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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 i...
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Back to the real world

I'm taking time to ease my way back in.  What's the rush? I have hundreds of emails waiting.  But it won't kill them to wait.  I was entirely "unplugged" the entire time I was on the trip.  As I was sitting pool side this week I met a wonderful lady from Georgia and we struck up a long conversation while we relaxed and she asked me, "what is your favorite thing so far of being here?"  (We were both first time cruisers.)  I said, "Oh without a doubt my husband and I both being unplugged!"   It was wonderful to be entirely cut off from the outside world. I will get to all my correspondence this week starting Monday, but not today. It will wait.  One more day won't hurt.  I have church today (I am excited to see my Celebration Church peeps!) and choir rehearsal for our Easter Musical which is coming up next Sunday (I can't believe it's THAT soon!) and that will be enough to become immersed back into my world for today.  The rest wi...
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God answers prayer!!!

 Our parents have been spotted on a boat!  It's a big one, authorities report. Special agents tracked them down in Mexico but indications are that they have come into Tampa this morning and are headed back home!!! We can hardly wait!  We are waiting with bated breath!   We got word late last night that they were on the way. Thanks for your prayers for us this past week...it meant the world.  
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Why is your body such a big deal?

"How weary we grow of our present bodies.  That is why we look forward eagerly to the day when we shall have heavenly bodies which we shall put on like new clothes."  ~ II Corinthians 5:2 TLB I've gotten in the habit of doing something each day to invest in my body.  Why spend time on our physical bodies?  Let's look at God's Word.  I Timothy 4:8 says, "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."  Some people have taken this one scripture in an unbalanced way and assumed that physical fitness really  has no real value in our lives.  Instead of focusing on the fact that it is actually of "some value" they assume because it is compared to godliness is has no value.  While godliness certainly has greater value, physical training isn't a non-essential.  I Corinthians 6:19 says, "Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Ho...
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What does it take?

So Larry and I have been married almost 24 years now and quite often we're asked how we've managed to keep it together.  Anyone who has ever spent any significant time with us knows how opposite we are in so many things, so this particularly stirs interest in those who know our differences. I thought I'd list just a few things that help us, for those who might be wondering. We both have a close personal relationship with the Lord.  Before we're each other's we're His. We don't expect from the other person what only the Lord can provide. We find our commonalities and maximize them.  There aren't many, quite honestly.  Aside from a relationship with  Jesus and the fact that we've got three kids and two dogs, we have to try hard to find other things we enjoy as personal interests, and when we do we focus on them.  Sometimes it's as simple as a house project such as painting a room or cooking a meal (yes, he's a great cook), or spending t...
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Leaving the whip behind...

I have a love/hate relationship with technology. Sometimes I am grateful for the opportunity to be more connected and at other times I loathe it.  I value peace and quiet and the more connected I get it seems the less of it I have. A few weeks ago I wrote on my Twitter that sometimes my phone feels like a whip. At times a weight settles on my shoulders as soon as I have to answer it.  As a general rule I don't complain about it but everyone needs a break now and again and this week is mine.  The fact that I am feeling a discomfort when my phone rings probably signifies that I really needed this week away.  (Again, thank you, Celebration Church !) I have sorely (pardon the pun) needed this time to be unplugged. So suffice it to say I'm thankful, oh so thankful to have this week away from my phone!!  More than that, I am also grateful to have the week away from my husband's phone.  We rarely have any conversation at all without it ringing a few times....
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Please pray for us!!

It's unbelievable!!! We've searched everywhere! Maddie and I woke up to a stark reality yesterday. By the afternoon we realized the cold, hard truth. Daddy and Mommy were gone.  This reality was met with shock and disbelief.  We are trying to get our bearings.  I am trying to show leadership and take charge of this situation but it's not easy.   I try to get through to Maddie but she can't hear me anyway.  (She's deaf.  Remember?) I just want to bury my head under the covers and try not to think about what's happening... Last night I just dreamed of them walking in the door this morning and setting our world right side up again.   I'm desperately in need of a breakthrough, friends. At least Maddie and I have each other to lean on even though she can't hear me.   It's just important right now that we be near each other. Even Kayte feels sorry for us that we're without them this week... Last night I was so discouraged she anointed m...
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"It's just stress" ...

Last year I was speaking at a conference and I wasn't feeling well.  In between teaching sessions I went to lay down.  A friend who was also preaching at the same conference came and checked on me and said, "Deanna, what's wrong?" and I said, "Oh don't worry, it's nothing serious.  I really think it's just stress and it's catching up with me." And to that my friend responded, "Deanna, don't downplay stress!  Many times we say, 'oh, it's just stress' and we act like it's nothing to really concern ourselves with if it's "just stress".  Stress is something that is quite serious and this issue needs to be addressed." Hmmm.  I stood corrected.  Well, not literally.  I mean, I remained laying down until I had to speak again...lol.  But with the issue at hand, I was justifiably rebuked.  Her words started a hunger in me for new information about stress and it's physical ramifications. Stress affects...
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