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 inve
Just want to share a few with you...My friend, Joy Conley (pastor's wife, Harvest A/G Lakeland) What a JOY she is, in my life and so many others...sh
e literally lives up to her name. We met she and Keith for dinner Monday night and like every other time (except that one where we stayed til 1 in the morning or somethin' like that) it felt way too short. I am so grateful for their friendship and support. (These pics are of Joy and I when we were both speaking at the All Church Ministries Conference and then having coffee after...)
Susan, Susan, Susan.
She always just seems to "know." Not only does the woman show up early to set up whatever I need but on certain days she has something special for me that just makes my day. She's a "noticer." Tonight she met me in the choir room before service and had a box for me...you guessed it...a watch. Amazingly last night I forgot mine (I never do that, not sure why I did) but she had a beautiful new one for me. She's personally responsible for my watch collection. She always has the ability to make me feel so special and the best thing she gives is her encouragement. If I ever doubt I'm making any kind of difference in the world, Susan is a second behind me to tell me just how I am. Not a week goes by when she doesn't tell me and usually several times a week. Thank you, Susie Q. (SMILE) You fill my bucket back up when other people drain it out sometimes a
nd you can't fathom what it's meant to me. (Only Pastor Larry and the Lord realize how much.)
Pastor T. Always a joy to work with. He makes me laugh and I so desperately need to laugh and I love to laugh as loud and hard as possible. I have learned in ministry if you don't laugh, you're dead in the water. Usually I'm singing the praises of Misty, first lady of JAM children's ministries, and I probably don't give Pastor T kudos enough (it's so easy for that to happen when you have a perfect wife - GRIN!)Yesterday I gave T a video clip to work with on an announcement and he took it and made such a masterpiece with it. It's one of the funniest things I've ever seen. We'll unveil it this Sunday in our service. I love his passion for multi media and we had a good brainstorming session today (he, Pastor and I) on our new Sunday morning preaching series which is going to ROCK. I am so excited about this I could come unglued. Can't wait to tell you about it but it'll have to wait til' we unveil the video trailer this weekend at our service. I'll just give you a little bitty clue...this morning Lar
ry comes into my office and says, "I can't believe I'm suggesting this, but this needs to be our next series in March..." and then I went a little B-O-N-K-E-R-S. The Lord led us away from our original plan for March to this one. Pastor Andrea, this would be YOUR favorite series too. Just a hint: "CBE." It's gonna be good, folks...
Speaking of Pastor Andrea, you are another person I appreciate so much and am grateful Jesus brought us together, my "CBE" friend. You bring sunshine to my day and are a "kindred spirit" in ministry that few are blessed to find. I enjoy your insights so much. Thanks for being someone to bounce this partnership stuff off of when other people are lookin' at us like we've stepped off a UFO or something at times. ** sigh ** You are a great "understander." I love you!
Cathy & Tom... (I know you read my blog everyday so you'll see this...) thanks for a great evening the other night. (Those who are new blog readers - C
athy is the assistant to the senior pastors (us!) at our church, she also does a zillion ministries besides that, and Tom is her husband - also the head usher and works with Larry in men's ministries. I rarely say thanks when we go anywhere or do anything because being together as staff, church members, friends, it just sort of all runs together and most days it just feels like "life together" and nothing earthshatteringly special or unique. I've got to stop doing that because truly it is special. Thanks for meeting up with us spontaneously and laughing over our cheap burgers. Today I thought, "Wow, how blessed we are to have staff/members/friends like you who are so likeminded...so caring and fun..." to have. Sometimes it takes something to reveal to you that it's just 
not like that everywhere, know what I mean? Well, we're blessed. So blessed. And I'm reminded of how blessed. Thank you for who you are... and remember WHATEVER YOU DO, don't preach from II Glasses... (LOL)
Pastor Tara. You had the word of the Lord for me today. Thank you. You are one of the most anointed women in the world and I'm so blessed to call you my personal friend. God knew what he was doing when he put us together in relationship... how long has it been now, probably at least 10 years ago? Maybe more. Time flies when you're under the anointing. :-) The best is yet to come. 
It goes without saying that Teeb is the best husband ever. That man is the jelly on my biscuit and the gravy on my mashed potatoes!
Alrighty, I'm goin' in the family room to watch American Idol (tivo'd) with the fam. Snugglin' with Jordy on the couch...one of my fav things to do. Gonna be super busy the next few days as I have bunch of people coming in from Baltimore. Can't wait! Life is special, life is sweet.
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I have even "broken all the warnings" about friendships in the church I co-pastor too. Nevertheless, I've been here 13 years and took it very slowly. In time, I could discern "safe people". I am a firm believer about not casting your pearls before swine. God has literally surrounded me with people who will hold me up in the place HE has for me (CBE).
I would LOVE copies of the tapes/trailer girlfriend!
Your, CBE friend
I LOVE YOU!