Faithful – in seeking what God wants
Open – for whatever God wants
Committed – at doing what God wants
Understanding – how to do what God wants
Surrendering – the outcome of that God wants

——————————————————————–

Faithful – in seeking what God wants

We cannot expect to live a life for God or understand what God has planned for us unless we first recognize the fact that we must be FAITHFUL to Him. Being faithful is essential in keeping our focus on God. It is impossible to know what God wants from us, if we aren’t faithful in seeking Him first. Acting without seeking God first will only lead to disaster.

FAITH-FULL

The Three Boys: Daniel 1:5-21; Daniel 3:15-30

In what ways did these young boys prove that they were faithful to God? How were they rewarded for their faithfulness?

FAITH-LESS

Adam & Eve: Genesis 3

How did Adam and Even show lack of Faith? How were they punished for their lack of faith and obedience?

Open – for whatever God wants

We cannot put God into a box or put limits on Him or His will for our life. When we fight God’s plan for our lives, it doesn’t change the situation at all – except for making it harder on ourselves. We need to be open to whatever God has planned for us.

OPEN-MINDED

Jesus: Mark 14:35-36; Matt 26:53

What was the prayer that Jesus prayed that shows His willingness to do whatever God had wanted?

CLOSE-MINDED

Jonah: Jonah 1 & 2; Jonah 3:10 & 4

What things happened to Jonah that was a result of his close-mindedness to God’s plan and purpose for Him?

Committed – at doing what God wants

Once we know what God has planned for us to do, we are to be committed in following through. Commitment (or lack of commitment) shows God that we want to serve Him in whatever He has planned for us. We want to use our talents and our gifts for His glory. And we are committed to find the ways to serve.

THE COMMITTED

Queen Esther: Esther 2:8-11, 17-20; 4:1-4, 15-17; 7:1-10

In what ways did Esther prove her commitment to the Lord?

THE OMITTED

Judas: Matthew 26:14-16; 23-25; 46-50; 27:1-5

In what ways did Judas prove his lack of commitment to the Lord?

Understanding – how to do what God wants

Sometimes it is hard to comprehend the idea of what God has planned for us. It may seem overwhelming to us. But that is why we should seek understanding. Whether it is to design a specific ministry where we can do what God has called us to. Or to get involved in a ministry that is already in place. We are to organize, plan, and understand the purpose for whatever God has planned. Without complete understanding we will not have a clear focus of God’s plan for us.

KNOWLEDGABLE

Story of Baby Moses: Exodus 1:15-22; 2:1-10

How did the planning & understanding of Moses’ mother and the midwives effect her son as well as the people of God?

UNKNOWLEDGABLE

The Modern Church

How does the church’s lack of planning & understanding of God’s purpose effect the church body today? Our church?

Surrendering – the outcome of that God wants

Sometimes the outcome of our efforts isn’t exactly what we had in mind. We may work hard at trying to plan an event and only 1 or 2 people show up. We may work hard at increasing our church attendance only to find that less people are coming. No matter what the outcome is, we need to surrender it to the Lord. Just as God has our purpose and plan laid out for us, He has the outcome in His hands. If we are faithful in doing what God requires, then rest assured that God will be pleased with all of our work and our efforts.

Romans 8:28

What does this verse tell us about the outcome of our efforts?

Ephesians 2:10

What does this verse say about our good works?

Do you know your focus?

Can you hear what God is speaking?

Are you following your own heart?

Or is it God’s will that you are seeking?

Are you willing and committed

To do whatever God does ask?

Are you ready to be faithful?

No matter how great the task?

Keep your eyes on our Father,

Stay faithful, committed and true.

And remember when the work is done,

The outcome isn’t up to YOU!

40 fantastic uses for baking soda

Personal Care

1. Make toothpaste
A paste made from baking soda and a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution can be used as an alternative to commercial non-fluoride toothpastes. (Or here’s a formula for a minty version.) You can also just dip your toothbrush with toothpaste into baking soda for an extra boost.

2. Freshen your mouth
Put one teaspoon in half a glass of water, swish, spit, and rinse. Odors are neutralized, not just covered up.

3. Soak oral appliance
Soak oral appliances (like retainers, mouthpieces, and dentures) in a solution of 2 teaspoons baking soda dissolved in a glass or small bowl of warm water. The baking soda loosens food particles and neutralizes odors to keep appliances fresh. You can also brush appliances clean using baking soda.

4. Use as a facial scrub and body exfoliant
Give yourself an invigorating facial and body scrub. Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Rub in a gentle circular motion to exfoliate the skin. Rinse clean. This is gentle enough for daily use.

5. Skip harsh deodorant
Pat baking soda onto your underarms to neutralize body odor.

6. Use as an antacid
Baking soda is a safe and effective antacid to relieve heartburn, sour stomach, and/or acid indigestion. Refer to baking soda package for instructions.

7. Treat insect bites and itchy skin
For insect bites, make a paste out of baking soda and water, and apply as a salve onto affected skin. To ease the itch, shake some baking soda into your hand and rub it into damp skin after bath or shower.

8. Make a hand cleanser and softener
Skip harsh soaps and gently scrub away ground-in dirt and neutralize odors on hands with a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water or 3 parts baking soda with gentle liquid hand soap. Then rinse clean.

9. Help your hair
Vinegar is amazing for your hair, but baking soda has its place in the shower too. Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda into your palm along with your favorite shampoo. Shampoo as usual and rinse thoroughly — baking soda helps remove the residue that styling products leave behind so your hair is cleaner and more manageable.

10. Clean brushes and combs
For lustrous hair with more shine, keep brushes and combs clean. Remove natural oil build-up and hair product residue by soaking combs and brushes in a solution of 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a small basin of warm water. Rinse and allow to dry.

11. Make a bath soak
Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your bath to neutralize acids on the skin and help wash away oil and perspiration. It also makes your skin feel very soft. Or just focus on soothing your feet. Dissolve 3 tablespoons of baking soda in a tub of warm water and soak feet. Gently scrub.

Cleaning

12. Make a surface soft scrub
For safe, effective cleaning of bathroom tubs, tile, and sinks — even fiberglass and glossy tiles — sprinkle baking soda lightly on a clean damp sponge and scrub as usual. Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry. For extra cleaning power, make a paste with baking soda, coarse salt, and liquid dish soap — let it sit then scour off.

13. Hand-wash dishes and pots and pans
Add 2 heaping tablespoons baking soda (along with your regular dish detergent) to the dish water to help cut grease and foods left on dishes, pots, and pans. For cooked-on foods, let them soak in the baking soda and detergent with water first, then use dry baking soda on a clean damp sponge or cloth as a scratch-less scouring powder.

14. Freshen sponges
Soak stale-smelling sponges in a strong baking soda solution to get rid of the mess (4 tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in 1 quart of warm water). For more thorough disinfecting, use the microwave.

15. Clean the microwave
Baking soda on a clean damp sponge cleans gently inside and outside the microwave and never leaves a harsh chemical smell. Rinse well with water.

16. Polish silver flatware
Use a baking soda paste made with 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Rub onto the silver with a clean cloth or sponge. Rinse thoroughly and dry for shining sterling and silver-plate serving pieces.

17. Clean coffee and tea pots
Remove coffee and tea stains and eliminate bitter off-tastes by washing mugs and coffee makers in a solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart of warm water. For stubborn stains, try soaking overnight in the baking soda solution and detergent or scrubbing with baking soda on a clean damp sponge.

18. Clean the oven
Sprinkle baking soda onto the bottom of the oven. Spray with water to dampen the baking soda. Let sit overnight. In the morning, scrub, scoop the baking soda and grime out with a sponge, or vacuum, and rinse.

19. Clean floors
Remove dirt and grime (without unwanted scratch marks) from no-wax and tile floors using 1/2 cup baking soda in a bucket of warm water — mop and rinse clean for a sparkling floor. For scuff marks, use baking soda on a clean damp sponge, then rinse.

20. Clean furniture
Clean and remove marks (even crayon) from walls and painted furniture by applying baking soda to a damp sponge and rubbing lightly. Wipe off with a clean, dry cloth.

21. Clean shower curtains
Clean and deodorize your vinyl shower curtain by sprinkling baking soda directly on a clean damp sponge or brush. Scrub the shower curtain and rinse clean. Hang it up to dry.

22. Boost your liquid laundry detergent
Give your laundry a boost by adding 1/2 cup of baking soda to your laundry to make liquid detergent work harder. A better balance of pH in the wash gets clothes cleaner, fresher, and brighter. Or you can add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle for fresher sheets and towels or to neutralize gym clothes and odoriferous clothing.

23. Clean and freshen sports gear
Use a baking soda solution (4 tablespoons baking soda in 1 quart warm water) to clean and deodorize smelly sports equipment. Sprinkle baking soda into golf bags and gym bags to deodorize and clean golf irons (without scratching them!) with a baking soda paste (3 parts baking soda to 1 part water) and a brush. Rinse thoroughly.

24. Remove oil and grease stains
Use baking soda to clean up light-duty oil and grease spills on your garage floor or in your driveway. Sprinkle baking soda on the spot and scrub with a wet brush.

25. Clean batteries
Baking soda can be used to neutralize battery acid corrosion on cars, mowers, etc., because its a mild alkali. Be sure to disconnect the battery terminals before cleaning. Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water and apply with a damp cloth to scrub corrosion from the battery terminal. After cleaning and reconnecting the terminals, wipe them with petroleum jelly to prevent future corrosion. Please be careful when working around a battery — they contain a strong acid.

26. Clean cars
Use baking soda to clean your car lights, chrome, windows, tires, vinyl seats, and floor mats without worrying about unwanted scratch marks. Use a baking soda solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart of warm water. Apply with a sponge or soft cloth to remove road grime, tree sap, bugs, and tar. For stubborn stains use baking soda sprinkled on a damp sponge or soft brush. Eliminate odors by sprinkling baking soda directly on fabric car seats and carpets. Wait 15 minutes (or longer for strong odors) and vacuum up the baking soda.

Deodorizing

27. Deodorize your refrigerator
Place an open box in the back of the fridge to neutralize odors.

28. Deodorize trashcans and recyclables
Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of your trashcan to keep stinky trash smells at bay. Clean your recyclables container periodically by sprinkling baking soda on a damp sponge. Wipe clean and rinse. Also, sprinkle baking soda on top as you add recyclables to the bin.

29. Deodorize drains and garbage disposals
To deodorize your sink and tub drains and garbage disposal and keep lingering odors from resurfacing, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain while running warm tap water — it will neutralize both acid and basic odors for a fresh drain. (This a good way to dispose of baking soda that is being retired from your refrigerator.)

30. Deodorize and clean dishwashers
Use baking soda to deodorize before you run the dishwasher and then as a gentle cleanser in the wash cycle.

31. Deodorize lunch boxes
Between uses, place a spill-proof box of baking soda in everyone’s lunch box to absorb lingering odors.

32. Remove odor from carpets
Liberally sprinkle baking soda on the carpet. Let set overnight or as long as possible (the longer it sets the better it works). Sweep up the larger amounts of baking soda, and vacuum up the rest. (Note that your vacuum cleaner bag will get full and heavy.) An added bonus: You’ll also deodorize your vacuum cleaner.

33. Freshen closets
Place a box on the shelf to keep the closet smelling fresh.

34. Deodorize pet items
Cover the bottom of your cat box with baking soda, then fill as usual with litter. To freshen between changes, sprinkle baking soda on top of the litter after a thorough cleaning. Eliminate odors from your pet’s bedding by sprinkling liberally with baking soda, wait 15 minutes (or longer for stronger odors), then vacuum up.

35. Deodorize sneakers
Keep odors from spreading in smelly sneakers by shaking baking soda into them when not in use. Shake out before wearing.

36. Freshen stuffed animals
Keep favorite cuddly toys fresh with a dry shower of baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda on and let it sit for 15 minutes before brushing off.

Miscellaneous

37. Cure all camping needs
Baking soda is a must-have for your next camping trip. It’s a dish-washer, pot-scrubber, hand-cleanser, deodorant, toothpaste, and fire extinguisher, and has many other uses.

38. Extinguish fires
Baking soda can help in the initial handling of minor grease or electrical kitchen fires, because when baking soda is heated, it gives off carbon dioxide, which helps to smother the flames. For small cooking fires (frying pans, broilers, ovens, grills), turn off the gas or electricity if you can safely do so. Stand back and throw handfuls of baking soda at the base of the flame to help put out the fire — and call the fire department just to be safe.

39. Care for the septic system
Regular use of baking soda in your drains can help keep your septic system flowing freely. One cup of baking soda per week will help maintain a favorable pH in your septic tank.

40. Scrub fruits and vegetables
Baking soda is the food safe way to clean dirt and residue off fresh fruit and vegetables. Just sprinkle a little on a clean damp sponge, scrub and rinse. Here’s another way to clean your vegetables as well.

OK, so there are my 40 suggestions (with a little help from the Arm & Hammond baking soda site, thank you). Do you have any tips or tricks that I missed? Please share in the comments.

Mommy Rhapsody from Church on the Move on Vimeo.

Lyrics

Stop and Think

QUESTION: When you hear the topic of “Faith” come up, what is the first thing that comes to your mind?

There are many aspects of “Faith” that the Bible addresses, but tonight I want to talk about David’s struggle that we find in the following verses:

In The Word

PSALMS 13:1-6

1  How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?

2  How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

3  Consider and answer me, O LORD my God;
Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,

4  And my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken.

5  But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
6  I will sing to the LORD,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

Point #1 – Have You Forgotten me? The cry of Despair

1  How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?

David feels forgotten & abandoned – in desparation.  Feels that God has hid His own face from Him.  

QUESTION: Can you relate to how David is feeling in this verse?  Have you ever felt forgotten or abandoned by our Lord?

I often sound like David in this passage.  Whenever I am going through a trial, I’m questioning the Lord.  “Why am I going through this?  How long will I suffer?  Lord, why don’t you make things better?”  Do these questions come out of your mouth too?

We often resent and curse God when we have hard times.  We think He’s unfair for making us suffer.  But the truth is, He doesn’t MAKE us suffer.  Most of the time we suffer because of OUR actions.  And the other times, He ALLOWS us to go through things so we can rely on Him and grow.

Even though David questions God, in verses 5 and 6 his attitude changes.  He believes and trusts that God will work everything out.  Does your attitude follow these verses?  Or do you go on questioning God?

Life Application:
Do you question God when trials come?
Do you believe He will be faithful to see you through?
How do you show Him that you trust Him?

Furtherstudy:
Proverbs 3:5-6;  Ps.37:3-4

COMMENTS:
Hi ladies… I usually don’t add anything else to these studies, but today I felt led to.  This passage really went hand-in-hand with something that happened yesterday.  My husband met this guy a few months back at the grocery store.  The guy noticed that Syd had a Christian shirt on, and they started talking.  (this man is a Christian).  After a while, he started telling Syd of his “situation”.  He is practically homeless.  He does have a one room apartment but with no electricity.  He doesn’t have a car.  He barely had enough money for food.  He has chronic liver disease so he at least now is getting disability and he is starting to do better. (this is what he told us last night when we saw him again) Anyway, Syd has been running into him everywhere.  So we think the Lord wants us to help him.  We tried to pay for his groceries last night — he refused.  We tried to give him a ride — he refused.  We tried to give him money — he refused.  He said that God has blessed him so much and he knows that God will continue to bless him.  When I read this passage today it reminded me so much of him.  I am actually getting tears in my eyes now thinking about this.  Here was a man who was struggling so much, but yet he didn’t once ask for anything or blame or curse God.  But yet, sometimes we (in general) complain about not having the “luxuries” in life.  This really had an affect on me and I now realize how much we have been blessed.  Yes, we had a rough time living at that other house, but we never went hungry.  Never went thirsty.  Never went without shelter.  God has blessed us so much.  And it took a person as humble as this man to show us that.  I just wanted to share this with you because it really touched my heart so much.  God bless… Sue

WITH OUR GOD – REPENT & FORGIVE

What is REPENTANCE?

According to Dictionary.com: deep sorrow, compunction, or contrition for a past sin, wrongdoing, or the like; regret for any past action.

What does FORGIVE mean?

According to Dictionary.com: to grant pardon for or remission of (an offense, debt, etc.); absolve. to give up all claim on account of; remit (a debt, obligation, etc.). to grant pardon to (a person). to cease to feel resentment against: to forgive one’s enemies. to cancel an indebtedness or liability of: to forgive the interest owed on a loan.

When we TRULY repent (to turn from our wicked ways), God truly forgives. But He does something else.

Psalm 103:12: What does He also do?

If God forgives us and “puts away” our sins from us, does that mean we should forget about them too?

Should we remind ourselves of our past sins (even if it’s only occasionally)? What are some positive reasons? What are some negative reasons?

I Corinthians 16:13: How does reminding ourselves of past sins help us to accomplish this verse?

Reminding ourselves of past sins is good when we use to to help us keep aware of how satan likes to trick and tempt us. But we must remember that God has forgiven us of those sins if we have truly repented. If He has removed that sin from your life according to Psalm 103:12, then we need to act like we have been forgiven. Just don’t ever given what you have been forgiven of. When we forget, we let down our guard and satan can come in to seek and destroy.

WITH OTHERS

Too many times we think a simple “I’m sorry” is enough when we have offended or hurt someone else. But what is the goal of that apology?

The goal of our apology should be this…. RESTORATION.

What is Restoration?

According to Dictionary.com: the act of restoring; renewal, revival, or reestablishment. the state or fact of being restored. a return of something to a former, original, normal, or unimpaired condition. restitution of something taken away or lost. something that is restored, as by renovating. a reconstruction or reproduction of an ancient building, extinct animal, or the like, showing it in its original state. a putting back into a former position, dignity, etc.

Think of a house that had faulty wiring and a fire broke out, burning it to the ground. Now, imagine if the owners decided to have the “fix it and forget about it” mentality. They fix the damage that was done, and then they forget about it. But all they did was fix it back to the way it was, ignoring the reasons it happened to begin with. What would the outcome be? Most likely another fire is bound to happen.

When a “fire” breaks out in our friendships, we need to make sure to do a few things:

1. Recognize there is a fire.

2. Realize why the fire took place.

3. Renovate the friendship.

RECOGNIZE THE FIRE

How can we even recognize that a fire exists? What are some signs to look for?

REALIZE WHY IT TOOK PLACE

Once we know that a fire has occurred, we need to figure out WHY it started. How can we do that?

Communication is key! – Matthew 18:15-20

RENOVATIONS ARE IN ORDER

Restoration is not always enough. Because if we restore it to the way it was, it will only happen again. Renovations need to be made to prevent it from happening in the future. And this needs to happen with ALL people involved. How can we make sure to keep the renovations going?

• Proverbs 27:17
• Galations 6:1-3

TAKEN FROM GOSPEL.COM

Iron sharpening iron: building the body of Christ through mentoring

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” It’s one of the more famous proverbs in the Bible, and it points to a basic truth: one of our most important jobs as Christians and as human beings is to help each other grow in the faith.

One of the ways we do this every day is by treating people kindly, by praying for others, and by encouraging people who could use an uplifting word—and sometimes challenging them when they stray. This sort of support—”sharpening,” if you will—is also an important part of Christian disicpleship. Mentoring is more formalized way that believers can help each other. A mentor is a spiritual tutor, somewhere between a friend and a teacher. A mentor offers the wisdom of his or her experience to another Christian, helping them to mature in their own faith.

Mentoring is an important role, but it’s a special one in that any Christian can fill it. You don’t have to be a pastor or a theologian to help a brother or sister in Christ through a tough spot in their life. Read through these articles and see if mentoring—either in an official capacity through your church or a ministry, or in an informal capacity in your relationship with somebody—is what God is calling you to do!

While the “Fix and Forget About It” cookbook is great at making my life easier, having a Fix it and Forget About It spiritual life makes things harder.

Let us make it a priority to FIX our relationship with God and with others, and then strive to RENOVATE them each day!

I saw this article about Do-It-Yourself Laundry Detergent. In addition to providing a recipe (see below) and a case study it also says that using no laundry detergent at all may be enough. What do you think? Have you tried homemade laundry detergent before? Do you wash with just water? Do you think people before washing machines / laundry detergent smelled funny?

Yahoo News: Do-It-Yourself Laundry Detergent

Homemade Laundry Detergent

(source The Simple Dollar)

• 4 cups of water.
• 1/3 bar of cheap soap, grated.
• 1/2 cup washing soda (not baking soda).
• 1/2 cup of Borax (20 Mule Team).
• 5-gallon bucket for mixing.
• 3 gallons of water.

First, mix the grated soap in a saucepan with 4 cups of water, and heat on low until the soap is completely dissolved. Add hot water/soap mixture to 3 gallons of water in the 5-gallon bucket, stir in the washing soda and Borax, and continue stirring until thickened. Let the mix sit for 24 hours, and voila! Homemade laundry detergent.

Painful

Wouldn’t it be nice if this “p” was “Party”?  That would be MUCH better if every day could be just one big fiesta.  After all, no one likes to be disciplined.  It’s painful.  Whether you are a 2 year old child who got their hand spanked for touching an outlet or you are a 33 year old wife and mother who is trying to keep up with day-to-day responsibilities.  It’s not fun!  Guess it goes back to the old saying “no pain, no gain”.  And that is what our Lord Himself is telling us.

• Job 5:17
• Proverbs 3:11
• James 1:12

Patience

Yuck!  It’s that awful P word.  Something that we want everyone else to have with us, but yet something we don’t want to have for anyone else.  But let’s face it, we have to wait.  Wait in the drive-thru.  Wait for our tax return.  Wait to buy a house.  Wait, wait, wait.  But… WAIT!  Patience is a virtue!  And it even applies to discipline.  This verse says 2 little words that mean a great deal – Later On.  It doesn’t say “right now”.  It doesn’t say “tomorrow”.  Or “Next week”.  It simply says Later On.  And even though we don’t know when that will be, we know it WILL BE!  Because God says so.  So how can we deal with waiting during our wading (through discipline, that is).

• Lamentations 3:25
• Psalm 130:5
• Isaiah 40:31

Produce

Isn’t it ironic that the hard labor and work of farmers hands is called fruit and produce?  Yes, they grow fruits and vegetables, but the benefits of their work can also be called FRUIT and PRODUCE.  Just like whatever we work at, the end result can be called our FRUIT or what we have PRODUCED.  We are known by our FRUITS.  It is what people see when they look at us.  And God uses discipline in our lives to bring forth FRUIT or PRODUCE.   But what exactly does it produce in our lives?  A HARVEST of peace & righteousness.  Not just a little bit, but a HARVEST.  What an amazing thing to think about – a harvest of peace and righteousness.  Maybe we should be striving for more of the harvest, not just a single fruit.

• Galatians 5:22

Prepared & Proficient

But who does the “harvest of peace and righteousness” belong to?  The answer – to those who have been trained by it.  The keyword there is “trained”.  The goal of our own discipline is not just to correct our personal walk with the Lord, but to go out and preach the gospel as God has commanded.

• Ephesians 6:12-14
• 2 Timothy 4:2
• 2 Timothy 1:12

In closing, let’s read:  Hebrews 12:5-11

A&A Merchandising Ltd. · A fully integrated marketing services company that implements marketing programs at the retail level. (Australia, Canada, USA)

A Closer Look, Inc. · Focus on the hospitality industry. They are a reimburesment only company. They do not pay a fee to their shoppers.

A Top Shop · Shops are paid on a flat fee basis. Most shops pay $10-20 per hour. Some shops include benefits such as reimbursement for meals, movie tickets, merchandise, hotel stays, etc.


AboutFace · Shopper Skill Development at Smiley University (education portal), cool list of resources and tools for shoppers, LiveSupport from 8 AM 8 PM. Great projects: restaurants, hotel, retail, home builders, auto, RV, grocery, and telephone projects. (Formerly: The Secret Shopper Company)


Acra, Inc. · Visit restaurants, retail stores, and entertainment complexes like amusement parks or gamerooms. Site has listing of available jobs.


Aloha Solutions, LLC · Customer Service Perception Shops / Customer Service Training Programs (Specializing in Hawaii and North Carolina)


Ann Michaels & Associates, Ltd. · Employee Evaluations/Telephone Surveys/Employee target reporting


Associate Consumer Evaluations (ACE) Mystery Shopping · They handle all types of shops, including restaurants, retail, and automotive, specializing in integrity shopping.


Amusement Advantage · A Mystery Shopping company specializing in the amusement industry. They work exclusively with amusement parks, theme parks, water parks, family entertainment centers, etc and are always accepting new applicants from all regions.


Anonymous Insights · On-site audits/Telephone audits/Promotion audits/ID checks/Customer intercepts.


Anonymous Shoppers & Assessments of Pittsburgh (A.S.A.P.) · Specializes in high-end restaurants, bartender accountability, wireless services, and specialty shops. When shop is performed satisfactorily, a check is issued within 7 days. (All USA, not just Pittsburgh)


Apartment Shoppe · Recruits shoppers nationwide to do what else, apartment shops.


Ardent Services · Fast Food shops. Very nice to work for.


At Your Service Marketing · Mystery shopping, merchandising, and demos. (Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana areas)


Bare Associates International (BAI) · Runs mystery shopping services for restaurants, bars, golf courses, health clubs and hotels around the USA. Assignments available for mystery shoppers, hotel evaluators, and viewpoint/exit interviewers.


Best Mark · Their clients include restaurants, retail stores, casinos, shopping malls, banks, and hotels. Site has listing of available jobs.


Bevinco · Inventory and sales auditing services for bars and restaurants. Basic knowledge of the bar & restaurant business. (Canada, USA)


Beyond Hello · Reflecting the customer’s experience. Site has listing of available jobs.


Beyond Marketing Group · Clients include retail stores, banks, shopping centers, hotels, restaurants, and medical centers.


BMA Mystery Shopping Services – Best Market Audits · Shopping, compliance audits, and customer counting.


Business Evaluation Services (BES) · Variety: automotive, banking, theme parks, restaurants, retail, and gas stations. Site has listing of available jobs.


Business Insights Group · Looks like their focus is on financial institutions.


Byers Choice Inc. · Specializes in the fast food and convienience store industry. Covers North Eastern and Mid Atlantic states.


California Marketing Specialists · Apartment shops. (All States)


Campus Consulting · Clients range from bookstore chains to financial services companies to shopping centers.


Capstone Research · In-person and telephone mystery shop programs, store audits and customer intercepts nationwide for service providers and manufacturers – including financial, food service, specialty retailers, and manufacturers of consumer products.


Certified Reports, Inc. (CRI) · Mystery shopping, theater checks and evaluations, and auditing. Site has listing of available jobs.


Check Mark, Inc. · Banking, retail, restaurant, entertainment/leisure. Site has listing of available jobs.


Check-Up Marketing · Visit department stores, specialty shops, restaurants, convenience stores, gas stations, hotel, banks, etc.


Cirrus Marketing Consultants · Nationwide.


CKA Group, Inc. · Variety of clients which include banking, retail, automotive and the hospitality industry. (Formerly known as Service Quest)


Confero The Service Resources Group · Retail, grocery, and automotive shops. Site has listing of available jobs.


Consumer Critique, Inc. · No info provided.


Consumer Impressions · Restaurant shops and in store and promotional audits.(AZ, FL, LA, OK, TN, TX)


Consumer Research Group (CRG) · Retail chain shops.


Corporate Research International (CoRI) · Shops are performed nationally in the banking, retail, entertainment, multi-family housing, and convenience store industries. (Formerly Employee Evaluators)


Corporate Risk Solutions / Asset Protection Associates · Retail Loss Prevention / Operation programs / Cellular Retail Mystery shopping programs. Uses a sophisticated web based reporting system for auditing, mystery shopping and telephone shops. Provides a wide range of Mystery shopping services and Loss Prevention consulting, training and investigations.


Count on Us · Clients include banks, restaurants, hotels/motels, retail stores and supermarkets.


Coyle Hospitality Group · Provides mystery shopping and evaluation services exclusively to restaurants and hotels worldwide. Shoppers should dine in sitdown restaurants frequently on business and pleasure and be able to write well.


Creative Image Associates, Inc. · Focus on financial services industry. IN, KY, MA, ME, MI, MO, MS, NC, NY, OK, RI)


Cross Financial Group · Bank investment shops.


Customer 1st · Mystery shopping and on-site inspection service for the following industries: Banking, Retail, Fast Food, Fine Dinning, Medical, New Home Construction.


Customer Feedback, LLC · Retail and restaurant mystery shops. (Washington, Oregon and California)


Customer Perspectives · Restaurants, banks, department stores, specialty stores, and more. Site has listing of available jobs.


Customer Service Experts, Inc. (CSE) · Retail, airport, event, destination, entertainment and food concessions.


Customer Service Perceptions · In addition to mystery shopping, opportunities include price checks, website evaluations, exit surveys, and employee surveys.


Data Quest, Ltd. · Integrity inspections and customer service evaluations. Industries served: financial, entertainment, hospitality and retail.


Datatron · The financial industry’s leading information resource. Evaluations provided in all areas: consumer, business, upscale, lending, and mortgage.


David Sparks & Associates (DSA) · Emphasis in the financial and healthcare fields, as well as other service industries and manufacturing.


DSG Associates · Shops the retail food service industry.


Ellis Property Management Services (EPMS) · Apartment shops.


Excel Shopping & Consulting · Based in Carrollton, TX. They shop apartment communities throughout the USA. Inquire about assignments via email to info@xcelshop.com. Shoppers should have Microsoft Excel or access to a fax.


Feedback Plus, Inc. · Shops in the retail, financial, hospitality, and service industries.


Focus on Service · Runs the secret shopper program to evaluate the service and food at Longhorn Steakhouse, Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse, Don Pablo’s, and Hops Grill Brewery.


Franchise Compliance, Inc. · Works with franchisors to ensure that each individual franchise follows the established guidelines, not only giving them the greatest opportunity for success, but also maintaining the integrity of the franchise system.


Full Scope Mystery Shopping · Restaurants, retail businesses and other service businesses.


GfK · Fast food, retail, transportation, automotive, wireless communications, financial, senior living.


Global Compliance Services · Assignments vary from mystery shopping, audits and inspections to market research and price comparisons. Well worth the extensive application process. (formerly known as Pinkerton)


Goodwin and Associates Hospitality Services LLC · Bar shops, restaurant and hotel dining shops. Kitchen audits. Primarily New England and Eastern Seaboard.


Graymark Security Group · Visit businesses ranging from retail stores and restaurants to nightclubs, hotels, cruise lines and other customer oriented companies.


Greet America, Inc. · Nationwide for services which include greeting consumers at various venues for either credit solicitation or sampling, and visiting retail establishments for activities such as mystery shopping, placing take-ones, information distribution, etc.


National Shopping Service - Has the best user interface and shops for our area. We have done shops for papa jons and ritas through them.

If the Ning site gets active we might consider making the switch over to them as many other sites have already done.

JustMoms on NING