by Karen Lindwall-Bourg | Sep 4, 2020 | Blog, Celebrate Life!, Entrepreneur Endeavors
Working Together with God for Change
A new year is such a beautiful time to close the past and start anew and to begin working together with God for change!
“Resolutions are popular because everyone feels they could use a little improvement.” Marilu Henner
A new year is such a beautiful time to close the past and start anew. We all commemorate the end of one period of our life and celebrate the possibility of the coming New Year. One way we mark this new beginning is to set goals and make resolutions. As lovers of Christ, we should be no less inclined to make changes in our life. In fact, we are encouraged to work out our salvation (Philippians 2:12). This means we are to keep growing and healing. We are to continue transforming our mind and behavior to be more like Jesus in this world.
But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:20-24
If we are stuck in the process of creating our resolutions or goals for this year, we should consider this verse in Ephesians. It outlines a great goal toward becoming more like the God in whose image we are made. Putting off the old self and putting on the new, is not just a goal for the year for us. It is a lifelong process which starts with each one of us!
PUT IT OFF
so we can begin working together with God for change
There is an important point in this verse which seems to be often overlooked. It is up to us to put off the old self. It is our choice and our responsibility.
Have you ever walked into a spider web stretched across your path? Depending on how you feel about spiders, this can be an absolutely terrifying or a simply annoying experience. Either way, there is usually a bit of dancing about, sputtering, spitting and wiggling. It is a dramatic choreography.
We want that sticky, yucky thing off of us. We put it off of us. This is the same thinking we should have when it comes to getting rid of the “old self”.
PUT OFF WHAT?
so we can begin working together with God for change
Putting off our old self, the old you, is not about changing our personality. The verse is specific about what to put off. We are to get rid of deceitful desires. Which begs the question: What is a deceitful desire?
It is not just about lying or telling untruths. Deceitful desires are things which are against the knowledge of God – anything that goes against God’s plan for how He wants us to live. We are to put off certain behaviors which are not good for relationship with each other or with God.
When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21
This verse hits on many of the things we are to put off. It is not possible to do it by ourselves; that is why we have a Comforter and Helper in the Holy Spirit. However, it is very much in our power to choose. It is in the choosing that we put off these things. It is in the choosing not to sin, when we submit to God, and resist the devil. It is in the moment of putting off sin when God rescues us, but we have to choose it.
PUT ON
so we can begin working together with God for change
Now that we have chosen to put off the sinful nature; then what do we put on? Gratefully, we have a guide book for that too!
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8
We control our thoughts. ALL behavior starts with a thought. We measure our thoughts, take captive any unruly thought, and steer our thoughts toward those things on which God would have us focus.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23
We have a Helper to aid us in producing the character and behavior which is pleasing to God. Help is available to us.
Take a look at the resolutions and goals you have set. Are they pushing your character and behavior toward the fruit of the spirit? Prayerfully reconsider your year in the light of putting off deceitful desires and putting on the fruit of the spirit.
Ready to put on and put off? Great! Share your insights! After all, we are on this same journey and all need a helping hand, a godly perspective, a listening ear, and much more.
Blessings,
Karen Lindwall-Bourg
“Achieve Levels of Success Worth Celebrating”
*Founder, Karen Bourg Companies http://karenbourg.com
*Owner, President {Inter}National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs/International Christian Mompreneur Network http://nacwe.org
*Founder, RHEMA Publishing House http://rhemapublishinghouse.com
*Founder, RHEMA Lakeside Retreat Center https://www.facebook.com/rhemaretreat/
*Founder, RHEMA Counseling Associates http://rhemacounseling.com
About Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Karen Lindwall-Bourg is the President of the {Inter} National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs [est. May 2010] and the new President of the International Christian Mompreneur Network [est. July 2010], both at http://nacwe.org . She and the NACWE Operations and Leadership Teams work diligently to provide
· Community
· Networking
· Education
· Missions
opportunities to Christian Women Entrepreneurs, Mompreneurs and Nanapreneurs alike all over the world!
Our Core Values are
· Community – we value Connection, Collaboration and Contribution
· Networking – we value Nurture, New relationships and New and innovative offers
· Education – we value Encouragement, Excellence and Expressiveness, and
· Missions – we value Ministry and Making a difference
Karen is wife to Fred, Mommy to 6 kids and 5 in-loves, Nana to “going-on” 12 grandchildren, and treat provider deluxe for a herd of Great Pyrenees who protect their north TX ranch! She is an entrepreneur coach, author, publisher, retreat hostess and more! Learn more about Mastermind groups and “Celebration” coaching with Karen at http://karenbourg.com
by Karen Lindwall-Bourg | Sep 4, 2020 | Blog, Celebrate Life!, Entrepreneur Endeavors
New Beginnings: New Self
As the Year and new beginnings get underway, we all want a fresh and balanced start. As Christians we want to start new God’s Way!
Helping Others into the New Self
One of the most challenging tasks for a counselor is offering effective and practical steps to our clients. We want to be able to help people with new beginnings, to find their own practical solutions. Fortunately, as counselors who center our work on the Bible, we have help through the Word of God. As a therapist, I love that I can remind someone they are a new creature in Christ. It is a privilege to help someone learn how he/she can be renewed and live in this newness offered to him/her.
New beginnings are always a great time to focus on renewal; such as the beginning of the month, the year, or even the week or day! God tells us His mercies are new every morning. (The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23) With every sunrise we see, we are given a clean slate. The key is living in it. The key is to remember we are new and that old things have passed away. (Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17)
And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Colossians 3:10
What does it mean to be “renewed in knowledge” at times of new beginnings?
Each of us lives with an inner monologue, a recording we play over and over. This is the knowledge of who we believe we are. Oftentimes it is full of negative statements usually related to not being good enough, not mattering or not having what it takes. This is the knowledge we live with. However, it is not the truth. The Truth is what the Word of God says about us.
When we are learning to be a new creature and live in the renewal which Christ intended for us, we must be aware of our current knowledge. For example, our current knowledge and recording might be: “I am damaged goods because I was abused. No one will ever love me.”
We are instructed to shut down those thoughts and bring every thought into captivity and subject it to the light of the Word of God. In order to renew, we are to line those thoughts up with the One in whose image we were created. God is love. We are loved!
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Corinthians 10:5
What does it mean to be created in the image of our Creator during new beginnings?
One of the biggest hindrances of living in the new self is figuring out who we are. So much of our identity comes from our family of origin, our life experiences, what people say about us and who we think we are. We identify more with the negative experiences in our life than the positive. We rehearse our traumas and tragedies. Those things are part of the old self. The new self is who God says we are. He says we are created in HIS image!
BUT, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
The Bible is full of wonderful examples, images, and analogies describing the character of God. In nearly every verse the image of the Creator is revealed to us. We must seek it, then meditate on it, then put it on as our new self. The following scripture is a great place to start allowing God to reveal His character and intention toward us.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103:8-14
Helping during new beginnings to reveal the new self – for Counselors
Putting on the new self and being renewed in knowledge is a choice made by each individual. As Christian counselors we can offer support in the process in the following ways:
- Acknowledge and normalize that being made “new” is a process. It is not a one-time thing. It is done daily, even moment by moment. Why else would we need new mercies daily?
- Offer scripture which reveals the character of God. Give references to the way God feels about us, the way He loves, forgives and blesses His beloved.
- Support and community is key. This process happens as other supportive Christians walk with us along the journey to the new self and encourage and keep individuals on the right path.
Jesus was sent so that we would have life and have it more abundantly. Part of that abundance is to live in the new self. We are to put off the old ways and put on the new ways of Christ so we can experience freedom in life and in relationships.
Blessings,
Karen Lindwall-Bourg
“Achieve Levels of Success Worth Celebrating”
*Founder, Karen Bourg Companies http://karenbourg.com
*Owner, President {Inter}National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs/International Christian Mompreneur Network http://nacwe.org
*Founder, RHEMA Publishing House http://rhemapublishinghouse.com
*Founder, RHEMA Lakeside Retreat Center https://www.facebook.com/rhemaretreat/
*Founder, RHEMA Counseling Associates http://rhemacounseling.com
About Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Karen Lindwall-Bourg is the President of the {Inter} National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs [est. May 2010] and the new President of the International Christian Mompreneur Network [est. July 2010], both at http://nacwe.org . She and the NACWE Operations and Leadership Teams work diligently to provide
· Community
· Networking
· Education
· Missions
opportunities to Christian Women Entrepreneurs, Mompreneurs and Nanapreneurs alike all over the world!
Our Core Values are
· Community – we value Connection, Collaboration and Contribution
· Networking – we value Nurture, New relationships and New and innovative offers
· Education – we value Encouragement, Excellence and Expressiveness, and
· Missions – we value Ministry and Making a difference
Karen is wife to Fred, Mommy to 6 kids and 5 in-loves, Nana to “going-on” 12 grandchildren, and treat provider deluxe for a herd of Great Pyrenees who protect their north TX ranch! She is an entrepreneur coach, author, publisher, retreat hostess and more! Learn more about Mastermind groups and “Celebration” coaching with Karen at http://karenbourg.com .
by Karen Lindwall-Bourg | Sep 4, 2020 | Blog, Celebrate Life!, Entrepreneur Endeavors
Proper Self Care and How to Do It Right
Currently, there is a movement toward focusing on self, building self-esteem and more. Unfortunately, these trends can be distorted into a “you-don’t-matter-I-am-the-only-one-that-matters” mode of thinking. But that is not self-care. That is selfishness and contrary to the point and benefits of self-care. Self-care is essential for your health and wellbeing. The right amount and type of self-care enables to give to and love those around you.
Proper Self-Care is NOT
PROPER SELF-CARE IS NOT SELF-INDULGENCE.
You can find a myriad of articles on getting a mani/pedi as a way of practicing self-care. While it is a great way to pamper yourself. It’s not the only way. Proper self-care does not thoughtlessly decide to indulge in whatever you fancy despite its impact on time, your budget, or your family.
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31
PROPER SELF-CARE IS NOT SELFISH.
Yes, sometimes it means saying no to those who usually get your yes. Consider this, you cannot love the Lord your God with all your soul, mind and strength if you are exhausted by your schedule and commitments. How can you love your neighbor if you haven’t shown your own temple any care with rest and relaxation?
And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. Mark 6:31-32
Self-Care is Biblical
In the above verse from Mark, Jesus and His disciples were so busy they didn’t have enough down time to eat. He encouraged them to go away to a place for rest. I think in this instance desolate meant without throngs of people. In the same chapter, verse 45, Jesus sends the disciples ahead of him on a boat so they can seek rest. Jesus encouraged them toward self-care.
You need rest. No matter your calling, career or responsibilities, you need to take time to rest.
Self-care is a way to get this rest.
The Effective Practice of Self-Care
The point of self-care is to refresh, renew and energize you. It is for rest, reflection and relaxation. Self-care is very individual to each person. Some may find rest in spending time with a spouse while others want to literally be alone on a mountain side. You can determine your best practice of self-care by exploring these questions:
Refresh. What refreshes you? Like a dip into a cool pool of water on a hot day, what makes you feel fresh and clean again? Take time to consider activities which make you feel alive and revived. Is it something physical, spiritual or both? Is it something you do alone or with someone else?
There are times when you just aren’t good at self-care. You get bogged down in your daily duties and obligations. Self-care is an opportunity to renew your spirit and flesh toward those things God has called you to do. It is a time to evaluate, pray and meditate so you can renew your mind toward God. What activities can you take part in to renew your spirit, soul and body?
Even Jesus rested. He was napping on a boat in the middle of a storm. (Read: don’t feel guilty about taking a nap during a difficult time.) You need energy to take care of the people in your life. If you are exhausted and spent physically, spiritually, and mentally you are not offering your best. You are not stewarding the relationships and talents God has given you to the fullest. Take time to find your energy again. For some it might mean a daily nap or going to the gym or both. It could be just taking 20 minutes for yourself to decompress after a hard day. What activities give you energy or give you a boost of energy?
The Most Important Aspect of Self Care
PRAY. PRAY. PRAY.
Jesus was a busy and sought after man. Yet, he found time to go off by himself and pray (Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16, Luke 6:12). Prayer, meditation, quiet-time, devotionals – whatever you call it – is the most important self-care practice you can adopt. It is during these times when you release temporal worries and hear from God about how to be refreshed, renewed and re-energized. Your prayer time is the foundation of self-care.
RETREAT. RETREAT. RETREAT!
Another way to practice self-care is to attend connecting and energizing retreats.
Blessings,
Karen Lindwall-Bourg
“Achieve Levels of Success Worth Celebrating”
*Founder, Karen Bourg Companies http://karenbourg.com
*Owner, President {Inter}National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs/International Christian Mompreneur Network http://nacwe.org
*Founder, RHEMA Publishing House http://rhemapublishinghouse.com
*Founder, RHEMA Lakeside Retreat Center https://www.facebook.com/rhemaretreat/
*Founder, RHEMA Counseling Associates http://rhemacounseling.com
About Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Karen Lindwall-Bourg is the President of the {Inter} National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs [est. May 2010] and the new President of the International Christian Mompreneur Network [est. July 2010], both at http://nacwe.org . She and the NACWE Operations and Leadership Teams work diligently to provide
· Community
· Networking
· Education
· Missions
opportunities to Christian Women Entrepreneurs, Mompreneurs and Nanapreneurs alike all over the world!
Our Core Values are
· Community – we value Connection, Collaboration and Contribution
· Networking – we value Nurture, New relationships and New and innovative offers
· Education – we value Encouragement, Excellence and Expressiveness, and
· Missions – we value Ministry and Making a difference
Karen is wife to Fred, Mommy to 6 kids and 5 in-loves, Nana to “going-on” 12 grandchildren, and treat provider deluxe for a herd of Great Pyrenees who protect their north TX ranch! She is an entrepreneur coach, author, publisher, retreat hostess and more! Learn more about Mastermind groups and “Celebration” coaching with Karen at http://karenbourg.com .
by Karen Lindwall-Bourg | Sep 4, 2020 | Blog, Celebrate Life!, Entrepreneur Endeavors
3 Major Benefits of Self Care for Entrepreneurs
Self-care is not just a current buzzword. It is also not something to be ignored or brushed off for only a ‘certain’ type of person. Self-care means taking care of yourself. It is not a selfish-it’s-all-about-me kind of thing. The healthiest way to approach self-care is to think of it this way: taking care of yourself –
Body
Emotions
Livelihood
Intellect
Environment
Family/Friends
Spiritual
Your health in all dimensions of wellness will help you take care of others in your life.
When you are on an airplane listening to the safety speech, you are always instructed to put on your mask before you help anyone around you. This aspect of self-care is your way of getting oxygen so you can help anyone who needs your help. Let’s look at the benefits of self-care.
Benefits of Self-Care
BENEFITS OF SELF-CARE = RENEW
And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” And there appeared to Him an angel from heaven, strengthening Him. Luke 22:41- 43
Taking time for your personal self-care offers you a time to renew your vision and your passion. Jesus removed himself from his disciples to pray and complete his purpose. He knew the vision for his life, he was right in the middle of all of it. And Jesus, being man, I am sure had lots of the same feelings and emotions we have when we are knee deep in our mission and vision.
When Jesus took the time to separate himself, he was renewed. He prayed earnestly about his fate and was comforted and strengthened for the journey ahead of him. It was not selfish or inappropriate for Jesus to go a ‘stone’s throw’ away to seek his Father. It didn’t derail him or his disciples that he stepped away for a bit. In truth, it renewed his strength.
BENEFITS OF SELF-CARE = REFRESH
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23
There are so many ways to get refreshed. It can be as simple as a cold shower or as lovely as a visit from a dear friend. Refreshing can come with meditation, napping and adequate nightly sleep. Refreshing is available through resting and relaxing.
However, while taking care of your physical and mental refreshing with your chosen profession, one cannot overlook the importance of spiritual refreshing. Self-care also provides opportunity for spiritual refreshing. Proverbs instructs us to guard our hearts, to take care of our hearts; one of the ways to do this is to mediate on the Word of God – spending time being still and contemplating all that is God and godly.
But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10: 41-12
We are Martha(s) in our frazzled, busy, anxious, troubled and overwhelmed state. We need to settle in and redirect our attention to that good portion which Mary chose. Self-care is choosing to be still and listen to the Lord rather than being busy doing for the Lord.
BENEFITS OF SELF-CARE = REVITALIZE OR ENERGIZE
Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. And after He had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone. Matthew 14:22-23
Jesus and the disciples had been dealing with huge crowds of people. They were feeding them, teaching them and healing them. You know how exhausting this can be if you have ever hosted a party and cooked for more than six people. Could you imagine thousands upon thousands with no notice? Jesus knew his disciples would need a little break. He sent them out in into the boat before him, while he dismissed the crowds. (He was forcing a little self-care on them.)
He also took care of himself by going up on the mountain to pray alone. Self-care helps you get ready for the next thing, be it big or small. Self-care, when done right, is preparation for what is coming. It was after this time of prayer on the mountain that Jesus walked on water. It gives you the time and space to hear and get excited about your passion and purpose.
Dear entrepreneur! Do you remember when you first started doing what God gifted you to do? Can you recall the excitement and contentment you had at the opportunity? Self-care, taking that time apart to pray, renew and refresh, will give you the energy (supernatural and otherwise) to keep going. It is in these times of self-care when you find the strength to “finish the race”. In these overwhelmingly busy times, set aside time to allow God to remind you and rekindle the fire in you.
Self-care is a time to renew, refresh and revitalize your spirit and your body to keep you on the path God has ordained for you.
Need a Venue for Self Care?
Blessings,
Karen Lindwall-Bourg
“Achieve Levels of Success Worth Celebrating”
*Founder, Karen Bourg Companies http://karenbourg.com
*Owner, President {Inter}National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs/International Christian Mompreneur Network http://nacwe.org
*Founder, RHEMA Publishing House http://rhemapublishinghouse.com
*Founder, RHEMA Lakeside Retreat Center https://www.facebook.com/rhemaretreat/
*Founder, RHEMA Counseling Associates http://rhemacounseling.com
About Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Karen Lindwall-Bourg is the President of the {Inter} National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs [est. May 2010] and the new President of the International Christian Mompreneur Network [est. July 2010], both at http://nacwe.org . She and the NACWE Operations and Leadership Teams work diligently to provide
· Community
· Networking
· Education
· Missions
opportunities to Christian Women Entrepreneurs, Mompreneurs and Nanapreneurs alike all over the world!
Our Core Values are
· Community – we value Connection, Collaboration and Contribution
· Networking – we value Nurture, New relationships and New and innovative offers
· Education – we value Encouragement, Excellence and Expressiveness, and
· Missions – we value Ministry and Making a difference
Karen is wife to Fred, Mommy to 6 kids and 5 in-loves, Nana to “going-on” 12 grandchildren, and treat provider deluxe for a herd of Great Pyrenees who protect their north TX ranch! She is an entrepreneur coach, author, publisher, retreat hostess and more! Learn more about Mastermind groups and “Celebration” coaching with Karen at http://karenbourg.com .
by Karen Lindwall-Bourg | Sep 4, 2020 | Blog, Celebrate Life!, Entrepreneur Endeavors
Recognizing Your Need for Self-Care
How do you know if you need to take a break?
In the helping profession or as a woman entrepreneur it is easy to get overwhelmed and start feeling a little burned out. The trick is to recognize the warning signs and do something before you get to the point of quitting. These are also signs you can look for in your team to prevent their burnout as well. Self-care is the best way to prevent burn out.
Symptoms of Burnout that Point to the Need for Self-Care
- PERFORMING BELOW YOUR NORMAL STANDARDS —
- We all have days when things aren’t as perfect as we want them to be. However, a significant or lasting slip in your normal standards can be a clear warning sign you are worn out and need to schedule some down time.
- INCREASE IN NUMBER OF SICK DAYS, ABSENCES OR TARDINESS —
- This can be a subtle increase over time or come suddenly after a big event. Pay attention to the number of days you aren’t feeling well and how they correspond to things happening in your work. This can also be a passive-aggressive way to show dissatisfaction and fatigue.
- CHANGES IN ATTITUDE TOWARD THE NEGATIVE OR CYNICAL —
- If you find your positive attitude tougher and tougher to maintain, it might be time to consider a time-out to refresh and rest.
- CHANGES IN PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES —
- If you notice inappropriate professional boundaries in yourself or your colleagues, it can be a sign self-care is needed. Boundaries tend to be less important when you are tired and just want to get something done.
- SIMPLY STATING YOU FEEL “BURNED OUT” —
- While it may seem obvious, don’t ignore the things you or your team are saying. If you are saying you feel burned out, overwhelmed, stressed out or exhausted, it is a clear warning sign that you need some time to refresh and get re-energized.
What to Do with These Symptoms and the Need for Self-Care
- Give yourself (or your team) a place to talk about how you feel, why you feel that way, and a self-care plan so you can get back on track with your purpose and vision.
- Enlist some accountability for yourself as you follow through on your self-care plan.
- Address the issue regarding poor performance due to lack of self-care (i.e. professional standards, boundaries and attendance)
- Find a self-care partner – someone you can buddy up with to make sure you both take care of yourselves and stay on track in your businesses and lives.
- BE still and pray. Prayer is the most basic and effective self-care practice available.
- Remember – True rest and peace come from God!
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:26-30)
Need More Help with the Need for Self-Care and Burnout?
Blessings,
Karen Lindwall-Bourg
