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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

We're all going to die

I rarely read fiction. In fact, I can count on one hand the fiction that has interested me, with a few fingers to spare. I devour non-fiction faster than most people - usually a few books a week. When someone recommends a fiction book to me I usually don't read it and even when I do it gets put on my reading list and is generally relegated to the bottom.

A book called, "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins has been sitting on my nightstand for three months. Dustin put it there. He and Savanna have been begging me to read it. I thought I'd get by without bringing it on vacation but as we were literally shutting the last car door to pull out of the driveway, Dustin says, "Mom, did you bring that book?". ["Drats!" I'm thinking..."I was so close...".]. "No," I reply. He says, "Hold on, Dad..." runs back into the house and gets the book, comes back and puts it on my lap and we shut the doors and pull out. Oh joy.

Riding through South Carolina Dustin glances up and says to me, "Mom, why are you reading a book by John Maxwell? Please get out "Hunger Games!!". He reminds me of all the books I've begged him to read and haven't let up on him about, especially my nagging him to read Elie Weisel's "Night." I acquiesce. Out come "The Hunger Games."


I begin reading and by the second chapter I realize why my kids feel this way about the book. I can't put it down. Yesterday morning Dustin asked me my impression and I tell him it's absolutely riveting and that my favorite character so far is a boy named Peeta. He says, "mine too" and goes on to tell me that Peeta is his favorite because he reminds him of himself. I suddenly realize that it's the same reason I love Peeta. He is so much like Dustin.

I have a bad feeling that Peeta is going to die. If any of you have read the book and already know please don't tell me.  I'm not finished reading the book yet and don't want it to be spoiled. Dustin gently says, "Mom, it's okay. Peeta might die but please remember we're all going to die."

He's right but if Peeta dies I'm going to cry like a baby.

My kids tell me the book is coming out as a movie early next year. They already have plans to go on opening night. They were delighted when I said, "I want to come!  I want to come!!"

I'm really hoping I don't have to watch Peeta die on the big screen. If I do, Dustin will be there to give me lots of Kleenex and pat my back and remind me, "It's okay, Mom. Remember, we're all going to die someday."

I still don't want Peeta to die.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Ooh...I just got that book from the library, too!! Although, unlike you, I devour fiction. And nonfiction. As long as there is something in front of me to read, I am a happy camper!! Welcome to the dark side :o).

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