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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

Punishment...or Reward?



“Look, I’ve got two daughters - nine years old and six years old. I’m going to teach them first of all about values and morals. But if they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby…I don’t want them punished with an STD at the age of 16…" Barack Obama


The Christian Defense Coalition has asked for an apology over these remarks and I hope it comes.


I guess I am a punishment?

My sister is a punishment?

My husband is a punishment?

We are all “unplanned”.

We are all also successful people (well at least my husband and sis are! LOL) who are giving to society and raising great kids of our own. What a pity that all of us were apparently somebody’s punishment.

Off the cuff comment or not, I can’t believe somebody would equate a baby with an STD in the same sentence, first of all.

Second of all, we knew the man who made this comment is a member of a church with a pastor that is absolutely whacked, so getting things Biblically wrong would be no shocker. However, what does the bible say?

Psalm 127:3,4: Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.

Children, planned or unplanned by people (everyone has been planned by God according to Psalm 139) are always a REWARD, never a punishment. My kids are the greatest thing ever to happen to me, besides my marriage. (which brought me my kids!)

Larry has often said our “quiver is full of arrows and we’re done.” Which means we do not have any plans of our own to have more children. However, what if it happened anyway? I’d need a lot of counseling and prayer because of what I see as my own limitations and inadequacies as a mother. But consider the child a punishment? No, absolutely not. A child is one of the greatest gifts anyone could receive. Being a mother is one of the highest honors. In my life I am only honored more by being God’s daughter, and Larry’s wife.

God can help a person to view what was once "unplanned" in their life as an unexpected blessing from God.

I still can’t believe these words were uttered. I read them and thought, “it’s from some rag magazine…just gossip.” But I did some investigating and found the YouTube clip. Unless somebody is a fantastic Barack Obama impersonator, he said the words.

Before you think I’m endorsing another candidate, I’m not. I think this is the sorriest election I’ve ever seen and I don’t like ANY of the candidates! I will vote because I’m a Christian and I think it’s the right thing to do because somebody fought for my right to vote and to not vote is a slap in the face. However, I don’t really like any of the choices.

I’m just sayin’…

Punishment?

That was not a nice thing to say at all and I hope an apology is indeed forthcoming.


Comments

Anonymous said…
I completely agree with you. As everyone I know already knows, I was pregnant my senior year of high school but I have never consider my beautiful daughter a punishment. She is the joy of my life and I would not change it for the world. Was it God's plan, probably not but He can turn anything into a blessing if we just give him the opportunity. I thank God everyday for the PRIVILEGE of being her mother.
Michele said…
I am so thankful Marcus' birth mom did not think he was a punishment- Through all of the rough times we go through- he still a joy and I would not change it for the world- he has made me a better person and I am so ever thankful for God choosing me to be his mother
Melissa Davis said…
Wow! I agree, Those were some uncalled for comments. I sure dont consider myself and my siblings as punishments to my parent, might have been one or two unplanned but punishment - definately not so!
Anonymous said…
Wow. Just...wow. I am also having a hard time with this election - but you're right. I believe voting is mandatory. Besides, there are state and local elections going on besides the Presidential election, as well as important referendums that need voting on. Still...voting for Donald Duck as a write-in has crossed my mind!!!

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