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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

Don't lose focus


“If we fill our hours with regrets over the failures of yesterday, and with worries over the problems of tomorrow, we have no today in which to be thankful” ~ Unknown 


So I've been worrying over something the last 24 hours and I'm reminded of something Joyce Meyer says -- something to the effect of the fact that we have only one thought at a time (although sometimes rapidly in succession) and it's impossible to think about two things at once.  Therefore, we have to always utilize self control and make sure to "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."  (II Corinthians 10:5)  This way, victory is assurred.

It's my desire to be thankful today.  I can't let this day slip away without acknowledging the goodness of God in my life.  I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow.  Nothing is guaranteed but what He says, so that's all I can go on.  I have seen miracle after miracle after miracle occur and well -- I have to believe for this one.  Would you believe that at the moment I began to face a great potential challenge yesterday, Rita Springer's "I Have to Believe" came on the radio?  No kidding.  At the very moment I received some potentially bad news, "bam!" there it was, playing over the radio just for me.  I know God planned it that way and nobody could ever talk me out of it.

I'm so thankful for today.  God is so good to me!

I'm thankful for my family.  Yesterday we're riding down the road to take Savanna to spend some of her Christmas money, and Larry said something to me, but Savanna wasn't sure what he said or who it was to.  So she said, "What Daddy?  Were you talking to me?"  And Larry said, "oh no honey, I was just talking to the love of my life...that's all."  I'm married to a man who still calls me his "bride" after 22 years.  A man who got me a Kindle for Christmas although it's way too expensive IMHO.   A man who is very faithful. I'm thankful.

I'm thankful for my kids.  How many 20 year old sons will walk down the street with their Mom holding their hand and not get a little uncomfortable or hope their friends aren't around?   Not many...if any, and no my son is not a wimp.  He's just a boy who loves his Momma and when I show him affection he doesn't care who's around.  Actually I'm twice blessed because Jordan's the same way.  How many 18 year old boys will come lay a hand on their Mom's head and start praying for them when they don't feel good?  (And see a healing happen many times.)  Not many, but mine does.  How many Moms can say they have twelve year old daughters who talk about going on the mission field, or are so self assurred they have absolutely NO care as to what the kids think of what they wear to school?  (She's a trend setter, not a follower.)  Not many, but I can. I'm so thankful.

How many people can say that they have not just one but two jobs they love?  I've got the best boss in the world at both jobs!  Amazing.  And, I fully believe in both organizations I work for.  I don't just get a paycheck.  I am completely sold out to the mission, vision and core values of both places.  How many people can say that about their job?  Trust me, not many and that's a crying shame.  I'm so thankful for my jobs, and this year oh so thankful for God blessing me with Kathryn.

I'm thankful for my friends.  I have some of the most wonderfully supportive friends in the world.  I won't start listing them here because I don't want to leave somebody out and hurt anyone's feelings.  To be honest with you, many of those friends are in my church.  You are taught in Bible College never to have friends in the church if you are a pastor.  I decided a long time ago to not listen to that rule.  Some of my best friends are in the church.  I pity any pastor who doesn't have that, although I understand why many of them keep that rule in their lives, I'm not sorry for choosing otherwise.  I'm so thankful for my loving and supportive friends.

I am very blessed and very thankful of the life God has given me.  And I won't let even very real problems get in the way of my realization of that and cause my spiritual or emotional vision to blur.  I encourage you to be thankful too, despite whatever challenge or potential challenge you may be facing. 


Comments

Ruth, PA said…
Double thumbs up!!! I was going to say "Have a great day"....but it sounds like you are!! :)
Love to you,
Ruth
Eagles Wings said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Melissa said…
Girlfriend! I love the quote from Joyce Meyer! Think I will post that one on my fridge! Maybe it will help me to remember that going there isn't going to help me over come my worries! You are indeed a treasure and are in my prayers! Stand strong and know that the power of God is not a trickle but a flood and will wash all all those things coming at you to deepths of the the oceans!
Eagles Wings,

I'm so sorry you are dealing with that.

It is difficult for me to be able to comment on what to do about it without being aware of more of the circumstances.

How long have you been married and how long has this been going on?

Do you threaten to go home with your parents, or is he just pulling that out as a suggestion?

Are these serious arguments or just petty little things?

It seems he has reached out to you in some way by giving you these nice things he knows you like but then behaving like this days later. What is the disconnect here? Has something taken place in the meantime or is he normally like this?

I will pray for you about this but would have to know more on why he might have said something like that before I could advise you.

Love and prayers to you...
Tina Blount said…
Deanna, you are the one who encouraged me that I have to believe. So, in turn I'm believing with you in faith for what your worrying about. I believing that He sees your darkness and that by lifting your hands to worship and be thankful for all that is around you that He will see you through!!
- Tina
Thank you Tina -- I sent you a private message to your email. Love you
Eagles Wings said…
Deanna,
I sent you a private email answering the questions in your response...
EaglesWings...
I emailed you back...

praying...

with love

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