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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 inve
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What is Real Intimacy with God?


Sunset tonight in Kitengala, Kenya
I learn more about intimacy with God, every day.

It's not formal, fancy-schmantzy or mystical.
Intimacy with God isn't about the most theological-sounding prayer or something outwardly impressive. Sometimes it's crying in the shower and telling Him what's wrong. Other times it's pouring out how thankful I am that everything is going so right. 

It's plain, every day walking and talking with God.

Me in the Kiambethu tea fields, on Saturday
Intimacy with God, is being in communication with Him from the time my eyes open in the morning. Or it's lying in bed in the middle of the night listening to the rain pour down as it did in Africa the other night and having a long conversation.

I was feeling so poorly, having very uneasy and even outright scary feelings after getting so sick on Saturday.  We had gone up into the mountains and apparently I got altitude sickness.  Eight thousand miles from home, weak and sick and not sure what's wrong or when it will be better is kind of daunting. Having to preach two services on Sunday morning was on my mind as well. I didn't even know how I would stand up much less preach. But I did, by the grace of God. I am still not totally better and my missionary friends considered taking me to the hospital . I have been getting rest to receive strength to preach again. (Please keep praying for me, if you have been. Thank you.)

Being in conversations with God where He comforts me in His love and care for me is what spiritual intimacy is all about for me. It's being in that quiet place where I receive His instruction, His reassurance, His concern for me. Intimacy with God is at-ease conversation that naturally pours out from my heart. Even more important is when He shares His thoughts with me.

Wherever I am, there He is. And vice versa.
He's my constant. Whether home or 8,000 miles away.
He's the one I'm never without.
I am so thankful for the prayer and care from God's people, but even more thankful for what only comes from God.

People say He's "as close as the mention of His name" but really He's much closer. Because even when I'm asleep or unaware, He is always there waiting on me.

Before I utter a word, He's at my side.

He's my advisor and helper, with every move I make.

I don't want to take a step without Him.
Don't want to make a decision without His guidance.

It's such a comfort that I do nothing without my best friend.
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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 inve
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