What inspired you to write “Daily Decrees: for Women of Substance?” Was there a personal moment or experience that led you to begin writing decrees?
December 1, 2024 I sat down to write in my Gratitude Journal as is my morning routine. Instead of writing what I was thankful for from my past, the Lord put in my heart to look to the future instead of the past. It is good to be thankful for our past and present. However, our future is in the power of our words. Hence, our daily decrees.
You emphasize the power of Job 22:28 in “Daily Decrees.” How has that verse specifically shaped your spiritual and professional journey?
Job 22:28 specifically reminds the reader that we hold power. The person who speaks these words to Job, says this phrase as if it is common knowledge that when we decree a thing it must be established.
How do you define a “Woman of Substance” in today’s world, and how do decrees help women step into that identity?
Women of Substance in Luke 8:3 funded Jesus’ ministry. I believe the Lord is raising up women in this age to do the work of the Gospel. To feed the hungry, clothe the naked, house the homeless, care for the sick, as well as share the message of Jesus’ love. In Jesus’ day all of these things required funds, and today, all of these activities require funding.
If those who are called to carry out this mandate are living in lack, how can we help others? It is impossible to pour from an empty cup. Daily Decrees for Women of Substance provides the Word needed to be filled with Truth so we are able to care for others.
What unique challenges do Christian entrepreneurs face when starting a business—and how does “The Spirit-Led Entrepreneur” address those challenges?
The entrepreneur who wishes to be Spirit-Led must first submit to the Holy Spirit by accepting Jesus as Lord. If he is Lord then, just like we must submit to an earthly employer, we must learn to be sensitive to our Lord’s leading.
We have all had “a feeling” that we shouldn’t do X or work with Y. That feeling is not our own “intuition” that is the Holy Spirit trying to guide us. Sadly, I have chosen to ignore the guide in the past and paid the consequences.
The Spirit-Led Entrepreneur, offers guidance from the point of view of a business attorney who is also a business owner.
You talk about aligning a business with Christian values. What practical steps can an entrepreneur take to ensure their business remains faith-centered?
Above all else, Jesus said, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all things will be added to you.” When we seek Him first, He will direct our steps to success.
Jesus also said, “be wise as serpents but gentile as doves.” We are to be wise in our dealings with others, and do so with kindness (instead of ruthless).
Why do you believe it’s important for Christian entrepreneurs to work with attorneys and accountants who share their faith?
Advisors such as accountants and attorneys have a world view. If their world view is contrary to the entrepreneur’s world view, then there is no synergy. Lack of synergy causes confusion. Confusion causes chaos. Business start-up is hard enough without conflicting advice.
How do you personally stay spirit-led in your business decisions, especially when navigating high-stakes legal or financial matters?
When the stakes are higher, it is easier to mess up. Here is an analogy. If I am carrying a glass of water that is only ⅓ full, then I can walk around with less thought about how fast we are walking or how we are carrying the glass. The chances of an accidental spillage are low. Therefore less care is required because the stakes are not that high. However, if we are carrying a glass that is full to the rim with grape juice and we are walking on a white carpet, there is less margin for error. Less margin for error requires more skill and more wisdom with each step. To be Spirit-Led means we follow His prompting in regard to our steps.
You have a rare combination of legal, financial, and entrepreneurial expertise. How do those disciplines work together in your work with Vision Growth Partners?
My unique combination of experience allows me to see pitfalls that other attorneys without this experience lack the ability to successfully assist clients in more than one area of business. On the other side of the equation, I hear business coaches tell clients to do things that may have been right for the coach, but the coach lacks the legal knowledge to properly advise their client. (Also, practicing law without a license is a felony in all 50 US states)
What’s the most common mistake you see first-time entrepreneurs make—and how can they avoid it?
The most common mistake I see first time entrepreneurs make is they do not budget for marketing. They think that customers will simply materialize because they opened their doors or set up a web-site.
For women who are both business-minded and deeply rooted in their faith, what advice would you give about balancing ambition with spiritual obedience?
The desire to succeed comes from the Creator. He wants us to succeed more than we want to succeed. The Apostle Paul wrote that our God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. The prophet Isaiah wrote that the Lord’s ways are higher than our ways. No matter how high we set our own goals and aspirations, The Lord’s aspirations for us are higher.
In “The Spirit-Led Entrepreneur”, you outline 13 steps to business success. Which of those steps do you think is most overlooked but most critical?
The most overlooked and critical step is to be generous. The Lord wants us to succeed. Not simply so we can have stuff. However, He is not against nice things. He wants us to succeed so we will be a conduit of His blessings. He wants people fed, housed, clothed, healed, and blessed. The more He can trust us to be a blessing to others, the more He will bless us.
What’s the difference between a confession, affirmation, proclamation, and decree—and why do you believe decrees hold divine authority?
A confession is admitting something. A criminal may confess to committing a crime.
An affirmation is the act of saying or agreeing that something is true. If you are called to the witness stand in a court of law, you will be asked to affirm your name.
A proclamation is a public announcement. When Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, he made a public announcement that enslaved people in the states that seceded from the Union were no longer enslaved.
A decree is a binding authoritative enactment or edict. Historically, when a King (or Queen) made a decree, it was binding and irrevocable.
In the book of Esther, King Xerxes made a decree that on a certain date all those who were of Jewish descent could be killed and their property taken. After this decree, Esther intervenes. However, King Xerxes could not repeal the decree, but he could issue another decree. In Esther 8: 8 the king tells Esther and Mordecai to write an additional decree referencing & adding to the previous decree and no one will be able to revoke it.
How should readers personalize and apply the decrees in Daily Decrees to see real transformation in their lives?
There is plenty of space on the pages of this book for the reader to personalize each decree. The book utilizes old King James Version scripture, but people do not speak this way anymore. I encourage the reader to find the scriptures in their favorite translation or paraphrase of the Holy Bible, and then formulate their own decrees.
For instance: Day 6 “I decree that I walk worthy of the vocation wherewith I am called with all lowliness and meekness, longsuffering, forbearing one another in love.” This is from Ephesians 4: 1-2. The New Living Translation uses language like this, “I walk worthy of my calling. I am humble and gentle. I am patient because I love others.”
What’s next for you—are there future books, projects, or missions you're excited to share with your audience?
Most recently I started helping other women publish their books. When their books go live, 1 of the first things I tell them to do once their book is published is to create an author page on All Author.
I also have a daily devotional for Spirit-Led Entrepreneurs that is almost ready to go into editing.
What has your AllAuthor experience been like so far? What are some highlights?
I enjoy all the wonderful benefits available on AllAuthor. I discovered AllAuthor because a friend had her book cover in the Cover of the Month Contest. Then when The Spirit-Led Entrepreneur published, I entered the cover in the Cover of the Month contest and it came in 8th place. I was thrilled. I think this is exciting for a first time author.
Then when I published Daily Decrees, I had a better understanding in regard to what makes a great book cover. Because of all that I learned by following other authors on AllAuthor, I created a cover that came in 3rd place this past March.
In addition, AllAuthor’s promotion on X . com has broadened my reach & given a greater sense of authority and validity to my books.
Overall, I recommend AllAuthor to any independent author who is looking to expand his or her readership.
