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I have a love hate relationship with social media!

Can I get an amen?

But seriously, when it comes to social media – I love it and I hate it.

Can you relate?

I know I don’t even have to mention the reasons why I hate it, but let me tell you about why I love it.

I love it, is because I can connect with people from places I have met during ministry times from all around the world. I can also stay connected with family and friends who don’t live near me. I especially love the Facebook memories.  I love it because, it reminds me of events and memories that I may have forgotten.

Memories like attending my kids high school events, fun spontaneous adventures, or past ministry locations and people who made an impact on me.  Even memories of quotable quotes or encouragement thoughts I captured from others.  Like this gold nugget:

God is the ONLY one who defines who I am – not my friends, my family, ministry, activities, etc. …”

 

This power packed nugget came up as a memory I posted on Facebook several years ago.  I wrote it after a conversation with one of my ministry board members.  At the time, I was struggling to write the message God had put on my heart.  Not because I didn’t want to write it, but because I was afraid.  I was afraid the book wouldn’t be any good and I was afraid of what people might think about me if I did write it.  (Yeah, I used to have BIG people pleasing issues, but that is a topic for another day).  For too many years, I let the opinions and thoughts of others define who I was.

 

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Recently, I attended at the Mount Hermon writers conference and while I was there one of the speakers said something very much like the above statement.  God has a mysterious way of getting messages to us until we pay attention.

My assignment from my editor at Chosen Books was simple.  While I was at the conference I was to: “Attend ALL the sessions I could on marketing and platform.”

UGH … honestly?!?!  Marketing and platform building – that is just not me.  I don’t like self-promotion and both marketing and platform “things” seem to fall into that “self” category.

Most of the time, I am a rule follower, an over achiever really. (ok, truth be told, I do have a stubborn and rebellious streak that comes out occasionally).   So, of course the over achiever came out, and I did just what I was told to do, I attended every class I could on marketing and platform.

Let me just say, that I was pleasantly surprised.  I LOVED the way the speakers at the Mount Hermon conference covered both these topics.  I have attended a lot of conferences, and by far this one was the BEST for my growth as a writer and an author.

The track I chose for the conference was “Lifestyle Marketing” and during the very first session, our presenter said this:

“You have to settle your worth with the Lord before you journey this road as a writer.”  – Mary DeMuth

Ok God, you have my attention!  Mary’s words and the words from my board member were pinging around in my head for hours, in truth for days.

Then later that day, I attended a session led by my editor, titled: “Build Your Wow Factor.”

 

Yes, I know what you are thinking, and yes, I sat front and center. I mean she was my editor, I had to attend her class… right?! lol   But truthfully, I will be working with her on my book, I respect her, I like her, and so I wanted to hear what she had to say about this whole platform and marketing thing.

 

You will never guess what the first thing out of her mouth was?  Are you ready?  You might want to be sitting down for this…….  She said:  “Platform is not self-promotion.”

What?  Did I hear her correctly?  A senior editor for a publishing house just said, “platform is not self-promotion”?  I seriously could not believe my ears.  Yet at the same time, I was so very grateful God had orchestrated that we would be working together.  She went on to say that “Platform is not more important than your story or your message.”

Here’s the thing God has been percolating in my heart and mind:

God has given each of us a message, a story to share with others about what He has done for us.  How we share that story, who will be drawn to it, and who listens to our messages will differ.  Yet, we all must have a kingdom mindset.  God has entrusted us each with a unique message. First and foremost, I am a child of God. I am an author, a writer, a speaker, a pastor, a wife, a mom, a daughter, etc. How and where I share my message will be different from how and where you share yours.

While our messages may have similarities, they are uniquely different.  We must not compare or compete with one another.  We must not let book deals, or speaking engagements, or family, or friends, or anyone else define who we are or what we are worth.

Look to God. He alone is the one who defines who we are!

Let’s stand together in unity.  Let’s be of one heart, one mind, and one single focus.  Let’s love people and make Jesus known through our messages and support one another in the process.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:12-17).

I thought it might be fun to have a few community building questions this week, so here they are:

  1. Who have you let define you?
  2. What message has God given you to share with others?

If you missed my special edition of lessons from the lake this week, you can view it click here for the post, or watch the video below:

 

Again Welcome and Thank you for joining me for #TuneInThursday it is an honor to have you here!

I have had a few people ask for a badge/button to display on your blogs.  I would absolutely be honored if you would display it, or link back here in some way.  Thank you!

Tune In Thursday

Now let’s get this party started, feel free to link 1-3 posts:

 

 

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Do you wonder if God still speaks today?  Do you wonder if He would ever speak to you personally?  Do you long to hear the voice of God in your life?

Have your read other books on hearing from God, but long for hands on practical application? or are you looking for ways to  move you forward  hearing from God?

If you answered YES to any of those questions, then I have exactly what you need.  I now have an online e-course designed to equip you in understanding that God still speaks today, and He longs to speak directly to you, through His word, and others.  He longs to encourage you, strengthen you and comfort you.  The training on this site, is fully based on Scripture, and taken from my training manual Releasing God’s heart through Hearing His Voice. 

I have been teaching these classes internationally for the last 10+ years equipping and training believers in discerning the Ways God speaks.  God is speaking, Can you Hear Him?

2. My new membership site, d2htrainging.com has official opened, I invite you to check it out today, and develop a deeper relationship with the Lord, as you learn to hear Him speak to your heart.

Looking for other Great Inspirational Parties. Click Here to see where I Link-Up weekly.

Several Submissions have been featured at Blessed Transgressions, an Online Magazine:

Balancing the Warrior & the Princess We’re Called to Be

Who we Are and Whose We Are

Trusting God When it Seems Illogical

Will You Sit with Me? (Jesus is Calling.)

My Post “Climb Every Mountain” was featured in the August monthly link-up at : Life on Intention Link-up Party

My Post: The Power of your Story was featured here:

My Post “What’s in a Name?” was featured here:

The Luke 2:52 Project

My Post: “Will You Sit with Me?” was featured here:

My Post: “The Journey through Change” was featured here:

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