Inspired Women Magazine September/October 2013

September / October 2013

F E A T U R E

Karen Carey

Senior VP of Human Resources Kerzner International Atlantis Bahamas

Can Women Have it All?

The Make It Happen Plan

Be It Done To Me

FREEDOM in freefall

Fall Into Fashion

inspired women magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

A Rejoicing Sprit

Stop Loving GOD More

A SAVVY & CHIC SHERO

Robin Roberts

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september / october 2013

inspiredwomenmagazine.com Contributing Writers Karin Syren Laurette Willis Lannette Kissel Deborah Hightower Linda Flagg Mia Green Wendy Herrmann Smith

in this issue 3 | Publisher’s Note 4 | A Rejoicing Spirit – Be It Done to Me 9 | Interview With Karen Carey 14 | Snacks that (gulp) May be Killing You?

inspired women magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

18 | The Make It Happen Plan

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20 | Freedom in Freefall Dania Hernandez Ad Sales 305-720-5841 contact@inspiredwomenmagazine.com

22 | Fall Into Fashion 23 | Stop Loving God More 24 | More Than Able 25 | A Savvy & Chic Shero: Robin Roberts

PUBLISHER’S NOTE This issue is dedicated to all the women trying to juggle their world! I hope you find some inspiration, motivation or encouragement as you go along your journey to finding balance. Life no doubt gets a bit complicated, but through the help of our Father to guide and inspire us, we can reach our destinations.

As we move along these next four months, let’s re-evaluate where we are. That requires we ask ourselves some tough questions. I say tough because sometimes we don’t really want to face the answer to those questions. My poll question on our website asks, “If I were to rate my life happiness on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being incredibly happy, what number would I give it?” How would you rate that question? Here are some other questions to ask yourself:

• When was the last time I felt really happy with my life and life balance? What made my life work back then? What’s changed?

• What area of my life is the hardest for me right now? Is it my health? My work? My family life?

• In what area would I most like to make changes?

• What is the biggest energy drainer in my life right now?

Be Inspired,

inspired women magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

It is my hope that as you answer these questions, you begin to make changes and ask God for wisdom as a modern day Lydia (Acts 16:13-15 and 40).

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CHRISTIAN LIVING inspired women magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

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A Rejoicing Spirit – Be It Done to Me

A Rejoicing Spirit Be It Done to Me

My soul exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, For He has regard for the humble state of His bondslave; Luke 1:46, 48 (NAS)

Karin Syren, Vision & Planning Coach

T

hese first few lines of Mary’s song of praise, along with the words of the angel’s announcement to her, tell us much about this young woman chosen to bear the infant Savior. (Luke 1:28-33)

Are we meant to be any different than Mary?

Are we not also intended to be vessels of greatness? Father, Son and Holy Spirit are One God. (Matthew 8:20:19) And yet we Christians often lose sight of what we carry within us. (1 Corinthians 6:19) Mary was the vessel, God’s instrument for the manifestation of the Son in the earth, so that we also might be the vessels, instruments for the manifestation of the Spirit in the earth! Stop and reread that and allow it to sink in.

Delighting in the Lord is the answer. Psalm 37:4 exhorts us, Delight yourself in the Lord; and

inspired women magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

She did not question her worthiness, ask for time to prepare herself, or at any point question the decision. Her only question was how, not if, or even why. She did not say I’m not ready to receive Him yet. Her response was immediate, be it done to me according to your word (Luke 1:38).

Can we say wholeheartedly, be it done to me She offered herself to the process, to being filled according to your word? Can we offer ourselves to with God, set apart for His use.

God’s process in our own lives, to being filled with His Spirit, set apart for His use? For in truth, each Her greatness was in her humility, one of those of us is intended to be a container for greatness, paradoxes we find so well illustrated in the Beati- just as surely as Mary was. tudes. (See Matthew 5:3-12) In the upside down world of Kingdom principles, the last shall be first The concept of complete surrender to God’s will (Matthew 19:30), and the humble shall be exalted. is simple, but not by any means easy. Most of us (Matthew 23:12) Her significance and her very find ourselves focusing on what we think we must strength, were in her willingness to be used, to be renounce rather than forward to the joy set before a vessel, the container for greatness. Her greatest us. (Hebrews 12:2) The greatness of His plan far value was in her willingness to set herself aside. outshines anything any of us may relinquish. But how do we gain that empowering focus?

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“For in truth, each of us is intended to be a container for greatness...”

Know the treasure of God within you.

We must daily think as expectant mothers, our focus on what is growing inside, preparing with excellence for the day when the full impact of that will be felt in the world.

inspired women magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

Practice birthing the Holy Spirit into your world.

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Ours is to be a daily process of birthing, of bringing the Good News into a suffering world.

If we are to fulfill the Great Commission (Mark 16:15), we must each go into all the world we He will give you the desires of your heart. Put down know, surrendering ourselves to the process. all else and by a simple (not necessarily easy) act of your will, determine to delight yourself in the Heed the message.

Lord. Read Psalm 104, Isaiah 40, and Job 38, 40 We need not feel worthy or able to measure & 41 for starters, and meditate on the wonder of His greatness, knowing that it is this same God up in any way. We need only be available, surwho desires to live in and through you, guiding rendered to the power of God to do it in us, through us, working it for us. Mary surrendered your life. to the process. She did not cause it and she had Now let us get practical. What lessons can we no conscious part in its unfolding. She did what she knew by way of following the traditions surtake away from what we know of Mary? rounding pregnancy. She knew the law entitled Live a life of preparedness.

Joseph a legal recourse to her pregnancy, yet she trusted in the word of God, regardless of the cirWhen we hear God calling us, in Scripture, cumstances. We can do the same. the still small voice within, or a Word so loud and clear it stops us in our tracks, will we be prepared? Turn your life over to the plan of God. If we have made a decision for Christ, receiving Say along with Mary, behold, the handmaid of the Holy Spirit, we should be in a state of constant readiness. Be in the word of God daily; stay in fel- the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word. lowship with the Father and attuned to the voice (Luke 1:38) She referred to herself as a bond slave, not as one forced into servitude, but one who willof the Holy Spirit. ingly surrenders all to another. This servitude of Step out on the plan you know. spirit, soul and body is a whole life choice, not of convenience, but of dedication.

Mary was not waiting for an angel to appear.

We know from the angelic salutation she was liv- Exalt the Lord. ing a godly life. (Luke 1:28) She proceeded with Her life and plan totally altered, her life’s dithe plan she knew, espoused to a good man, according to her tradition. Yet she demonstrated rection changed for eternity, Mary’s response was her preparedness to alter her plan, according to to praise God for using her. (Luke 1:46-55) Can we do any less? the revealed will of God.

Let us rededicate ourselves, even as this young woman did 2000 years ago, to altering our lives and direction in conformance to the will of God. Let us be mindful of the precious Presence we carry within us, and be prepared to release that Presence into the needy world around us.

We are no less chosen as sacred vessels than Mary was. Let us renew our willingness to surrender, to humbly yield as a vessel for God’s will in the earth, knowing that it is by faith, and faith alone that we are able to take that giant leap!

termine to yield yourself fully to fulfilling God’s plan for your life, to demonstrate His glory in the earth. Draw a line in the sand and then by faith, step across it and don’t look back! (Luke 9:62)

Copyright ©2010/2013 Karin Syren All rights reserved Adapted & Reprinted with permission from The Bible Minute: One Year of Concise Bible Studies for On the Go Christians Click to order your soft cover or Kindle copy at Amazon.com

If you are not yet ready for a life of preparedness, what is holding you back? What would you need to change, remove or implement in order to Karin can be reached at Ksyren@solushunz.net. be in a state of such humility before God that you For more information about Solu’shunz Leadership Services, would step joyfully into whatever He asked? De- go to www.Solushunz.com.

Previous Issues Available

visit: www.inspiredwomenmagazine.com

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inspired women magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

FEATURE

To Whom Much Is Given...

Interview with...

ing their lives with everything that’s important to them. Karen is no exception. As a wife and mother, Karen seeks to honor her career, family and spiritual commitments.

The idea of maintaining balance comes right out of the Bible. In 1 Peter 5:8 (AMP), it says: “Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring (in fierce hunger), seeking someone to seize upon and devour.” That tells us that we have to be mindful of how we spread and balance ourselves as today’s Christian women. So, how does Karen do it? Not surprisingly, Karen indicates that her faith in God and her values are what have guided and inspired her along her journey.

I recently had the pleasure of asking Karen some questions and getting her perspective on how she does it. Here is our interview:

inspired women magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

Atlantis on Paradise Island in The Bahamas is probably best known for its six-story water slide down the side of a “Mayan Temple.” It has also been known to be a haven to celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, and BillGates. It is a dream destination for many.

However, to run a large operation such as Atlantis, it takes strategy and talent. Karen Carey, Senior Vice President of Human Resources is part of driving that strategy.

Karen Carey is a member of the executive team at Atlantis and the One & Only Ocean Club, leading the human resources strategy with a combined workforce of more than 8000.

Karen Carey is a petite framed woman with huge dreams, drive and determination. But it doesn’t stop there. As a personal friend, I can also say she has an incredibly warm spirit; she is generous, caring, and loving. In today’s world more women are finding themselves balanc-

Karen Carey

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inspired women magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

IW: How did you begin your career in Sol Kerzner opened its first iconic destination resort on Paradise Island.

Human Resources?

KC: It was something I stumbled upon actually. IW: What has been the highlight of your I began working in an entry level role in the career? or the most rewarding?

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training department of a 500 - room hotel with KC: I have had many highlights in my career. the intention of being there for about two years Whether it was creating and launching the Atlantis before moving on to another career opportunity.

Luckily for me many years later, I am continuing to enjoy the challenges and rewards of the Human Resources profession.

IW: Atlantis is one of the largest employers in the Bahamas. Is that correct?

KC: It is the largest private employer in the Bahamas. Our company currently has approximately 8000 team members.

IW: When did you begin working in Atlantis?

KC: Atlantis started in the Bahamas in 1994. I had the privilege of being a part of the team when

University at our resort which gave thousands of individuals the opportunity to learn and develop leadership skills or celebrating the success of a semi-literate person develop academic skills, and become a successful manager or simply helping raise the standard of thousands to provide blow away experiences to our guests in the midst of doubt and naysayers. It’s moments when what seems improbable becomes a reality that makes me excited.

KC: They can and they do. I thank God for the wonderful women who demonstrate that they have it all- maybe not in all equal parts, however they do extraordinarily well.

IW: What advice would you give women today?

KC: Whatever talent you have been blessed with, remind yourself that it was given to you because you have the gift to bless others through your IW: I have spent some time with you talents. The Good book says, ‘To whom much is and know you to be a wonderful woman given, much is required’. The greatest joy you can filled with faith. When did you become give to yourself is to have helped others. Share your talents; mentor others, be a resource to a Christian? others, volunteer, stretch yourself, make learning KC: I am blessed to have been brought up in a a way of life, meditate, find time for yourself and Christian home so my journey started a long time God, and most importantly have fun. ago. I was twelve years old when I was converted IW: What›s next for Karen Carey? and gave my life to Christ.

IW: How or has it been a challenge KC: It is still unfolding. I am keenly interested in for you as a career woman to balance continuing to develop my expertise as a strategist, the corporate world with your explore exciting ventures with my husband and faith? Is it possible to be a successful daughter, and embrace whatever is God’s plan for my life.

businesswoman and still make God first in the life?

IW: What›s your favorite bible verse?

IW: In the book of Acts in the bible Luke talks about a woman named Lydia.

She was a successful woman a «seller of purple.» She was a family woman, businesswoman, church worker, and hostess. Can women today still have it all?

KC: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Adriana Zamot is editor and publisher of Inspired Women Magazine. IWM began as a two page newsletter when she wanted to share with a few friends some of the highlights of Christian conferences that she had attended. She enjoys writing and sharing of the Lord’s goodness and mercy. Her hope is that IWM will inspire, motivate, and encourage other women towards their divine excellence. Most people refer to her as “AZ.” She has a Master Degree in Human Resources Administration and Development. She attends Majestic Life Church in Apopka, FL. You may contact her publisher@ inspiredwomenmagazine.com

inspired women magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

KC: Whether it is my professional career or life in general, I have learned along the way that life will be filled with challenges. The good thing is that my values have helped me navigate those challenges and relying on my faith has been the source of my inspiration. I have been lucky to have friends, acquaintances and family members who successfully managed both and exemplify the beauty of business and faith being reflected in their lives.

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inspired women magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

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“You are blessed for believing that the LORD would keep His promise to you.”

Luke 1:45 God’s Word ® Translation

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inspired women magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

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FITNESS

SNACKS

that (gulp)

inspired women magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

May be Killing You?

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“And put a knife to your throat If you are a man given to appetite” (Proverbs 23:2).

High blood pressure in children has doubled in the last 10 years and one in eight kids has two or more heart disease risk factors. The American Academy of Pediatrics now requires pediatricians We snack for many reasons. Sometimes we’re to monitor calcium and blood pressure at age two hungry, but we often snack because we’re bored and to complete a lipid profile between the ages of or we’ve trained our bodies to want to snack two and eight. throughout the day.

by Laurette Willis, CHC Director of PraiseMoves Fitness Ministry www.PraiseMoves.com

Some of the Offenders to Avoid

It’s actually not a bad thing to snack—as long as we’re snacking on life-giving, nutrient-rich foods Corn is a staple in many conventional foods in (instead of highly processed junk foods). the United States, and most of it is genetically modified (GM). This can lead to numerous health Fueling Up or Inflammation? dangers such as tumor formation; liver, kidney and other organ damage.

All day long your body is humming with activity.

That activity takes energy. Unfortunately, our grocery store aisles often do not have the snacks which fuel our bodies—instead many Americans are loading up on processed foods which cause inflammation, overweight and toxic overload.

We’ll find this to be the case in both supermarkets as well as health food stores. Not all snacks in health food stores are health-giving! Ingredients such as High-fructose corn syrup, sugar, “enriched” flour; GMO corn and GMO soy head the list.

“Mommie, Ronald McD has healthier food.”

The problem is that many of these so-called “foods” are literally “killer foods” that harm health. In fact, children and teenagers now have health problems which typically affect those who are middle-aged and older – including problems with heart, liver, blood pressure and other weight-related risks.

High Fructose Corn Syrup (HCFS) is known to age cells faster than sugar (that’s enough to want to keep me away from it!). HCFS is linked to cancer cell proliferation; it damages the brain and slows learning; robs the body of vitamins and minerals;

inspired women magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

Here’s a shocking statistic: 70 per cent of six-toeight year-olds recently polled think fast foods are more nutritious than healthy home-cooked meals.

That may be why high-calorie, low-nutrient foods, snacks and beverages account for more than onethird of their daily calories.

Sugar and HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup) are next in line. We eat about 170 pounds of sugar per person per year. Sugar has been known to adversely affect our weight; cells; immune, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems; mental, emotional, neurological and metabolic health; mouth and teeth; bones and skin; veins and internal organs; blood sugar and blood pressure.

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increases the risk for heart disease and problems with pancreas, liver and blood pressure.

• 1 thinly-sliced banana, place on greased baking sheet 200 degrees until golden.

Not only do unwholesome snacks have ingredients in them which are harmful—we know that what they don’t have in them is also bad news. Where are the healthy proteins, carbs and fats—where are the whole food vitamins, minerals, enzymes and other important nutrients that fuel a healthy body and can help restore an unhealthy one?

• 1 cup orange slices, sprinkled with organic cinnamon • 1 serving baby carrots with 2 tablespoons hummus • 4 turkey slices with raw celery and cauliflower • 2 large organic hard-boiled eggs, sprinkled with seasoning of your choice • 1 cup organic applesauce with 10 chopped pecan halves • 1 ounce dried blueberries with 10 almonds • 1 apple and string cheese • 1/2 grapefruit and one hard-boiled egg • 1 small baked sweet potato with 1/2 cup cottage cheese and cinnamon • 1 cup watermelon cubes sprinkled with 1 ounce feta cheese and chopped dill

Okay, What CAN I Have (that my kids will like too)?!!!

Once you start eating life-giving God-made foods that fuel your body, you actually become less interested in conventional man-made foods that Here’s a quick list of high nutrition, highly have a tendency to cause inflammation, bloat and sluggishness. satisfying, low calorie snacks: • Raw fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds • Greek yogurt and raw cheese

Fuel up this fall – and beyond!

And now I’d like to invite you to pick up some more tips in my free guide “5 Simple Steps to Looking • Frozen bananas or frozen grapes are super & Feeling Fabulous” at www.5StepsGuide.com . summer snacks! © Laurette Willis 2013

inspired women magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

• Dried fruits and fruit leathers

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And some easy-to-do combos:

• Apple with a tablespoon of almond butter • 1 frozen banana with 10 almonds (tastes like ice cream!)

• 1 cup sliced strawberries dipped in vanilla yogurt; place on baking sheet and freeze • 1 cup pineapple cubes with unsweetened shredded coconut

Christian Fitness Expert and Certified Health Coach Laurette Willis is the Director of PraiseMoves Fitness Ministry with DVDs, Training, and Classes by Certified PraiseMoves Instructors on six continents (http:// PraiseMoves.com). Get your free “5 Simple Steps to Looking and Feeling Fabulous” at http://5StepsGuide.com . ©2013

Deborah Hightower Best-Selling Author

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inspired women magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

What others are saying...

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a guide to help you on the path to achieving your dreams

Make it happen PLAN The

inspired women magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

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Starting today...

Dreaming is a good thing...but in and of itself, it’s useless...

Don’t get me wrong...dreaming is a good thing. Often times, our next BIG thing begins with a dream. However, it is important to remember a dream, in and of itself, is useless. Ecclesiastes 11:4 says it so well, “whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap” (NIV). To paraphrase: if you only watch the wind and clouds…if you only dream… nothing will happen. Action is required by YOU. YOU are beautiful, strong, powerful, yet humble. YOU have much to offer the world.

No one else can do what YOU can do! It’s your dream...pursue it, live it!

The Make it Happen Plan will help you do just that!

Start Here

Next step

Gauge Your Personal Position

If you answered the first question with ‘yes’ and all the other ones ‘no’, then it’s time to kick into high gear and get the ball rolling.

Do you have a dream in your heart?

Have you prayed for guidance and committed your plan to paper?

Yes No



Ask God for guidance and to reveal ideas and connections that you need.

Pay attention to the reveal. Prayer and discernment is key when building your plan (Hab. 2:2-3). Faith is key!



Readiness requires preparation. What tools do you need for the journey?

Yes No

Are you ready for where you are headed?

Yes

Do you have a support team around you?

Yes

No

No

DREAM fulfillment is the new rich...

A quick dictionary search gives this definition for rich: “abundantly supplied with resources, means or funds; wealthy; of great value.” Synonyms include: “fruitful, productive, prolific, bountiful, copious, abounding, bounteous, valuable, flourishing, thriving.”

The formula for defining your richness lies in your skills and abilities + your personality traits + your values, dreams, desires and passions.

Plan Your Richness 1.

I know my dream/passion.

2.

I have a plan.

3.

I will execute my plan.

4.

I will make changes to my plan as needed.

www.deborahhightower.com

6 Month Goals

THIS

IS

MY PLAN TO

MAKE IT HAPPEN

TODAY, I will: 1.

Do one thing toward my dream.

2.

Take 10 minutes for my Personal edification.

3.

Find pleasure in my journey to my dream—little things as well as BIG.

4.

Plant a positive seed in a relationship that is important to my dream.

5.

Add a need and a desire to my Plan.

12 Month Goals

18 Month Goals

24 Month Goals

YOU CAN DO IT!  Your potential is unlimited.

Tomorrow, I will: 1.

 You are on Planet Earth for a purpose.  Your purpose is not only for you—it is for others. Love. Inspire. Empower. Share.

 Your skills, abilities, dreams and passions are 2.

the catalyst to your next level.

3.

that is yours.

 A tiny spark can ignite and burst into flame.

4.

Fan it and watch it grow. Your ‘dream’ can do the same.

 You become what you believe. Believe all things are possible for you.

5.

 Set your goals high. Build and move forward.

Expand!

the faith and believe.

 Every opportunity, challenge, loss, victory, fear, and success comes with a growth component—don’t waste it.

 Your thoughts control your destiny.  You have come a long way and you have a longer way to go...only better.

 You are YOU. Everyone else is taken. Focus on the YOU.

 During the process, the path may change a bit. Embrace it. You will find your way.

 Don’t be afraid to close a door; a new one will open.

 Your potential is unlimited.

Deborah Hightower represents a unique, multi-faceted combination of success. She believes the components to fulfillment and happiness can be found by expanding our horizons. She has done just that with successful careers in the financial arena, music, speaking, and writing. She is co-author of the bestselling book, The Secret to Winning BIG: Strategies for Winning BIG in Life and Business. She believes that winning big requires us to expand our lives as it relates to spiritual growth, prosperity pursuit, and all components of living life. Find out more about Deborah at www.deborahhightower.com

inspired women magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

 You were created to create. So, create a vision

 You will get where you’re going if you keep

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She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.

(Proverbs 31:25 NLT)

Freedom in Freefall

inspired women magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

by Shelbie Mae

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Have you ever participated in a trust fall?

The game you see in movies where someone stands on a tall object and then falls backward into the arms of waiting friends or family. I have never played this game in a physical sense, but I feel like I play it often in a spiritual sense. It’s supposed to be fun, right?

There was a time when I thought that my life was going good. I was following God’s plan and I was elated to do it. Then something transpired that made me question if I had really heard God. I was sure that He had been leading me. However all of a sudden, it felt like the rug was pulled out from under me. I was floundering for direction.

In that time of confusion in my life a deep fear came over me and crippled me from being able to make healthy decisions for my future.

I woke up in the morning and felt fear. I went to work and felt fear. As I lay in bed--I felt fear.

When I was with friends or family all I could do was think about my future and how afraid I was that it wasn’t going to work out. “What if I had heard God all wrong?” I questioned. I kept feeling like I had heard God right and I just needed to be still and let Him work, but I couldn’t. I felt like I needed to be in control.

The need for control stemmed from a past with an eating disorder. When I decided to give up my control of food, I subconsciously found other ways of controlling my life. Everything had to sit in the correct order in my mind or I felt like I was going crazy. I knew that I had a problem with control, but I didn’t realize that it was a stronghold in my life.

Months went by without me being able to function without being scared that every decision I made was going to ruin my future. I kept thinking, “What if I did it all wrong and somehow I would not be the Christian woman that I wanted to be?” It affected me so much that I asked advice from some of my spiritual

freefall. I wasn’t crippled with fear anymore. I was looking forward to the future and it was exhilarating to just leave it up to God. He had me and I didn’t need to be afraid anymore. It didn’t matter what the outcome of my future was because God had me in His arms. The control was in His hands now and not mine.

As women, I believe we feel like we need to have everything figured out and put in a certain order. We try our best to be the best we can be and when we fail, we blame ourselves and wallow in self pity and fear that we can’t get it right. Proverbs 31 is about a wise and virtuous woman, someone that we as Christian women look up to. In verse 25 it says.

She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. (Prov 31:25 NLT) Not only is she fearless but she laughs. A woman who laughs is a woman who finds joy in life and in God. She is confident with herself and her future because she knows God has everything under control. There is no need to fear. If we choose to live our lives in joy and confidence in God, we can live lives of freedom.

Freefall is a very scary place to be, but it’s also the most rewarding. I mess it up a lot of times but that’s okay because God’s got me. He has got all of us. We just need to trust Him enough to enjoy the freedom in freefall.

Shelbie Mae lives and writes on the shores of Northern Michigan. Some of her favorite things are reading, writing, running, and swimming. She is the author of the blog Hope For Eating Disorders. You can find her and her writing at her Shelbie Mae Facebook page

inspired women magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

mentors. When it came down to it, they told me to trust God. As I pleaded with God to take away my fear, I felt in my spirit that He was telling me that my future would be okay because He had my back, everything was going to be alright if I trusted Him with my life.

I felt God leading me to take a step forward. It was almost as if He was coaxing me out of a cave with His assurance that He had me in His hands.

I felt safe, but I felt like God was leading me to the edge of a cliff. My future seemed too scary and foreboding, but God had me. Right?

Step by step, I came out of the darkness in my mind and walked closer and closer to the edge of the cliff. It was almost like God was telling me to jump, that He would catch me.

Exactly like the game I mentioned earlier.

I would say. “God are you sure? This is scary. What if I get it wrong? Maybe I will take a few steps back and you can just propel me off the cliff and then catch me. I can’t do it.”

Then I would just feel God reassuring me.

“Trust me,” I would feel Him say.

I knew I didn’t want to live in fear forever, so I kept taking baby steps forward.

I learned to trust God more. Slowly, the fear began to go away. But, I still held on to some of the control, just in case God didn’t have me. I was at the edge and I wasn’t sure if I was brave enough to jump into God’s arms by trusting Him with my future.

There isn’t an exact moment where I can pinpoint that I made the choice to trust, but one day I realized that I was living my life in

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BEAUTY

Fall Into Fashion

by Mia Green It’s time to put away all of your summer dresses, halter tops, and flip flops, and pull out all of your Fall staples. This year the fashion trend has some very chic items that you can add to your wardrobe and look like you’re fresh off of the runways in Paris!

OUTERWEAR

inspired women magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

Fur coats (well any coat really) are big hits this year. You can rock them long, short, with feathers, or the classic look---it doesn’t matter. What’s most important is to not overdo your look. Make sure you design your look around your outerwear. If your coat is a bold statement piece, then make sure to keep the rest of your look classic and simple.

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Fall season and Hound’stooth (also known as a menswear fabric) is hot on the list. Incorporate your animal print or “menswear fabric” into your wardrobe this season for a classic chic look.

COLOR

Emerald Green is still one of the hottest colors for the Fall season. Be creative when adding this color to your wardrobe, but don’t stop there click here to see PRINTS the Fall Fashion color report Patterns and Prints are still for 2013 and mix and match very popular during the bold colors this season.

Mia Green is a professional makeup artist, and the owner of Les Fleur Cosmetics a makeup studio that specializes in ethnic skin and custom blended cosmetics. For more info you can visit www.lesfleurcosmetics.com

Stop Loving God More

by Renae Adelsberger

M

It’s the same way with Christ.

We are not called to love Christ more than ____ (fill in the blank). We are called to love Christ. Period.

Let’s go back to football. I can love football more than I love soccer. But loving football more than something else falls short of loving football period. Because the moment my husband asks me to get off the couch, drive eight hours, and sit on cold bleachers to watch a football game live, I’m out. I no longer want to associate with him. By no means do I condemn him, it just suddenly becomes evident that I have been pretending. At that revelation, it’s too late to go back, my husband and I would be confronted with the truth – I do not love football.

We have to start loving Christ.

It’s not enough to love God more than my car, my popularity, or even my husband. I love God. Because I love God, I obey Him. God calls me to respect my husband. I love my husband because I love God.God has given me a car and allowed me to be popular. So what? I am wasting both if I do not use them to show my love for God to people. I give friends a ride because I love God and God has told me to love my neighbor.

Don’t get it backwards. I do not love people so that God will love me. It doesn’t work that way. We can never work our way into God’s grace. God first loved me. And now I love God. Period. And by the way, Kevin, no worries, I still like football.

inspired women magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER

y husband, Kevin, loves football, the whole sport. When we started dating, I knew that this “hobby” had the potential of being a deal-breaker in our relationship. I could pretend to love football for a year maybe, but not much longer than that.

At some point, if I did not start loving it for myself, I would stop liking it all together.

Look at our relationship with Christ. We have to stop loving God more than ____ (whatever we love in this life). 1 John 1:1516 (HCSB) says, “Do not love the world or the things that belong to the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. Because everything that belongs to the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s lifestyle – is not from the Father.”

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INSPIRED POETRY

More Than Able

inspired women magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

by Lanette Kissel

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Your mind is more than able to discern my every need.

Your feet are poised and ready so I may follow where You lead.

Your ears are always listening to hear me when I pray.

When I call upon Your name, You listen to all I have to say.

When life appears to overwhelm me and others’ expectations seem too tall, Your strong arms are more than able to catch me if I should fall.

In my life, it is You, Lord, Who plays the most important part.

And that is why You have left Your footprints upon my heart.

Pink

COLLAR

INK:

Inspiration and Insight for Women’s Work Lives

A SAVVY & CHIC SHERO:

ROBIN ROBERTS

by Tammi Ector

As an African American young woman whose childhood dream was to become a foreign correspondent and who majored in Mass Media her freshman year in college, I’d always admired Robin for her beauty, poise and professional accomplishments.

That admiration has grown over the years as she’d made the world privy to her personal

struggles. Even so, it wasn’t until I watched her in those few magical moments during the ESPYs that I realized what a beacon of light she has become.

SHE’S STRONG You’ve gotta give a girl props when she can work simultaneously at male dominated ESPN as a sportscaster on Sportscenter and Good Morning America as co-anchor to Diane Sawyer. In fact, when the former left the show and Robin partnered with George Stephanopoulos, they led GMA back to the

inspired women magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

Though I’m so not a sports fan and we seldom watch the same television shows ( HGTV is HGTV and ESPN is ESPN and never the twain shall meet), this summer while on vacation, I found myself sitting in a hotel room watching the ESPYs on the only TV in our room with my husband and stepson. (For those of you, who like me up until that night, don’t know what those are, they’re ESPN’s version of the Grammy’s.) From the moment Robin Roberts opened her mouth during her acceptance speech of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, the renowned newscaster stole the show.

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inspired women magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

top of the ratings, ousting NBC’s Today show, which had been # 1 for 16 years. In the words of Robin’s own catchphrase “Go on with your bad self!” No wonder she was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012 for her contributions to and impact on the game through her play and broadcasting work. She’s been known to credit her parents as cultivating the “three D’s: Discipline, Determination, and De Lord.”

writing provided that route. It eventually led to the book.

Even with all of the above accomplishments, Robin’s series of emotional reports on Hurricane Katrina from the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where her hometown was hit especially hard, stand out as the point in time where Robin truly began to win all of America’s heart.

When she allowed us to see her tears, which could have been viewed as weakness, we got a glimpse of her God given strength. (And He said unto me, ‘My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.’ ” - 2 Corinthians 12:9).

Going back to her reasons for writing the book, stripping away everything played a big part. “If you strip away my college degree and my awards, and who I am and all that, it comes down to being a simple child of God. That’s who I am.”

SHE’S HUMBLE

SHE’S FULL OF FAITH Three months after the release of From the Heart, Robin received her breast cancer diagnosis. People urged her to write another book about cancer, but Robin refused, telling them it was merely a chapter in her story and not worthy of a whole book. Instead she compromised by adding an additional chapter to From the Heart and amending the original subtitle, Seven Rules to Live By to include her eighth rule, “Make Your Mess Your Message”.

The book with the changes was released in October to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

With her mother’s encouragement to become an advocate for early cancer detection, Robin used her voice to help others on the same journey. Those who’d tuned in to her every morning, and many more who now

inspired women magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

Back in 2007, Robin had released her bestselling autobiography, From the Heart. In it she shared the seven keys that have contributed to all of her success. During an interview on The 700 Club, she explained how in the midst of trying to find her way following her father’s death and then Hurricane Katrina, which virtually destroyed the homes of three family members and reduced her high school to rubble, she began journaling to remind herself of the principles that helped her work through all of the bad feelings that were causing her faith to waiver. She felt a need to get back to basics and

In leaning on her faith, however, Robin realized she was keeping people at bay. The journalist, who was now a very public television personality, had always viewed her faith as a private matter. But once she went public with her faith, she received encouragement from her fans.

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ranked among her fans, cheered her on as Robin successfully completed eight months of chemotherapy followed by six weeks of radiation. Since she’d discussed her treatment candidly on the air with her co-anchor, Diane Sawyer, she was inundated with emails following her surgery in August of 2007. Ten days later the world applauded as she returned to the studio.

Robin described that year as tumultuous, but over. She announced that it was time to move on. And she did just that. She was a survivor. Then in 2012 she was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). After taking a leave from GMA to have a bone marrow transplant, Robin returned to the show in February of 2013.

• Keep faith, family and friends close to your heart.

• Make your mess your message.

Robin once said, “I love it when people say they see the light shining through me. I don’t have to get up on a soapbox. I’m not going to preach to people. I’m not going to force my beliefs on them. But if they do see something great, so be it.”

As I attempt to shine in front of a supervisor who just lost her sister to breast cancer and a co-worker on my team who was recently diagnosed with the same, I’m taking my cue not only from these rules but from this quote from Robin Roberts - my new savvy and chic shero.

inspired women magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

Which brings me back to the ESPYs. As the natural choice for the Arthur Ashe Courage award, upon accepting it Robin said, “When fear knocks, let faith answer the door.”

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Tammi Ector Fisse is a writer, speaker and singer who is passionate about sharing stories for God’s glory. As a So what can we women learn from this savvy domestic violence survivor, Tammi’s and chic survivor that we can not only apply own story contains a great deal of in our professional but personal lives to guide hurt, but it is also full of healing and us to meaningful success? hope. God not only transformed her from a victim into a victor through Christ, He turned her trials into her testimony. Though this process was painful and sometimes still is, Tammi longs to encourage • Position yourself to take the shot. other women, whatever their circumstances, by sharing • Dream big, but focus small. in the “comfort wherewith she is comforted” (I Cor. 1:3-4). She also seeks to educate others about domestic • If at first you don’t succeed, dive back in. abuse. Tammi is currently working on her first novel.

• Never play the race, gender, or any other To schedule Tammi to speak or sing, please contact her card. at tectorfisse@hotmail.com. You may also visit her blog • Venture outside your comfort zone.

“True Confessions of A Christian Girl” at trulytammi.

HERE ARE ROBIN’S RULES:

• Focus on the solution, not the problem.

blogspot.com .

in·spire (n-spr) v. in·spired, in·spir·ing, in·spires ~ To affect, guide, or arouse by divine influence. inspired women magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2013

~To fill with enlivening or exalting emotion: ~ To stimulate to action; motivate ~ To affect or touch ~ To breathe on. ~ To breathe life into

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