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What To Do First to Make a Profit

The PF Women Team at our Annual Team Retreat  ~ 2018 Today on Seth Godin's blog, he said: It's tempting to decide to make a profit first, then invest in training, people, facilities, promotion, customer service and most of all, doing important work. In general, though, it goes the other way. Yes, it does. If you are waiting to make a profit before you do these things, in my experience you're  not going to make a profit. So many organizations, ministries and churches are struggling with financial issues. I know your pain. As anyone who follows our story knows, our ministry was in a ton of debt four years ago when I came on as director.  Since that time, we've gotten out of debt and turned a profit every year.  God has done amazing things through out team, for which we give Him the glory! I find that what Seth is saying here is absolutely true, with one disclaimer. For Christian leaders, spiritual disciplines must always be first. Before we started i...

For the first time, I respectfully disagree

Today is the first day I've ever disagreed with something Oswald Chambers says. In his devo today he says... I respectfully disagree.
"Is your response, "Oh, but I have a special work to do!" No Christian has a special work to do. A Christian is called to be Jesus Christ’s own, "a servant [who] is not greater than his master" (John 13:16 ), and someone who does not dictate to Jesus Christ what he intends to do. Our Lord calls us to no special work— He calls us to Himself. "Pray the Lord of the harvest," and He will engineer your circumstances to send you out as His laborer."


I believe we are called to the person of Jesus Christ. Of course! But after being called to Him in an intimate personal relationship, I believe He speaks to us and shows us his specific and perfect will for us. I believe God is a detailed God who orchestrates the details of our life from the very foundation world. I believe he knew I would be here in 2006 and He placed me right in Tampa for such a time as this. I believe he knew from the very foundation of the world that Billy Graham would be the greatest evangelist that ever lived and He called him to that special work, for Him. I believe He knew that children in Calcutta needed a couple like Mark and Huldah Buntain and called them specifically to that place. I believe He calls you to Himself and to His work.

I don't believe our God is some generic God. He cares enough about me to know every hair on my head. Surely He has a special plan that He calls each of us to. If am am not called to a special work then what in the heck am I doing here?

Just a thought.

I believe every preacher has their off days. Maybe Oswald had one when he wrote this devo. But what can I say, I'm still crazy about the guy!

So I'm still pretty much floating on a cloud after yesterday's pastor appreciation. Wow, wow, wow. Did I mention that the tables were Steeler colors and pink? I'm still smiling over that.

Today I got a few letters from people who could not be there last night and they were just so incredibly passion filled, and heart warming. 

We stayed up so late last night...had a few people over to hot tub, and wind down and it was a good time and then I stayed up with Larry for a while. That wasn't the smartest thing but I never regret it.

Had my women's ministries leaders meeting tonight and it was a wonderful time with them as usual. What wonderful women I have walking with me. Their creativity, support and love never ceases to amaze me. Tonight I made dinner for them, which I wish I had time to do each and every time. Most nights we go out. I think they enjoyed it, 

We had a good day...lots of stuff to do, I only got about 5 agenda items done today as we had staff meeting and lunch and so much to discuss it went a long time. We are planning all the events through the year's end so it is consuming to get the details ironed out. Today we were going over everything from the Thanksgiving dinner to poinsetta trees for outside to you name it.

Larry has just done the dishes after my ladies left. What a wonderful husband. He wanted me to do some editing for him on a project and I would rather edit than wash dishes any day.

I feel like I haven't seen the kids in a few days things have been so busy and they have been with friends and such. Tomorrow we go to pick out Dustin's senior portrait packages. Can you believe that my little boy is graduating from high school? It can't be possible. It was just yesterday that I was packing his bag for his first day at school and bawling my eyes out as I dropped him off at the school. What a precious boy.

Still waiting on a verdict from the publisher on my proposal. I go to the mailbox each day thinking, "could this be the day?" I know I need to prepare another proposal. Every good writer has one waiting in the wings for when the rejection letter comes. The faith side of me says, "don't do that! claim it!" The practical side of me says, "regardless of faith, realize this business is fraught with rejection and you have to be prepared for it." If I was Baptist this would not be a problem, I would just prepare the proposals and have them stacked and ready to go, but since I am a Pentecostal, faith walking, miracle believing, supernatural woman -- I sit here believing and choosing to not stack the proposals. :-)

I know some baptists would respectful disagree with me. :-) And that's okay.

Things I'm very happy about today............

1) I got a silver watch for pastor appreciation! Isn't it interesting, my silver watch just broke and Sunday morning as I was dressing I thought, "uh, I can't wear my silver watch today...I have to get a new one..." Then I go to the reception, and Susan presents me with one. HOW SWEET. I know God speaks to His people - nobody can tell me any different. He's in the details.

2) I always take bread over to my next door neighbors each time I bake it. It's been tradition for 2 years now. I am trying to be a light in their lives, show them God's love. I believe it is breaking through. I will invite Donna to the Christmas tea. This time I believe she will come.

3) My book came from amazon.com today! I love fresh reading material!

4) My husband thinks I'm beautiful.

5) There's only five more days til' Campmeeting A Holy Ghost explosion is getting ready to take place. I feel like I'm going to go crazy waiting for it. It's Monday, but Sunday's on the way!!!!!!!!!!!! (Enjoying every moment til' then.)

Thank you Jesus for my wonderful life.

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