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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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This NEVER gets old

 I love seeing our church go after God with all their hearts...   Just like they're gonna do today... Like they do every Sunday and Wednesday and times in between... I never lose the wonder of what God is doing... and my gratitude that he lets me be a part of it. Thank you Jesus, for the blessing of a church family -- and the privilege to lead them.
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Why some people don't see great things happen

The main thing I've noticed about a lot of people that prohibits their success is that they don't like to be, or won't be, inconvenienced. Most great things have happened in my life when I've been inconvenienced in some way. Just sayin'.
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Who wants to increase their relational value?

I got to thinking yesterday about just why I love our dogs so much.  They are time consuming. A ton of work, actually! Although grown to the point where they are fully "potty trained" and we have no accidents to clean up, there are plenty of other tasks to do daily. Feeding, taking outside so they can "potty", bathing them, walking them daily, and cleaning up all that hair. We have to vacuum a lot more, sweep constantly, and even change our sheets more, since they hop up on the bed. (Although they don't sleep with us- they have their own beds.)    Why do I love these creatures so much when they cause so much work?  There are a few reasons but at the top of the list is that they are so comforting. And, to think -- they do all this without saying a word! Every single day without fail, they are there to give the gift of their presence, snuggling, giving "kisses", and Lord forbid one of us is sick or injured. When I burned my foot, Max moved down to ...
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What to do when you don't know what to do

When I pray, I walk most times. By now I'm surprised there aren't holes where I have worn a path going around and around and around in the Celebration Church sanctuary. Sometimes, it's so hard to keep my focus. I have prayer lists and needs in front of me, but other concerns try so hard to pull me away from prayer.  Some people might think I pray out loud and strong just because I was raised Pentecostal. Well, that might be part of it but one reason is simply to keep focused!  As I'm walking around praying, my eyes notice things that are broken. I see repairs that need to be made. Other things that need to be adjusted and tweaked. I've shut my eyes to walk around and pray, but after all the bruising, decided to stop. Just kidding. A few weeks ago I was walking around the sanctuary in a time of prayer and I noticed some important things that needed to be taken care of. I don't know how to do them.  Even in our congregation of many capable people, among them...
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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...
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Anything is possible!

I can't wait to see what God is going to do in my life and in Celebration Church this month as we seek Him with all our hearts.  Our theme for the month is "Anything is Possible!" We have some amazing people at Celebration Church whose passion is photography. Hundreds of photos were taken on Sunday...too many for me to post here on the blog, and I had so many favorites. It was hard to choose but I selected just a few to share on my blog that captured the day so well. All of these were taken by Dinah Velazquez Lovari.      and last but not least, here's my precious family...in what was a spontaneous photo in the Celebration courtyard after service. Thank you, Dinah!
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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...
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