Best Parenting Advice

What is your best parenting advice? That was the question asked by Parenting Magazine, at Parenting.com. And it's seems a lot of people had answers.  First Lady Michelle Obama. Actress Tori Spelling. And lots of other folks, including...me. 

You can read the article in it's entirety here: Best Parenting Advice Article.

What is your best parenting advice? I'd love to hear it in the comments section of my blog.

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

7 Un-Scary Ways to Share Your Faith

As Christians, we are supposed to share our faith. Jesus told us that in the "Great Commission." Still, the truth is, it's hard to go up to someone and say, "Hey, do you know Jesus?" It's scary. We don't want to be rejected.  

So here are 7 Un-Scary Ways to Share Your Faith.

1. At Church. Really? Doesn't everyone there already know Jesus? While most people at your church know of Jesus, they don't all know Jesus. Not only that, sometimes those of us who know Jesus are the very ones who could use some inspiration and encouragement. So share your faith at church, without fear.

2. With Your Attitude. I was in a stressful place - the hospital waiting room - yet the desk clerk told me, "You are the happiest person I have ever seen here." I responded, "Life is too short to be miserable," then after a moment I added, "especially when you have the joy of the Lord." She grabbed my hand, squeezed it, and responded, "I knew it!"  To paraphrase comedian Ken Davis, if you have the joy of the Lord...tell your face.

3. In Writing. Want to share your faith story, but too scared to do it verbally? Write it! Share it in your local paper's faith section, your church newsletter, or even start your own blog. (That's how I got started). It's less scary to share your story in a venue where you're unlikely to experience face-to-face rejection. 

4. In Response. A friend shares with you a hard time they're going through. Now is the perfect time not only to tell them how sorry you are, but to offer to pray for them. Very few people in crisis are going to turn down your offer of prayer. Then do it. Right there. Out loud. The power of prayer can be quite moving and make a big difference in some one's life.

5. With a Pin. Once a client asked me, "Where do you go to church?" I was shocked by his question initially, as it was so outside the cultural norm. Then I realized he saw my fish pin (the symbol of Christianity), and it opened the door to share my church and my faith. I recently saw someone wearing an "I Pray" pin. I was able to point to it and say, "Me too!"

6. By Your Music. I listen to contemporary Christian music in the car, at home, and even when I worked outside the home. It is a great non-threatening way to share your faith when someone asks you about what artist, song or station you're listening.

7. By Your Influence. After I became a stay-home mom, a previous co-worker contacted me. His son was facing a dangerous operation and he emailed me saying he knew I was someone "who believed in the power of prayer." I was shocked. We'd never really had a faith conversation in the 5 years we worked together. Yet, 12 years later, he remembered me as someone to come to for prayer. Never underestimate the power of your influence.

There is a big emphasis put on Jesus words, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." 

But sharing your faith doesn't have to be scary. You don't have to shout it from the rooftops. God is often found in the gentle whisper.

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19:11-12

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

When God Calls You to Obey

Five years ago this month, God called me to leave the church I was attending. I was concerned about liberal denominational views that the church at large was having, but "my" local church didn't agree with those views. "My church" was conservative, and it was where all my friends were. Yet God called me to leave. And I obeyed.

It wasn't easy. The first Sunday as I worshipped at a new church, a church where I didn't know anyone, and the songs weren't familiar, I shed a few tears. And the next Sunday. And possibly even the Sunday after that. I missed my pastor. I missed my church. I missed my friends. But I obeyed.

What I didn't know, but God did, was that while I only heard what God was calling me away from, I didn't know what he was calling me to.  He called me to new friends. He called me to a church that would help me build my speaking ministry. He called me to church where my husband would experience revival and be led to earn his masters in theology. He called me to a church where my marriage would grow and flourish. He called me to a church that would fill my daughter with the Holy Spirit, and give her a vibrant love for Jesus. 

The reason I blog about this today, is because now five years later, he has called the pastors and many of the congregation of my former church to leave the denomination. And they may be scared. And they may even be shedding a tear or two. Because when God calls us away from something we love, something familiar, something comfortable, it can be hard. Because we only see what we'll be missing.

But if we could see what God is leading us to, we wouldn't walk away from the former, but run. I love "my" new church. But more importantly than that, I love that my God who began a good work in me is seeing it through to completion. Because that is who He is, and what He does. I obeyed, and I was blessed more richly than I could have imagined.  And I know my that he is going to do the same for my friends who are taking those same scary steps of obedience today.

What is God calling you to do today? Take that first step of obedience. Don't look at what you're walking away from. Look toward the blessings that God is calling you to.

I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 1:3-6

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

40 Days

I love Facebook. I love checking in with friends, seeing what they're up to, and sharing my fun and funny situations with my kids. As someone who scored 100% extrovert on the Myers-Briggs test, there is just something about the connections on Facebook.

Yet, no one would deny (except maybe Mark Zuckerberg), Facebook is one huge waste of time. More than the time spent scrolling through people's updates, watching videos, and checking to see who comments on my own status, is the permission I am giving other people to speak into my life, and to take time away from other things.

That rant, that political update, that offensive comment, that derogatory remark, that trivia, that stupid cat photo...I gave permission to those people to waste my time, take time away from my family, or my obligations, my hobbies, my job.

And so yesterday I began a 40 day fast from Facebook  The funny thing is, while I go on Facebook often, I don't believe I am  "addicted" to Facebook. Day 1 was easy, almost freeing to think I didn't "have" to check in. Freeing to know that I'm not giving anyone permission to waste my time. 

That's not to say the next 39 days will be easy. I will miss connected with my friends, and the quick way of checking in. I'll have to be more intentional with my real friends. And that is a good thing. But all that stuff, that unimportant stuff, will be gone, and with I will have a time of sabbatical, refreshment and renewal to focus on what's really important in my life.  40 days.  

Where do you need to refocus in your life? And will you?

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit,left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. Luke 4:1-2

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

A Note to Jesus

"Jesus didn't write back," my 8 year old daughter said.  I was confused by her comment, so she explained to me, "I wrote him a note last night and left it on my nightstand, but he didn't write back." 

I read my daughter's sweet note to Jesus. Something had been weighing on her mind, and so she wrote a letter to Jesus asking him what she should do. She also asked him if he answered her note could she tell other people, and concluded with "If you can't answer, no pressure."  

Reading her note gave me a wonderful opportunity to share with her the purpose of the Holy Spirit to speak into our lives. But I am awe inspired by the faith of an 8 year old child who fully trusts that Jesus will help her make the right decisions, and asks for his input in her life. She signed her note, "Love you Lord! I'm your biggest fan ever!" How Jesus must have smiled to see those words.

My daughter knows that Jesus can help her in every day decisions, and trusts that he will answer. Oh that I may have the faith of my child. Oh, that we all could.

"Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God

 as a little child will by no means enter it." Mark 10:15

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

Are You a Christian Ninja?

My daughter loves the television cartoon Ninjago. It is about a group of Ninjas who fight evil. The Ninjas train and study every day to be their physical best. But in order to "unlock their true potential" they each had to deal with something in their heart, so that they could be their best - body and soul.

Have you unlocked your true potential as a Christian? Being in Bible study, attending church, and learning more about God are all part of the training to be our physical best. No doubt about it, this things will product a physical change in us. But unless we deal with our heart issues, we are not unlocking our true potential.

Matthew 5:23-24 says, "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift."

What could having an issue with someone have to do with giving an offering? The offering is our physical training. It's our obedience of the law. But in order to "unlock our true potential" we have to deal with our heart issues. And that's about relationships; our relationship with people and with God.

There are many church going people who have yet to unlock their true potential in Christ. Are you one of them? Are you excelling in the physical, but struggling with the heart? Look at your relationships. Make restoration where you can. Forgive. Pray to God and build that relationship. Don't just take time to know about God. Get to know God. (There is a difference.)

Working on your physical Christianity will make you strong. But until your deal with your heart, you'll never be a Christian Ninja.  Take time today, and unlock your true potential!

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

Happy New Day!

It's the beginning of a new year, 2013! Have you set your resolutions and goals for the year yet? The new year seems a perfect time to evaluate what's working and what isn't and make changes in your life. (Exercise, eat healthier, de-clutter). It's also a time to set into action those dreams that are goals. (Start your own business, write a book, increase productivity).

There are lots of tools out there to help you achieve your goals, and as a matter of fact I'm going to tell you about one of them later in this post.  But first, I want to remind you of something far more important.

Unlike the world, which says, "You've failed, start again next year," or next week, or even "on Monday," God gives you a new chance every single day. A chance to wipe away your mistakes, your sins, your old self, and to start again - a new creation in Christ! His mercies are new every day. So while the rest of the world wishes you a "Happy New Year!" - I'd like to say today, and every day, "Happy New Day!" May you start refreshed and renewed every day this year, knowing the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, 
for his compassions never fail. 
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 
Lamentations 3:22-23

And now - for those of you who are looking for ways to help you meet your goals for the new year, I'd like to introduce you to Kickstart the Year. Kickstart is a bundle of eproducts that I've had the chance to review in my new job as a Virtual Assistant. As a matter of fact, my boss and his partner in this project got together with 8 other experts in their fields to put together this package for only $88. Not only that, but 5% of  the net proceeds goes to Goodwill Industries.  So as an affiliate of this package, I'd love for your to check it out. It might just be the thing you need to help you Kickstart the Year! Happy New You!

Click HERE to visit the website and learn more.

Included Products:

Self Reflection: Chris Brogan
The Three Words Video Webinar (Value: $47)

Starting a Business: Gini Dietrich
Starting a Business: Real-Life Experience, Tips. and Tools for Success (Value: $25)

Write Your Book: Jeff Goins
The Writer’s Studio and How to Start Publishing for Kindle (Value: $65)

Time Management: Craig Jarrow
31 Days, 31 Ways: Daily Tips for Time Management Mastery (Value: $31)

Get Your Office Organized: Lorie Marrero
Home Office Rules of Thumb: A Handy Guide to Organizing Your Time, Information, and Workspace (Value: $20)

Making Your Dreams Happen: Jonathan Mead
Reclaim Your Dreams (Value: $47)

Live a Meaningful Life: Kate Swoboda
The Courageous Living Program (Value: $125)

Get In Shape: Dick Talens
Hack Your Body By Hacking Your Brain: Achieve the physique of your dreams by making fitness as important as eating, sleeping, and sex (Value: $45)

Take Control of Your Finances: Jaime Tardy
Eventual Millionaire Academy: Part One (Value: $67)

Level Up Your Productivity: Mike Vardy
The Ready Retreat Series: Digital Edition (Value: $20)

  

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com