Feedburner Error

For some reason, unknown to me, my feed burner email subscriber service decided to resend out a blog post from March on Saturday. I have no idea what happened, and I hope it won't happen again.  I apologize to everyone who received a duplicate email. Thanks for your continued support! 

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

Platform Launch Team

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you know I recently joined the Platform Launch Team. Several of you have asked what exactly is the Platform Launch Team, so I thought I would explain it here.  Platform is a new book coming out on May 21, by Michael Hyatt. The Launch Team is a group of about 100 individuals selected to help create buzz about the book before the release. I was selected to be part of that group out of about 750 applications, so I'm pretty excited about it.

But why do I want to be part of the Team? Why would I want to help promote someone else's book? I'll share three reasons why:

1. The Community - It's so exciting to be a part of this community of 100 folks who share a common goal. We're not all "authors" but we are all people trying to build our own platform. We're reading the book together, and brainstorming together ways to both promote the book, and ourselves. Plus we're all fans of Michael Hyatt, who is an active member of the team. It's really neat to see a sense of community form from a group of virtual strangers who become "virtual friends."

2. The Contacts - This is different than community. Community is the sense of relationship, but a Contact takes that relationship to the next step, where that relationship gains you access to further information or benefit. When I was at the SCORRE conference earlier this month, my mentoring group was a community, but one member of that group was so moved by my testimony that he followed up afterward to offer me a writing contract to share my story in print. That relationship changed him from a member of my SCORRE community, to a contact. Who knows what contacts I may make on the Launch Team?

3. The Commodity - (that is, the book!) The truth is, it's a great book, and I am happy to add my support to it. Platform is teaching me all kinds of things about "getting noticed is a noisy world." If I ate at a great restaurant I would tell you about it. If I see a great movie I share it. This is no different. It's a good book, so I'm telling my friends.

But don't buy it yet! I'm writing my review of the book next week, and Hyatt is offering incentives that you don't want to miss by waiting and buying the book the week of the 21st. Sign up to receive those incentives here. 

If you're not familiar with Hyatt, you may want to check out his blog at www.michaelhyatt.com. You may recall I guest posted for him in January, and will be again in June. As a matter of fact, you may have met me through his blog! If so, than you know why I am fan. 

If you aren't familiar with Hyatt, and visit me for my online devotionals, thank you for your support! I hope you will excuse this departure from my normal post. You are a valued member of the "Chatty Kelly" community! Keep visiting, I appreciate you.

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

Who are You Working For?

My 8 year old was working on her spelling homework. It was a simple assignment; write each word three times.  Meanwhile I was getting ready for a church meeting. Honestly, I was mostly dreading a church meeting. There are lots of things I love doing in the church. Leading Bible study and speaking to women are two. But this meeting, ugh!

A very sweet older woman in the church asked me to serve on the committee to call people to remind them about our capital campaign. And while every fiber in my body screamed, "NO!" my voice meekly said, "Yes ma'am." *sigh!* I absolutely did not want to make those phone calls, and I absolutely did not want to go to that meeting.

I looked over my daughter's spelling, and noted her messy handwriting. "What's up with the messy handwriting?"  "I hate this assignment, so I got mad, and when I get mad my handwriting gets messy."  Immediately the PERFECT Bible verse sprang to mind. (Don't you love it when that happens?)

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as if working for the Lord, not men. Col 3:23

But before I could quote it to my daughter, God whispered to me.
"No, it's for you."  What?
"The verse, it's for you." What do you mean?
"The meeting tonight, the one you've been mentally complaining about since you remembered it. The one you've been thinking up cute and clever ways to complain about via facebook updates. Do it for me. As if working for me."

I'd like to state for the record here, that my first reaction was NOT "God thought the FB update I was mentally preparing was cute and clever!" I just thought that now as I am typing this.  No, my first reaction was "Thank you, God, for the reality check."

It's so easy to look at someone else's life and find the "perfect verse" for them. It's harder to open our eyes to our own "sins," our own selfishness and grumpiness, and come up with a verse for ourselves.

I am thankful for that still small voice that whispered to my heart.  We all can make changes in our behavior, like I did that night. First, we must fill our heart with God's word by memorizing scripture. Then we must listen for the Holy Spirit's prompting to recall it at the appropriate time.

We are not called to volunteer for every job at church. We should serve in the areas where we are gifted. However, some jobs, (like spelling homework,) have to be done no matter how much we don't like them. Let's do our best, even on the jobs we hate. Our Teacher will appreciate it.

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

Why You Need a Plan, Not a List

Home from the grocery store, I was busily shelving my items while contemplating what I'd make for dinner. My youngest had soccer practice that evening, so it would have to be something quick and easy to make, and if it was a family favorite, all the better. I settled on my homemade pizza.  A quick inventory, however, told me I was missing several key ingredients.  "Okay, tacos it is!" But, oh no, I didn't all have the ingredients for that either.

You did get the part that I'd just returned from the grocery store, right?  And I even used a list!  The problem was my list was simply covering the items we'd run out of, like cereal and lunch bags, and the items I knew I always used like bread and milk.  I didn't have a plan. In this case, a meal plan to determine what I'd have for dinner that week, so my list was essentially useless.

How eye opening that was, because in my life I use a list instead of a plan as well. My list may have "Publish a book" on it, but without a plan that just isn't going to happen it. I have lots of hopes and dreams and even "to-dos" on my list, but without a real plan my list really doesn't do the job. A list just says what you want. A plan says how you will do it.

In their hearts, humans plan their course, bu the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9

I love Matthew Henry's commentary on the above verse. He says, "If men make God's glory their end, and his will their rule, he will direct their steps by his Spirit and grace." I want God to direct my steps, but I share a part in planning my course. God wants me to follow his will. But to follow I must move, with a planned course of action.

Do you have a plan for your life's goals, or do you just have a list of goals? What changes can you make to turn your list into a plan and start making things happen? And can you recommend something quick and easy for dinner that doesn't require a trip to the grocery store?

***

If you'd like a life plan, but have no idea where to start, why not read Michael Hyatt's FREE book, "Creating a Personal Life Plan." You may get a copy simply by subscribing to his blog. 

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

Faith is Believing...In Yourself

"You are a gifted speaker."
"Sometimes you come across like you're into your third can of Mountain Dew."
"You are a spokesperson for godly mothering."
"I'll bet when you're with a group of women, you're going to speak to them even when you're not asked to speak."

These are some of the statements made to me by my mentor at the SCORRE conference. I have to tell you, this conference was the best, most amazing conference I have ever been to.  I was really challenged, I learned alot, and I met incredible new friends.

My mentoring group (6 men, 2 women, 1 mentor), were all passionate believers. We concluded our week by praying over one another.  My mentor shared with me during the week that he could see me struggling over the method and prayed that I wouldn't give up. How many conferences have this type of leadership? And SCORRE isn't a "Christian" conference! Yes, it is a conference run by Christians, but it isn't for Christians. It is for anyone who wants to communicate better. 

Back to the statements about me...as I heard them, it was easy for me to believe two of them.  Actually I've never heard more accurate descriptions than the one about me speaking at meetings, and regarding the  Mountain Dew. My mentor clearly had the gift of discernment, not just for me, but for every member of our group.  But why is it hard for me to believe the other two, the two that are positive. I am so practiced at deflecting positive comments as "just being nice," after being stripped of my worth as a child.

Yet, by refusing to believe these things, I myself am stripping myself of the worth and value God has placed in me to do his work in ministry. So, remember that leap of faith I took by going to the SCORRE conference last week? I am going to continue to walk in faith that I am gifted, by God, to do the work he prepared for me to do.

Every believer should have faith...not just faith in God, but faith in their God-given gifts for his glory. Every believer should have faith, and by continuing to meet with God daily, in his word, in prayer and in the fellowship of believers, your faith will grow. Faith in God, and in his plans for you. 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

What gifts has God given you? Do you trust in him to carry them to completion, to give you hope and a future?

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

SCORRE

"I'm leaving on a jetplane, don't know when I'll be back again." 

John Denver sang those lyrics, but it's me who is leaving today. I'm heading to Atlanta to the SCORRE Conference (formerly known as the Dynamic Communicators Conference).  I'm excited to learn ways to better my speaking ministry to the glory of God.

At the same time, I'm nervous.  Attending SCORRE will be published authors, publishing executives, professionals...and then there will be me.  A housewife.  A housewife who dabbles in writing and speaking for the Lord.  I could feel out-classed.  Yet, I am taking a step of faith. Because God says I am worthy, because of him.

What step of faith are you taking today? When the world says "You're not good enough," but God says "I am more than enough through you," - keep going! I am not an executive. But I am a daughter of the highest authority, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  I'd say that is pretty impressive.

I can't wait to see what God has in store for me this week! In the meantime, I'll be taking the rest of the week off from blogging while I'm at the conference.  You can keep up with me this week two ways.  Either follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kellycombs 

or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ChattyKelly.

So, what will you be doing this week?

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

Is Confession Enough?

"Mom, I need to confess something."

Those words from my 8 year old got my full attention. I turned around giving her complete eye contact and asked what it was. "You said I could have 1 piece of candy, but I got tempted and I ate half of a second piece, here it the other half," she said, handing me half of a marshmallow pole.

"Thank you for confessing this. I am proud of you, and I forgive you," I told her, throwing away the half eaten candy.  "Wait," she asked, "Can't I have the rest of it now?"  I almost laughed, but explained that no, she could not have the rest. I had told her one piece of candy, and while I appreciated her honesty, I meant one piece.  "But I thought if I told you I could have the rest...."

My precious child thought if she did the "right" thing, she would get the rest of the candy, guilt-free.  But that isn't the way confession works.  Proverbs 28:13 says, "Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy."  Friends, confession alone is not enough. We must renounce our sin. Renounce means to formally abandon something. Another word we use is repent.  Repent means to change direction, and to turn away from our sins. 

The Apostle Paul asks, "Shall we go on sinning so that grace can increase? By no means!" We may not just confess our sins, but we must also turn away from them, and change our behavior. It has been said that "confession is good for the soul," and that may be.  But it is repentance that saves it.

Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. 

Hebrews 10:26

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