In today's world of technology, we are more accessible than ever. It's so true - Sometimes all of our plugging in has us completely tuned out. One of my biggest struggles in the past has been my email inbox. It got to the point to where I dreaded even opening it because I knew what was waiting for me. Over the last few months, I've implemented these few tips that have not only rekindled my flame for my email love, but helped me be more productive and reach more people. Have set times to check your email Repeat after me: If someone emails you, it's not urgent. They will call you or track you down in an emergency. So there's no need to check your email each time your smart phone vibrates. Simply put: you will complete a task in the shortest amount of time when you are void of interruptions. I check my email once in the morning, once in the afternoon, and once in the evening to make sure I am responding to my team and customers in a timely manner. Use signatures Credit goes to my friend Pete Wilson for this one. No matter what your [...]

This week, I re-read the story of Mary and Martha. (Head to Luke 10:38-42 for a reminder.) I think any woman seeking to grow in her faith would hope to be Mary in this story - sitting at the feet of Jesus, soaking up His wisdom. However, if we are forced to look beyond the story and examine our own lives, many of us would find more Martha tendencies than we would care to admit. For example...have you ever been rushing to get out the door on Sunday morning because you were singing on the worship team....and skipped your quiet time to make rehearsal? Or have you ever found yourself in seasons where finding time to pray (other than meals & before bed with your kids) was non-existent, yet you somehow found time to teach Vacation Bible School, wash cars for a mission trip fundraiser and deliver advertising posters to local businesses about your church's upcoming women's conference? I could go on...but I think you get my point. Sometimes, we can get so busy doing things for Jesus that it distracts us from Jesus. Am I telling you not to serve? Absolutely not. Giving back to our churches through [...]

"So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:42-45 NLT) I've read and even studied this passage dozens of times in my life. But today, the phrase, "Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant" really jumped out at me. Based on this requirement, there are people who may have positional leadership, but aren't leaders. We can be the manager at our job, the head of our household or even the CEO of a major corporation.... But we still won't be a leader unless we're serving our team. Today, I encourage you to forget your title and just focus on serving others: Would you rather someone introduce you as their boss or their mentor? [...]