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...
"If you have any poo, fling it now!"
~ from Madagascar
I'm not afraid of you.
I can safely say that because it doesn't matter who's reading this, I'm not afraid of you. Seriously.
I have a fear of the Lord, but He is the Great I AM -- the Almighty, so He's not in the people category.
I fear deep water.
I fear snakes.
I fear change at times especially when I'm not the one making it.
But people? No. I do not fear them.
One of my greatest desires is to live in a completely transparent way with others, and it's the hardest thing when I feel something or someone pressuring me not do do that. It is difficult for me in relationships if I'm expected to play games in the way we converse. I want to love people deeply. Sometimes that means loving a person enough to speak the truth.
I have issue with cowards. I have never and will never back down from anything verbally. The only time I ever have refrained from saying something I feel strongly about is out of respect for my husband if he asks me not to. And those times half kill me, quite honestly. I'm not talking about talking just to talk, or non-essentials, but things that are core values that I really feel passionately about. There are times I've questioned why I am alive on the planet if I can't simply be real in expressing myself. My husband says that's ridiculous -- that there are a lot of greater reasons to live than expressing oneself . But I think if you can't be yourself in doing whatever it is God's called you to do here on earth, what's the point? One time a district official who must have thought I needed some "counseling" told me that "successful pastor's wives suppress themselves." Hmmm...a lot of successful pastor's wives are also fake or sick. I'd really rather not live that way, thanks.
I am very much a "if you have something to say, say it now and say it to my face" person. And if somebody doesn't have the nerve to do that, I have a really hard time respecting them. I know that sounds a little harsh. But I just have a real distain for fraidy cats and head games. I hate confrontation but I am not afraid of it. I think only a rather mentally sick person loves confrontation however when the occasion calls for it, a healthy person will respond and not back down from the truth or suppress it.
One time a guy in a church we pastored threatened to kill me. He hated me. He threatened to shoot me and kill me right in the middle of praise and worship. My answer to him right to his face was, "Go ahead. Make my day." My husband was mortified that I said that to him. Maybe he thought I should respond with, "I'm praying for you, brother..." Sorry, that's just not me. When he told me he was going to kill me I didn't flinch or back down from him. By the way, that man is dead now. He was younger than me. But he's gone. Buried six feet under. I didn't kill him, by the way, nor did I ask someone to. He died of his own doing. If you want to know the whole story, I'd be glad to take you out for a coffee if you visit Tampa and I'll tell you the whole unbelievable story of the man who said he was going to gun me down as I stood on the platform the next Sunday leading worship at the keyboard, and how God took care of him.
Why am I blogging about this today? Well, it's just on my mind that I am really tired of verbal dances in relationships. Can't we just talk plain? One time someone told me they talk behind my back and don't readily share with me when something bothers them because I am too intimidating so they don't want to face me in a conversation. The same person told me they know they could never win a debate with me so that's why they have talk about me to others rather than saying what they have to say to me personally. All I thought was, "well I guess this is God's way from protecting me from you." The truth is, those who lack confidence are intimated by people who have courage. Sorry, I won't throw my confidence away to be your friend.
If there's one thing I loathe it's when someone wants to turn me into someone who walks in fear of speaking what I feel passionately about. I'm not afraid of people who fling poo. Let them fling. I can take it. Usually I have a habit of taking the poo and using it as fertilizer for my next success.
Comments
You're my hero! I want to be like you when I grow up!
It's taken me 50 years to get the courage to say what I really feel and it's still hard for me.
But I'm doing better with it, and don't feel guilty anymore either.
You have a very sweet and sensitive personality but you are not a backstabber in the least. I believe if you really feel something strongly you will say it but probably through a pile of tears, but that's fine, it's just "you" and you are you and....you are beautiful when you are just being yourself.
Love you
AWESOME!!!
Tina
On the other hand, I am characterized by loyalty and normally would not engage in back biting. I aim to build up. I have grown a lot in confrontation but sometimes I am shaking behind the desk! I'm a work in progress. Be patient with ones like me, God's not finished.