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Showing posts from 2013

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

Going to the Next Level With New Year's Resolutions

Have you given up on making new year's resolutions because you never follow through on them? Recently I blogged abou t how I accomplished all but one of my new year's resolutions for 2013.  And they weren't all easy peasy ones. I promise. If you missed the post and want to learn about how I did it and how you can do it too, go here.  I made a decision to do something else this year that I've never done before. I'm not striving to come up with totally new goals this year. For some reason I've always felt pressed to do that. I always felt like a new year called for brand new goals. No one else made me feel pressure to do that -- it was simply my own internal squeeze that I felt to go that direction. This year, my goal is to go to the next level with my resolutions from  last year.  I met my goals. But meeting them, and exceeding them are two different things. Does this mean I'm going soft on goals, and taking it easy this year? No. I'm r

Because of the Birthday Boy, ANYTHING is Possible!

My table is all set for the birthday party! Christmas is one of our busiest times as pastors. I haven't even shaved both legs in one day this month.  The question, "Are you going away for the holidays? " is always one that is humorous to me if one knows my line of work. If the holiday in question has any religious significance at all, I am  working overtime.  In 26 years of marriage we've never "gone away for the holidays" mainly because of our work and also because we have three children and our traditions are rooted in the family we have created together as a married couple. There is no complaint here, just an observation. I absolutely love what I do!  Just sayin' that for a pastor...this is our busy season!Last night we were at the church late, getting things set up for tonight's Christmas Eve Communion. Larry has a special surprise for tonight that he can't wait to unveil! He has talked about it non-stop for a month. I can't wa

Are You Crying Over Spilled Milk?

Things go wrong sometimes even though I think I have prepared well. There are issues I haven't thought about or things outside of my control, that occur at times. The last time something like this happened to me, the phrase, "Don't cry over spilled milk," popped into my head." I have a choice. I can spend time kicking myself over what went wrong, or I can clean up the mess and then make a note to do something else than whatever it was that I just did. I can't always guarantee a winning outcome but I can predict a different one. I may not hit a home run every time, but I will learn valuable things I couldn't have learned any other way. Making mistakes is not optional - we all make them. It's what we do with them that's important. Learning from a mistake means a course correction so it is  not repeated.   Spilled milk doesn't have to slay me or sour me. It can actually serve me, if I let it. The choice is up to me.  

Make a Caesar Salad At Home That Your Family or Guests Will RAVE About!

Never would I have considered this transformational, but to hear the guests who come to dinner at my home talk, it is. So, I'm sharing it with you today. You can name your firstborn after me thank me later. People who "don't cook" are especially going to thank me. Yes, I know you're out there. You're the one who signs up for the church covered dish dinners, telling the lady in charge: "Just to let you know, I don't cook..." hoping to sign up for rolls in a bag or a bakery item. Or soda. ("Pop", for those of you in places like southwest Pennsylvania or Ohio.) You feel like you're the only one. You're not. You've been teased. You've been mocked. You've been misunderstood. Nobody grasps your plight where it concerns the culinary disadvantages that are your reality. I'm here to help you overcome all that. It's a new day, my friend. Your days of taking pop to potlucks are OVER. [Shout now!]

Until Further Notice...Celebrate Everything!

Savanna and I always go shopping very early on black Friday. We don't participate in any door busters. Quite frankly that seems stressful to me. It would be more fun to have dinner with Ann Coulter. It's our tradition to go to a few stores and then out to breakfast together, usually at Waffle House. (I like 'em scattered, smothered and covered.) After we've eaten a gloriously greasy breakfast we head to one or two more stores and go home. One of our favorite places to shop are thrift stores. We enjoy this all the time, black Friday being no exception especially since Salvation Army sells everything including furniture for 50% on that day. This year I was able to get new trees for our Celebration Church cafe for $5 each. I was over-the-moon to find the trees.  So, I also found this serving tray. You can't tell by the photo but it's not a dinner plate, it's a large serving tray. It caught my eye immediately, this little half-off-bargain. It's ce

Moan-Worthy Hot Crab Dip...(A Recipe!)
And Other Things Happening This Weekend.

The word of the day is: scurry. Scurry    Verb; to go or move quickly or in haste.   This weekend is our Christmas open house for church leadership. It takes me about two and a half days to get ready for this, and it's always a great time. Today I'm cooking up a storm and scurrying to get the house ready as well. Some posts from previous Christmas open houses are here at this link , if you'd like to get some ideas and other recipes if you're having a holiday party.  One of the favorite recipes I always serve at this event is hot crab dip. So simple and so good.  Hot Crab Dip Ingredients: 1 cup crab meat (I prefer white - jumbo lump, not claw) 2 (8 oz) packages of cream cheese 1 cup sour cream ¼ cup mayonnaise ¼ tsp onion salt 1 tsp. dry mustard ¾ tsp. Worcestershire sauce Old Bay Seasoning to taste Directions:  I use a variety of crab meat depending on what is available. If fresh is available I always choos

Use It, Or Don't Have It! (And Other Practical Nuggets of Wisdom...)

A few weeks ago I hosted a few groups of women at our home for dinner and meetings. Upon  sitting down to the table, one of the ladies remarked, "I'm afraid to touch anything. What if something breaks?" I explained that this was no problem, if indeed it happened. She was referring to material things, most of which could be replaced. If it couldn't be replaced it's still not of greater importance than people. Some things I choose to live by: People are more important than things. If you have it, use it. If you don't use it, get rid of it. Start with whatever you have. Don't wait for things to be "perfect" to reach out.  Use whatever you have for the greatest good that you can. Share. Be hospitable. Open your heart and home to others.

I Accomplished My New Year's Resolutions! (You Can Too!)

For the first time, ever -- I accomplished all of my new year's resolutions this year except for two, and one doesn't even count! **Happy dance** Here's the deal: one is still in progress. It's well on it's way, but not done all the way.  I'm a poet or a prophet depending on the day! So...in all fairness, I'm not calling it accomplished just yet.  The second unaccomplished resolution didn't happen because early in the year, God told me it wasn't something I was supposed to do anymore -- to take it off my list. So I did. What was different about 2013? In previous years, I made a dream list that pretty much included everything but the kitchen sink. Ironically I got a new kitchen sink this year. And at the end of each year in the past, usually only a few items on my long dream list was accomplished. A few is better than nothing but still, it felt defeating. I was feeling an urge to do things differently for this year. I began praying

7 Things I Love About Larry Shrodes

Today is Thanksgiving AND it's also my husband's birthday!  How fitting. I'm extremely thankful for him. In particular, here are seven things I'm grateful for: 1) He's funny. His sense of humor is the first thing that attracted me to him. 2) He's a great father. He spends a lot of time with each of our kids, and always has. 3) He comforts me. If he knows there's something wrong, he doesn't rest easy until I talk to him about it and he is good at talking me through things. 4) He prioritizes family things . Doing things as a family is his favorite thing to do. 5) He cooks. So do I, but I get tired. And I love knowing that at least half the time, somebody else is doing the cooking and it actually tastes amazing. He's always making new dishes and serving up older favorites. Some of my favorite things that he makes are ~ pierogies, spaghetti, crepes, and a dish he created called, "breakfast potato salad." 6) He loves to tr

5 Things About My Husband That I'm Thankful For

1) He doesn't give up. He sticks with things, working hard on them,  long after most people quit.  He stays the course even when he's down emotionally or physically. When things aren't going the way he wants them to, he just keeps moving forward.  2) He  likes me to be beside him. Always wants me in his world. Hates when I'm not, for some reason.  3) He's the most committed "family man" I know. I've never worried that he's going to do something "crazy" in the sense of a mid-life crisis that would include coming home with a sports car or leaving our family to "find himself."  He's really the most stable person I know.  4) He's the most sentimental person I know. One day he told me, "If I had to pick a theme for my life it would be making memories with my family." I don't really know that I recall ever hearing a man say that. 5) He has sweet habits that are long lasting. Like when I say to him,

When You Deal With Stuff That Doesn't Make Sense

This happens to me all the time! In addition to going through it myself, I have a front row seat when unexpected things go wrong in other people's lives, being that I'm a pastor. When senseless things happen, I witness people's frustration up close and personal and I grieve with them. Many times people want to know, "Why?"  I saw this coffee cup recently in my travels to thrift stores. (Second hand stores are my favorite places to shop.) I have more than enough coffee cups at home and the office but I knew I had to have this one for my collection. It's my new favorite! There are problems that will never be understood in the natural. When ungodly actions are involved, it's doubtful it will ever be explained. This is because sin never makes sense. And there we go, always trying to figure it out!  Although I don't know have an explanation for why things happen the way they do, I do know God. And in those times, it's all that matter

Nothing Compares to THIS Day! Here's Why...

Twenty four years ago today at 12:45 AM, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, in Camden, New Jersey... it happened.  I became the mother of one of the greatest people to ever walk the planet. And, I met my first blood relative. It was my first time to ever look into the face of a relative who resembled me in any way. I will never forget looking into his little face, and seeing something of myself. This was that moment... Looking at my newborn son while the cord is cut... The wonder. The awe. Life with him has been the best experience, ever. With his Daddy after getting all cleaned up. Our new little family, a few days after he was born.   His first Sunday in church, one week after birth. He has always loved pizza. This works out well now that he's a youth pastor. He has always loved to sleep. He rarely gets to these days, he's so busy. He has always been drawn to music, and gifted at it. He figured out how to program the keyboard

When You Want Speaking Invitations

Are you totally itching to get speaking invitations? Here's something you might want to think about. Time Out I took the summer off from traveling to speak outside the church. Even before my natural mother got diagnosed with cancer or passed away, I did this because I needed a time out. It wasn't a hard decision to say no to invitations, because home is my favorite place to be. I had no aspirations to go anywhere in 2014, except for my preaching trip to Africa which is already scheduled. I'd be perfectly fine should Jesus just decide to keep me here. It would be nice to not have to flat iron my hair yet again.  But this past week people have started to reach out to me about scheduling for the months ahead.  So I'm open, and praying and saying, "Whatever you want, Lord."

Nothing Compares to This!

There's nothing like being away with my amazzzzzzing Celebration ladies and teen girls, but there's also nothing like getting in the car and coming home. Coming home means being reunited with the love of my life. Hugs from my boys and kissing their stubbly faces. (Savanna Rose was with me on this trip.) Being greeted by my leaping fur-kids. One day closer to seeing everybody in our church family. Nothing compares to loving now. And I do. I am most blessed among women.

Fierce!!!

My Celebration Church ladies pray for me.  Fierce 2013 -- our Fall Breakaway for the AG women and teen girls  here in Florida kicks off today!  I'm the rep for the Tampa Bay area and even more than the privilege of serving on this great leadership team, I love being away with our church women and girls.  There is nothing like being a "church mama," and I am one. :)  Have been for 26 years. There is nothing that compares to investing in the lives of people and seeing changes in their hearts. There is nothing I want more than to see our ladies and girls walk in the fullness of God. I'm ready for all that God has for us the next few days. Those of us on the leadership team have been here since 4 pm yesterday, setting up. There's so much amazingness in store for almost 1800 women and girls, they have NO idea!!

When You Want Your Spouse to Change Something And They Won't

Sometimes I desperately want my husband to make a change in some way that I know will benefit me, our family, the church or maybe even the world. It's not always something big. It could be a small thing that I know may not seem significant to him  but is a big deal to me. And for whatever reason, he doesn't want to change it or see the need to change it. The purpose of this post isn't to bash my husband. First, I love him...so much.  Second, there have been things he'd like to change about me. This issue goes both ways. I believe everyone's spouse probably has something they'd like to change if they had a magic wand.  Third, I'm simply being transparent and opening up my inner world to help others with theirs. So here goes...

"I Would Rather"
A Poem for My Husband

  I would rather wake up beside you at home, than awaken in the finest hotel anywhere in the world, without you. I would rather eat peanut butter and jelly with you than dine in the most critically acclaimed restaurant in town, without you. I would rather live penniless with you than wealthy without you. I would rather spend a day with you in the most boring or dangerous place in the world, than live out my day in the most beautiful or safe of surroundings. I would rather snuggle up with you on the couch and listen to the rain all day than go on an all-expenses paid luxurious vacation without you. I would rather be your wife, than anyone else's.  

Available Now: HOPE.
Wide Selection.

Recently I was shopping at Sephora with my dear friends, Amanda Woolston and Julie Stromberg, and came upon this... Hope in a jar! As if! I thought to myself, "I so wish it worked that way. I would love to just grab a jar of hope off of the shelf at the store, when I need it." And then the Lord spoke to me right there and said, "You do." You get hope just like that, in many forms! Hope is packaged up for us in different ways. We get it in the Word of God, in the presence of God, in emails, Facebook posts, Tweets, blog posts, phone conversations, over cups of coffee. He sends hope in the way we need, when we need it. Hope is there for the taking.  

Because He Lives, I Can...

  Last night I played the piano, for the first time in six weeks! Anyone who knows me realizes how odd that is, particularly being that playing the keyboard and leading worship is part of my ministry, and yes...when you get down to it, my job. I hadn't given much thought to playing, other than being relieved I didn't have to for a while. I attended another church during my time away, taking in what I needed to nourish my wounded soul. After dinner last night I sat down on the piano bench at my house and just let my fingers do the walking. They instinctively went to: "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know, He holds the future. And life is worth the living, just because He lives." Tomorrow is my first day back to our church, in six weeks.  Ready or not, here I come...  

What's Unlocks the Answer to Life's Problems?

Serious prayer requests? I've got 'em. I'm sure you do too. Matters of life and death in people's lives. Children's futures. Marriage and family needs. Inner healing. Asking God for justice. I am reminded, we don't always know how God is going to answer, but we need to be faithful in letting Him know what's on our heart. A while back I decided I wanted to take my bike to some local places I needed to go, and be able to lock it up. Sometimes I'd rather take my bike to a local store or a friend's house than take our car.  So I purchased a bike lock. My kids thought it was funny that I got one that had letters rather than numbers. I hate remembering numbers. I'm an alphabet kind of person.

When You've Got to Go THROUGH to Get What's Coming to You...

"See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction." Isaiah 48:10 Walking well worn path I've trod daily for almost a month, I've learned many things. Some of them I haven't wanted to learn and would have had a holy-freak-out okay maybe an unholy one if you would have told me prior that I'd be learning them. Years ago when going through a challenge that preceded major learning and growth in my life, someone asked me, "Could you have learned this any other way, Deanna? Would it have been possible by reading a textbook, or listening to someone else's experience?" No, it wouldn't.

Stuff I Adore That Costs Little to Nothing...

Okay...taking a break today from writing about heavy things...like grief, loss, and bawling. Time to write about random stuff today that nobody may be interested in reading. Nevertheless here it is... Stuff I adore that costs little to nothing... Listening to playlists I make on (free) Spotify Drinking out of canning jars Reading books again that I already have on my shelf. Walking and riding my bike. Admiring crepe myrtle trees. Taking a bath in the daytime with the lights off in the room. (Natural light.) Naps. Snuggling with my husband or one of the kids and watching a movie at home. Having all noise turned off when no one is home. (No TV, no music, just silence.) Prayer.

Okay is Bleeechhh.

I hate okay. Okay reeks of mediocrity. "Did you like that restaurant?" "It was okay." "How was the concert?" "It was okay." Yeah....not appealing. Who wants their husband to say, “My wife is.....okay?” I want Larry to say, “My wife is amazing. She is all that. She’s the best thing ever.” Not, “She’s okay.”  He may as well say, “My wife is hell." Over the years I've asked Larry what I could do to better meet his needs. Sometimes I've failed but I hope I've succeeded more. I don’t want my kids to say, “My mom’s okay.” I want them to say, “She’s the best mom ever. “ My amazzzzzinggggggg kids, Christmas Day 2012 About ten years ago, I asked all my kids  to give me a grade on being a mom. I believe evaluation is very important to improvement in every area of our life, including marriage and family. Two of my kids gave me an A. One kid gave me an F.  Yes, an "F". I fail

How Do I Do It? (This is How...)

Jesus Calling , Sarah Young This was my reading on Tuesday in Jesus Calling . It fit perfectly to strengthen me for the days ahead. During various points in my life people have asked how I've made it through, victoriously. There is nothing like the way God's presence speaks to us, leads us, and gives us grace for the journey. I encourage you, call on Him. He will speak and give you strength that quite frankly, doesn't make sense.