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
Wednesday nights after church at Celebration we go with a big group of people to Perkins which is right around the corner from the church. The waiter, Michael, knows us extremely well. In fact, he's usually got my unsweetened iced tea with lemon and bowl of soup waiting for me! He doesn't come to CC (yet) but he calls us his pastors. He also knows our crowd is going to be laughing ourselves silly. We get deafeningly loud sometimes with the laughter that comes from our group. It usually doesn't turn people off, in fact they laugh with us, Michael included. He tells us often, we're his favorite customers. We really believe that soon, Michael will be joining us at Celebration Church, in fact he has told us he's coming soon for a service. (Can't wait!)
Wednesday night we laughed so hard and so long, my abs were sore. Thursday morning three of the ladies who were at Perkins the night before were also at prayer meeting. Bonnie mentioned that her stomach was sore from all the laughter and Rachael who was also at prayer said, "You can ask Doug [her husband]...my cheeks hurt so much from laughing last night, I had to literally go home and put ice packs on them!!!"
When was the last time you laughed so hard it hurt?
Or had tears roll down your face?
Or had to put flippin ice packs on your cheeks? Oh. My. Word. Seriously, that's a bit over the top, but it's true. If you know Rachael you do not have to doubt the validity of this.
You know, it doesn't always hurt your tummy or cause you to cry but even when it does, the bible says it's ultimately a medicine. Proverbs 17:22 says, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine." Laughter is healing to our bodies, releasing endorphins, strengthens your immune system, even protects your heart. I'm working on my health like never before and one thing I'd always had going for me is a life of laughter but never so much as right now in this season at CC. Yesterday Rachael said, "I have never experienced such joy! What an amazing atmosphere of joy there is all around us at CC!"
Indeed. It's glorious. I have never loved so deeply or laughed so hard as I do with this church family. Every day I count my blessings for where the Lord has placed me and this season that we find ourselves in. Shouldn't the body of Christ be like that everywhere, all the time?
By the way, I was looking up some health benefits of laughter and came across this. If THAT'S not a reason to laugh, I don't know what is! Amazing!!!
Wednesday night we laughed so hard and so long, my abs were sore. Thursday morning three of the ladies who were at Perkins the night before were also at prayer meeting. Bonnie mentioned that her stomach was sore from all the laughter and Rachael who was also at prayer said, "You can ask Doug [her husband]...my cheeks hurt so much from laughing last night, I had to literally go home and put ice packs on them!!!"
When was the last time you laughed so hard it hurt?
Or had tears roll down your face?
Or had to put flippin ice packs on your cheeks? Oh. My. Word. Seriously, that's a bit over the top, but it's true. If you know Rachael you do not have to doubt the validity of this.
You know, it doesn't always hurt your tummy or cause you to cry but even when it does, the bible says it's ultimately a medicine. Proverbs 17:22 says, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine." Laughter is healing to our bodies, releasing endorphins, strengthens your immune system, even protects your heart. I'm working on my health like never before and one thing I'd always had going for me is a life of laughter but never so much as right now in this season at CC. Yesterday Rachael said, "I have never experienced such joy! What an amazing atmosphere of joy there is all around us at CC!"
Indeed. It's glorious. I have never loved so deeply or laughed so hard as I do with this church family. Every day I count my blessings for where the Lord has placed me and this season that we find ourselves in. Shouldn't the body of Christ be like that everywhere, all the time?
By the way, I was looking up some health benefits of laughter and came across this. If THAT'S not a reason to laugh, I don't know what is! Amazing!!!
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