Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts with the label Counseling

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 i...
Post a Comment
Read more

Are you talking to the right people?

We need to have conversations with the people we're supposed to have conversations with. What a revolutionary thought! This didn't come out of my head -- I wish it did. It's brilliant. But I have to give credit to T.D. Jakes, one of my favorite preachers. Larry taped an interview for me the other night -- Oprah had Jakes as her guest on a special that she did. I couldn't wait to watch it and sure enough, it was rich with truth. He just has a way of cutting to the heart of an issue every time. Here's what he brought forward that was so eye-opening, and really it goes along with what I've been experiencing with the "four steps."  He said that when we have conflict or hurt in our lives and we don't discuss it with the person who caused the pain, we will always end up having "that conversation" with somebody else!  Many times w e take out on other people that which has nothing to do with them, and that which they can't ch...
2 comments
Read more

Why you should never end a relationship by screaming into the phone

"Ooooh...I'm so sorry to have to do this to you again, but I'm going to have to cancel today's lunch..." I delighted in my friend's company, but truth be told she canceled on me more times than she showed up. She worked a job where she earned well over six figures and was in high demand. To be fair, I worked a demanding job too, co-pastoring a church and worked 90 hours a week at the time although our salaries were a little different. ;) My friend had what seemed like the perfect life. High powered job, home worth over half a million dollars, handsome and equally successful husband, cute and well behaved children who did well in school and excelled at extra curricular activities, well known and respected in the community, and to top it all off -- they loved Jesus and were part of the church. So, how does it get any better than THAT? Well... All of the demands on my friend's life made the cancellations of our plans a constant reality. I was surp...
2 comments
Read more

4 Steps to Freedom

  1)     Define the emotion. What am I feeling? Why do I feel this way? 2)     Recognize the source. When did I first feel this way? When have I felt this way before? 3)     Uncover the lie What feels true about this?          What do I believe about myself? 4)       Embrace the truth Jesus, bring truth and light to this place. Lord, what is it that You want me to see, hear and know? Jesus, come into this place of pain. I take time to write out everything (for my eyes only) about any situation I'm feeling an overwhelming negative emotions about.  Maybe you have some things like that too. When you uncover the lie, you are pinpointing anything you've come to believe about a past situation that is not in line with God's Word.   When you embrace the truth, you are zeroing in on what God tells you about the situation , versus the lie you have believed....
1 comment
Read more

WHY the thing you're upset about TODAY is really about YESTERDAY

When people disappoint us we can experience all sorts of negative emotions. As I shared in yesterday's post , I recently had a life-changing encounter with a licensed professional counselor. Our time together began with her telling me that she rarely if ever gets angry. And, she used to be a person who had a serious anger problem! Now that got my attention! I "manage" my anger well but as far as eradicating it...well, attempts on that have not been totally successful.  She shared with me is that in the majority of cases when someone is overcome with a negative emotion, it is a trigger for something they experienced in the past. (To clarify, this doesn't refer to things you aren't sure happened or digging up repressed memories, etc. What she was talking about are painful things you can actually recall that took place at an earlier time.) In other words, the issue is not the issue. There's something deeper going on. When someone hurts you now, it'...
Post a Comment
Read more

WHY other people's failures have nothing to do with YOU

Recently a counselor shared with me something incredibly liberating. "Everyone is messed up."  And... "Their issues have nothing to do with you." As simple as it sounds, this set me free, especially as a leader.  I had a counseling session recently that changed my life. And, I'm not afraid to tell you that. I'm going to unpack the thoughts shared with me by this licensed Christian counselor in a few posts to come. Their words absolutely liberated me. I hope they have the same affect on you if you are struggling in any way. Last week I saw a Facebook status update from a pastor who was discouraged that 67 people showed up for Sunday service. He was so down. He said that 67 people on a Sunday morning was totally opposite of everything he dreamed for himself years ago in Bible College. I know 67 would be a dream for some people, and for others a nightmare. That's another post for another day. The truth is, the unfaithfulness of others has ...
Post a Comment
Read more