Profit over People?

It seems like everywhere I go "management" is browbeating employees into doing whatever it takes to increase sales. Valuable real estate on sales floors are being crammed with "budget" items to encourage purchasing while aesthetics and comfort are sacrificed. I myself have held positions where I was "encouraged" to offer sales suggestions; for EVERY customer I was to offer  "complementary" sales items. I've watched my coworkers be bullied into bullying customers to sign up for credit cards. Everyone is so focused on profit that people on both ends, consumers and employees, are abused.

The blatant selfishness amazes me. How did we come to this? How did it get so bad? I guess it's a vicious cycle. Before I started my own business and ventured into contract work, I always wished that my coworkers would rally against the bullies; I am a peace lover and deem it pertinent to respect authority, however when employers force you to work harder for little to no money and/or benefits I believe that it wouldn't continue if someone stood up and said "no".

Unfortunately many workers are scared that the least "discrepancy" will warrant termination. So the workforce silently suffers as the level of abuse dished out by upper management increases. What's even more appalling is that as hours, pay, and benefits are cut upper management and investors continue to make a profit. What's worse is that the workforce ties itself to the plow so that  the world seems to rest on the job and a little money is better than no money at all. Right?  NEWSFLASH: when you settle for less than you deserve, you end up with less than you settled for.

We are settling. People decided that profit was more important than people and we the people are agreeing. By suffering in silence we are saying that it's ok. By continuing to profit while business fails we are saying it's okay. When you decide to look out for yourself you decide to fail. Profit is not more important than people. When we value people over profit profit increases; when we value profit over people profit eventually decreases.

The only person I can control is myself so I plan to go out and value some people. Will you join me?

Trusting God's Timing

**********PASTOR JOEL*************

~There is a set time for my blessing and when you realize that, it takes the pressure off.

~It takes faith because God does tell us that there are set times.

Hebrews 4:3 NKJV

For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,' " although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

Habakkuk 2:3 NKJV

For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.

~Quit worrying about who is getting ahead of you and run your own race.

~Israelites into the promised land.

~Think about how precise God's timing is. It is down to the split second. If it hasn't happened yet, then it is not time.

~The appointed time is the best time because God sees the big picture.

Hebrews 6:12 NLT

Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God's promises because of their faith and endurance.

~Promises are like babies if God lets us have them too early then it may not be healthy for anyone involved.

Psalm 31:15 NLT

My future is in your hands.

Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.

~Abraham and Sarah

~If you let go of Ishmael then Isaac will show up.

~Rest in God's Timing

Psalm 37:1, 4 NLT

Don't worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires.

Psalm 46:10 NLT

"Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world."

Exodus 14:13-14 NLT

But Moses told the people, "Don't be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm."

~Moses and Pharoah

*********VICTORIA OSTEEN***********

♥ READ GOD'S WORD AND FIND OUT WHAT IT SAYS ABOUT YOU.

Romans 10:17 NLT

So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

Romans 12:3 NKJV

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

♥GOD'S POWER COLLIDES WITH MY FAITH AND WHAT I SAY FRAMES MY WORLD.

Matthew 17:20 NKJV

So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

♥ ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS PUSH THROUGH.

Mark 5:25-34 NKJV

Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well." Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?" But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?' " And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."

Sent from the Elders.

23 Extraordinary Questions to ask Your[self] Mentor

Langston Hughes penned a poem that asked the question, “What happens to a dream deferred?” M. Hughes then proceeds to give a few options: a) dry up, b) fester, c)stink, d) sag, or e) explode. My deferred dream sagged then festered. It started to weigh me down back in 2007 and as of 2012 it’s festering. So, I recently asked a friend to mentor me because honestly, I got to a point in life where I gave up; for years I worked hard in all areas of my life but my dreams remained deferred so I figured that there was not point. 

Like I said, I asked my friend to mentor me, this was Friday June 1. Now, I’m Christian and one thing I love about my relationship with God is that He always talks to me and when I make decisions he gives me confirmation. The very next Sunday, my pastor preached a sermon on “Not Settling for Good Enough”. I was more sure than ever that I was going in the right direction!

My new mentor is a relatively new friend who I work with. I told her that up to this point in my life I have done the “right thing” with no results and she is in a place that I would like to be. She works in my field, she’s a wife, and a mother. The most important reason that I chose her is because she is honest and meticulous. I know that she’d give me the feedback and support that I seek.

In preparation for our first “meeting” I googled questions to ask your mentor and I found a pretty awesome list. At the end, the author said this:

“Okay, are you ready? Here’s the fun part. It’s time to ask yourself these questions. And this is what this post is really about. I mean seriously, how can you justify asking anyone anything about who they are and how they think if you haven’t asked yourself the same questions? And arrived at some honest, introspective answers?”

I agree with that statement, so over the next few days (which turned into weeks) I will answer these questions in my blog and also share my the progress with my new mentor. I’m looking forward to moving into the destiny that I’m supposed to live out! Until next time, I’m on the go!

Here are the questions: http://bigfishtopdogs.com/2011/02/23-extraordinary-questions-to-ask-your-mentor/

• What qualities do you look for in the people you hang out with?

I look for people who care about others and like to have clean fun. If I notice that someone mistreats others or even says mean things about other people (behind their backs) I pretty much stay away because I believe that I will get the same treatment. I never believe that I will be an exception to their attitudes and practices. Additionally, while I like to have fun, I do not like crude humor. It makes me uncomfortable. In addition to the aforementioned explanations, those are both attributes that I don’t want to be associated with. If someone is known for crude humor and/or gossip  I don’t want to hang around them and risk someone seeing us together and assuming that we are alike.

• If you wanted to encourage innovative ideas, how would you go about it?

I build relationships and ask questions to encourage innovative ideas. When someone shares an idea with me I ask a lot of questions so we can get to something really great. But before I do that I make a safe environment for idea sharing by doing several things. I include people in “small” decisions. Sometimes I use people’s ideas even if I don’t like them because I never want someone to become uncomfortable or unwilling to share ideas with me at the risk of being ridiculed or ignored. That doesn’t mean I take every suggestion; there’s a difference between a “bad idea” and an  “idea that I don’t like”. I don’t like bad ideas, but not all ideas that I don’t like are bad. That person who I disregard may have an awesome idea some day, but because I haven’t built a relationship with that person he or she may feel uncomfortable sharing with me. Once I was shooting a video that involved balloons. The person running the teleprompter thought that it would be a good idea to put a balloon in front of the camera as if it floated in front of the lens. Even though I didn’t like that suggestion, this person is very creative and I don’t want him to stop giving me suggestions so I told him to put the balloon in front of the camera; though I didn’t like the idea, the shot  didn’t look bad so I decided that it wouldn’t hurt to use his suggestion so we did.

• How would you describe your personal style?

I consider my style fashion forward conservative. I like to accentuate my positives while leaving quite a bit to  the imagination. I haven’t bought many new clothes in years, but I continue to reinvent my wardrobe by mixing pieces and adding accessories.

• How do you give credit where credit is due?

I pay attention to who is doing what; it’s easy to overlook the “small” things. I am sure to say thank you in front of others and I reiterate that something was someone else’s idea.

• If you wanted to create an environment where motivation can thrive, what’s the first thing you would do?

Make sure I’m motivated; and if I’m not motivated figure out why I’m not. I think a positive attitude is contagious and it doesn’t necessarily come from saying positive things. Motivation doesn’t mean fussing or pointing out everything that someone isn’t doing.

• How do you show others that you believe in them?

I don’t micro manage. I try my best to let people figure things out on their own because I know that they can. Sometimes it may take them longer than it took me, but they aren’t supposed to be on my timetable, they are supposed to be on their own.

• Who has influenced you the most?

I guess my mom has influenced me the most. She always told me that the only thing I can really control is myself and that’s how I live my life. It helps be to focus on what I can do as opposed to what I can’t do.

• What do you do to challenge your underlying beliefs, paradigms and assumptions?

I try to remember that my beliefs, paradigms and assumptions were adopted for a purpose and as I grow up, I realize that some of those purposes no longer exist. So I think about why I believe what I believe and if it doesn’t line up with my CURRENT purpose then I start actively assign new B, P, and A.

• What would you do differently if given the opportunity?

I like my life and I feel like everything that I have done (even the mistakes) led me to this point so I wouldn’t want to do anything differently.

• When is breaking the rules okay?

It’s okay to break rules when you have permission and it won’t hurt anyone (physically, mentally, emotionally, etc...). Rules are put into place by people who have looked at the big picture and until the rules are changed we should follow those rules. If there is something you really need, then find someone in authority and ask them if it’s okay to do something that may be against the rules. If they say it’s okay then you can break the rule.

• What does working ‘on’ your business mean to you?

Working on your business means looking at it from the outside (as an observer) and identifying ways that it could be improved.

• What does empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment means believing in someone so much that you give them control over something  that is important to you in addition to any supplies he/she may need to complete that task.

• How and where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration from God through prayer, quiet time, and reading the Bible. I believe that I already have everything inside of me to be creative and effective so I just really need believe in myself. Scriptures help me to believe in myself. When I look anywhere else, I sell myself short. When I remember that the creator of the universe says that I can do all things then that really motivates me to want to do all things!

• If you wanted to find the second best answer to a question or problem, what technique would you use?

I would pick the first best answer apart by taking all the components of it and asking myself, what would I do if I didn’t have “x”

• Why do you do what you do?

I’m good at it and it makes me happy. I can do anything media for hours (without noticing the time). I’m a rare mix of creative and organized.

• How do you approach the unknown?

I learn as much as I can, do what I can do, and I don’t worry about what I can’t do.

• How do you keep your feelings from clouding your decision-making?

I make a plan with a specific purpose then I focus on the purpose. Emotions are temporary so I’d never want to make a permanent decision based on a temporary feeling. Any emotion can distract me but if I remember the purpose I can easily get back on track.

• What’s the best way to keep your eye on future results?

Write goals down and review them as often as necessary. Set reminders in your smart phone or on your computer so no matter what you will be reminded of the promise.

• How do you bring courage and conviction to risky situations?

I practice doing the right thing in the “easy” situations that way the right thing is pretty much a habit.

• What values are you committed to?

Fairness, justice, and kindness.

• What do you do to live a balanced life?

I set priorities and identify what’s important so I can know when to say no. There are opportunities around every corner and honestly I want to do it all. The most important things to me are my relationship with God and my husband. I never want to do anything that will negatively impact either of those.

• What are 5 key books you feel I should read, and why?

The Bible: Even if you aren’t Christian, the Bible covers EVERY possible situation you could ever face. It’s filled with the experiences and insights of a wide range of people in a wide range of situations. I just happen to be Christian and reading the Bible is a good way to get to know my God.

Saving Your Marriage Before it Starts: Even if you aren’t getting married this book helps you organize your beliefs and priorities. Knowing yourself will give you a fast track to knowing where you want to go. Once you get married, accept a job, or pretty much participate in any activity involving other people you will know how to communicate your desires.

Green Eggs and Ham: When it comes to a lot of things people get stuck in a rut; they are scared to try anything new. I think this book is a fun reminder that you really don’t know whether or not you like something until you try it. 

Bad Girls from the Bible and What We Can Learn From Them: People always say that “experience” is the best teacher and I believe that doesn’t mean that I have to make all the mistakes; I can learn from someone else’s mistakes. A lot of times when teaching life lessons we focus on the ones who “got it right” but many times the ones who got it wrong can teach us invaluable lessons! Further more, just because someone gets it wrong, doesn’t mean that everything about that person is wrong. This book puts experiences into perspective; not only do you learn about a few bad girls it will help you look at the bad girls in your life a little differently.

Bitter is the New Black : Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass,Or, Why You Should Never Carry A Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office: This book is based on a true story!  My name is Jenny and this book is about Jen! Jen had to learn some hard lessons and rearrange her priorities, the experience didn't change who she was inside. Though she learned not to blow wads of money on senseless things, and learned some respect for menial jobs, she didn't change the person she was. 

• What dreams and goals inspired you to succeed?

I always wanted to have options. I was never sure exactly what I wanted to do but I wanted to be prepared for as many opportunities as possible.

So I did it. I answered all these questions and I'm not sure whether I want to ask my mentor any of these questions but I probably will think about these questions a little more later! Until next time, I'm on the go!

5x7 Folded Card

Picture In Landscape 5x7 folded card

Shutterfly cards for Mother's Day, Valentines Day, Birthdays & more.

View the entire collection of cards.

Mrs. Dodie @ Lakewood Church

Momma Dodie @ Lakewood Church

In the hospital from getting tests from Nov. 20-Dec. 10 1981 when she was given a few weeks to live.

Decided she wouldn't go to bed except at regular bed times because she didn't want to act sick.

Instead of telling people how she felt she told them what God said.

Replace the devil's torments with God's Word.

Stir up the Word of God in your heart, even if you feel like you don't need it.

What ever you're believing God for, find where it is written and make a list.

If you have unforgiveness make it right. 

Put pictures up that remind you of when you were well.

Romans 4:17 As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.

2 Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Matthew 21:19 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered.

****************************

Dr. Paul Talk

"The Lord Will Lift You"

• THE LORD WILL LIFT YOU WHEN YOU ARE DOWN PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, and/or EMOTIONALLY

Psalm 3:3 But you, lord, are a shield around me,my glory, the One who lifts my head high.

Matthew 8:14 When Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw Peter's mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.

• THE LORD WIL LIFT YOU WHEN YOUR FAITH WAVERS.

Matthew 14:28-32 "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said.Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.

• THE LORD WILL LIFT YOU WHEN YOU ARE AT YOUR WORST.

Psalm 40:1-2 waited patiently for the lord;he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit,out of the mud and mire;he set my feet on a rockand gave me a firm place to stand.

OFFERING TALK

• WHEN YOU'RE PLANTED EVERYTHING IS ROOTED SO EVERYTHING WILL FLOURISH.

Psalm 92:12-15 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the lord,they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age,they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, "The lord is upright;he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him."

-- Sent from JRochelle's Palm

Pop Stars

#hopeandlife12 {Night 3}

John Gray @ Lakewood Church

"Power of Potential: Strategic Tactics for A Remnant Seed"

Psalm 24:6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.

1. Jacob carried the stigma of his name everywhere he went: it means "trickster".

• He was raised in house that pushed him toward the definition or his name.

• He wanted to please God.

2. Your potential doesn't give you the victory.

• The youth today are in a microwave generation, thinking it doesn't take work.

• That refers to everything including your relationship with God.

3. Until you see yourself as a solution, you will be a part of the problem.

• Your obedience can be someone's ticket to heaven.

• There is no one else who can do what you do.

4. Israel was the action side.

•  When Jacob became Israel, he quit the life of half-hearted service to God. 

•  We usually don't recognize all our errors, but we also fail to realize when we have made a significant turn for the better but God does and gives us a new name. 

5. This is the Jacob generation: The tricky generation stuck in the middle.

BE A LEADER

***Never be afraid to embrace your replacement. Jesus never prepared the disciples for his prescence, He prepared His disciples for his absence!

CHOOSE TO USE TECHNOLOGY FOR HIS GLORY

***The enemy wants your attention, allegiance, and affection. We have all the tools and we have to choose how to use them.

MAKE JESUS POPULAR

***With 32 tweets you can trend, why not trend #Jesus.

-- Sent from JRochelle's Palm

Giving the Gift of Yourself

Joel Osteen @ Lakewood Church

• The greatest gift is your time, your love, your concern, your attention etc...

• With technology it's easy to cheat people out of the best of me.

• You can't do it for everyone but you can do it for someone and if you keep putting off, then you may miss your opportunity.

James 4:13-17 Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money."Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them.

• John Osteen and Sam Story: Sam explained Revelation 3:20 and took John to church where he accepted the Lord. They both became ministers but Sam was never stable and John put Sam on staff.

Revelation 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

• Don't forget about the people who helped you get to where you are like David did.

2 Samuel 9:1 David asked, "Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?"

• If you only had an hour to live who would you call, what would you say and what are you waiting for?

************************

Victoria Osteen Talk

"The peace of God"

Psalms 37:37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright;a future awaits those who seek peace.

• Peace is a benefit of having a relationship with God.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

• It will guard your heart and a "guarded" heart is a strong protected heart. And when you don't guard your heart you leave it exposed.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

•Peace is something that you can grow and develop.

Peace is trust in the storm.

-- Sent from JRochelle's Palm