Keep Going...: Recent Episodes
Judy Burfict
My podcast will be a series of messages to encourage women to Keep Going and not give up in life. They are messages of encouragement, inspiration and transformation. The podcast is primarily a derivative of the Keep Going messages found in my book, "Keep Going...Because Life Goes On.
There is so much going on in the world today. So, how do you keep going in a world with daily reminders of wars and rumors of wars, political upheaval, hurricanes and all kinds of weather changes, corruption in high and low places, division, and so many more changes taking place every day?
Unfortunately, for many the response to happenings in the world today is to live in a state of anxiety. So many people today are anxious and fearful, and anxiety is at an all-time high.
But there is an answer to dealing with your anxiety. And today’s podcast will share how you can reduce your anxiety and focus on what’s important, trusting God to take care of all of your concerns so that you can, Keep Going!
I am certain we can all agree that today we are living in perilous times. Times of uncertainties, unrest, instability, fear, discomfort and the list goes on. There is so much going on in the world, in our country, in our city, our schools and even in our homes.
Change is everywhere, and even when the change is good, there is the propensity for anxiousness, for fear, for doubt and all kinds of emotions. How do we face the changes, the uncertainties? Do we give in to the fear and anxiety? Or do we put our trust in God to see us through?
You can have the strength you need, through quietness and confidence and then you can Keep Going!
Hustle and bustle! That seems to be the nature of our daily lives. But what if we started taking a moment to just "Take a Break" from the hustle and bustle and just give our bodies, minds, and souls an opportunity to rest and reset?
I think that sometimes in our active schedules, it would add so much to our lives if we would take time to just rest and reset. When we are in momentum mode, we sometimes do not realize that our bodies and our minds need to rest. You can’t drive a car forever without it running out of gas at some point during the journey. And likewise our bodies and minds were not designed to run on empty, so sometimes we need to take a break so that we can refuel.
Taking a break could possibly be one of the best gifts you could give to yourself. And when you do, you just might be able to, Keep Going."
Many individuals today continue to grapple with the pain of emotional and mental health issues, from depression, anxiety, sadness, fear, anger, worry, to the more complicated personality disorders. These are issues that have existed since the beginning of humankind and the complications of them continue to reach new heights every day.
There are those who struggle with these mental and emotional issues day after day, seeking and searching for answers to their dilemma. And though some of the methods and techniques provide relief, I have found that there is one consistent act in which when done consistently and earnestly, will provide a relief and peace and joy that surpasses all understanding. And that is PRAYER. By incorporating the Liberating Power of Prayer, you will find that you can Keep Going!
So many people are going through life with serious exhaustion and they don't always understand why. We are living in a time and in a society where everyone seems to be on the go and our bodies are suffering because of it.
One of the culprits of this seemingly never ending tiredness, is a lack of sleep. Sometimes, out of habit, we take sleep for granted. We create unhealthy sleep patterns without realizing the effect it has on our body, mind, and spirit.
God has given us a wonderful gift in SLEEP and we can enjoy it when we are intentional about it, knowing that He takes care of us even while we sleep. And with a rested mind, body, and spirit, we can, Keep Going!
The month of May marks the month that many come together in Prayer as we acknowledge the National Day of Prayer on the first Thursday of the month. It also marks the month for awareness for Mental Health and is called Mental Health Month.
Many studies have been conducted to determine the power of prayer in dealing with mental and emotional health issues such as depression, anxiety, fear, hopelessness, anger and despair. It has been noted and concluded in many of these studies that prayer has a positive effect on individuals suffering from some of these issues. In fact, prayer has been having a positive effect on the issues faced by many individuals since the beginning of time.
Today's podcast seeks to point out the connection between Prayer and Mental Health as we explore how prayer can allow us to rest by "casting our cares upon the Lord, because He cares for us." I Peter 5:7. Casting our cares and lightening our load, will give us the strength to Keep Going.
Are you good at making excuses? Is it challenging to make decisions that will move you toward purpose? Do you allow your good excuses to hinder your good intentions?
We all know that excuses will cause you not to take action. And so, you find yourself
drifting through life with no sense of direction or purpose. In fact, some might feel as if they are going around in one big circle. Nothing started, nothing completed.
Today's episode will help identify some of the reasons we choose to create good excuses and encourage you to choose good intentions. You will be able to minimize your excuses and maximize your intentions so that you will be able to, Keep Going!
Are you living your life with intention or are you just drifting through life?
Often we don’t live with intention due to a lack of clarity of what we desire in life, and what God desires of us. And because of this lack of clarity, it is easy to just begin to drift. We then sink into a routine of just living a mediocre life, waking up everyday with the same routine, same habits, never seeking to change to live the abundant life that Jesus promises us.
Living with intention involves making deliberate choices and taking purposeful actions that align with your values, goals, and desires. It is an ongoing practice that requires self-awareness, commitment, and perseverance. It involves being mindful of how you spend your time, energy, and resources, and prioritizing what truly matters to you.
You don't have to just drift through life. Listen for eight ways you can begin to Live Life With Intention and see how you can, Keep Going!
We live in a society today where it seems we are so busy that we only have time to take care of our individual needs. But have you taken the time to see how your life can have even more meaning when you take time to think about how your life is impacting others?
There are so many things going on in our world today. We sometimes can feel overwhelmed and think that it really does not matter what we do, or whether it will serve any purpose or make a difference. And so, we resign to just thinking about ourselves or just those within our inner circle, spouses, children, friends, etc. And yes, they all matter and are an important part of our existence. However, have you ever thought that God is calling you to make even a greater impact in this world we live in?
We have all been given gifts and talents by God to use to positively enhance and improve lives for others. When you live live an impactful life, you then, can Keep Going and help someone else to Keep Going!
This month we have focused on Springing Into Action by Taking Care of Our Bodies. The focus has been on the significance of decluttering our minds just as we declutter our living spaces. When we have noise in our minds, that is, allowing others to occupy our headspace, we become cluttered with worry which creates illnesses, ailments, aches and pains in our bodies. After all, Proverbs 23:7, says..."as a man thinketh so is he."
Not only does excessive worry take its toll on our bodies, but what we eat, what we consume on a daily basis, if it is not healthy, can create aches and pains and disorders that debilitate us, rob us of energy, as well as the abundant life God has promised us.
And so, when our minds are cluttered, our bodies filled with unhealthy foods, and we don't have the energy to exercise, the most vital organ in the body is then affected and that is the heart.
Jennifer, who has been in the medical field of Cardiology for 17 years at one of Houston's leading hospitals, joins us today to give us some tips and habits we can create to insure we can do our very best to have healthy hearts so that we can, Keep Going!
As we continue our focus this month on Springing Into Action: Taking Care of Our Bodies, I wanted to talk about this week on how we allow unwanted visitors in our minds to affect the wellness of our bodies.
Two of the greatest battles we face each day are the food we eat and the lack of exercise our bodies get. Yes, the food we eat, especially the processed food, has a lot to be desired and it is a great contributor to the lack of energy we have to create and maintain a daily exercise regiment.
But there is another battle that we often forget about and that is the battle we face in our minds. This battle creates unwanted, unhealthy noise in our minds that subsequently affects our health. Take a moment to see who you are allowing to occupy unhealthy headspace in your life. Make a conscious decision to eliminate the noise and regain your headspace, so that you can Keep Going!
Spring is not just a time to declutter and clean our living spaces or our surroundings, it is also a time to refocus. The warmer weather and sunshine brings us out of our winter hibernation, where our thoughts have sometimes also hibernated.
Just as our homes can become cluttered, so can our minds. And when our minds are cluttered, it affects our bodies and when our bodies are out of sync, it can affect our whole being, including our spiritual being.
We are triune individuals, consisting of the mind, body and soul. And because they are all intertwined, this month’s Podcast will focus on Springing Into Action by taking care of ourselves in a manner that will add value to our lives and the lives of others. We will pay particular attention to taking care of our bodies and the impact it has physically, mentally and spiritually on our lives, and how it helps us to Keep Going!
This month’s focus has been on A World in Need Of Love. I think we all agree that life is so much better when we live with an attitude of love. Sometimes, unfortunately, many individuals have not learned how to love or even receive love from others, thereby missing out on the greatest emotion we can ever have and that is to love and be loved.
Many individuals expressed their love this month to others in various ways. In this episode we will share one of the ways God expresses His love toward us and that is through forgiveness. Though God forgives us, for many it is difficult to do the same for others, causing them to live a life of bitterness, anger and resentment. Learn what forgiveness is and what it is not in today's episode. Free yourself from the bondage of unforgiveness so that you can let go of the past, be present in today and look forward to tomorrow. Find freedom in love and forgiveness so that you can, Keep Going!
This is the month of February as you know and people everywhere will be celebrating with expressions of love demonstrated in different ways from, candy, roses and other flowers, dinners, gifts and so many other ways. Excitement is brewing for many because of this special day called Valentine’s Day! It has been called the most romantic day of the year. And even if romance is not currently in your picture, Valentine day is a day and opportunity to express love in all of our relationships.
Life is so much better when we live with an attitude of love in our hearts. We are relational beings and our innate desire is to love and be loved. Unfortunately, relationships sometimes suffer because of the inability of some to express love and even to receive it. However, your relationships can change for the better when you learn how to show love to others. And when Love is in the air, we can Keep Going!
This is the month of February! The month so many look forward to because February is what we call the “LOVE” month. The month when many demonstrate there love towards others in various ways. Many are lavished with gifts, flowers, candy and other demonstrations of their love.
So this month we will focus on A World in Need of Love. Simply because when we look at the state of things going on in the world today, we realize that the cure that is needed is love. It becomes more difficult to hurt or mistreat or hate others when you have love in your heart for them, when you live in a posture of love. When we are able to demonstrate love to others, you will find that there are major benefits for you also and with those benefits, you can, Keep Going!
This week's podcast will encourage you to start the New Year Believing Good!
We are living in a time where there is much focus on believing in oneself. We hear it in our professions, motivational speakers, in social media and just society in general placing much emphasis on if you want to achieve, you must first believe that you can. And yes, it is important that we we believe in ourselves. It is important if we are to grow, achieve and succeed in this life. Believing in ourselves strengthens us to overcome challenges and obstacles. It helps to set goals and meet and exceed those goals. Believing in ourselves helps to overcome our fears, our negative thoughts and talk that we harbor in our minds.
However, it is so important to remember that it is God who gives us the grace to grow, achieve and believe. He gives us the skillset to achieve, to overcome adversities, to accomplish the impossible. Yes, it is God who gives us the ability to Believe Good because through His Son, Jesus, He has given us His word to live by and it is…” in Him that we live and move and have our being,” as it says in Acts 17:28. We have fellowship and relationship with Him. He is our Source and all of who we are and become, are based on our belief in Him and because of that, we can Believe Good and be able to Keep Going.
This is a new year! Another opportunity to get off on a “good foot,” as the saying goes. Our last podcast message was titled, “Start the New Year Thinking Good.” The message today will help us to, “Start the New Year Speaking Good.”
How do you speak to yourself? Is it negative or is it positive? Are your words making you better? What kind of conversations are you having with yourself?
How do you speak to others? Is it with kindness? With love? Are you communicating encouragement?
And lastly, but most important, how do you speak to God? Are you speaking with complaints or thanksgiving? Are you speaking about what is lacking or are you praising for His goodness?
This podcast will provide encouragement to start this year speaking good to yourself, to others and most importantly, to God. And it will help you Keep Going through this New Year of 2024!
As we look back on 2023, we want to make sure that we are thankful in all circumstances because that is the will of God. We have so much to be grateful for. God kept us throughout the year or 2023 and allowed us to see 2024.
So the question is now, how do I want to start this New Year off? Hopefully, you left behind the things that were not serving you or anyone else and now you want to soar into this New Year. And you can, simply by Starting the Year Thinking Good.
You have heard me say that everything starts with your thoughts. Our journey in this life is for the most part a collection of the thoughts we have created and thoughts that continue to direct our paths. Proverbs 23:7 tells us that “as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”
So as we move into this New Year, what better way to start it than to take some time to examine or re-examine how we are thinking. This podcast will focus on Thinking Good. Good thoughts that will catapult your life so that you can live the abundant life Christ has promised, so that you can Keep Going!
Is anxiety crippling your life? Are you allowing it to rob you of the joy God has promised that we could have? Are you anxious about what is happening in this world? In your personal life? Do you worry about what will happen tomorrow to the point you cannot enjoy today? You can't be present in the moment?
This podcast message today is going to encourage you to leave anxiety behind and not carry it into 2024. It might have been a constant companion in 2023, but you can rid yourself of it just by making a shift in your thinking. You can think yourself happy! Anxiety is not your friend. It can be debilitating.
Choose to be free of anxiety in this new year. Learn to be present in the moment so that you can, Keep Going!
As this year of 2023 draws to a close, many individuals are looking back, reflecting, taking inventory of how this year has gone for them. They look at what goals or commitments were met, changes that were made and how they would like to move into 2024.
This is a time also when it becomes easy to see how you measure up. There is the tendency to compare ourselves against what others have accomplished or how they appear to have everything going for them because they look successful. You question yourself or you are concerned about how others view you because you seek the approval of others to determine your worth.
So before we enter into the New Year, I want to encourage you to leave those things behind that’s hindering you from being all that God has called you to be and to do.
Those things you have been carrying all year, or in some cases, for many years that you want to unload. They bear no benefit to you, they are not serving you, in fact it is extra weight that continue to hinder your progress. Now is the time to shake them off and enter the new year as a new you so that you can, Keep Going.
Have you ever thought about what life would look like if you stayed in a thankful state of mind? How it could enhance your physical, emotional, mental, psychological and spiritual lives?
There are times when life doesn't go exactly the way you would like and you feel you don't have anything to be thankful for. But being thankful in all circumstances can greatly improve your quality of life, as well as those around you.
This final message for the month of November admonishes you to take being thankful with you at all times regardless of the circumstances you might be going through. Let it resonate with you from the time you wake up and throughout the day. In fact, don't leave home without it and watch how much easier you will be able to Keep Going!
Today, the word INFLUENCER has become such a common word. Everyone, or at least many individuals, are desiring to be an influencer. They are seeking to impact their audience in various ways and for various reasons. Often, the influence is temporary and for many, it is on to the next best thing.
And then there are those individuals who have a more permanent influence or impact on our lives. Those who left a print that you will always remember. It could be someone who is no longer here. Someone that you have not seen or even spoken with in many years. Someone that you actually never spoke to, yet something you heard them say changed the trajectory of your life.
People impact our lives in so many ways. I want to encourage you in this message to think of someone, that person that left an imprint in or on your life that you are thankful for. Who is this person or persons? Remember them, give thanks and allow it to help you Keep Going!
Join in as we explore some of the hinderances that keep us from being thankful and living a grateful life.
What do you do when things are not going the way you desire? What becomes your mindset when you don't get what you want or you feel life is not favoring you? Many individuals allow hinderances to rob them of the joy of having a thankful heart.
We will take a look at a few hinderances such as self-pity, pride, envy, a sense of entitlement, grief, and anger, to become aware of how they can keep you from living a joy-filled life as well as hinder your ability to Keep Going!
Today marks one year since the Keep Going Podcast first recording! I am so thankful to God for allowing me to keep going with the messages He has given me this past year. And I am so thankful to my listening audience for your continued support.
With November being the month of Thanksgiving, our series will be centered on Being Thankful just as we started one year ago. This week we start with Being Thankful in ALL Things.
We know that is is easy to be thankful when things are going well. But what about the times when they are not going so well? When things are not working out the way we hoped? Or we have losses? What then? Can we still be thankful?
Join us as we talk today about being "thankful in all circumstances for this is God's will for us in Christ Jesus." When we can be thankful in ALL circumstances, we can, with confidence, Keep Going!
Do you include prayer in your daily routine? Is prayer something you reach for when you face adversity or challenges? Is it the last thing you go to when you have exhausted your efforts? This podcast, The Strength of Prayer, helps us to realize the importance of Prayer and how it brings us into communion with God.
Prayer has been and is the driving force that helps me as well as many others to Keep Going. It is through praying that we draw the strength to be persistent, to be resilient, to have hope and to not give up. Prayer is so important that Paul tells us in I Thessalonians 5:16, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I encourage you to draw on the Strength of Prayer to help you keep going in this journey of life!
What is that quality that causes an individual to rise above their circumstances, to overcome trauma, tragedy and disruptive events in their lives and continue to move forward in life, to keep going?
What is it that causes an individual to choose faith over fear, to smile when everything within them wants to to cry? To take the high road, to bypass bitterness, choose joy instead of anger, peace instead of misery?
This episode will discuss the attribute of The Strength of Resilience found in God's awesome grace. Regardless of what life brings our way, we can be go through and not give up because "His grace is sufficient for us and His Power is made perfect in our weakness." And because of that, we can be resilient and Keep Going.
October begins the last quarter of the year. It’s the time of the year when for some, things are beginning to wind down and it is easy to give up on goals and commitments you have made, or projects you have begun, simply because you feel you can’t finish the race, you are too tired, your motivation is at an all time low or numerous reasons come into play and you simply want to give up and throw in the towel or whatever you might be holding. You want to finish and finish well, yet for some reason you can’t muster up the energy to keep going.
One way we can insure we finish well is embracing the STRENGTH OF PERSISTENCE! Persistence is what help us to keep our eyes on the prize. It keeps us rejuvenated and carries us to the finish line. Embrace this important trait and with it you can Keep Going!
When was the last time you had some fun? Real fun? For some, it could be recent. For others, it might take a moment to remember when you had a good, fun-filled, enjoyable time!
Unfortunately, as we grow older, life takes on a level of seriousness, that if we are not careful, will squeeze out our ability to enjoy the abundant life Jesus promises us. We forget how to have fun. Using the examples of little children, today's podcast, the last in our Tips and Tools to Keep Going series, will be encouragement to simply, Have Fun!
Enjoy and Keep Going!
We all have giants that we have to face from time to time that require us to have courage. It could be a giant of job loss, relationship strain, it could be the loss of employment or challenges in employment. Your giant could financial, living from paycheck to paycheck. It could be an addiction. It could be low self-esteem, fear of rejection. Mental or emotional illness. Challenges with your children.
How do you face your giants? Do you see them as Honey Badgers, (considered the most fearless animal in the animal kingdom), too strong and fearless for you to defeat? Or do you look at your giants as David looked at Goliath?
Today's podcast will help you develop courage to face those obstacles that hinder you from achieving and receiving all that God has in store for you. Don't be overcome by your giants, overcome your giants with courage and Keep Going!
Has it ever occurred to you why you are on this earth? Do you know what makes your heart sing? Have you thought about if there were no limitations, financial, family, career, etc, what you would be doing with your time, your energy, your gifts and talents you have been given? Would you be serving others? Would you create or invent something that could have potential impact on thousands maybe even millions of people?
Knowing your purpose and living your purpose helps us to Keep Going and live the abundant life that Jesus promised us in His Word. In John 10:10, He said, “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”
How full is your life? Do you feel you are living the abundant life Christ has promised us? Listen for tips to Keep Going by Living With Purpose so that as this life goes on, you can Keep Going!
In this month of September our focus will be on Tips and Tools to help you Keep Going. Most of the year is over and very soon a new year will begin. The fall sometimes bring on changes in our emotions and feelings just as it changes the color of the leaves, the coolness of the weather, and the seasons of time.
For some it is a time of excitement, especially as we move closer to the holidays and for others it might be more trying. However, whatever your circumstance, one way you can make it easier, is by having the FAITH that things will work out for your good when you trust God!
Jesus ask us to have the faith the size of a mustard seed. The smallest of seeds. And when we trust Him with our mustard seed faith, He can and He will do AMAZING THINGS and we will be able to Keep Going!
There are times in this journey of parenting that we absolutely don’t know where to go, what to say or what to do. From the crib to adulthood, we never stop being parents. You never stop wanting the best for your children, even when they might have children of their own.
How can loving, concerned parents make this journey a little easier? It is only when we surrender back to God what He has gifted to us, our children.
And how do we surrender them back to Him? That is done through prayer. Learn why Prayer is so powerful in this journey of parenting and why it plays such an important role to help us Keep Going!
As we continue with the series of Encouragement to Parents, today's focus is encouragement for single parents. Being a parent or serving in the role of a parent is a tremendous blessing from God. It can be joyful and yet it comes with challenges and responsibilities. And for the single parent, those challenges can sometimes be overwhelming.
The number of households headed by single parents is on the rise, with more than 23% of children under the age of 18 in the U.S., living in households with one parent. And approximately 81% of these households are headed by a mom.
This message will seek to encourage single parents, both men and women, to stay the course, and no matter how challenging it gets, you are not alone. Know that God has entrusted you with His precious children and He will guide you and give you the strength to be the best parent possible. Keep Going!
This month’s focus is encouragement for parents and I would like share just a few tips to help you Keep Going in the role of a parent and enjoy this wonderful blessing we have been given. So our title today is The Honor and Responsibility of Parenting.
Most parents, and those who served or serve in the role of a parent, can all agree that parenting can be challenging. Sometimes you feel you have a handle on it and there are times when you feel you have absolutely no idea what you are doing. Parenting can be joyful and sometimes it can be painful, because as parents the last thing you want to see is your child hurting, whether physically or emotionally.
Parenting is a wonderful journey and parents always need encouragement along the way to Keep Going!
Welcome to the August Podcast series where we will focus on encouraging parents and all of those serving in a parenting role. Whether you are a parent biologically or carry the role of a parent, we all know that although parenting is rewarding, it also carries with it a major responsibility that takes energy, strength and lots of prayer to guide those that we have been entrusted with by God.
Sometimes we get it right and sometimes parenting gets usright. And regardless of age, no matter how old our children get, we never stop being parents and we never stop being the children of our parents.
This podcast will be a Tribute to My Parents, whose birthdays would have been August 1 and August 2! As parents of eleven children, I will share some of the timeless values that our parents instilled in us and how they demonstrated what it meant to Keep Going!
This month we are focusing on Summer Tips to Keep Going and this is Tip #2, "Staying Cool When Things are Heated." Heat can cause anyone to slow down, feel tired and drained and with it sometimes emotions also flare up and get heated. We are finishing up July and I suspect August, which is usually the hottest month, is going to be even hotter! But be encouraged, with Tip# 2, you can Keep Going!
We have had some rather heated days and todays podcast will consist of tips for staying cool both physically and emotionally. Yes, it is hot and often times with the heat, emotions can get as heated as the physical body.
Find out how you can remain cool and calm with the tips in this podcast, both physically and emotionally. And regardless of the heat, it will be much easier to Keep Going!
We are in the heat of the summer and some of us probably think it is the end of times because it has been so hot! While some have curtailed their usual activities for fear of the heat, others have continued with plans to take vacation (possibly to cooler places) and continued to enjoy yet another wonderful summer.
Whatever your choice, you can still have lots of fun! So, I thought I would share a few Summer Tips to Keep Going. And our Tip #1 is to Meet New People.
Something that I have come to realize and appreciate is that meeting new people can be exciting, refreshing, encouraging with many benefits as we journey through life. I hope you enjoy this week's tip and put it into practice. Take time to meet someone this week and let it inspire you to Keep Going!
What the world needs now is better Communication! We have focused this month's series on effective communication. Our topics have been The Value of Listening, Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say, and Asking Great Questions.
Our last segment in this series will focus on Communicating Through Writing, something many people do not care to do especially in this age of social media, text, memes and emojis.
Writing is a powerful way to communicate, to others as well as yourself, especially when you do it through journaling. Learn to utilize the art and skill of writing to allow the thoughts and feelings of the soul to flow through you, to you, and to others. It will truly help you to Keep Going!
Good communication is a bridge to help us Keep Going in any situation we find ourselves in. Whether in marriage, with our children, in work environments, if we want to be successful, it is important that we learn to communicate effectively.
Many people think that good communication consists of always doing the talking. However, if you really want to learn how to communicate, learn to ask great questions.
Asking great questions helps to invoke deeper thinking and opens the door for a wider range of conversation. Asking questions is a skill that can be acquired by anyone. And there are many good reasons to do so!
As we continue our focus on Communication, this week's Podcast will give tips on saying what we mean and meaning what we say, to help us become a more effective communicator.
Some people may have grown up in situations where they were not allowed to express themselves freely. Others might have experienced relationships whereby they didn't have the liberty to say what was on their minds and in their hearts. As a result, saying what you mean and meaning what you say did not always connect, creating a lack of communication.
This Podcast will give some reasons this happens and the benefits of Saying What You Mean and Meaning What You Say. It will also give tips on how you can overcome this and become a more effective communicator. After all, great communication helps you to Keep Going!
Have you tested your communication skills lately? Do you talk more and listen less? This month we will focus on the importance of good communication.
To start off the month, we will focus on THE VALUE OF LISTENING. Listening is not always the easiest thing to do. Especially when you have an active mind and even more active tongue!
However, when you can become an effective listener, your whole world changes. Listening with intent and focus adds substantially to our ability to communicate with others. And most importantly, good listening skills helps you to tune in closer to that still, small voice of God always speaking to us and directing our path. It's the voice that speaks and guides us so that we can Keep Going!
We are living in a time when it seems anger is ruling the lives of so many people. Anger is being displayed in politics, in schools, in homes, in the stores and on the roads. There is more reacting it seems and less responding.
Although anger is a normal God-given emotion, it is when we allow anger to overrule and control us that what was designed to be normal ends up being debilitating when not handled the right way.
Uncontrolled anger is a monster. It is like a forest fire out of control. You can no longer control it because it is controlling you. In this episode, learn how to identify, get to the source and manage your anger so that you can Keep Going.
If there is ever a mental health issue that is rampart in our society today, it is the issue of anxiety. Although anxiety is a normal part of life, people who suffer with anxiety are often more tense and have a tendency to have more worry and fear about normal, everyday issues.
Everyone experiences anxiety at some time in their lives. However, when anxiety starts to affect your daily living, you are probably among the millions of Americans suffering with this issue.
Yes, anxiety is normal, but when we react to it versus respond, it begins to control us instead of us controlling it. Today's podcast will focus on the cause, symptoms, ways to combat it and what the Bible has to say about it.
You don't have to allow anxiety to control you. God gives us what we need to control it so that we can Keep Going!
As we continue to focus on Mental Health this month, we invite you to listen to the "Dealing With Shame" episode. Our mental health has really come to the forefront with the onset and lagging fallout of Covid-19.
Though mental health issues have been around since the beginning of time, today more than ever, it is being realized and recognized as a debilitating existence when we neglect to manage it.
Fortunately, many individuals are beginning to focus on their mental health and take action to keep it in check and not allow it to disrupt our day to day functions.
Shame is one of those issues that can cause mental disturbances such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, addictive behaviors and eating disorders. See how it manifests itself and hear God's answer for it so that you can Keep Going!
This is Mental Health Month and the Keep Going Podcasts will focus on "issues" we carry with us on a daily basis keeping us from being all God desires for us to be and from living a joy-filled, abundant life.
The first issue we will focus on will be, "The Need for Approval." This issue has existed since the beginning of time, but it has escalated to a new level with the emergence of social media. "Likes" are defining the lives of so many and it is all rooted in the foundation of the need to be approved.
Join us as we share how it starts, what it looks like, and what you can do about it so that you can, KEEP GOING!
Oftentimes it is easy for us to go through life without having plans. Planning helps us use our resources wisely for our benefit and for the benefit of loved ones.
Planning helps us to assess where we are, set goals and take the action to achieve those goals. There are many ways planning can be done, however, many fail to realize how insurance planning can also help achieve our goals in life.
Today's special guest is Linda Kinion of LJ Kinion & Associates sharing her expertise on the benefits of utilizing insurance to help contribute to achieving your financial goals.
It's important to plan and remember, always, "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3
What does it mean to you to be committed? Does it mean going the long haul or jumping ship at the first sign of an obstacle? Does it mean having a definite purpose or casually floating or drifting through life with no real purpose or goals?
To be truly committed to anyone or anything, it is important to know who you are and what it is you desire. Knowing who you are and what you desire will help you keep your eye on the prize.
Being committed helps you get through the tough times, the challenges and obstacles. You no longer see them as challenges and obstacles, they become opportunities that will help you to Keep Going!
In today's environment we are so busy that we often do not take the time to truly evaluate ourselves.
Have you ever taken the time to look in the mirror and ask, "Who Am I?" Do you really know the person you are looking at or is this the person you thought you should be? Is this the person someone else defined for you? Maybe a parent, a spouse, a friend or even a place of employment?
Who are you really? Today's topic will take us on a little exploration journey to help us better understand who we are and how being aware of ourselves helps to shape our day to day existence so that we can Keep Going.
I am so appreciative for the experience of seeing God's beautiful creation this weekend during an AMAZING trip to Toronto and Niagara Falls.
It was such an opportunity to be APPRECIATIVE for the memories, the beauty and the awesome power of God in creation! As we approach this Easter Sunday, let us be mindful of the sacrifice God made for us by allowing His Son, Jesus Christ to die for our sins. And to be thankful that He did not succumb to death but He was resurrected on the third day because of His great love for us.
Watching the magnificent creation of the Niagara Falls reminded me of God's ever flowing love for us and His promises that never fail!
How much thought do you give to the words you speak? Do you speak words that uplift or tear down? Do you speak words that encourage or discourage? Are your words that you speak healing or hurting?
Our words are POWERFUL. And because they are, we must be mindful how we use them, particular the words we speak to ourselves. Your subconscious mind will carry out the words you plant in it and as one unknown author says, "Words are like seeds that do more than blow around. They land in our hearts and not the ground. Be careful what you plant and careful what you say. You might have to eat what you planted one day."
Remember that "Life and death is in the power of the tongue." Pro. 18:21. Choose your words wisely, it will help you to Keep Going!
I generally try to look for life lessons from experiences I go through in life. I believe that if we look close enough we can almost always glean something, regardless if it is a good experience or an experience of affliction. So I decided to share some of the lessons I gleaned from my first personal experience with COVID recently.
It's often through affliction that we can truly experience the closeness, comfort, and loving nature of God. He is always with us, carrying us through and if we are attentive, we will hear the quietness of His voice as He speaks ever so gently to us!
So be encouraged, that regardless of what you are going through, there is a life lesson and this lesson or lessons can be the catalyst to help you Keep Going.
Today's Podcast message is to encourage you to Don't Forget to Remember. As we prepare to spring forth in the month of March and welcome the season of Spring, let us not forget the privilege we have to culminate the celebration of Black History Month.
Let us not forget but remember the richness of our African American heritage and what it means to our culture and the contribution it has had and continue to have in our country.
Though we close the February 2023 celebrations, we must never close the door to remembering. For us to continue to spring forward, we must remember, lest we forget and make the same mistakes.
February has been our "Simply Love" month primarily because of one of our favorite days, Valentine's Day. And with Valentine, comes thoughts of love often symbolized by the shape of a heart, the color red, candy shaped hearts as well as other tangible items that remind us of this day. We talked about what love is and the importance of loving God, others and ourselves.
However, this podcast will focus on the physical heart and the importance of taking care of it from a physical, food intake, and mental health standpoint.
I have invited one of my daughters, Jennifer, to join me as the first Keep Going guest, to have a conversation with tips on how to take better care of our hearts so that we can Keep Going!
We are continuing to put the spotlight on our theme for the month of February, "Simply Love." Today's topic will focus on a topic some don't think about and some people might think too much about. And that topic is "Loving Yourself."
Jesus summed up the two greatest commandments with first, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: "Love your neighbor as yourself.'
Unfortunately, so many people have spent much time on loving others to the extent they have not learned how to love themselves in a healthy way. Tune in, as we give some tips on how to more joyfully love God, love others and love yourself so that you can... Keep Going!
This is the month of February and LOVE is in the air! Valentine Day is fast approaching and this is the day when love is expressed and received in so many different ways. Most of us have heard the song, "What's Love Got to Do With It?" I would say that love has everything to do with it. This month we will explore this powerful word, LOVE and its impact in our lives emotionally, physically and spiritually. This podcast will explore what Paul has to say in the great love passage, I Corinthians 13. Join in as we talk about what Love is and what Love is not!
Today's podcast will focus on making the most of our time by having FUN! Most of us have heard that "laughter is the best medicine." Proverbs 17:22 tells us that, "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."
What do you think would happen if people would start to have more fun? What is there was more laughter and joy in the world? I surmise that we might experience a totally different world today.
Today's message is encouragement to you to start changing your world simply by adding more fun and laughter to your day! It won't cost you anything. Your face and heart will appreciate it and so will those you are surrounded by! And guess what? It will make it easier for you to Keep Going!
We often think about how to Keep Going for the future, but what about today? How can we make the most of today so that we can Keep Going just for today, using our time wisely. Time is a precious commodity. Once it is gone, we cannot get it back. Jesus is a premier example of using time wisely. He always knew where He was going and why. We too, can learn how to be more intentional with our time. Listen for some tips to better use our time in the morning, during the day, the evening and night.
"There is a time to keep and a time to throw away." Ecc. 3:6bIt is a New Year! Time for new resolutions, goals, and promises made by many. However, most of these resolutions, goals and promises are forgotten before January ends. Why? You might ask? I surmise it is because we have not taken time to declutter, in our physical spaces as well as our mental and emotional spaces. This episode provide tips on how to declutter both your physical spaces and your mental and emotional spaces so that you can Keep Going!
Time is such a precious commodity and we never seem to have enough of it. But is it really the amount of time or is it how we manage ourselves with the time we are given? God has given us another opportunity to Keep Going in the year 2023 and what a blessing it is! Perhaps you didn't get the opportunity to do everything you wanted to do in 2022, but now you have new opportunities. It is a new year, a new day with new opportunities to make the most of the time God has given us and to glorify Him with it!
This episode concludes our Let Go series for the month of December. In this podcast we are going to focus on Letting Go of Worry - JUST FOR TODAY. Just for Today is a challenge to transform your life with a 10-Step Challenge outlined in Dale Carnegie's famous book, "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living." This challenge is perfect to end this year and start 2023 with a positive mindset to Keep Going and be the best you can be!
This week's podcast will focus on letting go of worry and choosing joy. Many people are having a difficult time living life to the fullest and with joy because of the heaviness of worry they carry. And more so, their lives are being affected physically and it can easily be attributed to constant worry. Transform your life today by letting go of worry. Improve your health and Keep Going with this message of encouragement!
Carrying around weights that are not serving you? Those "things" that hinder you from moving forward and achieving your goals or just completing tasks? We are all bogged down with something that keeps us from running our race with consistency, with impact, and joy. Sometimes we are aware of that "thing" or "things," and sometimes we are not.
As we prepare to end this year and enter into another one, let us identify some of the weights we are carrying that's preventing us from soaring the way we desire and accomplishing the goals we have set.
In this Podcast, we will focus on "Procrastination," what it is, why we do it, and how to let go of it and Keep Going!
When you say "Thank You," are you doing it out of habit? Do you sometimes say it grudgingly? Today's Keep Going podcast message will help us reflect on the real meaning behind our expressions of thankfulness. This episode is the last in our November Being Thankful series and we will dig deeper and take a look at our heart when we say those two powerful words, "Thank You."
Our memories are an integral part of who we are today. They can bring us laughter, joy and comfort. This Podcast focus is on being thankful for past memories and creating memories today to bring joy on tomorrow!
How do you view God's provisions? Today's podcast will encourage us to be thankful in all things. To examine our thoughts and see how much time you THINK about being THANKFUL. Big or small, being grateful will transform your life and help you to Keep Going!
We live in a time of busyness. Distractions and frustrations consume our time. This podcast encourages you to recognize the power of being thankful and how it can help to Keep Going!