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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

Please, Don't Give the Shooter What He Wanted!

I'm so grateful for  friends who have posted blogs or other social media updates about something other than the Sandy Hook tragedy. I don't mind those who have posted about it. (I've done that myself.) But, I'm glad some are sharing about other things in the midst of it all.

Several people posted things that were unrelated throughout the day yesterday and I noticed some vague-like "rebukes" from people who felt it was their job to gently remind them of what they were allowed to post about yesterday. (Apparently there were guidelines I was unaware of.) Yesterday was not the day to post  about anything else but the shooting. Did you get the memo? It was not the day to share about the grilled cheese you ate for lunch or the price of gas coming down slightly.  Anyone who posted about that was gently redirected back to the shooting, and reminded to just pray.

Others shared updates about feeling guilt for enjoying their child's Christmas concert realizing another parent in Connecticut won't have that opportunity.

News reports reveal that some families are in the process of taking Christmas decorations down.

While I'm all for mourning with those who mourn and showing compassion and love, I believe removing any speck of pleasure or peace from our everyday lives is exactly what the shooter would want.

The goal of those who do evil, those who terrorize, is to not only kill but to prevent others who remain from truly living.

Take for instance, the 9/11 attackers and the masterminds behind them wanted us to be afraid. More than anything they wanted to instill fear. They wanted us to stop flying. Stop building skyscrapers. Stop living although we're technically still alive.

I am deeply grieved in my spirit for the victims of yesterday's tragedy. We do mourn with the families. We cry, we pray, we do what we can to reach out.

At the same time, I will not stop enjoying my family, savoring the Christmas holidays, even having grateful appreciation for the two chocolate chip cookies I enjoyed this evening. Doing so in no way diminishes respect or compassion for the Connecticut victims and their families.

LOSS -- reverberating as far as possible and affecting millions is exactly what the shooter wanted before he shot his final person -- himself.  Inflicting pain, and snuffing out life and any enjoyment of life for those left behind was his only goal. (Sound familiar? The enemy comes only to "steal kill and destroy..." John 10:10)

I for one, do not intend to give the shooter one more thing he wants, even from the grave. Which is why I don't even dignify him by mentioning his name in this post. 

My friends, in our grief, let us also continue to gratefully appreciate and enjoy even the small things the day brings. And let's share those things! It's part of the healing process too.

Please, if you have good news...share it!  
 

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