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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

Preparation A


I spend most of my days preparing to do things.  

I spend lots more time preparing to do what I do than actually doing it.   I think this is one of the biggest misconceptions people have about any job or role that people aspire to -- the whole preparation thing.  They have no idea that the majority of the work really is behind the scenes when it comes to pretty much anything.

According to Bernie, one of our fusion leaders at Celebration, I'm great at preparation.  Hardly a week goes by that he doesn't give me kudos for it.  "You are always so prepared," he says.  And he tells this to the people all the time and gives me appreciation for it whenever he happens to be the one with the microphone, which is very nice. The truth is no matter how prepared I am, I always feel like I may be forgetting something, even though I always have a checklist.

Due diligence to preparation is definitely one of the ingredients for success.  I was thinking about the word "preparation" and honestly one of the first things that came to my mind was "Preparation H" for whatever odd reason.  Although I don't have a reason to use it at this time I am mindful of the fact that their commercials talk about "prompt relief." The truth about preparation in general is that if you give proper attention to it, you'll experience true relief when the day of reckoning comes.  This is true whether you're studying for a test, getting ready to speak in public, or prepared for Jesus' return.   Giving attention to your readiness will truly bring relief in these situations and more.

What our elders have taught us, "It's better to be over-prepared than under-prepared," is so true.  

Proverbs 22:29 is one of my favorite verses in scripture:  
"Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men."

I take the liberty of saying, "she".  In other words:  "Do you see a woman skillful in her work?  She will stand before kings; she will not stand before obscure men."

Preparation cannot be underestimated.

Right now I'm preparing for many important things in my life and what I believe will be important moments in the lives of others.  There's no greater honor, and I am humbled.  I stand amazed at God's divine appointments as I stay faithful to do what He asks of me.

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