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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

Ordinary Times

Today, Oswald Chamber's devo said: "The true test of a person’s spiritual life and character is not what he does in the extraordinary moments of life, but what he does during the ordinary times when there is nothing tremendous or exciting happening. A person’s worth is revealed in his attitude toward the ordinary things of life when he is not under the spotlight (seeJohn 1:35-37 and John 3:30 )."

So we got all the copying done today on my bookorders to ship out .

There is no bike ride in the morning because I have Zumba tomorrow night. I'm looking forward to it. I am so ready for my day off. It'll be a bit different this week because the kids are off, but I'm still claiming some time to myself. Because they are off, I will definitely sleep in.

Chambers is right, you do find God in the ordinary. I find out how my relationship is with him when I am not in the spotlight and just doing tactical work. Many times doing that type of work I truly feel His presence surrounding me, and usually flooding me with "God-ideas." They flow more than ever when I am just sitting at my computer, or biking, or riding in my car on an ordinary day during an ordinary moment. God has the ability to turn the ordinary very quickly into extraordinary. I love just my ordinary days and am very happy and content with them. Although I'm striving for more than just "ordinary-ness" (I know, it's not a word...) I do love the days when things are just relatively quiet and...well...ordinary.

I love hugs from the kids...walking a few miles...savoring a cup of coffee...reading a good book...taking a nice warm bath...making love with Larry...listening to my MP3 while I ride my bike...walking into a clean kitchen...calling a friend who understands...having Ada style my hair...reading a frivolous women's magazine just to get my mind off of stuff (they are so simple and easy to read and don't require any true brain power. How much intelligence does it really require you to read about the perfect shade of lipstick for this season, or Paris Hilton's last faux pas? Not a lot...that's why it's perfect for a great diversion on a day off when I'm tired.)

I love opening my Bible on just an ordinary day and realizing the extraordinary love of the Father in my life. I love the way God's presence feels. I love getting in the deep places in worship. I love when God speaks to me at that certain moment in His presence. I love the way He loves me, and makes every ordinary day extraordinary.

Today was one such day, I guess. I was zonked this morning (okay, so what's new?) from staying up and working til' about 1:30 am last night. I didn't intend to do that, but I was so backed up from being in Ft. Lauderdale and plus with company I did not get on the computer earlier when they were awake. So, I found myself trying to get a few things done while I could. I figured, "I'll never make it up for my morning bike ride." Well, Savanna Rose came in to the bedroom at about 5 am and said she had a bad dream. She just slid in bed and snuggled next to me. Whenever she sleeps next to me I don't sleep as soundly. It comes from when she was a baby and slept next to me and I was always very cautious and on guard for her every move. So, I was already sort of awake when it was time for the ride. I got up and got dressed and headed down to 54 for my morning journey...came back and had a cup of hazelnut coffee while I sat in the bathtub. Then it was off and running to get her ready for school. We had breakfast with Bob and Sally on the way to work...and then I started on the ordinary stuff I always have on my plate. Nothing real out of the box today. Loads of paperwork...making video announcements more computer work...finishing final last minute edit on book and printing.

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