him. (Ps. 23) -Keeping our heart and mind set on things above (Col. 3) is like a truth filter for everything that comes into our lives. -We hear from God when we are connected to Him. Tips for keeping your mind open to God's voice. -Don't let the culture squeeze you into its mold (Rom. 12:2) -What are the "rest-busters" that are keeping you from experiencing rest with God? Links (click 'em, they're live) -Do you have the Kindle Reader app so you can download a free copy of The Mary Answer (in case you don't have a Kindle). The app allows you to download and read books from Amazon on any computer or device--phone, iPad, whatever. Download it now so you can get your free book Dec. 21-25. Both Apple and Android versions available here: https://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=16571048011 -Listen to episode 172--the introduction to Remain: https://womenfinishingwell.com/episode172/ -Click here to check out Linda Troyer's Bible study, Rest Revealed. -Sign up for my email list here and don't miss a podcast or a blog post. You'll find lots of other goodies in these short, snappy emails! -Check out our Women Finishing Well Facebook community here: https://www.facebook.com/womenfinishingwell/ Don't miss the blog post this week on Practicing A Sabbath Rest! Find it on the Facebook page or my blog: https://womenfinishingwell.com/blog/

In this episode we start the last leg of our Journey Back to Your Heart Bible study: learning to remain. We'll learn how to pack our backpacks for a journey that will keep us in the center of our heart with God no matter what comes. Show Notes & Links: Scriptures in this episode: Colossians 3:1-4, 15-17Matthew 11:28-30 in the New Living Translation and The MessageJohn 15:1-12 -Review of the Life Habits we've learned so far: #1 Pause (episode 161)#2 Declaring the Truths of Who God is and who we are in Him (episode 163)#3 Recalibration Checklist (episode 164 and Women Fininshing Well blog: https://womenfinishingwell.com/your-recalibration-checklist/)#4 Remembering What God Has Done (episode 165 & Women Finishing Well blog: https://womenfinishingwell.com/know-the-truths/#5 Learning How to Pray Scripture (episode 167)#6 Building Communities of Influence  (episode 168)#7 Spiritual Warfare & Armor of God (episode 169)#8 Personal Worship & Lament (episodes 170-171) -The two elements we need to pack up for the journey of Remain: Set our hearts & minds on things above (Col. 3)Take on the yoke and the burden (Mt. 11:28-30) -What does it mean to remain? -John 15: abiding is all about relationships, not about keeping rules (John 15:1-12) -The relationships of the Gardener, the Vine, and the branches. Links (Click 'em, they're live) -Sign up for the email list here and get early access to new podcasts, tools, and exclusive giveaways. -Find Women Finishing Well on Facebook here.  -If you're new to our current study and would like to start at the beginning, start listening here. You can email Chris at chris@womenfinishingwell.com Next Week: Practicing Rest

In this episode Chris interviews writer and teacher Melanie Davis Porter about the blessing of lament--learning how to bring God into our troubles. Is being honest with God about how we feel a good thing? Listen in and find out. Show Notes & Links: Scripture verses in this episode: James 1:2-4Romans 8:28Psalm 138:7-8Psalm 73:1-22, Psalm 73:23Psalm 130Psalm 10Psalm 6Php. 4:6 (NLT) -Melanie's story -"The enemy will try and complicate your grief with more chaos." -What is the meaning of James 1:2? Are we really supposed to be happy when we have problems? -Not knowing that our loving God has a purpose for our troubles can keep us in the dark and afraid. Trusting that God is always with us gives us confidence in trouble. (Ps. 137:7-8) -In the midst of all our troubles, God is remaking us and renewing us so that perseverance can make us mature and complete, not lacking anything. He is reviving us in our trouble. (James 1:4) -We can get distracted and busy in our grief in an effort to not deal with our feelings. We need to embrace our trouble and our feelings with God. Being honest with God opens our heart to his healing.  -David was a good lamenter because he knew God personally and he was self-aware of what he was feeling. Pouring out his heart to God was a spiritual discipline that kept him close to God's heart. -Henri Nouwen quote: We need to embrace our own brokenness so we can minister to broken people. When we suffer willingly, we can comfort those who suffer. -We need an everyday, talking relationship with God. Church is not enough to know God personally. -Melanie's favorite Psalms of lament: 130 (forgivness), 10 (Why are you so far off, God?), and 6 (I am completely tired and worn out from this) Links (click 'em, they're live) You can find Melanie online here:  melaniedavisporter.com (website)Courage to Endure Facebook pageMelanie Davis Porter on InstagramMelanie is also part of the Proverbs 31 writing and podcast team: https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions You can email Chris here: chris@womenfinishingwell.com Join the Women Finishing Well Facebook community here If you're new and you'd like to start the online Bible study, The Journey Back To Your Heart, click here to start with the first episode. -If you'd like to become a podcast insider and get a weekly reminder and lots of free tools to help, join our list here.

In this episode, we're going to discover the true meaning of the phrase, "count it all joy whenever you face troubles of many kinds." We'll learn why troubles in our life are evidence that we are God's children. Notes & Links: Scriptures in this lesson: -James 1:2-4, Romans 11:36, James 1:5, James 3:17, Psalm 92:1-2, Psalm 42, Jeremiah 29:12-14, Psalm 90:14 -My story about overcoming lies I believed about James 1:2-4. -My lesson learned: trouble was something God allowed in my life because He loved me and he wanted me to have a more sacred life. -Three things trouble stirs up in us: We worry (and fear)We focus on the trouble and lose our perspective.Our "fix-it"  impulse kicks in. -At the first sign of trouble, pray for God to show you what He wants you to see. Invite Him in. Let Him lead. -Trust God's truths: He is always with you, you are His child, you are no longer a slave to fear, Trust in Him with all your heart. If you have doubts in any of these areas, find the truths that destroy the lies and drive them into your heart with study, worship, memorization, declaration, or whatever it takes. -Why worship is our path out of sorrow. -The mindsets of worship we need to start with. -Next Episode: How lament opens the door for God to turn our sorrow around. Links (click 'em, they're live): -Check out the book Fierce Faith by Alli Worthington -Check out the book Life Of The Beloved by Henri Nouwen -Check out my Bible study, Building A Legacy Of Faith here -Sign up here to be a podcast insider and get a link to new episodes and other news sent to you Inbox before the episode is released tp the public. -Join our Facebook community here. -If you are new, you can start The Journey Back To Your Heart from the first episode here.  You can email me at chris@womenfinishingwell.com

How well do you know your enemy? In this episode we tackle an often-neglected Life Habit, putting on the armor of God and why it's key to keeping our hearts centered on God. Join us as we continue in our online Bible study, The Journey Back to Your Heart. Show Notes & Links -Recap:  We started our journey with recalibration: leading our heart back to the center of being present with God. Now, we are working through the practices of Renew that keep our hearts in that center place as we grow deeper roots. -In mythology (the stories of humankind's origin), there are two common themes that have emerged over history:  The war between good and evil.The quest for love. -Do we live like we have a real enemy? We need to know the weapons and schemes of our adversary. -In the New Testament scriptures on spiritual warfare, there are two recurring themes: stand firm and be strong in your faith. -Don't underestimate the power of the enemy and his army. His "powers" are limited, but his army is powerful. -Satan's biggest tactic is to get our eyes off the "real" battle (spiritual) and distract us with the battles round us in this world. (2 Cor. 10:3-5) -We prepare for regular spiritual battle with two things: We need a pep talk to develop a battle mindset (Eph. 6:10-13).We need to put on every piece of God's armor and understand its purpose (Eph. 6:13-18). -The offensive weapons help us advance: prayer and The Word (Eph. 6:17-18). This week's challenge: do a personal Bible study of Eph. 6:10-18 asking God to teach you how to put on the armor of God. You may want to use the SOAP method of study.  Click here for a link to a free tool that will walk you through the SOAP study method.  Scripture verses in this episode: Eph. 6:10-181 Peter 5:8-92 Cor. 10:3-5Rom. 11:36 Links (Click 'em, they're live!) Click here to join our Facebook community--I'd love to connect with you there. Click here to get on our email list and get the inside scoop on new podcasts, giveaways, and other goodies.You can email me at chris@womenfinishingwell.com

In this episode, we explore another life habit on the journey back to our heart called influencing through community. Where has God placed you in life to influence people for Jesus? You might be surprised. Show Notes & Links -We'll start with a review of our purpose in this next leg of the journey: Renew -Renew is where we’re learning how to integrate spiritual habits into our everyday lives that will keep us at the center of our hearts with God. -Renew is also about fortifying our legacy of faith with the people God has put in our lives. Who are your people? -We all have an everyday, ordinary life where God gives us an opportunity to influence others for Him. -How can you identify your circles of influence? Who has God put in your life? -Learning the unforced rhythms of grace. -Is church attendance sufficient to develop the kind of community that Jesus calls us to? Scripture references in this episode: Deuteronomy 31: 12-13Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)Romans 12:1 (The Message)Hebrews 12:1-2Hebrews 10:24-25 How to find your communities of influence: Our lives are filled with groups of people we regularly move in and out of. We may not know all the people by name or have relationships with them outside those places, but we can develop a level of influence with them that reveals love and hope to them by the way we value their presence in our lives. Let’s think about what some of those groups might be.  Start a page in your journal called My Communities of Influence. As I give you these examples, maybe there are others you can think of in addition to the ones mentioned. Write them down in your journal as well. This will become a prayer list. Remember, you may or may not know their names. Just write down a phrase describing who they are if you don’t. They could be people you interact with in a club or hobby setting like a Bunco group, or a card-playing group, a book club, yoga class members, or a crafting group.They could be service providers you interact with regularly like grocery store clerks, baristas, home care providers, mail and delivery people, childcare workers, hair stylists, house cleaners, or the checkout person at Staples. Use your imagination. Who do you see in a day?They could be people at church you visit with but don’t socialize with outside of the church.They could be people you work with but don’t spend time with outside of work.Neighbors you don’t socialize with. You may see them at the  mailbox, but you don't really know them.Circle the people on this list you don’t have a name for. Make a point over the next month to find out their name and come back to your list and write it down. Dale Carnegie who wrote the classic, How to Win Friends and Influence People wrote, “a person’s name is to him or her the sweetest and most important sound in any language. Start calling them by name when you see them. This should be easy in most stores because employees are usually wearing a name tag. Greet them by name; smile at them.If your communities of influence are just one or two, add a prayer request to this list asking God to open the eyes of your heart to see the people around you every day that need a word of encouragement. Also, just a hint from doing this in my own life. If you go to the store or the coffee shop at the same time of day, usually you will start seeing more of the same people. Look around—take notice of the people God is putting in your life. These are the people He is asking you to influence for Him. Links (click 'em, they're live): The first episode of the journey back to your heart. Start here: https://womenfinishingwell.com/episode161/ Connect with me here: Women Finishing Well Facebook pageEmail me at chris@cksyme.comInterested in free books, news, and notifications of new podcasts? Sing up for my email list here: https://forms.aweber.com/form/40/1204767040.htm Coming Next Week: Renew: Cultivating Mental & Emotional Resilience-Learning to Bring God Into the Good and the Bad Times

In this episode, Chris will dive into Life Habit #5: The power of praying God's Word. Learn how to amp up your prayer life. Show Notes & Links: -What are the "5 Ws" you need every morning? (5 minutes is all you need) -How God leads us to pray His Word into our spiritual life. -Use the five prayers of renewal from Psalm 143 as an example of the powerful prayers in God's Word. -Why we need to personalize our prayers. -How to understand what we're praying for and identify what "scriptures" to pray into our lives. Links: -Click to start here if you're new to the study. The first episode of The Journey Back to Your Heart. -Learn more about the 5 W's in our original study, Building A Legacy of Faith. The paperback is on sale on Amazon for $4.99 Click here to find out more. Scriptures in today's episode: -Hebrews 4:16, Matt. 6:9, 1 Thes 5:16-18,1 John 5:14, Psalm 143:8-10, Heb. 4:12 List of Paul's prayers for your reading and study: Romans 15:5-6Romans 15:13Eph. 1:17-19Eph. 3: 15-19Php. 1:3-6Php. 1:9-11Php. 4:6-7Col. 1:3-141 Thes. 5:23-24 (benediction)2 Thes. 1:11-122 Thes. 2: 16-17 (benediction)Philemon 4-6 Check out our Women Finishing Well Facebook here. You can email Chris at chris@womenfinishingwell.com if you have any questions or would just like to say "hi."

In this episode, Chris kicks off the second part of the journey back to your heart: Renew.  You'll discover how to grow deep roots in God's love. Show Notes & Links: -This week's scripture list: Ps. 143:8-10, Mt. 11:28-30 (MSG), Eph. 3:14-19, Rom. 12: 2(MSG) -Lessons we can learn from the Saguaro cactus.  -What is a taproot? -Renewal is about building deeper roots in God's love for us. -Three things we can't miss from Ephesians 3:14-19. -Flexibility is the key to incorporating new habits into our everyday life. Find ways to connect with God that match your lifestyle. -The five Renewal Prayers from Psalm 143 that will transform your day. -We are learning new rhythms that help us live freely and lightly (Matt. 11:28-30, The Message). Links (click 'em, they're live) -Episode 161: the beginning of the journey back to your heart. Click here to start your journey. -Link to Women Finishing Well Facebook page. Click here. -Click here to sign up for my newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time. -Link to Chris Baxter's The Heartbeat Of God devotional -Link to download the Lectio 365 devotional app You can email me at chris@womenfinishingwell.com

In this episode, Chris will finish the process of recalibration in our study, The Journey Back To Your Heart; Recalibrate, Renew, Remain. We'll take a close look at the materials we can use to build on the foundation Jesus gave us for our best life. Show Notes: -What has happened to our hearts in the last couple years to pull us off-center and out of tune? -We need to pause to pray, "God, "Where am I?"  -Review of the process of recalibration and Life Habits we've covered so far. -The most important Life Habit in our journey. -How is declaring God's truth out loud different from scripture memory? -How are you doing with the Recalibration Checklist? Don't get overwhelmed. Let God lead you gently. -What's next? How do we keep on the path of our journey?  -Renewal begins with a look at our "building process." What are you building on the true foundation of your life? - Paul said in 1 Cor. 3:10-15 that Christians can use gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw to build on their foundation. Be careful what you build. -Recalibration is about making choices. Show Notes & Links (click 'em, they're live): -For new listeners: link to the first epsiode in the study (Episode 161) -To sign up for the advance reader list for the new Bible study, you can email me at chris@cksyme.com. I will send you a follow-up email so you'll know what all is involved. Thanks much for being willing to help!  Email me if you have questions or comments at chris@womenfinishingwell.com.  Scripture verses in this episode: I encourage you to make a simple SOAP study of these verses this week (Scripture-Observation-Application-Prayer) 1 Cor 3:10-15, Romans 12:2, James 1:22-23

Show Notes Why do we need to recalibrate our hearts? A review.When we pray scripture, are we mindful of what we're actually praying for? Do we know how to see specific answers?God isn't interested in punishing us for our mistakes; He is interested in drawing us back to Him. Only God can recalibrate our hearts. Our part is to embrace what He is doing in our lives (Rom. 12:1, The Message)The first question God asked humans was, "where are you?" (Gen. 3:9)In order to experience our best life with God we need to get our physical, mental, and spiritual lives in sync with God's Spirit in us.How to use the Recalibration Checklist. You're not looking for solutions in the first step of the process. You're just truthfully answering the questions to find out where you are.We start the process of recalibrating with small incremental steps, not large, unattainable goals.Prayer is a necessity all throughout the process.  Prayers before you start (personalize them): Psalm 46:10, James 1:5 (the promise of wisdom), Philippians 4:6. Scriptures used in this episode: Eph. 3:17, Psalm 139:23-24, Psalm 51:10, Romans 12:1, Gen. 3:9, 1 Peter 3:11, Luke 11:24-26, James 1:3-4 Links: Click 'em, they're live! Download your pdf of the Recalibration Checklist here.Link to last week's Life Habit blog post with the Recalibration Checklist here.Link to the first podcast episode in this series here.Link to our email list sign-up here. We like to give away stuff in addition to short weekly updates.Email Chris at chris@womenfinishingwell.com