Love

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” ( John 3:16 NIV).

In this Christmas season our topic this month is love. There are numerous feelings, words, emotions, ECT that come to mind when we think of love. It does not matter economic status, race, or gender, at the end of the day all we really want is love.

Love is so very important, that someone once asked Jesus which command was the most important. He answered, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:36-38).

Love can fall into three categories EPA:
Eros – This is most categorized when someone states “I’m in love”. This love gives you that warm fuzzy feeling, strong sensual passion, and queasy stomach feeling. Eros is dependent upon situations and circumstances. As long as things are going great you are in love however when things go really wrong and mean and hurtful things are said these feelings can evaporate over time.

Philia – Derived from Philadelphia the city of brotherly love. This type of love is friendship, best friends, and mutual interest in some of the same things. This type of love is also fickle and can fade away depending upon the circumstance.

Agape – This type of love is unlike the previous two. With this love it is based on a commitment you make. No matter what you will love. Choosing to love your enemies when the despitefully use you, turning the other cheek when you don’t want to. God’s love was agape when he gave his only son so that we might have life.

In the coaching world I like to use the acronym EPA: Evaluate, Plan, and Act. By evaluating your life, having a plan, and acting on the results of the plan your life can be balanced. Where there is balance there is love. Relationships work not because of love, but because of the commitment. The same thing holds true when transforming your life. The transformation works not because of the action, but because of the commitment to that action.

Evaluation – The first thing that I have my client to do when coming to coaching is to evaluate where they are at present. We can’t get to where we need to be unless we recognize where we are at. We evaluate 8 different categories of life. This evaluation gives us a picture of what the client wants to work on while coaching.

Plan – Once we have found out where the client is we then develop plans to move forward along the journey. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. At this stage an accountability partner is key.

Action – No matter how much we evaluate and plan if not put to action it becomes null and void. Action is where the client starts to implement the plan. This stage will not work without commitment. This stage does not work solely because of action but it works because of the commitment to the action.

I encourage to come up with your own EPA. Once you have identified your EPA develop a way for this EPA to lead to a balanced life. Once your life is balanced you will love. The greatest thing you will ever learn is to love and be loved in return.

Action Step - Identify your own EPA. Once you have completed this task e-mail me on meverett24@verizon.net for your free introductory session. We will create a plan so that you can start living your life in and on purpose.
Have a safe and happy holiday.

Reaping and Sowing

In this season of Thanksgiving, I sat down earlier in the week to reflect on the things that I had to be thankful for. What I recognized was that I did not have enough paper to express how good God has been to me. I have been blessed with awesome family and friends. God has always stationed the right people in my life and continues to do so.

I wrote an article a couple of weeks ago titled “The Hand You Were Dealt” and I must say I have been dealt a really good hand. My life has certainly not been without struggles, but even through the struggles I would not want another deal. I am especially thankful for my parents. I was adopted at 3 months old and God gave me the best option there was. I don’t know my biological parents but I thank them for giving me the best opportunity. It is not where you start the race it is where you finish.

I was raised in a Christian home reared by loving and caring parents. Even my extended family is really cool. As God has blessed me with a family, I only hope that I am half the wife and mother that my mother has been to my father and me. I have been married to a wonderful man for the past 17 years, and those that really know me wonder why he has been married to me for so long. Well someone has to do it. We have a beautiful daughter that was 1lb 2oz at birth and now is a healthy 13 year old. Any of you with teens no nothing else needs to be said about this age. She is ADHD with the dominant trait being hyperactivity. In our family God has blessed her with this trait as a survival mechanism. My husband and I both have really strong personalities and I am bouncing off the walls all over the place so it works really well in our family. As a matter of fact, I maybe ADHD myself.

I have been blessed with great careers and really good bosses and co-workers, all of which have prepared me for my life as a Christian Life Coach. In your spare time I want you to reflect on what has your whole life prepared you for? When you take an honest assessment you will be surprised of the results. OK enough about my great life. Did I mention I have had struggles? Just wanted to make sure it has not always been peaches and cream but I would not trade this hand for the world.
When I think about Reaping and Sowing which is our theme for this month it speaks perfectly to the coach/client relationship. The coach is always sowing (techniques, strategies, action plans, etc) into the client’s life. The client in return reaps the benefits (transformation, accomplishments, results etc). When the coaching relationship is done properly your client’s lives as well as your life will never be the same. Transformation will occur that changes their lives for the rest of their lives.

The point is this: "whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully”. (2 Corinthians 9:6 ESV).

I will share a real life coaching scenario with you. The name has been changed to protect the innocent.
Morgan: Hello Coach Marsha
Marsha: Hello Morgan how are you? Before we get started I’d like to open us in prayer.
Morgan: Great
Marsha: What has brought you to coaching?
Morgan: Well I am at my wits end. I have no clear direction in my life about anything. I hate my job, I have no savings, my family life is a wreck, and nothing in my life thus far has gone according to my plans. I have absolutely no direction. This is my last ditch effort for things to work out.
Marsha: Well Morgan let me thank you for caring enough about your life that you are willing to make some changes. Believe it or not your situation is not unique. Most people seeking coaching are in your same shoes. Morgan you have to put first things first. If you were to take a trip you would not blindly just start traveling. You would map out your course. You have to do the same thing with your life. Secondly, it is not about what you have planned for your life it is what the creator has planned for your life. Galatians 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mothers’ womb and called me through His grace (NKJV).
Morgan: That’s just it I have no idea which direction to head in or what he has called me to do.
Marsha: Let’s start off by defining what is the most important problem you want to solve?
Morgan: What is my purpose?
Marsha: Well Morgan the first thing that I recommend is that you complete a Spiritual Gifts Assessment. The reason for doing this is, until you clearly understand what God has purposed you to do you are not living on purpose. Each one of us has been given special talents and abilities that are specifically designed for us. Once you realize what your gifts are we will built a plan around those gifts. These gifts will answer and explain exactly what role in your life you should be playing. Does this make sense Morgan?
Morgan: It makes perfect sense. Once I identify what my gifts are I can then plan my actions/goals around those gifts correct?
Marsha: Correct for example, if one of your gifts is leadership then the roles you seek should be leadership roles in your career, church, other organizations etc). I am also going to encourage you to complete The Wheel of Life. This Wheel of Life allows you to self-assess in eight key areas. This Wheel will help you determine which areas to work on. Morgan we have 5 more minutes left is there anything else you would like to discuss today before we close our session?
Morgan: No I just feel a whole lot better about mapping things out. Just that one piece of information explaining the Spiritual Gifts Assessment has given me a new look on things. I am going to enjoy coaching with you.
Marsha: Great let’s go ahead and lock into our session for next week. This is the number and time that you will call. What would be a good action step for this week Morgan?
Morgan: To complete the Spiritual Gifts Assessment and The Wheel of Life.
Marsha: Great now on a scale of 1-10 how likely are you to complete both? Also I always give scripture for the week to ponder. The scripture for this week is Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, “declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (NIV).
Morgan: 10 I will complete the steps and read the recommended scripture.
Marsha: Ok then that is your action step for this week is to complete Spiritual Gifts Assessment and The Wheel of Life. You will also read Jeremiah 29:11. It has been a pleasure speaking with you on today. Let’s close in prayer.
This is a typical session that shows the Reaping and Sowing principal.

Action Step - Sit down with a sheet of paper and divide the paper into half. List Reaping on one side and Sowing on the other. Identify where you see the principal.

I am happy to guide you along your journey. Hope this article has been informational and peaks your interest to want more. Please contact me on meverett24@verizon.net so that we can set up an introductory session.

And You Thought Dragons Didn’t Exist!!!!

While sitting at my dining room table recently, I made the statement and you thought dragons didn’t exist. My daughter and her girlfriend immediately commented. Dragons don’t exist, they are just fictional animals. I laughed and said but they do. Both of them said really? I said yes really. It was really fun explaining my definition of dragons to them.

According to Webster’s Dictionary dragons are defined as 1) a huge serpent or snake, 2) a mythical monster generally represented as a huge, winged reptile with crested head and enormous claws and teeth, and often spouting fire, 3) a fierce violent person, and 4) Satan. These are just a few of those listed.
When I think of dragons, I think of a mythical huge, winged reptile with crested head, and enormous claws and teeth spouting fire. They are fictitious, not real, only found in tales. As I thought long and hard about this, I recognized that dragons come in many forms.

Dragons are (fear, anxiety, depression, guilt, substance abuse, pride, envy, jealously, low self-esteem, etc) anything that is negative in your life can be a dragon. The good news is that you have the ability, to capture the dragon. How does one capture a dragon? First, know that your life has value and significance. Release past negative experiences and focus on a positive future. Create goals and plans for your live. Capturing the dragon is the courage to change the things that we can.

God can slay the dragon. We are to change those things that we can, and let God handle the rest. God established your value and significance when he died on the cross for your sins. We must recognize that we have to be totally dependent upon God to slay our dragons.

He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak (Isaiah 59:17 ESV). This is God’s protection.

What dragons exist in your life? Write those dragons down and let’s create a plan to capture them. Once captured, we will allow God to completely slay them.

Action Step – For this week refuse to allow negative thoughts to creep into your mind. Keep a notebook with you and divide a page in half. Each time you have a negative thought write it down on one side. On the other side of the paper replace it with a positive thought.

E-Mail me for a free introductory session so that we can discuss your dragons and your negative thoughts. I’d like to assist you with creating a plan so that you can eliminate your dragons.

ACCOUNTABILITY

In 2009 accountability is a joke. Companies that have benefited from bailouts are but not limited to, Bank Of America Corp, American International Group Inc (AIG), Citigroup Inc, and General Motors just to name a few. How can we expect to teach our children about responsibility, when all the major institutions around them are receiving bailout money for not being responsible.

When there is no oversight or accountability, irresponsibility is your final result. When I make bad business decisions the federal government does not come to my rescue. Not only were these companies bailed out, they continued to pay their top executives salaries and bonuses. Help me out here how does one get a bonus when you have mismanaged your funds?

The most significant part of the coaching relationship is accountability. If my client and I don’t have a mutual agreement for being accountable to each other, the relationship does not work. I have read numerous books on coaching were entire chapters are dedicated to accountability.

Anytime you are changing a habit accountability has to be part of that change. When clients are held accountable they buy into the process therefore, increasing the likelihood of accomplishing their goals.

In the larger picture God holds us accountable. Although he forgives us of our sins we are still going to be held accountable. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil (2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV).

The next time someone does not hold their end of the deal up, hold them accountable. It does not mean that you don’t’ forgive them for not following through, forgiveness has nothing to do with accountability.

If you are seeking to make some positive changes in your life contact me so that I can become your accountability partner. I can be reached on marsha@gospel360online.com. I look forward to offering you a free introductory session.

Vision Boarding

A wonderful tool that I use with my clients is vision boarding and mind mapping. By encouraging my clients to do a vision board it not only brings their goals to reality it also serves as a tool for accountability.
What is a vision board? A vision board is a collage of motivational quotes, pictures, magazine clippings, articles, etc anything visual you can think of to bring your goals to reality.

Not only do I encourage my clients to do them I do them as well. The first thing that I do prior to starting my board is getting in a quite space so that I am able to focus. I start out by identifying a vision statement for example. I will start an exercise program a few times per week in order to lose weight and maintain a healthy body weight.
Once I have created my vision statement I then start to bring it all together. I use several steps to create this board.

1. Put First Things First – Map out exactly what is going to go on the board (pictures, quotes, timelines, etc).
2. Begin With The End In Mind – Decide how I want the goal to manifest itself in the end (themes, stories).
3. Whatever you decide to use (poster board, cork board, journal) glue your pictures, quotes, themes, timelines, etc on the board. This is where you become very creative through writing, painting, coloring, whatever feels good to you. Themes can be Spiritual, Health/Wellness, Career, Recreational etc.
4. Optional put a picture of you in the middle of the board.
5. Make sure it is where you can see it daily.
“Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it”. (Habakkuk 2:3 ESV).

Action Step: Think of a goal you would like to accomplish and start gathering the necessary materials needed to get a board done. Call me for a free introductory session so that you can start your journey to fulfilling your vision. I can be reached on meverett24@verizon.net.

Swot Yourself To The New You

SWOT analysis is a tool used to audit an organization and its environment. Individuals can use this same tool to audit and organize their lives. SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. I use SWOT to capitalize my client’s strengths, enhance their weakness, embrace their opportunities and recognize the threats.

The dictionary has several definitions for strength. I like vigor of action, language, feeling, etc. as my working definition. I encourage my clients to be vigorous in their action, saying what they mean and meaning what they say, and being passionate about the choices and decisions they are embarking upon. Some of the questions we explore are: What are you passionate about? What is it that you do well? What strengths do others see in you? Everyone has unique strengths and talents that they have been blessed with. Once we discover our unique strengths I work with my clients to maximize those attributes.

We all have weak areas. A slight fault or defect. These defects are to be recognized and enhanced. I don’t encourage belaboring over the weaknesses. We recognize those weaknesses and develop a plan to enhance the defect. I believe in maximizing the strengths. It is more efficient to be performing at 90% of your strengths and bringing up 10% to equal perfection as opposed to being 10% efficient and having to raise your performance by 90%. Questions we explore when enhancing weaknesses are: What are you not good at? What area would others say is your weakness? What activities do you favor and what things do you stay away from?

Opportunity a chance for progress or advancement. A situation or condition favorable for attainment of a goal and a good position, chance, or prospect, as for advancement or success. All of us have opportunities in life. Often times we miss opportunities, because of fear. No matter what issue my client brings to me, there is always an opportunity. Sometimes the opportunity is not clear cut but, there is always opportunity in every situation. Opportunities come out of strengths that have been identified. Questions we explore when looking at opportunities: How can we make this a win/win for all parties? What current resources do you already have? If you could not fail how would your life be impacted?

Like everything in life there is a positive/negative, good/bad, etc. With that said when looking at opportunities we also have to look at threats. What will impede my clients from moving from point a to point b? Threat an indication or warning of probable trouble. When we are exploring change we have to identify the threats associated with these changes. Questions we explore: What or who will impede you from accomplishing the action step? If you don’t make this change how does it affect everything else? What are the benefits if any of not changing? Our ultimate goal when identifying the threat is eventually turning it into opportunity.

SWOT yourself to the new you:
S = The Lord is the strength of my life whom shall I fear (Psalm 27:1 KJV).
W = But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV).
O = Opportunity I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day, the night cometh, when no man can work (John 9:4). We have to seize opportunity.
T = Threat “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper” (Isaiah 54:17 KJV).
Action Step – Review the questions that are explored when using SWOT. Answer those questions so that we can review them in our free introductory session. I can be reached to set up an appointment on mevertt24@verizon.net.

How To Plant Your Garden

How to Plant Your Garden
First, you come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses

For the garden of your daily living,
Plant three rows of peas:

Peace of mind
Peace of heart
Peace of soul


Plant four rows of squash:

Squash gossip
Squash indifference
Squash grumbling
Squash selfishness


Plant four rows of lettuce:

Let us be faithful
Let us be kind
Let us be patient
Let us love one another


No garden is without turnips:

Turn up for meetings
Turn up for service
Turn up to help one another


To conclude our garden we must have thyme:

Time for each other
Time for family
Time for friends


Water freely with patience and cultivate with love.
There is much fruit in your garden because you reap what you sow.
-- Author Unknown

Are You Wealthy or Are You Wealthy?

How many times have you said to yourself, why does it appear those living any old kind of way continues to prosper? I know some CME folks (Christmas, Mother’s Day and Easter) church goers. God is the farthest thing away from their mind. They continue to get stuff and things while I other the other hand, stay on my knees, attend church service every Sunday, bible study on Wednesday you name it. It all seems so unfair!!! Fortunately, I now know that this is the trick of the devil.

When it is all said and done guess what? 1) We all die 2) You take nothing with you. No matter how much wealth you have, you can’t buy your way out of the grave. Be careful that you are not envious of your neighbors stuff because they have to die and leave it here. When was the last time you thought about your mortality? All the things you have someone will have to do something with those things when you die. If you don’t believe me read Psalm 49:16-17 “Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him”. (ESV)

When we start to understand our Purpose we become wealthy. Our life purpose should be to live like God. “Even when you are doing well, living on-purpose and making a difference, God will prune your life back and lead you into outwardly-unproductive wilderness seasons to gain a greater grip on your heart”. (Tony Stoltzfus – A leader’s life purpose).

As a Christian Life Coach I am constantly confirming with my clients that God has a purpose for their lives. You were born by design. Living on purpose is living that life that God has called you to live. One of the first things I do is administer a Spiritual Gifts Assessment Questionnaire. Once you know your spiritual gift everything else is centered on those gifts.
Living on purpose is doing what you were born to do. The assessment provides you with direction. You will be amazed once you know what you are suppose to do your life is completely transformed.

When you are living in and on purpose you have secured your seat in the kingdom. With that said are you wealthy (worldly) or are you wealthy (spiritually). I am spiritually wealthy. I don’t care what happens in this world God has promised me that if I am obedient he will give me a home somewhere in his kingdom.
Let’s live life on purpose. Purpose Driven Life Coaching is here to guide you along the journey. “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 ESV).

Action Step – Create a list divide that list into 3 parts (things you have to have, things that make no difference either way and things you can absolutely do without). Once complete contact me meverett24@verizon.net I am happy to provide you with a free introductory session to discuss and evaluate your list.

The Hand You Were Dealt

We have all at some point in our lives thought how did I end up in this family, with these people? No matter what hand you were dealt you are right where God has purposed you to be. Even Jesus came from an interesting and eclectic group. Jesus family line included prostitutes, adulterers, spies, wise men and fools. If Jesus family line had such a mixture why not ours? Esther, a Jewish queen, the scripture says was born “for such a time as this.”

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb”. (Psalm 139:13 ESV). Often times individuals seek Life Coaching because they are not clear about what their life’s purpose is, why they are here, and where do they go from here. The first thing that one must recognize is that there are situations that you have control over, and there are situations that you have absolutely no control over. Those things that you can control you do so the things you can’t you Let Go And Let God. Always keep your eye on God and not the situation.

No matter what hand you were dealt you can’t change people you have to change you. Questions you have to ask yourself 1) what role did I play in the situation? 2) where did I give up my power? 3) If this situation or circumstance is beyond my control how can I chose to experience it differently?
Think about a deck of cards and the suits. Some cards are better than others, depending on what game you are playing. It does not matter though the game, the hand or card you were dealt is what you have to deal with. You can certainly ask yourself how things would have been if this one card were different. How might it have impacted the other significant areas of your life?

As a Christian think about the cards you were dealt. Think about how all of your life experiences have prepared you for where you are today. Take comfort in “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)

Action Step – Think about what has your whole life prepared you to do? Write this information down then contact me meverett24@verizon.net and I will provide you with a free introductory session to move you forward so that you are able to start living life on purpose.
Some parts of this article were taken from http://www.autumansaints.com

What Christian Life Coaching Is Not

What is Christian Life Coaching? If you google Christian Life Coaching you will find pages and pages of links leading to Christian Life Coaching. Wikipedia defines Life Coaching as "a practice with the aim of helping clients determine and achieve personal goals. How then does Christian Life Coaching differ from mentoring, therapy, or consulting?



Christian Life Coaching is a one-on-one relationship that focus on support and accountability, to guide an individual to living life on purpose. Coaches are change experts, that lead the way for individuals to maximize their potential. Coaches guide individuals to solutions, rather than tell them what the solution is. Malcolm Knowles, Designs for Adult Learning sums it up this way, "Your own insight is much more powerful than my advice".



Mentoring is sharing one's life experience with a mentee, who then draws from the mentors experiences and bases their solutions on what has worked for the mentor. Mentors functions more like teachers, and advisors. Mentors will direct individuals to take action.



Therapy focuses on past issues and treatment that helps painful memories. Therapy is based on curing human dysfunction, whereas Coaching deals with individuals that are functional yet are not maximizing their potential, based on environmental and interpersonal situations.



Consultants are hired by individuals or companies to look at the current situation for the purpose of offering solutions. The consultant will diagnose the problem and offer a solution to correct that problem.



Individuals are most often aware that changes need to be made but have no idea how to make those changes. Christian Life Coaching guides the individual along the journey of change. Assessment of an individuals strengths, area of growth, and finding balance between all of these things is an important part of the coaching process. Where I am now and where I want to be is what defines coaching.



Purpose Driven Life Coaching will assist the individual with Living on Purpose. In order for you to live on purpose you have to know your purpose!



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