I think old Solomon was right when he said, “there is no new thing under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9 KJV).

So, I am never intimidated by some new gizmo or gadget that comes down the line. One of the things I have no intention of upgrading is in the area of giving credit. I believe in giving credit where credit is due. After all, I need all the credit I can get these days.

If somebody does something that blesses me, I am beholden to give them their due credit. I am under the opinion that if I give enough people enough credit that one day I just may be able to cash in.

This all came to me this past week when I had my visit to the dentist. I make it a rule that once a decade to visit my dentist whether I need to or not. The thing that spurred my visit to the dentist this time was one of my fillings had fallen out. Actually, I am assuming it fell out because where it used to be was a hole in my tooth. Upon pondering the situation to its logical conclusion, I must have eaten my filling.

This dental hygienic situation brought me to my latest visit with my dental hygienist. While I was there, I thought I would save time, if not money, and have my teeth cleaned. Every decade I like to have my teeth cleaned. According to my dentist’s records, the last time I had my teeth cleaned was 13 years ago. So, it is time.

Because it was so long since my last visit with the dentist, he insisted on taking pictures of all my teeth. I hope to get copies so I can post it on my Facebook. After all, what would my Facebook be without pictures of teeth?

I had forgotten the whole procedure of dental photography. It took an entire hour to photograph all my teeth one at a time. During the sixty minutes of my photography shoot, I had to keep my mouth open. I have never had my mouth open for so long in all my life.

After this, I have a new appreciation for women. How they keep their mouth open for so long is one of those mysteries husbands will never be able to unravel.

The upshot of my visit with the dentist was I had a clean bill of health regarding my teeth and gums. I must have been doing something right to have such healthy teeth and gums for a person my age.

When the dentist said “a person my age,” I was not sure if he was insulting me or congratulating me for good health. Being the gentleman that I am, I took the latter.

“I don’t know what you’re doing,” the dentist said cheerfully as I left his office, “just keep it up.” With that, I left the dentist office.

I thought a lot about what he said and I have come to a major conclusion. I like giving credit where credit is due, so I had to think long and hard about whom to credit for my good dental health.

Certainly, I could congratulate the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage on her superb dietary work in the kitchen. Without doubt, it pays to eat the right food if you are going to have good health. But I think it goes much further than this.

What am I doing to credit such a good dental health report?

Then it came to me.

Have you ever given serious thought about something for so long, you seem to be getting nowhere, and then all of a sudden, it hits you?

I know what I can credit my excellent dental health. Apple Fritters. That is right. The reason I have good teeth and good gums is because of a consistent diet of apple fritters. After all, everybody knows the main ingredient of an apple fritter is an apple. There is nothing better for a person than an apple.

Where the fritter comes in is very simple. The fritter part of an apple fritter is the means by which my body can assimilate the nutritional aspects of the apple. The fritter facilitates the good parts of the apple to every part of my body.

Therefore, with a deep sense of humility and gratefulness, I credit my dental health to the regular consumption of Apple Fritters. A friend of mine recently suggested that I might be addicted to Apple Fritters, but I kindly remonstrated him by explaining I am addicted to good dental health.

My spiritual health is a different matter.

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever. Amen.”  Jude 1:24-25 KJV

God gets all the credit in my life for my spiritual health now and forever.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: The Rev. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, PO Box 831313, Ocala, FL 34483. He lives with his wife, Martha, in Silver Springs Shores. Call him at 352-687-4240 or e-mail jamessnyder2@att.net. The church web site is www.whatafellowship.com.

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Google is constantly changing and evolving so you need to keep up with the changes.  Their recent changes, called the Panda Update, caused many sites’ rankings to drop significantly.  Google’s mission is to provide the highest quality information for each search done and in doing this, many sites get lost in the endless pages of search results.

To get your website increased ranking there are many things you can do and many things you should not do.  I have tried to list some of the more effective things you should do and a couple things you should not do for better placement in Google.

1. Limit Your Advertising – If you have a hodgepodge or cluttering of advertising on your site, this can decrease your ranking.  Google considers excess advertising to be a sign of a low-quality spam site.  And remember, Google’s goal is to provide the highest quality sites at the top of the search results.Read More→

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As I suffused my weary body into my La-Z-Boy chair, I knew I was tired but I could not figure out what I had done during the week to make me this tired. After all, it did not seem like I had accomplished anything of significance this week. I was trying to do something, of course, but I had absolutely nothing to show for it. What was I trying to do this past week?

A verse of Scripture began haunting me as I thought about this. “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). What was I supposed to “doeth” that I did not get around to “doething”?

Of course, there was that funeral I had this past week. Unfortunately, I opened my book to the wrong page and begin the funeral by saying, “Dearly beloved we are gathered together here to unite these two in holy matrimony.”

Holy macaroni!

What a difference the wrong page makes. At least I was not officiating at a wedding and said, “Ashes to ashes, and dirt to dirt.” Although, to be honest about it, I have had some weddings where I thought that phrase fit.

I was tempted, only for a moment, to query the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage but I feared she would tell me. There is something to say about mystery. Nothing is more mysterious than the feminine side of the marriage equation. Odd isn’t it, that the marriage equation is not always even.

As I reflected upon my week past, I duly noted the activities that occupied most of my week. Apart from the funeral, I had several hospital visits to make. As is usually the case, people conspire to go to the hospital at the same time but never at the same hospital. One even went out of town to go to a hospital.

Other visits were made and other activities attended. Certain deadlines were staring me in the face and I stared right back at them defiantly. I am not sure who won.

Services and Bible studies needed to be prepared for which can take up a lot of time. Then, don’t you know it; my truck is always out of gas when I am in a hurry. I suppose I could fill my tank up when it got down to a certain level, but where would the fun be in that? Nothing compares to the adrenaline of being in a hurry and late for an appointment and then running out of gas.

Do not get me wrong here. It is not that I do not enjoy giving my wife a call on the cell phone when stranded along the side of the road. It is the highlight of the stranded experience. Usually, her response to my phone call is what stresses me out.

“What,” she declares in that sarcastic tone of hers, “have you run out of gas again?”

It is her theatrical use of the word “again” that I believe could easily earn her an Oscar. I once presented her with an Oscar Meyer wiener, but she did not enjoy the joke. Personally, I thought it was a great joke and I really did not appreciate her reaction. Needless to say, I have not repeated that sin, although temptation is what it is.

I suppose I did do things and accomplished something this past week, but it really does not explain why I am as tired as I am tonight. I can remember there was a time that I did not even know the meaning of tired. I got tired all right; I just did not know the meaning of the word tired.

Then the whole thing dawned on me. It was almost like being hit on the head with an iron skillet by you know whom. The lights flashed. The lightbulb went on. I had an epiphany to end all epiphanies.

At this point, I am surprised my wife did not get the jump on me with this one. The reason I am so tired is because I am old. There, I said it. I have come to that point in life where being young is a fond fading memory.

As this bit of information began marinating in my cranium, it had a very comforting effect. Up to this point, I had been worrying about the fact that I was tired and I could not link that condition with any specific activity. As is usually the case, there are good sound reasons for everything. I began to look at my tired condition in a completely different light.

I have earned my being tired. It is something I have worked for all my life. Now, here it is. I am now collecting those wonderful dividends from all that activity of the past.

As I thought about this, a marvelous verse of Scripture came to my mind.

“The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.”  Proverbs 20:29

Being tired is the crown of a lifetime of activity.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: The Rev. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, PO Box 831313, Ocala, FL 34483. He lives with his wife, Martha, in Silver Springs Shores. Call him at 352-687-4240 or e-mail jamessnyder2@att.net. The church web site is www.whatafellowship.com.

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With a confused look on her face she responded, “I have enough interest in my money, nobody else needs to bother about it.” That was that!

After my grandfather died, my wife and I had the opportunity to take Grandma out for supper. It was a delightful restaurant and we thought it would be a real treat for her. More than once, I had to keep her from getting up and serving coffee to the rest of the people in the restaurant. After all, she did that at the church suppers; why not here? “I’ve got two good legs,” she protested.

Then came time to pay the check and the waiter brought the check and laid it in front of me. I immediately took a credit card out of my wallet and laid it on the check.

I could tell Grandma had never seen a credit card before.

“Put that away,” she said. “I believe that man wants you to pay for our supper. Don’t you have any money?”

“I”m paying for our supper with my credit card,” I explained.

“Oh, dear,” she moaned. “You know I don’t believe in cards. Cards are of the devil, and I have never had a deck of cards in my house. I’m a little surprised that you, a minister, would be fooling around with such things of the devil.”

She insisted we tip the waiter in “good ole American cash.” I am not sure if Grandma ever really understood the credit card. She bought nothing on credit and did not accept credit. Everything had to be done in cash. She often quoted the scripture verse that says, “Owe no man any thing . . .” (Romans 13:8KJV), which she took quite literally.

As grandma got older, she began to rethink the business of opening a bank account. Without telling anyone, she decided to go to the bank and open an account. She had saved up $50 for this purpose. Grandma nervously entered the bank and walked up to the man sitting at the desk marked “New Accounts.”

“Good morning, ma’am. I’m Gary Goodman. How can I help you today?”

The man seemed pleasant enough, and Grandma thought entrusting him with the delicate job at hand was probably safe.

“I wanna open an account,” she mumbled.

“Fine. I’ll get you all set up. It won’t take but a few minutes.” With that, he took out some papers and laid them on his desk in front of grandma.

“Now,” he said, “let’s begin. What is your name?”

She told him.

“Okay. What is your address?”

“What?”

“What is your address?”

“Why do you need to know that?”

“I’m just filling out the form, ma’am.”

The young man a little confused with her hesitancy said, “We can come back to that. What is your date of birth?”

Grandma’s face turned a little red. “What do you want to know that for,” she gasped?

“I’m just filling out the forms. Can you give me your telephone number?”

That did it for Grandma. She got up from her seat and looked him right in the face and said, “Young man, I don’t know who you think you are, but I am not interested in your advances. I’m old enough to be your mother. You ought to be ashamed.”

Just then the manager of the bank walked by.

“Mary, what are you doing here?”

The manager quickly assessed the situation and told the young man he would take care of this customer and tried to console my grandmother.

“I don’t know what’s gotten into young folk these days,” she whispered.

Barely concealing his manager his smile he said, “I’ll take care of you, Mary,” he assured her. He knew all the information about her and quickly filled in the paper work and walked Grandma to the teller for her first deposit.

Grandma handed the teller a crumpled $50 bill. The teller took it and gave her a deposit receipt.

“Where’s my money?” grandma demanded.

“It’s safe in the bank, ma’am.”

“How do you know my money from everyone else’s?”

“The money is all deposited in the bank, and if you need any, all you do is write a check.”

She showed Grandma how to write out a check. By now Grandma was confused and more than a little exasperated. Quickly Grandma wrote out a check for $50 and handed it back to the teller.

“You’re withdrawing all your money?”

“Yes.”

The teller counted out $50 and handed it to her. Grandma looked at the teller and said, “No. I want MY money.” The teller retrieved the crumpled $50 bill and handed it to Grandma.

As she walked out, the teller heard her mumble, “What a crazy way to run business. No wonder banks fail.”

There is only one sure account I can bank on. Jesus said,

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.” (Matthew 6:19-20KJV)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  The Rev. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, PO Box 831313, Ocala, FL 34483. He lives with his wife, Martha, in Silver Springs Shores. Call him at 352-687-4240 or e-mail jamessnyder2@att.net. The church web site is www.whatafellowship.com.

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Topping the list this year of words not to be used is the word “amazing.” Allegedly [which I think is one word that should not be used this year], 1500 people voted to ban the word “amazing.”

I think it is rather amazing that out of the 312,867,000 people living in the United States, 1500 people tell us what not to say. Who are these 1500 people? What do they have against the word “amazing?” Have they ever seen anything that was actually amazing?

Of all the words I would like to see canceled during this year, “amazing” is not one of them.

A few words have come to my attention that I would like to eliminate for the coming year. I know I am only one person but by Jehoshaphat, I am going to have my say.

The first word I would like to see banned would be, “caucus.” I have no idea what this word means. Sure, I can look it up in the dictionary and find out what it is supposed to mean, but when used in the political arena, I am all confused. It would surprise me if some of the commentators that use the word knew exactly what it means. After all, it takes all their concentration to read the teleprompter.

Yet, this word is employed in the process of determining who will be the nominee for the political office of President of the United States. I think it is interesting that in order to get to the White House every politician needs to start with a Native American caucus. Of all objecting in using this word, the Native Americans should be the loudest.

Another word I would like to see banned for the year is the word “polling.” It seems no politician can do anything without first doing some polling. They will spend millions of dollars doing this polling. I would not mind so much if they did not call me on the telephone and waste my time. If everybody whom they call on the telephone in their polling was as sarcastic as I am, I do not put any faith in their polling at all. Mr. Politician, call me at your peril.

Contemporary politicians would not know what day of the week it was if it was not for the latest poll. Even though the Creator gave each politician two legs to stand on, they are always switching from one leg to the next. Now I know why a politician has a left foot and a right foot.

The only natural thing that lives by polls is a polecat. There may be some resemblance here.

The word “earmarks,” is another one I would like to see banned for this coming year. A politician without his or her earmarks is like a skunk without his stink. If you take a skunk, you are going to have to put up with his stink.

I guess the politician needs to do something with his or her ears for they certainly are not employed in hearing anything from their constituents. If a politician insists on earmarks, I think we ought to do some marking of their ears.

When I was a youngster in school, my teachers found a wonderful use for my ears. Whenever they wanted me to do something, they would grab me by the ears and jerk me into the right direction. Where are those teachers when you really need her? I would like to help them with their ear jerking operation. I know. Let’s call it the Ear Jerking Operation (EJO).

One final word I would like to see obliterated is the word “party.” Especially when associated with something political. Let’s face it. The political world is just one great big party after another, usually, at someone else’s expense. If I could go to a party with somebody else sponsoring it and paying for it, I guess I would go to.

Whenever somebody asks me which political party I belong to I usually respond by saying, “The birthday party.” At a birthday party, at least you get to eat cake and sometimes in the excitement get a little bit on your face. At political parties, everybody is eating their own words and ending up with egg on their face.

If are going to have a party let’s make it a birthday party where everybody is invited and everybody gets a slice of cake. Make that two slices of cake.

I suppose there would be a whole lot of other words I could add to my list but there is one word I am not going to ban and that is God’s Word. There is nothing more amazing to me than the relevance of God’s word in my life today. One word I love is,

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

I am quite content to allow God have the last word in my life. I have found it to be amazingly true.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  The Rev. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, PO Box 831313, Ocala, FL 34483. He lives with his wife, Martha, in Silver Springs Shores. Call him at 352-687-4240 or e-mail jamessnyder2@att.net. The church web site is www.whatafellowship.com.

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1. Make time everyday to do your job search. New jobs are posted every day and your best chance to get considered comes with getting your application or resume in as soon as possible after a new job is posted.Read More→

Sending out weekly online newsletters or mailings is a great way to solidify the trust relationship.  But who do you send it to?  Taking the time and effort to build a responsive email list is not easy but it certainly can be done.

The ten tips below will help you get started building that all important list of names and email addresses! Read More→

Over the last couple of years I’ve heard all kinds of excuses from clients with regards to why they have decided to cut back on their social media marketing efforts. Here are just a few:

1. It doesn’t work for me!
2. I’ve seen no real increase in traffic to my website.
3. It takes too much time.
4. Facebook is just a place where people goof off and ‘act’ like they are working.

Read More→

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An old year is fading and a new year is upon us again. Each year I go kicking and screaming into the New Year, and not because I am against change. My pants pocket is full of change.

I simply cannot remember to change the year on the checks I write until May. By the time, I remember the correct year I have forgotten to make deposits into my checking account. I need a reality check, which with any luck will not bounce as high as my checkbook.

That is not the only reason I hesitate going into a new year. The biggest reason has to do with the mistakes I made during the old year.

Looking back over the old year, I worry that my blunders were not as bad as they could have been. Did I make all the gaffes I possibly could? Did I fill my quota? What is my quota, anyway?

For many people, the New Year offers the opportunity to start over again. Actually, what happens is people simply make new mistakes curiously similar to the mistakes made during the old year.

If I have any resolution for the New Year it would be to perfect the mistakes I have already made. I do not see any sense in making new bloopers when I can easily requisition the old ones for duty during the New Year.

And what is wrong with my old mistakes? The only thing I can think of is that I did not work hard enough to make the most of them. It is one thing to make a mistake, but it is quite another thing to perfect the art of making a mistake so that you do not have to repeat it ever again. Too many amateurs have given mistake-making a bad name.

Most of my mistakes have been so poorly discharged that in the coming New Year I will have to re-do many of them. And, frankly, I am tired of it all. I am anxious to move on to new areas of mistake making.

I am convinced there are faux pas to make that I have not dreamed of at this point in my life. Believe me, I have been dreaming. Actually, the gracious mistress of the Parsonage things they are all nightmares. However, my horsing around is not limited to the nighttime.

With that in mind, my resolution for the New Year is to make sure all mistakes I make (and there will be plenty, I assure you) will be as thorough as possible. I refuse to execute any mistake before its time.

Some mistakes take lots of time to fully mature, but when its time comes, I want to make sure it is implemented as smoothly and as perfectly as possible.

If I am any judge of character, the majority of people will not make any new mistakes this coming New Year. Oh, they think they are making new mistakes but in reality, they are dusting off old ones and re-dating them for the current year. What a waste of time, in my opinion.

For those who take mistake-making seriously, allow me to offer some help to guide this pursuit in the coming New Year.

Look back over the old year and make a list of all of the mistakes you have made. If you are a husband, solicit help from your wife, who will be able to remember all of those mistakes you have forgotten. (Not to mention one or two you did not make.)

Go over each mistake on your list and determine if it needs repeated for the New Year. It does not make sense in doing new mistakes if you are not finished with the old ones. Nothing is more disheartening than a half-baked mistake.

For every mistake from the previous year not needing repeated, place a nice red star in front of it. That mistake can now go into your Hall of Blame, which you will never have to repeat again.

Of course, you will have some mistakes, even though they have been perfectly executed are well worth repeating. You know which ones they are. Don’t you?

Now look at all of those mistakes listed for repeating during the New Year. Prioritize them so you can begin the New Year with a good plan.

As you prioritize this list, think of ways in which you can improve on your mistakes over the past year. No satisfaction compares with doing something as good as you can. One man’s blunder is another man’s gaffe.

Everyone generates mistakes, which is healthy. What is unhealthy is thinking you have not made any mistakes, which is a mistake. Some people have the strange idea that they live a completely mistake free life.

A mistake well executed is a mistake never needing repeating. During the New Year, execute as many mistakes as your conscience will allow.

The Bible, an authority on mistakes, says this;

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:8-10 KJV.)

The great hope we have is that there is no mistake bigger than God’s ability to forgive.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: The Rev. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, PO Box 831313, Ocala, FL 34483. He lives with his wife, Martha, in Silver Springs Shores. Call him at 352-687-4240 or e-mail jamessnyder2@att.net. The church web site is www.whatafellowship.com.

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Forgive me if I have said this before, but, “Happy New Year.” It may be the epitome of redundancy but I have given this greeting for 60 years and I mean it as sincerely this year as I have all the years preceding.

The first few years of my life, I had no teeth and so all I could say was “Goo-goo, daa-daa.” It meant the same thing. This year I have all of my teeth but I am not certain how many more years.

The way we start life is the way we usually end life, with no teeth and drooling all the time with a silly grin on our face.

Why is it so cute to have a toothless drool at three months but rather disgusting when you are 93 years old?

We all start life wearing diapers and if we live long enough we will end our life wearing the same apparatus. I guess it all depends upon what we do between the two events.

I suppose I could be guilty of not learning as much as I could at my age, but one thing I have learned and that is the good things in life are always repeated. Sure, there are some things that we do once in a lifetime and cherish their memories, but the good things in life are those things we continually repeat.

I would wager that in this New Year there would be relatively few, if any, new things. The past year was supposed to carry with it a lot of brand-new things. Most things were those repeated ad nausea for many years.

This year is an election year. Of course, the purpose of this year is to elect a new president. Every four years we elect a “new” president and I have participated in many presidential elections. At least, I went to the voting booth and voted. In all those years of electing a “new” president it has usually worked out that the new president was remarkably quite like the old president.

Some political pundits make a great deal between a Republican and a Democrat. It may be my age, but it seems to me that most Democrats are Republicans in disguise and most Republicans are Democrats in disguise. If I was backed up against a wall with a firing squad in front of me and asked to tell the difference between a Democrat and a Republican, the only thing I could come up with would be the spelling.

A Republican when elected will always act like a Democrat and a Democrat when elected will usually act like a Republican. Then they wonder why the voting public is confused.

As far as I am concerned, a rattlesnake wearing a rabbit outfit does not change its nature. It still has poisonous fangs looking for some human flesh.

What has not changed is the fact that a politician running for office will say anything to get elected and then once elected will develop an acute sense of amnesia, which is not that cute.

Whenever I hear politicians say that when they are elected they are going to change things I know I am either listening to a fool or someone who is trying to fool me. Hundreds of politicians have run on the platform of changing Washington DC. Well, how has that been working?

The coming presidential election will be the same as every other one in the history of the United States.

In spite of that, there are a few things I am glad will not change.

The things that are really important in life are those things that do not change.

For instance, I am glad the sun comes up every morning. Even though every day is a new day, the same sun starts the day with its rising. The beautiful thing about this is that we can only live one day at a time. I cannot remember how much time I have spent worrying about something in the future and when that day came, I worried in vain.

I am so glad that the rising of the sun is not in the hands of some political committee somewhere. Wherever two or three politicians are gathered together, there is gridlock. If a political committee were responsible for the rising of the sun, it would never rise. The only thing a political committee can do when it comes to the phenomenon of rising is in the area of taxes and their salaries.

As sure as the sun will rise tomorrow so will our taxes and so will the salaries of the politicians. Would be great the politician’s salary was tied to the economy? If the economy was up, the politicians would get a raise. If the economy went down, the politicians would take a cut in salary.

I am not sure how to do that, but if it ever became law in our country, the economy of our country would be on the rise for generations to come.

Another redundancy that I am delighted to participate in and that is the mercies of God.

“It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness” (Lamentations 3: 22-23 KJV).

Although repeated daily, God’s mercies are never redundant.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  The Rev. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, PO Box 831313, Ocala, FL 34483. He lives with his wife, Martha, in Silver Springs Shores. Call him at 352-687-4240 or e-mail jamessnyder2@att.net. The church web site is www.whatafellowship.com.

For the last few years, I have never had to check my calendar to know when it is time to celebrate the Christmas season. It seems that the Thanksgiving turkey always gives rise to what I shall refer to as the Holiday Turkey. No sooner is my Thanksgiving turkey resting snugly inside of me when the Holiday Turkeys begin their assault on Christmas.

Do not let this get out, but I love it.

Some people are quite offended when these Holiday Turkeys begin their assault on Christmas. I would be insulted if they did not. I expect them to attack anything to do with Christmas. It just goes to show that the Christmas story has not lost its offense.

Those of us who celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ embrace this time of the year with a great deal of joy and praise. After all, we are celebrating the fact that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. What better message to celebrate at this time of year when most people are having a difficult time.

Don’t get me wrong here. I believe in celebrating Jesus Christ every day. There is something special about setting aside one day out of the year to recognize his birth. I do not worship the manger nor do I venerate the three wise men. I do, however, appreciate the fact that Jesus Christ came into this world and it certainly is my privilege once a year to celebrate His birthday. I know He was not born on December 25, but it is the thought that counts.

Even those who do celebrate Christmas sometime celebrate the wrong thing. People who do not have much money spend themselves poor getting Christmas presents for their family, and then they spend the rest of the year trying to pay off those purchases. That is a nice gesture but that is not the reason for the season. Instead of spending money this year for your family, why not spend a little time with them. That will do more good than something you buy in the store that will be obsolete by the time they open it Christmas morning.

Then there are those who take this time of the year to do nothing but party, party, party. By party, I mean getting so inebriated they have no idea what they are doing or saying. Many people will die during the celebration of Christ’s birth because of some intoxicated driver.

This is not the reason for the season.

You can always tell the quality of a person by what they celebrate and how they celebrate. Of course, the Holiday Turkeys will accuse me right here of being judgmental. Perhaps they are right.

What is wrong with a little bit of being judgmental?

Why is it we can be judgmental in every area of our life except those areas that are matters of life and death.

My doctor is so judgmental that sometimes I would like to punch him in the nose. What right does he have to tell me that I have something wrong with me? Well, he’s the doctor. How many people have shortened their life by not listening to their judgmental doctor?

Some alcohol-saturated person will challenge me and say, “You have no right telling me what to do. I’m going to have a good time. Don’t you judge me.” Then they get smashed, jump in their car and end up killing some young family coming home from a Christmas party.

That certainly is not the reason for the season.

The Christmas season is not the season to get so drunk you do not know what you are doing that you hurt other people and it is not the season to spend yourself into the poor house for the next year or so.

The Christmas season is the season to celebrate God’s answer to man’s incurable dilemma.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV).

The answer to all of man’s problem is Jesus Christ.

The Christmas season is the season to join with family and neighbor and sing of God’s amazing Grace. Go ahead. Deck your halls with Holly but in the midst of it all, give God the glory in the highest. This is the season for our streets to echo with the joyous celebration of Christ coming into this world.

Then there are those who object.

I have a proposition for all of the Holiday Turkeys who object to me celebrating Christmas or trying to call it something other than what it really is.

You do not have to celebrate the Christmas season; just allow me to celebrate it in a way that I see fit. Then, I will not celebrate April 1 or Halloween but will allow you to celebrate your holidays anyway you want to. I think that is fair. It is a two-for-one deal I am not sure anybody could ever pass up.

Celebrate your holiday, and I will celebrate the Christmas season and wish all my friends a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  The Rev. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, PO Box 831313, Ocala, FL 34483. He lives with his wife, Martha, in Silver Springs Shores. Call him at 352-687-4240 or e-mail jamessnyder2@att.net. The church web site is www.whatafellowship.com.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

I am sitting in my office as I type this article with more than enough things on my to do list. I have tackled my kitchen with hopes of getting my living room and kid’s room in order before a conference call that I have scheduled this evening. At this point I have a few options:

• Option 1: Get frazzled and overwhelmed ending in no productivity.
• Option 2: Start cleaning my living room but with a lack of vision only to look up hours from now with only bits and pieces of each room in order.
• Option 3:Or I can do what has consistently worked for me in the past. That is the Power of One.

Had you visited me earlier today you would know that my kitchen was a hot mess! However, it could now be featured in the next edition of a Home and Garden magazine. I was able to accomplish this by using this tool that I am going to share with you. You may even use it without even knowing it. I have learned the power of focusing on one task at a time and not moving on until it is completed. I did not touch my living room, kids room or any other project until I finished the kitchen. This turns what could sometimes become an all day project into something completed in less than an hour by simply staying focused.

I challenge you today to create a list of the things that you need to get done. Before you decide to dibble and dabble in everything on that list consider the power of one. Decide that you will start somewhere preferably your shortest task so that the instant gratification can keep you motivated and do this task until it is completed. Then move on to the next.

As we transition into 2012, the time for setting goals and resolutions, I want you to consider this tool. See how you are able to accomplish the very goals that you are setting and get them done by utilizing the power of one.

Alright now Home Executives, lets stay focused and start our new year off winning! I would love to hear some feedback and how this may have helped you so feel free to e-mail me at info@ericajefferson.com  I hope that you have a wonderful holiday season and I will “see” you in the New Year!

This is a time in which the Lord is opening up His harvest like never before. Your capacity to receive more joy, power and wealth is expanded every time you stretch your belief, go for something you really desire or encounter a situation that causes you to reach deeply within yourself to muster up the strength to get endure and overcome.

Being the best means that you truly embrace the power, dominion and authority you have been granted through Jesus. It means operating with the love of The Father and opening your heart up to providing solutions to the problems they encounter on a daily basis. When you have a heart to provide their solutions, they are happy to value what you bring to the table.

Being the best means to dominate – yes, dominate – in the area to which you have been called with no apology all while being pure in your heart and spirit and remaining focused on completing the purpose for which the Lord has created you. It is about being the very best you have been called to be. In order to be the best, you have to move beyond what you think you know and tap into the supernatural wisdom of the Lord.

Being the best does not mean comparing yourself or being in competition with others. It is not about admiring or coveting what others have manifested. It is realizing that there is more than enough success to go around for each and everyone. There is no limit to who God is or what He has created and as His beloved daughter, it is His great pleasure to give you His Kingdom.

But, how do you become comfortable with being the best as a Christian woman when so many of us have been taught to hold back and that being humble means playing down our gifts, talents and expertise?

Here are a few tips to guide you in being the best in your business:

1. Clearly define and envision what your business would look like if you were the best?
2. Identify what is standing in the way of being your very best? What resources or support systems do you need?
3. Ask yourself, “Am I fearful of being the best and achieving the success I desire?” What fears are you dealing with, secretly thinking and carrying around?
4. Elevate your prayer life and ask the Lord to show you how to be the best, as He has called you to do. Ask Him to show you how to walk in the fullness of His power in your business. Ask Him what steps you need to take to truly be a representation of His best.
5. Be fully obedient to what He is instructing you to do even if you don’t have the full vision of the outcome.

I recently heard a great definition of humility, “to be all the Lord called you to be with no apology.” It is time to walk in your full humility and the natural result will be your very best. I hope this brief article helps you move into position to truly express the greatness the Lord has placed inside of you through your business.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Ericka D. Jackson, Evangelist, Author and Kingdom Trainer, coaches and guides ministers and Christian business owners in achieving fearless success. She is the founder of The Fearless Revolution^TM 2.0 Power Pack (http://www.thefearlessrevolution.com). You can get more information on her life’s work and receive your free videos series to help you move into your fearlessness at http://howtobefearlessnow.com. 

©2011 Ericka D. Jackson. All Rights Reserved.

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Of course, I don’t want to make this sound too easy.  It does take work, commitment, persistence and time like any other business.  By following the ten tips below, your affiliate sales should increase and thereby increasing your monthly income.

1.  Personal Recommendation – You always want to try the product before you start promoting it so you can give it a personal recommendation.  A personal recommendation can be very powerful in persuading people the product is “real”.  This is especially true if you are already established online and have a good clean reputation.  If you are not well-known a personal recommendation will still carry a lot of weight.

2.  Quality Products – Be sure to only represent quality products that you would actually use yourself.  People might ask you if you do or would use the product yourself.  This is another reason for trying the product before you sell it or at least do extensive research on the product.

3.  Know the Product – This is another reason you need to do extensive research on the product.  People will ask you questions about the product and you need to know what you are selling.

4.  Know Your Target Market – What type of people come to your site/blog?  What are your readers’ needs and wants?  If you have a health and fitness blog, you probably won’t want to promote a dessert cookbook or movies because these things will not benefit your readers.  Be sure to match the products to your target market.

5.  Reliable Company – Be sure to also check out the company before you sign up with them.  Research any reviews, complaints, awards, etc. this company might have.  Contact other affiliates and ask how the company manages their affiliate program and payouts.

6. Product Updates – Keep abreast of all product updates so you can keep your readers and visitors updated as well.  Check out the company’s product info frequently. Always know the latest about the product you are representing!

7. Sales Material – Most companies will provide professionally written sales materials for their affiliates to use.  They will have ezine ads, solo ads, email signatures, graphics, etc.  Take advantage of these sales materials instead of trying to create your own.

8.  Be Selective – Find just a few quality products to promote rather than signing up for every affiliate program you can find.  Choose a few good products that complement your site and each other.  This will enable you to focus more on the products and promote them more effectively.

9.  Spread the Word – Don’t make the mistake of just slapping one of the company’s ads on your site and think the sales will start rolling in.  Promote them on your social networking sites.  Add a blurb in your email signature.  Post them on forums, groups, etc.  Add them to your article resource box.  Mention them to your mailing list on a regular basis.  You need to promote them heavily and consistently to make a good amount of sales.  Keep abreast of new and innovative marketing strategies.

10.  Test and Track – As with any online business you should test and track your marketing and sales strategies.  Find out what is working and what is not.  Concentrate more on what is bringing in sales to raise your income.

Affiliate marketing can be an effective way to make money online by itself and it can also be a supplement to your main business.  Unfortunately, many people will sign up with an affiliate program, paste an ad on their site and think that is all they have to do.  When I first started online, I too signed up for any program I could find and just threw up a bunch of ads on my site.  This is a common mistake that can be overcome.

Affiliate marketing will not work for you unless you make it work.  It is a business like any other and needs to be given the same attention and commitment!

©2011  Terri Seymour

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Don’t be one of the 95% of people who fail at their online business.  Terri Seymour can help you make money online.  Find out how to increase your traffic and sales with her popular “How to Build Your Online Business” ebook for FREE at:  ==> http://www.SeymourProducts.com.

What is it about talking that is so incredible? God gave us humans this incredible ability to communicate in words.  Using that ability is vital.  As I would sit with my friend we would share our lives.  We would review the past – sometimes yesterday, sometimes events from long ago and how they affected our present.  We would discuss the present – what was going on that day or that week.  We would put into words our hopes and fears for the future.  It was a safe place to share.

Sometimes we would whisper our woes.  Many times we would discuss our kids or more likely our failures as a parent!  But what was important is that we shared – the good, the bad, and the ugly.

It seems to me that as a business owner working from home one of the greatest needs we have is to not to get isolated.  You know, if God gave us a voice, and words to go with it then we were meant to use it.  Now I know we all have a friend who can talk the hind leg off a donkey but even so we were born to talk. We know the tyranny of “I’ve got to get this or that done.” For busy parents that will always be the case but “me” time is vital too.  I remember as a kid seeing steam trains standing in a station and “letting off steam”.  We humans need to do that too.

So remember these three principles.

1. Select a friend carefully.  You want someone who you feel able to be honest with yet know that your conversations will stay private. You also want to ensure that this is a two-way street, give and take so that both of you are enriched as a result of being together.
2. Find a time that really works for you both so that you are not feeling the pressure to be somewhere else. You want to be 100% “present” for those conversations.
3. Find a place that becomes “your place” for these times.  A conducive atmosphere will make a difference.

As I think back to those days in Cardiff, Wales and the little coffee shop we would frequent I realize just how vital those times were to my spiritual and emotional wellbeing.  So why not pick up the phone, dial their number and say “feel like a coffee”!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jonathan Booth is the National Coach of the School of Entrepreneurship.  He is formerly the CEO of CARE for the Family in the UK, a sister organization to Focus on the Family.  Jonathan has led three Christian organizations and worked in over 50 countries.  He lives in Oregon with his wife, Karleen and an Aussie exchange student plus two dogs and has children and grandchildren in Indiana and London.

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There are so many different camps you can land in when it comes to celebrating Christmas.  Just with gift-giving…

• Some set an equal budget for each child.
• Others give gifts generously.
• Several give just three gifts because that’s what the wise men did.
• A few give no gifts at all.
• Others stick to the four gift rule: Something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read.
• Still some give one gift to charity for every gift they buy their kids.

It makes me wonder if there is a wrong way and a right way to approach giving gifts to your kids.  Are you spoiling your kids if they get too many… or is it a form of child-abuse if you don’t give enough?

How do you know?

With so many different ways to celebrate, do you ever feel like you have to “explain” your rationale as to which camp you subscribe?  Is there guilt attached to your decision?  What about pride?

Can you keep Jesus at the center and still give generously or hang lights?  Are you wrecking your kids if you don’t find time to serve in a soup kitchen?

Are you missing the boat if you don’t do an advent calendar?  Is one better than another?

Are you able to acknowledge Santa without criticism?  Or do others judge you because you choose to be honest about the man in the red suit?

Ugh.  All the talk of rights and wrongs drives me nuts.

Well for what it’s worth… I think it’s all based on what you decide to do for your family.

Sisters, what do you want to do?

We are intentional about keeping Jesus at the center of our Christmas celebration.  Our kids know why we celebrate this season.  We make sure to insert the Holy birth into our conversations whenever we can.

Sam and Sara know that this is no ordinary birth.

I bet your kids do, too.

But, we also really enjoy all this season has to offer by not getting caught up in a legalistic approach to celebrating it.

• We just started our advent calendar… 10 days late.
• Our kids are still excited about Santa’s arrival… at 9 and 10 years of age.
• There are a good number of gifts under the tree… with room for more.

It may not be how you choose to celebrate Christmas, but it’s perfect for my family.  And your festivities may not be the style for my family, but it works for yours.

My point is… free yourself from the expectations of others.

This time of year isn’t about which family does it bigger and better… or which does it with a more reverent countenance… or which celebrates with more gusto.

Nope.  This time of year is about remembering the manger.

So go ahead and enjoy your family, the festivities, and the feasts.  Take pleasure in the presents, the parties and the people.

But along the way – being intentional to keep the holy focus – make sure to celebrate the birth that changed the world… forever.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Carey Scott is an inspirational speaker and writer, honest about her walk with the Lord, stumbles, fumbles and all.  She loves to challenge women to be real and authentic. Through her blog she encourages women to stop living a mediocre, risk-free life and instead step onto the battlefield.  She is a weekly blogger on CWAHM and serves as the Wednesday host on the Moms Together Facebook community. Carey is also a member of the speaking and writing team for LeadHer.  She and her husband live in Colorado with their two kids.

Here are the most common excuses people use to sabotage their work-at-home dream.

1. “Everything online is a scam.” This is just not true. If everything you find is a scam, you’re looking for the wrong jobs in the wrong place. I post at least 60 to 70 jobs at WorkAtHomeSuccess.com weekly. I know Jill posts many here at CWAHM. There are thousands of legitimate work-at-home jobs that can be found right now. However, these jobs don’t involve licking envelopes, processing email or rebates, typing ads or payment processing. The easiest way to get scammed is to look for a fast, easy way to make a buck. Jobs require skills and experience, a professional resume, and often an interview.
2. “You may be able to work at home, Leslie, but I just can’t.” Is it ‘can’t’ or ‘won’t? Most elderly ladies can’t lift a car until their grandson is trapped underneath one. When truly motivated, people can accomplish just about anything. The truth is everyone is capable of far more than they give themselves credit for or are willing to even try. Succeeding at working at home is hard. It takes a great deal of work that often has no payoff for weeks even months. But the millions of regular people who have found success working at home are proof that it can be done if the desire and effort are big enough. If you REALLY want to work at home, you can. You just have to be willing to try and keep at it until you succeed.
3. “I don’t have any money.” Work-at-home jobs don’t cost anything. The only investment you may want to make is in accessing a quality telecommuting database and/or hiring someone to help you with your resume. But those are optional. When it comes to work-at-home jobs, time and effort are all you need.
4. “I don’t have any skills.” If you’ve ever worked in a job, inside or outside the home, you have skills. Further, some jobs don’t require job experience, but instead will take knowledge gained from hobbies or interests. Do you like to follow celebrities? Learn to blog and get hired as a celebrity blogger. Have you worked in retail? Get a job in customer service? Did you used to be an office worker? Become a virtual assistant.
5. “The jobs don’t pay enough.” While it’s true many work-at-home jobs don’t pay as much as traditional jobs, neither do you have to pay for many work-related expenses such as commuting. When I worked outside the home, 75 percent of my income paid work expenses. When I came home, I earned significantly less, but I had more money because I didn’t have as many expenses. Run the numbers to know for sure what you need to earn from home.
6. “Employers never respond to my applications.” Admittedly, this is the most difficult part of looking for a work-at-home job. I too have been discouraged by employers that don’t respond to resumes. But quitting isn’t the answer. Instead follow up and continue to apply to new job posts until you’re hired.

Finding a work-at-home job is hard enough without getting in your own way with excuses that aren’t true or can easily be overcome. Instead, make a commitment to search and apply for jobs on a regular basis. Submit a resume tailored to the job to improve your chances of getting notices. And don’t give up. Only those who persevere succeed.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Leslie Truex is the author of The Work-At-Home Success Bible (Adams Media). She has been telecommuting and running home businesses for over 15 years and helping others to work at home in jobs or home businesses since 1998. Get work-at-home jobs and other resources with her free newsletter at http://www.workathomesuccess.com