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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...

And here's what's on the menu today
both spiritually and naturally...

It's going to be a great day at Celebration Church today -- I just feel it in my spirit.  You know each time we gather it's a Celebration, thus our name.  But God is doing something new all the time, and today I know He's going to show up and do His thing in a brand new way and I can't wait to see it unfold. We've been seeing some amazing stuff in people coming to Jesus, and healings and all kinds of breakthroughs and I know today will be a whole level.

Tonight we've got leadership meeting and we always have dinner together as a team before we talk.  One reason I always make sure there's food at any meeting Larry or I are leading is because we know hungry people don't listen to what anybody says.  If you are hungry your blood sugar is low all you are thinking is, "where are going to eat when we leave here and how soon is this meeting going to be over?" Well, at our meetings, nobody thinks that because it's all provided and we can just stay put and share to our hearts content!  :)  

This is what I made last night for leadership meeting tonight - my "second day" lasagna.   Yes I know lasagna is  a very common dish that most people make.  A few people have told me my version is one of their absolute favorites.  I thought I'd share here how I make mine and the two things I think might set it apart as a little different - first I use a few breakfast sausage patties and add it to the ground beef.  The mixure of the two meats gives it such a good flavor.  Second, I assemble the lasagna, cover and refrigerate (unbaked) for a night before I bake it and serve it.  I believe these two things make a major difference in how mine comes out.  (Note:  You can make it, bake it and serve it the same night but I always make it the night before because I noticed the taste after it settles is more amazing.  Plus this is a great thing to make ahead of time when you are having guests or when you have church the next day and don't have time to cook.)  Alright, here we go:  

Deanna's "Second Day" Lasagna

2 lbs. ground beef
6 breakfast sausage patties (make sure they are regular - mild - with no maple flavor, etc.)
1 jar spaghetti sauce 
1 16 oz can diced tomatoes
1 small can tomato paste
1 small can tomato sauce
1 cup water added to sauce
1 large onion, chopped
1 and 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp thyme
1 Tbsp basil
1 Tbsp oregano
1 box lasagna
Large container (1 lb) cottage cheese
2 eggs
1 cup parmesan cheese - shredded or grated
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Brown ground beef as well as sausage patties, with chopped onions.  (Crumble patties up before cooking or if they are already pre-cooked I put them in my food processor to grind up).  Drain.  Add all of the following ingredients down to the oregano.  It's important to note that the above measurements on the spices are approximate and I add a dash here a pinch there and do things to taste.  Simmer sauce on low while you are getting the other things ready.  Get pot to cook the lasagna noodles - prepare them as directed on the box - take care not to overcook - I cook them for the minimum time.  While pasta is cooking, mix cottage cheese, eggs, and parmesan cheese in bowl.  Once pasta is done,  get 9 x 13 pan and put about 1 cup of sauce in the bottom swish around to cover bottom of pan.  Line up 6 lasagna noodles to cover entire pan.  On top of this gently spread 1/2 of the cheese mixture.  Sprinkle  half of the mozzarella on top of this, and then cover with about half of the sauce that is in the pot.  Spread carefully so it's just sauce on the top layer.  Then repeat with another layer of pasta, cheeses from bowl, mozzarella and rest of sauce.  Then on top of that sprinkle a little bit of parmesan cheese.  Cover with tin foil and put in your fridge for the night.  The next day cook it for about 45 minutes on 350 or until you can tell it's hot in the center.  Sometimes it takes an hour.  Once you take it out of the oven let it sit at least 15 minutes to firm up, and then cut into squares.  Yum!

Comments

Anonymous said…
O My Goodness! That looks and sounds delicious. I'm going to have to try the sausage addition!

This morning our pastor is preaching "Telling the Devil Where To Go!" I'm praying for a real move of the Holy Spirit in lives!!
Thanks Ruth -

Sounds like a great message...hope your service was amazing.

Love you

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