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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...

Why you need to be distracted sometimes

Image courtesy of http://www.psiquilt.com/2011/07/pinterest.html I have preached against "fatal distractions." I've given motivational talks on getting beyond distractions so one can "get down to business and accomplish your goals and dreams." This is something I excel at -- focusing to achieve. Unfortunately it's also partly responsible for my blood pressure being higher than it should be, and some other not-so-positive outcomes. I have friends who accomplish a bit less than me, however they are generally healthier. And I've realized if I keep going this way they may outlast me.  Not that I want my friends to die, but I really would prefer that none of us be missing. :) So, I started thinking maybe I need a distraction now and then.  A friend recently told me they take a break from working at their computer every 20 minutes, get up and walk around, just for the benefit to their vision alone.  They are one of the most successful people I kno...

When "me time" isn't helping you...what next?

"Getting it all done" successfully is a lot of what I write about on this blog since it's the thing people ask me about most. I came to a realization while on our family cruise. The painful physical symptoms I've been experiencing for almost two years were almost gone by week's end.  It was then that I realized that my de-stressing strategy at home isn't working.  I'm sure you've heard the ol' "do something just for YOU, everyday" advice, especially if you're a woman.  Everyone sings the praises of "me time". I take time for myself each day. I might ride my bike for 30 minutes, or take a long bath at the end of the day, or go walking or read. And nothing's changing with my stress level and physical symptoms. I make a conscious effort to not complain but at times my friends or family can see my stress, even just the way I may wince in pain as I change positions.  They say, "Have you been taking some time of...

If you have not prayed, be quiet

Deanna-rant again here.  Two days in a row.  I'm safe.  I know that the diehards who realllllllly love me read the blog on the weekend. I'm tired of my pastor-friends being shot down one by one by the devil.  I know a lot of factors are involved when things happen, but the fact is -- the church needs to pray more!  Prayer is not supposed to be an afterthought.  I've heard it said that you can tell how popular the pastor is by how many people attend church on Sunday morning.  You can tell how popular the church is by how many attend on Wednesday night.  And you can tell how popular Jesus is by how many attend the church prayer meeting!  How long will we be content with a prayerless church? Matthew 26:40-41 says: "When he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter.  “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but t...

Depressed because you don't have a holiday hook up?

Warning:  Deanna rant ahead. If I see one more Christmas commercial, "every kiss begins with Kay" I'm going to puke. Every year I hear some adults make the remark about hating the holidays, or dreading Christmas.  And you know what?  Most every single time it's about who they're not sharing Christmas with.  It's their depression about the fact that that they are not dating, getting engaged, married, making out or having sex. Newsflash:  Christmas is not about whether you are making it to first, second, or third base, or all the way. The way some believe you would think they mistakenly thought Luke 2:10 declared: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you snuggles of great joy that will be for all the people." [Sigh] Christmas isn't about who we're with.  It's about who's with us. Emmanuel...GOD WITH US. That's what this season is about.  He chose to come in human form to become just like us, yet without sin. Through whatev...

3 ways to entertain without a nervous breakdown

Fear of entertaining seems to be an issue that's not so uncommon.  I talk to many people who have told me they have never welcomed guests in their home. Some want their domain to be strictly a private refuge, others don't know where to begin and feel inadequate when it comes to inviting people over. Dessert table at our leadership Christmas party at our home last year. We welcome people into our home often, in fact tonight the Celebration women will be coming to our home and Sunday night we're having all of the newcomers over.  We usually invite anyone who is new to the church over every other month, and have a "getting to know you" time.  It's not uncommon for us to have anywhere from one or two people to 70 people at the house.  A few New Year's Eve's ago, we had over 100 people here.  It was organized chaos! Some of the kids dancing on New Year's Eve last year in our family room.  At times I do something with all of the china and the t...

Stuff rolling around in my head

If you don't change the small things first you probably won't get around to the big things. Too many people wait for someone to draw them out, and compel them to change.  The truth is no leader is going to spend as much time drawing you out as will be required for a next level. Leaders gravitate toward pliable people. The "want to" has to be there. Don't expect a leader to keep investing when you haven't followed through on what they've already asked you to do. Nothing big is ever going to change until you change something you do daily.

Are you confused about your life direction?

I'm speaking about this tonight at Celebration in our fusion service and thought I'd share a few thoughts here on my blog. God is not the author of confusion.  This means if you are in a depressed state of mind or confused, what you are feeling is not from the Lord. I Corinthians 14:33 tells us that God is not a God of disorder, but of peace…”   Many people are confused because they wrestle with the idea of being "called."  Understand there are callings on all of our lives in a sense.  And, one of the first things people often don’t realize is that there is a difference between our spiritual gifts , a call , and a burden . When we get these mixed up we can begin to suffer confusion. Every believer has spiritual gifts.   And every believer is a minister though not necessarily a vocational one. Many people have  been enlightened as to their spiritual gifts and then they think, “Wow...oh my...this is amazing.  God is using me!!  It ...