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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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A different kind of Sunday

It was a unique day to say the least for us. But it was good.

Dustin and I had to stay home from church today as he is not allowed to go out anywhere until Wednesday. We slept in which for us happens about once in a decade on a Sunday, if that. Maybe vacation when we choose to go to a late service or something but that's about it.

Dustin rested this morning while I got up and cooked and cleaned in preparation to have guests for lunch. We were blessed by a visit today from Chad and Jodie Probert, (these photos here are of them) a couple who were kids from our youth group when we were youth pastors in Ohio. They are a special duo...just love the Lord so much and serve him faithfully. We are so proud of them as we are so many from that group who just turned out wonderful! Back then I always said that we would know how successful we truly were in youth ministry not based on what happened right then at the time, but based on what our kids were like a decade later. You can see growth in a youth group but you do wonder if you are making a lasting difference many times. Because that is where the real effectiveness is, not just having an awesome service or great activities, but in truly knowing lives are changed and set on a passionate course for God. We find out more and more just what a blessing so many of those teens (now adults) from our youth group are to the body of Christ, and to the world. Just in the past few years we came across David and his wife who are now youth pastoring, and Lee and his wife who are senior pastoring - with families of their own...amazing! And just recently we heard from Kristan who is also married and serving the Lord faithfully with her husband. We are so proud of all of them for the choices they have made in their lives and the commitment they have to God and His church. There is NOTHING like seeing your "spiritual kids" grow up and live fruitful lives for the Lord. So back to our visit...

Larry and our other kids were at church and from what I understand they enjoyed a great service with quite a few people getting saved. (Now that's what I miss most!) Larry brought the Proberts back for lunch. I made a huge spread for us with all the trimmings - pulled out my china and all the stuff that I love to do so much.

After lunch, Larry asked Chad if he wanted to go play 9 holes of golf here in Lexington Oaks (where we live), which really greatly appealed to Chad. By this time, Bobby had come by to visit Dustin and I asked him if he would mind staying with Dustin for a little bit while Jodie and Savanna and I went down to Bealls. (Somebody has to be with Dustin 24/7.) Bobby said he wouldn't mind "babysitting" at all, in fact he'd rather enjoy it. So, with that settled, us girls went down to Bealls for a little bit while the guys played golf.

All in all we enjoyed a wonderful day of sharing, catching up, reminiscing about old times, and thanking God for all His blessings now. (Did I mention I'm so proud of them?)

They are in Tampa because they are leaving for a 5 day cruise tomorrow to the Carribean. Was so good to have them here...and looking forward to hearing all the new things God continues to do in them...

Yes, it's been a unique day...but a good one.

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