About a week ago our developer, Ben came up with a crazy idea.  That idea was changing the whole look of our original layout to the one you see today.  It took me, the owner a while to come up with the layout for the original one and he came up with the new layout in about a week.  And, to be honest I love it.

Additionally, we moved from using the old content management system of Expression Engine which was a good idea at the time, but was a headache trying to use it.  We are now using Wordpress, I know many of you are saying why didn’t we use that in the beginning, the answer is, I don’t know.  But we are going to blame Ben, because he is not here.

For those that are first time visitors, here is a link to what the site use to look like.

The Prosper Magazine 1.0

Any future bloggers or online magazines, please save yourself a head and use Wordpress versus Expression Engine far more user friendly.

Leave any comments on your experience with Wordpress or Expression Engine.  Plus if you know of any useful plugins or tips about Wordpress, please share.

Recommended book to Read:

Building a WordPress Blog People Want to Read

Scott McNulty. Peachpit Press 2008, Paperback, 272 pages, $16.45

Marsha Carter is the successful founder of MyBizNext, LLC and Star Scholars, LLC. MyBizNext, LLC is a management consulting firm dedicated to helping business optimize resources, capitalize on opportunities and increase their productivity.

Marsha Carter’s story is not unique. Her story simply reminds us of the power of perseverance, determination, and endurance.

“I am a firm believer of faith. I believe what God has for me is for me. I do not compare; I admire. ” In August 2005, I left the Buccini Pollin Group as an Accountant.

I was afforded an opportunity to return back to school. Oblivious to the consequences, August 2005 I enrolled into the Master’s of Public Administration program at the University of Delaware. All expenses were to be paid by the college of Urban Affairs and Public Policy…

Challenge question: How do you maintain a grad school 3.0 required gpa, bills, and no real steady income.

Well obviously, MC didn’t totally have the answer. Over time the 3.5 gpa slightly dropped as stress continued to build over how to pay bills. In January 2006, MC with Latonya Maddrey decided to start MyBizNext, LLC. “Initially, it was just a way to generate extra income to support our true desire of founding an education institution.” Shortly after, Mrs. Maddrey headed back to Maryland and left the bleak responsibilities to MC; changing from a multi to a single member LLC.

“One night I had a dream—so real. I woke up in our home and everything was empty. There were people cleaning out our home. I walked down the hall to the bathroom and asked “did you know that someone was living here”. The lady stated, “did you not hear the news, you have to leave.” As I walked back into the room there was a mural on the corner of the room that read “HOPE, FAITH, BELIEVE.” I will never forget that. It was the turning point of my life. I decided to let everything go and in less than 3 months, my children and I were at a shelter – EVERYTHING truck, home, etc gone!

All that was left was my family and God. A formed a different kind of faith and relationship with God. For the first time, I began to understand – “I will supply all your needs.” I walked around one week with $20 in my pocket all week! My perception of homelessness changed. My gratitude changed. My relationship with my children strengthened. I began to admire my son and daughter as they too were so positive. There were days we filled the entire room with the peace of God and vibrations of Shirley Caesar (I can make it) rang in the air. My kids would touch me and each other and speak of just how good God was… Can you imagine?

Anyhow, I decided I wanted to find a job (enough to qualify for subsidize housing), so I could just focus on completing my studies and being there for my children. “I was giving up on this entrepreneurship thing.” In my mind, it left me broke and homeless. I searched high and low and could not find a job whereas 6 months prior to giving up I received at least 3 job offers.

Well that was not what God had for me. One of my most supportive mentors and clients, Joe Abelson, Chairman of Rodney Street Tennis & Tutoring Assoc hired me to write a proposal that would change my life. The catch – “the nonprofit did not have any additional funds. Not sure if they could pay right now.” It was almost like God appeared to me directly and we talked (well I more or less I attempted to rebel) to write this proposal for free. “But Father you know my situation, why would I do this for free. I need to get a job, I’m not allowed out of my room after 11:00pm in the lobby, and shouldn’t I just write the proposal for myself.” Oh yes, the excuses just kept coming. More importantly, the only place I could get a wireless connection was by sitting in the corner of the lobby AND it was due in less than 48 hours. Okay, another turning point. I wrote the proposal, it was awarded, and I was still paid $1,000. Does God know what He’s doing or what?

Let’s just say that as I continued to grow and meet more people, I started to realize more success. I remained an entrepreneur (never gave up). Star Scholars was started to help “eliminate the education gap.” Well I would say that after working very longggg hours and spending many countless hours of sacrifice (financially and with time), since then I have realized a great deal of independence. For many, this is minute. For me, this is major for all I asked from God was that I could do the following:

Live in a 4 bedroom home. I now live in a 6 bedroom home for over a year waiting for a new addition to my family – Faith Marciair (pronounced Mar-cee-air)

Make over $150,000. In cooperation with 2008 and already for 2009, I have nearly reached that goal.

Be home with my children. Although a great challenge, both are currently being homeschooled.

Be able to retire by 35. Although this may need to change to 40, I am very confident that through God’s grace; the businesses created today will enable this to occur.

To me it is not about the money. It is simply that God has provided me with all my needs first and desires second. I strongly believe that because of my faith in Him, He has shown me what He could do. I now can stand naked and tell others just how good He is EVEN in the midst of troubles. There may be gloomy days (I sometimes experience them today), but I know that I know if nothing else; somehow some way it will always work itself out for those who believe. Consequently, through all the trials and tribulations; I stand with God by my side, Edward (my husband), Sierra, Richard and soon to be Faith!

If someone asks what you do, how do you answer? Normally people give a job title or a brief description of their work. Rarely does anyone answer that they work for Christ, unless perhaps they work in ministry or as a missionary. Consider, however, that each Christian is urged in Ephesians 4:1 to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.” Paul is asking believers to take up a lifestyle that reflects Christ in every respect, including the work that they do.

It’s unfortunate that many Christians view their work life as separate from their spiritual life. During the Reformation of the 16th century, Martin Luther made the case that the shoemaker working at his bench was doing God’s work just as much as the priest in the church. It is by our actions out in the world, particularly on our jobs where we spend so many hours, that Christ is made known to others.

Whatever your chosen occupation, your everyday work can indeed by sacred work. If you provide an honest day’s work for your pay, market a product at a fair price, do a job that improves the lives of others, or just plain insist on treating others honestly and respectfully, then you can consider yourself as working for Christ. In this modern, complex world, jobs unsuitable for Christians do exist. However, most modern career fields are excellent opportunities for doing God’s work.

When you head to work, consider yourself heading off to work for Christ. Your every action and word reflect your divine boss to your co-workers. Even in work environments where open discussion of your faith is unwelcome or against company policy, you still have the opportunity to work for Christ. In fact all your words are worthless, if your actions don’t back them up. Colossians 3:17 reminds us that whatever you do in word or deed, “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

The next time you’re asked what you do, consider answering that you work for Christ as an accountant, a salesman, a nurse, a teacher, a waitress, a student or whatever your current occupation.

(all scripture references taken from the New American Standard Bible)

You’re riding high, having survived the interview process, made it through orientation, and settled into a routine at your new job. It comes as a surprise to some new to the ranks of the professional working world that it takes more than showing up everyday to get recognized and offered opportunities to expand your career. Talent alone won’t help you keep a job or move up the corporate ladder. Use these guidelines to prevent disappointments down the road, either in the form of a pink slip or getting passed over for promotion.

1. Be a professional at all times.

You spend a lot of time at the office, but don’t fall into the trap of spending too much time chit-chatting with your co-workers. The office gossip or resident comedian rarely become the office star. You need to strike a balance between friendly relationships and business relationships. In addition, be cautious about revealing too much personal information; this even extends to your participation in social networking websites. It’s true that what you do on your own time doesn’t necessarily impact your employer, but your employer may judge your overall character and reliability based on information gleaned from your personal life.

2. Stay informed.

You need to keep up with what’s going on in your company and in the industry. Read company newsletters and e-mails. Take a few minutes to read the business section of the local newspaper. Ask your boss if they subscribe to any industry specific publications that you can read. Valuable employees are the ones who keep their fingers on the pulse of the business. A key benefit to staying informed is that you are better prepared than less informed co-workers when changes take place and new tasks are assigned.

3. Work like you’re working for yourself.

Approach your job as if each task was contributing to your own personal bottom line. It’s a big mistake to think that your work really doesn’t matter. If the job didn’t need to be done, why would your employer pay you to do it? Recognize that your performance can either help or hurt the company’s bottom line. If this was your company what kind of job would you do each day? Employees who make positive contributions have the most success.

4. Give the job your full attention.

It may sound cliché, but take pride in your work. Pay attention to the details of each assignment. Something as simple as a misplaced decimal can have ominous consequences: 250.00 is just not the same as 2500.00. Find ways to reduce distractions, whether they come from co-workers or events occurring outside work. It really doesn’t matter whether you work in the copy room or as a junior accountant; giving 100% to the job grabs management’s attention.

5. Keep records of your accomplishments and failures.

Every employee should keep a planner or other type of log of their workday. You can do it on paper or in the computer (just back it up). You want to be sure to record important projects or assignments you worked on. Include the results, good and bad. You can use this record when it comes time for your review with your boss. Don’t expect management to remember what you’ve accomplished over the last year. With this written record you can point out your accomplishments and areas that you would like more training in. It provides a means for you to show how your skills and talents benefit the company.

Employers are willing to invest time and money into training and grooming the most outstanding of their employees—take the five steps outlined above to help create a bright future for your career.

One of the most confusing aspects for a Christian trying to have a relationship with God is that it seems like in the midst of when you need God the most, you don’t hear from him. Or, it seems like no matter how much you pray, nothing is getting answered. All Christians go through this. What makes it even more frustrating is that you know that it cannot be from un-confessed sin. What can it be? What is really sad sometimes is that Christians will go back to living in sin when they think that God does not care because it seems prayers do not get answered. But the Christian must understand that God’s ways are not our ways. Just because you don’t see an immediate response to a prayer does not mean God is not working.

What Jesus did Before his Biggest Test

The best example of this was when Jesus was about to go to the cross and he prayed the night before in the Garden of Gethsemane. In Matthew 26:39 (KJV), Jesus petition’s the Father with this request:

And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

God Has a Bigger Plan

Jesus knew that he was about to face the cross. But God had a bigger plan. One that if not implemented would mean that mankind could not be saved from an eternity apart from God. During this period of Jesus’ crucifixion, it appeared that God was not in control but he was. Jesus, while hanging on the cross, cried out to the Father wondering why he had forsaken him. Yet God had a purpose and a plan.

Understanding our Will is Not Priority

The thing we have to remember when we pray is that we make our requests with the understanding that God’s will has priority over our own because God may have something better planned in the big picture. The alternative is to get angry and frustrated with God and go our own way. Then, you definitely won’t get your prayers answered. This whole Christian life journey is about trusting God no matter what.

You might be an avid churchgoer or you might attend when things go wrong but have you ever just stopped and asked yourself, “Just what is a Christian?” If you listen to the media these days, you will get all sorts of viewpoints of what a Christian is. You will get viewpoints of Christians being good, kind, caring people to those who do not give the faith a good name.

Yet one thing is for certain, there is an inconsistent view among non-Christians as to what a Christian is and it could be because many Christians themselves do not fully understand what it means to be a Christian. It is important that a Christian understands just what it means so as to live their lives as an example to others. Let’s look at this further.

A Christian is Not Perfect but Follows a Different Path

A Christian is not a perfect person but rather a forgiven person. Yet all too often, some Christians think that since God always forgives, they can keep sinning because the blood of Jesus Christ will cover their sins from past to present to future. I’m not a Bible scholar but when I read my Bible, It’s clear to me that there has to be a repentant spirit when one comes to seek salvation from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Repentance means that a person heading in the wrong direction turned one day and begin heading in the right direction—following Jesus and seeking God’s will. It means that the person’s affections changed from Godless to seeking God. It means that one day a person began to have a relationship with God whereas before there was none.

Repentance will Have Evident Works

Read Acts Chapter 19. You’ll see that as the Apostle Paul went around casting out demons in Ephesus, there were others who were trying to do the same but were not doing so under the power of God. They were using other magic and sorcery spells to try to achieve the same result until a demon in one person said enough and proceeded to violently beat upon them. This one event caused many to openly confess that they were wrong in their ways and burned their Godless scrolls and turned to follow the true God’s ways. This was repentance and this is what the world sees in true Christians. You will see evident works along with consistency.

A Christian is Called to Reflect the Light

A Christian who is truly seeking to advance the Kingdom of God is doing so in such a manner as to direct focus from himself or herself and towards the light which is Jesus Christ. Now what does that mean? Well, a true Christian has a desire to tell others about Jesus Christ who is the light of the World. A mirror, if pointed just right, will redirect and reflect light from one source to a target and it can be adjusted by shifting it in different directions.

It is best explained in the Bible by this passage in 1 John 1:5-6 (KJV): ⁵This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. ⁶If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth

A Christian is representative of that mirror that reflects the light. By a Christian’s actions and words, unbelievers can be influenced and directed towards the light.

Actions Sound Louder than Words

Notice both actions and words are mentioned and actions should be given priority over words. Words are cheap and meaningless today. You see politicians get up on television and mention God to get elected yet you see them get into all sorts of trouble due to immorality or unethical behavior. Actions not only speak louder than words but scream louder than words when it comes to a Christian because the world watches this group very closely.

Christlike

One way that helps guide me as a Christian is to be like Christ (which is what “Christian” means anyways). You will also know this by “What would Jesus do.” A minister portrayed it to us very well one evening in church. He said, “I could never picture Jesus riding on a white horse through Marlboro Country and I could never picture him being silent if a cashier gave too much change back.” Jesus gave us a fine example of Christianity but we have to ask him to come into our hearts first and we must change our direction towards Him in order to be a true Christian.

Further Reading

What’s So Great about Christianity

Dinesh D’Souza. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. 2008, Paperback, 368 pages, $9.04

Planning and preparing for lean times

Layoffs are a fact of life these days. It is rare that you will work for your company for the next 30 to 40 years. And even though we all know this to be true, we still do not prepare or have a plan for when the unfortunate event happens. Sometimes I hear Christians make a simple statement like, “Well, I’ll just put it in God’s hands.” While I do admire the person’s faith, I also see this person has no plan. God wants us to have faith but he also gave us the ability to plan and prepare for lean times in the future. If you don’t think so, just look at the wise ant in the Book of Proverbs:

Layoffs are a fact of life these days. It is rare that you will work for your company for the next 30 to 40 years. And even though we all know this to be true, we still do not prepare or have a plan for when the unfortunate event happens. Sometimes I hear Christians make a simple statement like, “Well, I’ll just put it in God’s hands.” While I do admire the person’s faith, I also see this person has no plan. God wants us to have faith but he also gave us the ability to plan and prepare for lean times in the future. If you don’t think so, just look at the wise ant in the Book of Proverbs:

Consider the Ant

In Proverbs 6:6-8 (KJV) Solomon says, “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.”

The common response to layoff preparation is, “Well, I’ll just go draw unemployment.” That’s not a plan. Did you know that unemployment compensation is about the minimum wage which is not a living wage in America? Drawing unemployment compensation is an individual choice. I personally prefer not to and having been laid off twice have yet to run to the unemployment office. The problem with unemployment compensation is that it goes against the Biblical truth of “If a man does not work he should not eat” and it places an enormous burden on our social systems.

1 Timothy 5:8 (KJV) says, But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Options: Think outside the box

The best way to prepare for a layoff is create other sources of income that you can fall back on when you lose your job. For example, many computer programmers are losing their jobs in America to companies in India. What should a computer programmer do? Well, the computer programmer can work just like the person from India and be an independent outsourcer of computer programming services too. The American programmer may have to reduce prices in order to compete with offshore programmers but over time prices can be raised as customer demand and satisfaction increases.

That’s just one idea. People have been known to start handyman services for when things break around the house or something needs maintenance. It doesn’t take much to start out as a sole proprietor. It just takes finding out what you are good at and then going for it.

Many young Christians just starting out in the work force and fresh out of college will find themselves working in a place that they would rather not stay too long. You’ve heard of these places. They are known among your colleagues as the “sweatshop.“ The sweatshop is that place where the pay and working conditions are not the greatest. It is that entry-level job right out of college. The trap the Christian falls into many times is saying that this job in the sweatshop is not God’s will and use that as an excuse to justify poor performance. But did you know that this job you’ve been given by God could be exactly his will and how your future goes depends on how you perform today?

God Uses the Sweatshop

Think about Joseph in the Old Testament. If anyone got treated unfairly by mankind it was Joseph. But his sweatshop experience of serving his masters in prison after being unjustly accused by Potiphar’s wife is an example for all of us to follow.

Do it Even if you do not like it

Take a look at this scripture here from the Bible:

Matthew 21:28-32 (KJV)

28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. 29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. 30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. 31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

The first guy didn’t like it and voiced it too. But when he had a change of heart due to a repentant spirit, he went ahead and got it done. The other just lied and said he would do it but didn’t. Ask yourself which one is the poor testimony?

Whatever Your Hand Finds to Do

Do it as unto the Lord. The verse in Ecclesiastes 9:10 make it very clear how you are supposed to work:

Ecclesiastes 9:10 (KJV)

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

It Shows Your Boss Something Different

You have to remember never to compromise your Christian standards but when your boss is directing you within in the limits of your Christian convictions you should listen to him or her and follow directions. This is especially true in a sweatshop as your boss typically hears all of the complaining from the other employees.

Now, just because you are compliant, does not mean that your boss will suddenly subscribe to Christianity. He or she might even find your compliant reactions a little odd when compared with others. And you don’t need to go overboard with it either. Remember that is God who does the work to change your boss’s heart towards faith in Jesus. You are commanded to do God’s will and be the best employee you possibly can so that you will be faultless before your boss and represent Christianity well.

The title probably draws your attention as you might be heading to college or recently graduated from college and entering the work force. You are career-minded and want to start it off right and be very successful at it. But before you embark on your career journey, you should know what the most important career is. You should know about the career that rarely offers second chances if you fail at it. And, you should know about the career that contributes the most to others for their future careers. That is the career of being a family person. It is the career that you must focus on first and put your other career (accountant, lawyer, nurse, etc.) second.

Be a Family Person

I say “family person” as a general term to refer to husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, and adult children. Family person does not necessarily only deal with marriage or parenting. The term also refers to the child who grew to an adult and still has relationships with his or her parents and grandparents. The career of being a family person is a very critical and important one that most employers have very little concern for (in spite of what they say)

Many People Put Family Second and Career First

You’ve heard it before: “Family first.” Yet so many young people in their early adult years ignore it either because of fear of their boss or an overwhelming desire to climb the corporate ladder as quickly as possible.

I attended a funeral a couple of years ago for a friend I had known for quite a few years. In his 50s, he came down with cancer and died in a short time despite efforts to treat it. He was a friend and we also shared the same profession. During the funeral, many got up before the audience and told their stories. His children, now in their teenage years, got up and told us stories about their adventures with their dad. But not one person got up before the audience and told stories about his career pursuits or vocational achievements.

Few will talk about your career when you die

And guess what? When you die, few will talk of your career at your funeral too. No, they will talk about how you shared time with them, how you shared happy and sad moments with them, and how you helped them when in need. Take a moment and try to view off in the future and think about how that will be. What would they say about you at your funeral?

So what if your boss makes demands on you that consistently rob you of time with your family? What do you do? Quit? I’m talking about demands that have been going on for quite some time and give no indication of letting up (not just the occasional overtime).

“You can always get another job but you only get one family.”

A wise, aged, man told a young professional who was working all kinds of hours that, “You can always get another job but you only get one family.” And, he continued on to say, “No one has respect for a ‘yes’ man.”

His point is that you only get one chance at this family thing and you need to set boundaries and limits with your employer. Your most important “career” is to take care of family whether it is being a dad, or a mom, or an adult child taking care of your aging parents. These are the things that after your relationship with God matter first. Taking care of your family pleases God. And if you lose your job because of an employer who is unreasonable then consider this verse from the Bible:

Matthew 6:33 (KJV) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

To put it simply: God wants you to take care of your family. That is his will without a doubt. Do his will in this area and he will take care of you as the verse says. Someday, you will look back and not have any regrets having made a decision to put the family “career” before your professional career.

If you can see the invisible, God can do the impossible, so dream the Incredible.

As a success coach, I am often challenged to help people develop vision that sees the invisible and believes that anything is possible. When I think of vision, I am reminded of a child who has an imaginary friend. With their imaginary friend in tow, that child pursues situations and obstacles with a consistent confidence and enthusiastic expectation that is unparalleled in the world today. I often wonder why our minds don’t allow us to think and act as children when it comes to taking the necessary risks and faith walks to live an incredible life filled with dream fulfillment and passion, abundance, confidence and expectation.

As adults, we don’t believe in imaginary friends, but when you have vision, you see possibilities and results that are not visible to others. Being a visionary is an important key to becoming the Incredible You. When you have vision, you have victory. One of my favorite personal statements that I created when I first started working with other people as a success coach was “if you can see the invisible, God can do the impossible, so dream the Incredible.“ When I say this statement each day, I am focusing on helping people to become visionaries for their lives and the lives of their family members. Situations are changed because of vision. Nothing great in this life was ever accomplished without vision. Think of anyone that you admire in this world. No matter whom they are and how significant their triumph, they possessed an uncanny ability to see the invisible and do the impossible, otherwise, you would not look up to them.

When you have the foresight to see those things that do not exist currently but know in your heart, mind and spirit that they will come to pass, you are becoming a visionary, much like the people you admire. No vision is too small and I admonish you not to compare your triumphs with that of others as we are all on an individual journey. Visionaries think outside of the box. Visionaries are able to do things a little differently to get a victorious result. Visionaries never give up because they don’t know what is coming around the next corner. It is always too early to throw in the towel on your hopes, dreams and desires.

Vision is the key to maximizing and unlocking your potential. Not a visionary? Make a non-negotiable decision that the time is now to receive the victory in your life. You can be a visionary as soon as you realize that all that it takes is for you to be able to say right now that you are able to accomplish that which you desire to do. If you can see it, it can be a reality. Do you have faith and believe that you can do anything that you put your mind to? In this time of economic downturn, vision is looking at your checkbook and getting excited because the money is on the way. Although you can’t see it now, you have full knowledge and belief that you possess what it takes to move from victim to visionary. If you want to have victory, you have to be optimistic. Is your glass half full? When your glass is half full, you are closing in on your victory. When you are able to see clearly those things which do not yet exist, you are walking in a liberating victory because those dreams, goals and desires are just an action away from becoming reality and catapulting you into a personal triumph.

Having vision is pivotal if you want to achieve anything in life. So think, see and then do. You can do it, Incredible One. I believe in you. The Incredible You is waiting; he or she is standing just behind your vision.