Forged By Fire: Built God Tough

By Ketrice Keys

"This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.'" Zechariah 13:9 NIV

Many times in life, in ways that are far from our comprehension, God employs trials to purify our hea

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tamika INK
• Release date: May 29, 2021
• ISBN: 9781087972251

Ketrice Keys

Today's coaching culture offers a buffet of enthusiastic professionals, energized in taking individuals to high levels of material success; often remiss, of their vital need for spiritual enlightenment, clarity, and introspection. Gifted with the innate ability in enhancing all three; is the compassionate life guru, Ketrice Keys. Ketrice Keys is a 4x best-selling author, empowerment speaker, certified Christian life coach, licensed evangelist, and CEO and founder of Ketrice Keys Enterprises, KMajestic Kouture (online clothing boutique), and the 'Spitting Fire with Ketrice' Podcast. Though she is often noted for harnessing an undeniable vernacular for serial entrepreneurship, Ketrice has a true gift for servant leadership, far beyond an ability for multi-dimensional enterprising. Ketrice is an award-winning nursing professional, having over 20 years of expertise, in serving the world at large. Respected for her innovative contributions to her field, including the acquisition of "the CEO award", for achieving a successful implementation of electronic health records, and a certification as a Workforce Redesign Specialist; Ketrice has displayed a prolific history of a consistent relationship, with excellence. Though she led an impressive career in nursing, it was her sincere heart for women and business, that propelled her into the world of full-time entrepreneurship. Ketrice's Mantra is simple: she is adamant about equipping women with the keys to turn off the power of the enemy in their lives and activate the power of God.That activation has presented itself in a myriad of forms, highlighting Ketrice as a heart-felt chieftain; the world will not soon forget. Keys is the visionary author of the anthology, "Forged by Fire: Built God Tough"; an all-female testament, unveiling the power of God, in the face of virtually unconquerable circumstances. Through her coaching platform, Keys specializes in helping women discover their God-given purpose, by uncovering limiting beliefs, changing fixed mindsets, and developing action plans to implement strategies to help them maintain the learned principles. As an entrepreneurial strategist, she specializes in helping women to establish their businesses and to develop credible action plans, in order to maintain their life goals. Ketrice is committed to inspiring women to uncover their purpose; in order to pursue their passions; reminding them often that though we all have a story, it does not just belong to us; but to the world. She empowers women to share their stories, thereby freeing themselves, and others as well.When Ketrice is not out coaching the world at large, she is the loving wife of Curtis Keys, a mother of three beautiful children, and grandmother of twin boys; a native of Tylertown, MS., and now resides in Bassfield, MS.Ketrice Keys. Leader. Enterpriser. Philanthropist.

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Foreword

The Exchange

By Dawn Lieck

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God Giveth and God Taketh Away…

In our lives, we look at our trials and tribulations and sometimes ask, Why God?

When we ask this question, we feel as though we are the victim, looking for the answer from our Father as to why all of this pain or strife has come to us.

We ask before we look inside ourselves. Are you living your life according to God’s word? Have you truly given your life to Christ? Are you faithful only when you are in need? Asking and praying for things that will only benefit you?

That was me.

Stuck in the worldly idolization of material things and status. Although I had it all, I was miserable.

I cried out for help from God, and he immediately answered and began the forge.

He took it all. Status, money, material possessions, people. The fires of his forging were swift and very painful. I cried out those very words, Why God?

In my heart of hearts, I knew why.

God didn’t make me a victim; I did. I had strayed. You see, in order for me to be right with my Father in my ways, I had to be humbled. Stripped of everything so I could give Him my whole heart. No distractions, no coveting of worldly things.

It was only then that His forging could begin.

At the time, I didn’t understand why I had to endure this much pain and loss. Pain so great I was sure I’d never live through it. He took me down to a place unimaginable to me. The more he took, the more clear it became to me. Though our God is merciful, He doesn’t except half stepping. When you give yourself to Him fully, He will give you all you need.

In the following chapters, you will see, I’m not alone. God works in so many ways…

We may not understand the forge, but in the end, we most certainly understand.

He was building us – God Tough…

About

Dawn Lieck

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Dawn Lieck is a world-class business professional with remarkable expertise in the areas of wellness and multidimensional coaching. 

A mirrored portrait of what it means to be a Renaissance Woman, Dawn’s abilities have earned her professional respect amongst generational influencers.

Setting the standard in her field, Dawn is an International Speaker, best-selling author, and the CEO of both Finally Free, LLC, and Dawn Lieck Enterprise. Affectionately known as the Transformation Life Coach, Dawn helps successful professionals harness their true potential by putting them in touch with themselves on an intrinsic level. Having an unyielding passion for personal development, Dawn motivates clients to renew their perspective, conquer fear, and to create life balance using a system of pragmatic strategies.

Dawn’s mantra is simple; DO IT SCARED.

The result has been phenomenal, as Dawn has enjoyed wide-ranging success and is in high demand, from both domestic and international audiences. Dawn has held a three-year consecutive election as one of the Top 100 Women to Know on the Gulf Coast, where she was also featured as a Woman of Achievement Entrepreneur Finalist.

Though her talents lead her reputation, her heart for service leads her path, as Dawn is involved in many organizations on the Gulf Coast, including the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce Board, Back Bay Mission Advisory Council, Leadership Gulf Coast Graduate, VP Membership Chair for Lighthouse Business and Professional Women, Chair for Success Women’s Conference and a team lead for women at Habitat for Humanity.

When You Go Through The Fire

By Kearn Cherry

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Sometimes you must go through the fire in order to become what you were called to be. I started working at a medical clinic, while attending college for nursing. My son was just three weeks old at the time. Shortly after my son’s father and I got married, he headed off to Germany in the military. As a young wife, I felt it was important to join my husband. So, at that point, I decided to put my dreams of being a nurse on hold and join my husband in Germany. I never thought it would be five years before I would get another opportunity to finish my nursing degree. After returning to the states, I decided to continue working toward a nursing degree. This was, of course, a tough decision because I was trying to restart a dream that had been on hold for over five years, but I was determined to make it happen.

When we landed in Sierra Vista, Arizona, I had no idea the town population was only 15,000 and how this would impact my ability to complete my nursing degree. I was determined this was the place to finish my goal of becoming a nurse. After settling in, I headed to the only college in town to apply for their nursing program. Thinking that since I already had my associate degree in liberal arts with an emphasis in nursing, this should be a breeze. However, they had over 600 people on the waiting list. Even worse, they only accepted 65 students each year. This seems like a nightmare that would never end.

I had three kids to feed, and my husband was getting out of the military. I knew that I was meant to be in the medical field. So, I began working multiple jobs, one being a nursing aide. I had to earn a living, but I knew there had to be something more in store for me. Still very young, my husband and I decided to travel to Tucson, AZ which was an hour and a half drive one way to apply for their nursing program. Surely, there had to be more opportunities in Tucson. However, we were surprised to find there were no openings in their nursing programs either. This served as a sign that we were being led in a different direction. We, then, heard about an Occupational Therapy program and that is the path we took. It was definitely a struggle that we had not planned to take and traveling long distances to Tucson daily was also not in our original plan. We knew, now, that this was the step that both of us needed to take in order to change our family’s future.

The journey to finishing occupational therapy school was long and nearly impossible while raising three little kids under 10 years old, but with the help of God, we were able to do just that. After we endured the battle to finish our degrees in occupational therapy, we decided to return to Mississippi. Our initial plan was to move to Florida because we did not see the point in staying in our home state, but God had a different plan. This eventually led to us opening PRN Home Care. We, now, provide services and resources to individuals that allow them to remain at home for a better quality of life.

God definitely has a funny way of showing us that our purpose may not be what we envision in life. Though I am not currently working in Occupational Therapy, it did assist me in finding my purpose of empowering and encouraging caregivers and women. Sometimes the path to our purpose may not be straightforward or clear. Sometimes you must go through the fire in order to land where you are called to be. When you let God guide your steps, your purpose will be revealed.

About

Kearn Cherry

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Kearn Cherry is a speaker, coach, entrepreneur, author and collaborator. She is the owner of PRN Home Care. She has vested over 30 years in the healthcare field and holds a degree in Occupational Therapy. Mrs. Cherry often speaks on Create Your Own Event, Turning Connections into Major Collaborations, and Create Your Own Door.

She is co-founder and director of Success Women's Conference. She is the founder/director of the Power Up Summit and Level Up Your Visibility and Profitability. Mrs. Cherry is the visionary author of her #1 Bestselling book anthologies- Trailblazers Who Lead and Make It Happen. She is a featured author in Finally Free and my My Walk Past Hell. She is co-author of Women Inspiring Nations Volume 2 - Success Must Be Taken and "Unboxed. Mrs. Cherry has been featured twice in Essence Magazine.

Mrs. Cherry is an activist, developing community activities such as Blessed Gyrls Rock! and the creator/director of the R.I.P.E. Conference (Resources, Information,