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...
“Any time you sincerely want to make a change, the first thing you must do is to raise your standards. When people ask me what really changed my life eight years ago, I tell them that absolutely the most important thing was changing what I demanded of myself. I wrote down all the things I would no longer accept in my life, all the things I would no longer tolerate, and all the things that I aspired to becoming.”
~ Anthony Robbins
Right now I am acquainted with someone who, without a miracle of God, is going to die much sooner than what would be considered a normal life span. She's of middle age, and way too young and anointed to die.
Seeing someone go through something like this, you gather a much greater appreciation for the life you live, no matter what your current circumstances. Coming back from Africa and experiencing what I did, and then finding out about this person's illness, has all added up to make me a lot more grateful these past few months. I came back from Africa on November 17. Everyday I still get in my shower or tub and look up and say, "thank you, Jesus. Lord, you're so good."
Everyday I look at my family and even if we had a bummer of a day I still give thanks. Because I'm so blessed. It's a beautiful life even through difficult circumstances sometimes. Oh that we would remember that!
Today I had lunch with my son, after a meeting I had at the church this morning. He works there 20 hours a week so we often connect there at various times. Dustin has become such a wonderful young man, he's amazing. I don't just say that because he's my son - I say that because it's true - just ask anyone, or check out his myspace for yourself here.
So, I told him the other day that I'd like to have another baby. Don't mistake - I'm not actually going to, but I wouldn't necessarily mind right now and might even enjoy it. He said, "why Mom? Are you out of your mind?" I told him, "son, quite truthfully just seeing the way you've turned out makes me want to have another, because now I know at least I have done something right at least once! I am so proud of you!" (My other two haven't reached legal adulthood yet so we'll have to wait and see.) What a joy when your children have grown up and have safely reached adulthood. Not that I want them to be so safe that they never take any risks in life or try anything big. But what I mean by safe is - stayed away from the sins that could have destroyed their very lives. "Safe" to me is the fact that they love and serve Jesus.
Today I came home from a class I taught and Larry had been housecleaning and also made dinner. Wow and double wow! Shortly after my arrival home it was thunderstorming and the house had gotten dark and things quiet with all the kids gone or busy with friends. Teeb had gotten himself comfortable in our bed watching a movie. It was a great moment in time for me to come in and spend some time with him under the covers just listening to the rain...watching "We Are Marshall"...along with some making out, of course. (LOL) Again I say...Lord, you're just too good to me...
Someone once said, "Never fear or despise growing older. Some people have never had that privilege."
Indeed.
Today began a new year of women's life coaching in our church. This is a mentoring group that I lead for women of all ages. Through this ministry I do monthly teachings, we have weekly homework and I teach them how to pray, especially praying as Pentecostals - in the spirit, learning to see the face of God. Today I was admonishing them about growth and I told them that they will get out of life coaching what they put into it this year. Their growth will be greatly dependent upon the number of absences they have, the amount of homework they do, to what degree of seriousness they take this opportunity for growth.
I teach the life coaching class, however, I learn a lot through it myself. They say if you want to learn - TEACH! It's true that when you prepare a lesson you are always learning yourself. Since I prepare several a week myself, that must mean I'm learning a lot! But I'm not satisfied...
I can't wait to see what God will unfold in the coming months as I seek Him ~ and as I pour myself into others ~ as we seek the Kingdom of God first...I believe this is going to be an unforgettable year in all the best ways possible.
p.s. Speaking of the beauty of life... Tina brought 5-day old little Addison Faith to life coaching today! What a beautiful baby. I got to hold her for a while and get my "baby fix". :-) By the way, I just love women who pop out a baby and come to life coaching five days later. Reminds me of me in the "baby days." Great memories...
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