What a Great Idea... origin of creativity

by Dale Shumaker
4spirit@gmail.com

What A Great Idea! 2.0 by Chic Thompson.
Creativity is not limited to the right brain, creative types. Using the right mental process, will open the door to new ideas. Thompson's updated edition not only shows you the maps to finding new ideas, but how to dispel the idea killers who are on a notorious hunt to kill your brilliant revelations.

From the nature of creativity, to handling killer phrases, to creating creatively, Chic provides processes that work for any individual and group.

"Creativity is the ability to look at the same thing as everyone else, but to see something different."

Your creative life cycle is at its peak at about 5 years old. It goes downhill from there, bottoms out at about 44. But the good news is it re-surges again at retirement. Life seems to beat it out of us.

The three phases of creativity are the "why" (0-5 years old), then "why not" (5-12 years), then "because" (12 years to retirement). In one study, 5th graders outperformed the imaginative thought of Hewlett-Packard's best innovators. There's hope for everyone.

Here's Thompson's road tour... we still have hope.

First, unlearn learning, seek the second, third answers, instead of the "right" answer (that we had to have in school). Smile more, the mind likes that and gives you more things to smile about.

Creative process: generation (getting ideas), to promotion (application of ideas), to design (organization to make it work), to implementation (tasks to reach goals), to evaluation (did it work like we thought).

Best ideas are 15 minutes ahead... if they are too far out people can't grasp them. Be dyslexic... see things differently, in a different way and speculate potential (one study found many entrepreneurs are dyslexic. That's a gift for ideas.)

Use "Ready, Fire... Aim" thinking.
1. Ready--Define the problem (beyond the borders).
2. Fire--Get as many ways to solve it (sense of solutions, both practical and those out there).
3. Aim--sift, synthesize, choose.
Dream wild first, then narrow and pick what might work.

Killer Phrases
The enemy of ideas are those knee jerk responses that squelch new ideas.
Don't be critical of the critical. Be their psycho therapists. The person is suffering from a post-traumatic reaction about a previous experience and they are inadvertently linking their thinking to your idea. Help them deal with it, and then gently move on with your idea.
Ask questions.
Find their past, current, and future dread. Ask for options. How could it work, what is in the road, is there any way around it or another road we could take? After they have been heard, understood, appreciated, they will see your idea as less an enemy to their psyche makeup.

So you don't get blind sided, here's how they may take a shot at you.
Over generalization..."that'll never work."
Put down... "you got to be kidding."
Selective editing... "where's the money for this?"
Stalls... "run this by 'Jim' first."
Comparative Thinking... "everything's doing fine."
Catastrophizing..."They'll eat your lunch."
Zero defects... "can't argue with success."
Deal with killer phrases by identifying what's behind it, look at options, respond creatively.

Expression
What's wrong, what's needed.
Mind Map. Put a heading (the problem) in the middle of a blank piece of paper, (or wipe board). Rapidly, randomly fill the page with thoughts related. Put them all over the page without rhyme or reason. Don't try to analyze at all, just jot down all thoughts, ideas, even what you think may be dumb ones.

Then review, organize. Use this method to get ideas. (Lots of cyber examples of mind mapping...do a Google on it.)

Smart Questions:
Ask: "What can I be more open-minded about?"
"What's unique about this challenge?"
"What is this like?"
Ask "Dumb Questions." What we think is obvious may have hidden new meanings .Ask "why" five times. Dig deeper by responding to each answer with another why. Do this five times for each response. After 5 why's new origins of thought will be dug out.

Creation
Envision the future. Visualize the success experience you want. (This mental state can become a self fulfilling prophecy. Your subconscious guides you, unawares, to what you envision... when fixed stubbornly in your mind.)
1. Identify the ideal of the goal.
2. Set solution/achievement dates.
3. Visualize the problem solved, the goal reached.
4. Come back from the future.
Stay in the future, record phases leading to the goal/solution, overcome barriers, sketch a solution.

Think in opposites
Think what the problem is not. Come up with ways that won't work. Become a little absurd with your ideas on what won't work. List these. Then look at your "what won't" list and think of what would be the opposite of that. The complete opposite of the "what won'ts" may reveal some great "what to do's."
Said in another way, "If this is what it should not be, then what should it be."

Answer these questions:
1. What should we start doing?
2. What should we stop doing?
3. What should we do differently?
4. What should we keep on doing?

Challenge assumptions.
"What would we never do?"
Un-create, then recreate. See the problem and create opportunity from it.

Metaphorical Thinking
"My problem is like..."

Play the creating analogies game to what this is like. Examine how your metaphor flows in process or thought. Then apply this process to the problem. (For example, an architectural process when applied to making a presentation may re-create a unique presentation concept.)

Realize that different ideas of different character, when orchestrated can make beautify music. Like a violin, with drums and a trumpet, orchestrated in a new creative flow can become uniquely memorable, delightful music.

Creatively barrow creativity
Look at how creative companies like Google, Toyota, Starbucks, Apple do it. And ask yourself, if I were Google, or Starbucks, how would I go about solving this. Pretend, as if, you were a great creative person you know and process your thoughts as he/she would. Describe the problem as they would, and the perspective they would most likely take.

Thompson's ideas or getting ideas are numerous. Pick the one that works for you and use it regularly. He goes beyond just the idea stage and helps you sell it, essential to any business. Great ideas never sold become lame ideas. They must go somewhere to be truly great.

Selling your ideas--make them visible.
"Your vision is a combination of your acquired knowledge, your instincts, and your dreams." To cross the bridge so your ideas have influence, your "vision bridge" needs to be:
1. Directed toward the future
2. Usable today (just 15 minutes ahead of others)
3. Firmly grounded in past successes
(You are in your future, others look to your past.)
4. Stable yet able to respond to a changing environment
5. Well promoted.
Create your cast of characters to assist in putting your ideas on stage for a grand performance... line up the promoters, system designers, implementers, and evaluators.

"Having re-created reality by formulating ideas, we need to reorganize reality in order to make ideas work."
"Be curious, be passionate, and be bold."

Thompson's website for continuing your creative experience:
http://www.whatagreatidea.com/

The core of creativity is Spirit.
In my own devotional life, when in Spirit from reading the Scriptures, contemplation, and prayer, ideas come. It seems when reflecting with Praise and Worship music combined with Scripture reflection, is when I get most ideas. I get thoughts and Words I feel are of Divine origin.

The Word was Jesus. What He taught was life. His words were life. A life-line to God Himself. He was God on earth and His Words were God. They are Spirit, universal principles of Living Power that created the universe to the finest, most massive and microscopic living creatures. The tiniest creation operates with a flawless, most intricately designed system.
"In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He existed in the beginning with God.
God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone." ( John 1:1-4, NLT)

Spirit is the creator of all things and it knows all things.
All we see and know has been created by Spirit. United in Spirit with God through Jesus, we can connect with an intelligence and Power that passes through the whole universe, through everything and person around us.
"Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
He existed before anything was created
and is supreme over all creation,
for through him God created everything
in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
and the things we can't see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him.
He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together."
(Colossians 1:15-17, NLT)

We are co-creators in Jesus Spirit.
He is the One who does all things and makes all things... Superiorly excellent.

What kills creative force to working in our lives is judging and pride. Judging kills the Spirit and destroys creative powers of Spirit God wants to work for us. Sometimes the proud and powerful oppose creative, great ideas. Fear not, Spirit can demolish this barrier.
In Amos it says Spirit acts,
"with blinding speed and power He destroys the strong, crushing all defenses."
(Amos 5:9, NLT)

When we fix our thoughts on the potential of God's creative Power
and love to do the impossible through us,
we bring His creative Force in to play.

Flame the fire by zeroing in on the potential of His Spirit through us and others. By supporting others, loving others and building others up, creative forces of His Spirit are lit in us.

So nothing can stand in its way,
when we are working in cooperation with the Spirit of God.
It defeats all its enemies with crushing force.

Jesus Spirit created all things,
will recreate all things.

If Jesus Spirit created all things, both visible and invisible, and controls all things on earth and in the spiritual realms, and His Spirit holds all things together...
What Does This Mean for Us?

When, as you ponder this...
All of Who Jesus was In Spirit, we Are now.

We, in Spirit, can create all things!

We have His Spirit walking along side us and in us.
Walk in this creative Spirit.
Allow Him to express Himself through you.

Your load is light and easy to carry. Spirit does the hard part. You just row with the flow and float in the flow of Spirit that flows through you.

Being part of the most majestic creative Spirit in existence gives us surprisingly unimaginable creative ability.

We live in a WOW state constantly.

The 4-Hour Workweek...living Heaven on earth

by Dale Shumaker
4spirit@gmail.com

The 4-hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss... who's just touching 30 years old.
A friend of mine conjectured, "What does he know?" Well, evidently, a lot think he has something going as he is on the top five on several business book lists.

Many are listening, thinking about and even re-considering lifestyle, making money and having life in a life. Jesus was 30 when he challenged, "Maybe you should reconsider how you do life."

Retirement should be part of your life, throughout your life, and not just a life-long destination proclaims Ferriss. Do you really like working 50 hours a week where you don't really want, wanting to do what you don't get to do, and not really being the person like you really want to be.

Ferriss is living his concept of lifestyle, making money new ways and being more of the person he wants to be.

He introduces the New Rich... "those who abandon the deferred-life plan and create luxury lifestyle in the present using the currency of the New Rich:
time and mobility.”

His formula uses two key principles: eliminate and automate.

That's the deal... you can be your life's own deal maker. So be the outline of The 4-hour Workweek. He says he once was a noble, hard working person, loyal to the job, handling its problems, even on the weekends. He was making an honorable $40,000 a year. Then he threw the brakes on, got in another vehicle, and created strategies to make $40,000 a month in a 4-hour work week.

So that's his DEAL.
D... Definition of the fundamentals for a new overall lifestyle recipe.
E... Elimination of the unnecessary so you have ultra-productive use of time using techniques of selective ignorance, low-info diet, and ignoring the unimportant.
A... Automation of income flow using outsourcing, nondecision, geographic advantage.
L... Liberation to live a mobile manifesto, live mini-retirements.

Definition
The New Rich choose options that require less effort and cost by closely monitoring... what you do, when you do it, where you do it, and with whom you do it.

Change your rules... retirement as a final goal is flawed. The New Rich distribute mini-retirements throughout life instead of hording for a great finish... the wishful better days ahead. Working less is not laziness. Activity with little results is foolish. The New Rich focus on being productive instead of busy.

Timing is never right. Start Now! Ask for forgiveness not permission; emphasize strength in your activity, don't wallow in waning weaknesses. Use your strengths and awareness as your best weapons. Don't create excess idle time, but positive use of free time. Money alone is not the answer...it's learning how to get what money buys. Move from distress to eutress... a positive pressure that moves you to what brings you joy, stimulates growth.

If New Rich scares you, write down your nightmares (your horrors of failure), confront the chances of them actually happening. Create a plan for what could, but most are unlikely.Then turn your thoughts to the wonderful benefits of a new lifestyle. If you are insecure, don't fret, so is everyone else. But "unusually large goals create an adrenaline rush."

"Excitement is a more practical synonym for happiness."
Dream your lifestyle. Get specific. Create steps. State "simple, well-defined actions." The key here is the Ferriss "Now" principle. " Do it now. Each should be simple enough to do in 5 minutes. "Set actions for now, tomorrow, and what you can complete before 11 a.m."
Do this day after day.
Make decisions now, start now,
and make this a never stopping habit.
To get used to the new life ahead of you, start by simply initiating an introduction to some one you don't know every day.

Reset your Systems.
The "Dreamline" will help you get going
(note "resources," then "ideal lifestyle costing" example at
www.fourhourworkweek.com).
What would you do if there was no way to do it?
Discover your desired being, convert to doing to get there.
Determine costs and calculate your Target Monthly Income
Determine 3 steps for each of 4 dreams.

Elimination
New rules for time management.... forget all about it. You can only "accomplish more by doing less... it's mandatory." Think in terms of how to do more in less time. Doing what's unimportant and takes a lot of time will not work for you. Find your Pareto 80/20. What 20% of your time gets greater results for your dream goals. Reverse Parkinson's Law that causes us to fill time when given it. Use less time for creating more. But only do what's "highly" important. So use "very short and clear deadlines."

Ask yourself in regards to everything:
"Am I being productive or just active?" "Am I inventing things to do to avoid the important?"
(Ferriss vehemently denounces "busyness" and calls avoidance to do what's important as true laziness.)

Eliminate what you don't really need to know to increase output. You must increase output, and decrease input ... by ignoring or redirecting information, interruptions that are irrelevant, unimportant, unattainable.

You can read faster. In 10 minutes, 4 steps he gets you there.
Do a one-week media fast.
Use this time to do your Dreamline,
and get action now in your life for your desired lifestyle.
You have the right to refuse anything... control your phone and email. Batch same activity by doing all of the same kind of thing at a certain time.

Automation
The world is flat and there are "virtual assistants" everywhere you can tap.
Outsourcing becomes lifestyle.
The New Rich have the critical skills of remote management and communication. You build a system to replace yourself.

Virtual assistants are one answer. You can do many things better than others but the goal is to "free your time to focus on bigger and better things."

Before you delegate, first eliminate.
And when you delegate, delegate the time consuming and well-defined. When you use India/China Virtual Assistants (VA's), the time zones work for you while you sleep. It's better to use VA firms than hiring them directly yourself. Start small, think big.

Find your muse: to create an automated vehicle for generating cash without consuming time. Ferriss likes the term "muse" instead of business. It's about cash flow and time. With the two all things are possible.

Pick an affordable niche market. Starting small and thinking big is becoming the Big Fish in a small pond (in finding a product, creating a product, packing information, etc.).

Ferriss covers how to pick, make, distribute, manufacture products.
For informational products he suggests this:
1. Tailor a skill to your market. Think narrow and deep rather than broad.
2. What skills are you interested in that you and others would pay for.
3. What experts can you interview to make a CD, audio download.
4. Do you have a failure to success story that can be turned intoa how-to product for others?

Become an expert in 4 weeks.
1. Join 2 or 3 related trade organizations
2. Read 3 best selling books on your topic
3. Give free 1-3 hour seminars
4. Write 1 or 2 articles for trade magazines
5. Join Profnet

Test your Muse: Run micro testing after you
select a market (one you know and already have connections), brainstorm your product using libraries as resources. Low-priced products,$50-200, sell the best Ferriss advises.

Your Muse Architecture is important. Automation... from product development to product ordering, processing, delivery, money to your bank ...is the goal.The goal is not about building a business as large as possible, but one that bothers you as little as possible. Ferriss details how to do this. Lots and lots of websites, resources, contacts are in this section.

Liberation
After two chapters on how to escape the office and killing your job, Ferriss takes you through the ideal philosophy of all this... live through your life taking constant mini-retirements, embracing the mobile lifestyle. Don't do travel binges, design your muse so you can actually live places you would like to. Mini-retirements are not sabbaticals--it is recurring lifestyle. Free your life of stress and speed, free from "material addictions, time-famine mindset and the comparative impulses that created it in the first place." Learn to slow down and lost intentionally.

The point... live continually learning and do more service. Service is attitude. Find the cause, vehicle that interests you, and no apologies are needed. Don't do the "New Rich mistakes" of stop dreaming, micromanaging, omitting outsourcing, forgetting 80/20, doing the unimportant. Learn the way of the New Rich. Timothy Ferriss tells you just what to read to help you along the way.
www.fourhourworkweek.com
is loaded with much more to help you become the New Rich.

Heaven is a retirement destination.
Heaven can also be an on-going mini-retirement.
The Heaven's were opened and the Spirit of God descended on Jesus. Matthew(3:16)

The windows of Heaven stand ready to open on us now. We can live in this Heavenly realm right now. We don't have to die first, it can start right now. Heaven is Now!

Matthew, when writing the Gospel of Matthew, used the phrase the Kingdom of Heaven 32 times in sharing his account of Jesus message to us. Matthew quotes John the Baptist as proclaiming that The Kingdom of Heavenis at hand...
the rewards of Heaven are here for us
to experience now in Spirit.

We have the right, privilege to enter the very presence of God. "Through His death on the cross in his own human body. As a result he has brought you into the very presence of God." (Col. 1:22)

This is so significant. Only Moses did that once. He glowed for hours. Jesus did that and the light was so bright around Him that the disciples witnessing it thought they were in Heaven, a most ecstatic place.

Paul the Apostle goes on to reveal what he calls The Great Secret:
"Christ lives in you." (Col.1:27)

This phenomenon, its potential can race the imagination into an ecstasy of incredible thoughts, possibilities... placing one's capabilities right along side Jesus with His power. Just consider all the implications here, what this really means.

Paul continues to express his sole dependence on this power that works inside him.

"I depend on Christ's mighty power that works within me. Let your roots go deep into Spirit's Presence and let your life be built into the Sprit of God. So let Heaven fill your thoughts. Your real life is hidden in this."
(Col. 1:29, 2:7, 3:2)

Your retirement plan is not later or just at the end of this life. It can start now. Fix your mind on things eternal. The other things around you are temporary, will someday go away. But fix your thoughts on this eternal Bliss, in you, that dwells there continually... Heaven in you Now!

Create the most wonderful picture of what the best life could ever be. This life can be your Heaven, your retirement destination, right now.

What is the best, most wonderful picture your imagination can conjure up?
But then even at that, this picture is still immensely lacking what Heaven will really be. We can have the experience of Heaven in our minds, even now. We can take episodes of the Spirit of Heaven in our daily existence.

In His Presence... in our hearts, mind, we enter His Spirit. The biggest stress remedy is doing mental sabbaticals daily, frequently, throughout the day. We can in these moments leave earth in mind and spend time in Heaven... Heaven while on earth.

My daughter was telling me about a really unique church she found in Chicago. On top of a 40-story building they have a prayer Chapel with a clear dome. You can go there doing the week, rest, think, reflect and pray. Literally, you can have a tranquil spot to enter the very presence of God.

She went on to say that she also found a TV channel that features quiet serene scenes with natural sounds… a brook, hills, pastures with cows and clouds floating by accompanied by the sounds of birds chirping, a gentle breeze, trickling of a stream. There is a serenity in this. We can use both… in real life or the surreal of a calming environment captured by media.

Take time to make this connection. Go deep into the soul of Christ in you. This is our retirement presently with us. Each day we can choose to go there.

The rewards of Heaven's retirement package can be and begun on earth. It's here as we go into His Very Presence. Live Heaven while on earth.

In just 4-hours in a week we can enter Heaven's essence. In this hour we can simulate Heaven’s Bliss in our mind and enter it directly in Spirit.

It will refresh, revive, and rejuvenate you. Re-establish an inner locus of control that will remain steady irregardless of external happenings.

Pursue these New Riches.
Become rich in the new Retirement Place.

Big Book for Small Business... make it all One

by Dale Shumaker
4spirit@gmail.com

The premise behind The Big Book for Small Business by Tom Gegax is to build yourself first, then build your business. Your business will grow in proportion to your personal growth. The more solidly you grow and become skilled in business skills and personal skills for business, the stronger will be your business.

When Tom Gegax made this his new priority, he left the "seat of pants" way of doing things in flight. He spent his time in grounding, planning, strategically developing, maneuvering his business navigation process.

He divided his 57 chapters of business skill areas into 11 parts. These would serve as a constructive checklist to review where you are now and what you want to refine. His ideas are very practical to what business is really like and he speaks in a down-to-earth language. The chapters are short and right to key critical points.

Gegax compares the "fly by the seat of the pants" person (of which he confesses he once was) and the ways of the "enlightened entrepreneur." The “fly by the seat of your pants” person:
--self-centered agenda
--no strategic plan but constantly putting out fires
--cuts corners in pursuit of a better bottom line
--micro manager taking a toll on employee creativity and motivation
--attacks constructive criticism
--employees exist for his beckoning call
--reluctant to hire those who could outshine him
--doesn't see what goes on around him and sees details as distractions

On the other side is the “enlightened entrepreneur:”
--takes care of himself (mentally, physically, emotionally, Spiritually)
--recognizes flexibility, value of step by step strategic planning
--takes the high road in doing all things right and proper
--supervises each person differently, getting the best from each person's best qualities that he encourages to be developed
--pulls out every one's ideas, formally and informally
--lives the attitude of helping others grow and succeed
--looks for and gets the best from people
--empathetic, upgrades quality and the competitive advantage constantly

Work as a team to define strengths and weakness in all these areas and improve and advance outstanding qualities simultaneously.

Set up Shop (Part 1)
(If you haven't done it the right way the first time, do it again.)
1. Make up your mind to build the biz or not do it at all.
2 Research the market. What's new, what's really there, where are we the best?
3. Write the business plan. Get a clear grasp of the whole picture, then come back and detail it out
4. Find funding--bootstrap, family/friends, banks, SBA, angels, venture capitalists
5. Position yourself. What makes you stand out in how you are different, name, location
6. Line up the legal ducks including legal structures, the fine print of business in your business
7. Build a strong board getting outside help, advisers, experienced where you aren't

Pouring the Foundation (Part 2)
Be very clear on your mission, vision, and values. Herein lays your strength as a business.
8. Mission critical--it should permeate everything
9. Vision check--be bold, fearless, shoot for the moon
10. Champion Core values--caring, optimistic, passionate, persistent, systems-disciplined, Spirit-filled
11. Accountability ethics--across the board in the mission, vision, values

Snatching up stars (Part 3)
Hire Power
12. Talent scouting--enlist many bounty hunters
13. Interview essentials--practical steps to finding the power people include skills, willing to learn, ambition, and heart
14. Labor legalities--know what you can ask and not ask
15. Hit the ground running--get new hires up and running by educating thoroughly, correcting immediately, encouraging endlessly

Growing the Culture (Part 4)
Seeding an enlightened environment--that thrives, enjoys, is passionate, in sync with values.
16. The Camaraderie Credo
Develop team Spirit--recognize, reward, celebrate
17. Lead the charge--21 laws of Cultural leadership
18. Honor thy employee--putting people first produces higher profits
19. HR Solutions--brand the business with employees as partners
20. Fun, friendly, and flexible--loosening up keeps grumbling down
21. Workplace wellness--nurture healthy and productive employees
22. Get personal--earn trust, listen, be humble, walk the talk

Building a Systems-disciplined Organization (Part 5)
Deming: "80% of all errors are systems errors."
23. Strategic Planning--drawing up tomorrow's Road Map; opportunities, strengths, neutralize weaknesses
24. Execution is everything--do it right (expect, inspire, teach, follow-up)
25. Resolve roadblocks--help groups/individuals solve problems
26. Add muscle to meetings--run tight (ready, set, go)
27. The best never rest--constantly explore, improve systems

Communicate Clearly (Part 6)
Remove static from your communication signals.
28. Listen up--develop skills in listening
29. Express yourself--practice writing and speaking effectively
30. Communicate expectations--achieve airtight accountability
31. Ask for advice--inquire of employees frequently
32. Face to face feedback--critique one-to-one but always reassure
33. Face your flaws--get honest feedback about yourself

Coaching others (Part 7)
Cheer, steer, don't domineer.
34. Dare to care--kindness and empathy wins hearts and minds
35. Set challenging goals--help employees grow through goal setting
36. The annual review--make it a coaching gift expansion session
37. Reward results--match incentives to outcomes
38. Good-bye and good luck--free up the future for underachievers

Educating employees (Part 8)
Guide yourself to peak personal performance.
43. Got Mission?--craft personal mission statement
44. Truth or consequences--pitfalls of unethical behavior
45. Ready, set, goals--turn dreams into destiny
46. Work the plan--goals, action steps, schedules
47. Time wise and organized--be enlightenedly efficient
48. Mind-body balance--inner team synergy
49. Spotlight on self-care--feel better, work smarter, live longer; nurture mind, body, emotions, Spirit

Business functions do's and don'ts (Part 10)
Perfect your total process, each part must fire.
50. Supply management--strengthen every link
51. Marketing--increase brand quality
52. Sales--increase market share
53. Customer service--make them feel at home
54. Finance, accounting, and it--take it beyond bean counting

Weathering worst case scenarios (Part 11)
55. Relationships on the rocks--rescue key people who jump ship
56. Natural disasters--coping with catastrophes; natural, personal, public relations
57. It's strictly business--dealing with brutal bankers and cut throat competitors

Look at The Big Book for Small Business as a quality performance guide. Have your teams use this list of 57 areas to determine the top 5 priority "to work on areas" and take a month to work on just them. Follow the suggestions of the chapter(or refer to other books dealing with the same topics). Then identify the next 5 to work on the next month. Use this to rate yourself as a business and where you are now, your strengths and where you need to spend more time in developing. It takes all of these doing well to be a solid business... create systems and monitor so that systems don't fail, but thrive.

The most important part is you... develop you and help others develop personal and business skills. Healthy people in mind, body, emotions and Spirit, make companies healthy. Sickness breeds sickness.

Gegax has a total business system for a total person. His premise is you must be one in self before your business will be synergistic, and integrated as one great business system.
http://www.gegax.com/about.html

Supernatural Spiritual Power is manifested when all things are One.
One in God, One in each other, in all things, in all processes.

The more we are one in ourselves, and then become more as one with each other, miraculous forces go to work for us... beyond our knowledge, our abilities. The Miraculous begins to happen simultaneously among many.

"Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is One body and One Spirit, just as you have been called to One glorious hope for the future. There is One Lord, One faith, One baptism, and One God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.”
(Ephesians 4:3-5, NLT)

We all are One in Spirit and exist as One to Build stalwart strength among and for each other.

"Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ."
(Ephesians 4:12, NLT)

The full standard of Christ is living expressing all of His Power as part of our unified existence… personally, relationally, economically. We exist to do the work to equip the Body of Christ to perform at optimum levels. When we merge everything into one, that is functionally interacting with each other, we create a syncopated flow among each other. This energizes all parts to perform Supernaturally.

Why do we not see this in a spectacular way, today?
The very nature of Society prevents our personal molding into being One In Spirit, the Spirit of the Universe. The demands of normal activity keep us busy doing things and not naturally growing into One with each other in relationships of intimacy and proactive interest in each other... which would form an empowered synergy through everyone.

When we are One in Spirit, love, die-hard commitment, the Spirit of God Himself works with us and on our behalf. Geffry Fields, Jesus is Us, goes into more detail about the Magnitude of Being One:

1. One with God... Jesus Spirit. This is first and foremost that each person cultivates this in themselves (Being One with Jesus Spirit) or the rest won't work. This has to be committed to and functioning in each person for the Profound Mystery of Spirit to work.

Through time in the Secret Place of the Most High, in meditation, prayer, Scripture reflection, time in connected Spiritual thought, it is cultivated.Those who say they do (but don't) and come together with others are not necessarily in sync with everyone. They actually draw from everyone instead of contributing. It was impressed on me to come "prepared in Spirit" so to be a contribution. When all do this the result is outstanding.

2. One in ourselves. Our central command post is our Spirit... Jesus Spirit...which guides the mind and distinctively channels our thoughts, which then the mind directs the body what to do. When this is in alignment as One (and the body is not fighting the mind, or the mind isn't debating with the Spirit), we as individuals become a Supernatural Force. The biggest war is in the mind, within ourselves... win that one and we have just reached one of the biggest milestones to reach in our lives.

3. One with each other. When each is allowing Jesus Spirit to control and direct each of us, we can create strong alignment here. It is natural when we all are yielding to the same direction of the same spirit... Jesus Spirit. This is the major area. It may have its biggest affect within a husband/wife relationship where the highest degrees of intimacy (Spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically) can be formed. One of the first things God did when He created man was form them as a dual-team…husband and wife as One. This was God's ideal idea from the beginning.

Jesus in the Bible sent His disciples out in pairs. Businesses today are finding the power of cohesive teams in that they many times out perform a highly educated professional.

4. One with all who believe. A society like this would be the most wonderful society in the world. If those who follow and believe in Jesus Spirit, that within itself can start a power-train encroaching into changing the dynamics of the world around them. When One as believers, it is promised in the Scriptures that the Presence of Jesus will manifest and all His capabilities will be overtly demonstrated. That is we will visibly see it happening in our lives in many ways.

5. One in Communication. This will increase our abilities in understanding each other. Again, as we are aligned in the same Spirit, we, without effort "get it" when communicating. And in some cases, we don't need to use words.... we just seem to know. This is a subject of its own and can be very Supernatural in expression. We have the capability to be in long distances from others and know what is going on with someone else.... when two parties are fine tuned in Jesus Spirit. This can be cultivated and happen as a normal part of our lives like calling someone.

6. One in ownership. Individual possessive nature is lost when people are the same in Jesus Spirit. Everything we have is part of Us, and we don't see things as our own. This goes into complete contradiction with how our society thinks and acts. "It's all mine." …as many wish it to be all theirs.

But the reverse is the character of Jesus Spirit as One. In our hearts we want all to be well, do well, and help each other out. We see ourselves as united as one. We pull together and are genuinely happier for others' successes than our own. We truly love each other and want better for others than ourselves. So, we share what we have freely as we see others as a part of ourselves... connected as One in Jesus Spirit.

Surrender yourself to let Spirit have His way with you. In prayer become One within the Presence of God's Spirit. Allow of God's essence become US... within, among, as One, with each other.

The benefits… a wonderful new world!

The Science of Getting Rich Forever

by Dale Shumaker
4spirit@gmail.com

Wallace D. Wattles wrote the Science of the Getting Rich about a century ago.
One publisher (Inner Traditions International, Limited) says this about Wallace Wattles:

"Wallace D. Wattles (1860-1911) was the author of numerous books, the best known of which is The Science of Getting Rich. He experienced failure after failure in his early life until after many years of study and experimentation he formulated a set of principles that, with scientific precision, create financial and spiritual wealth. He died a prosperous man in 1911."

They go on to say, he was the central inspiration behind the best-selling book The Secret.

In the last chapter of the book, he summarized his concept for getting rich that he says will always work.

"THERE is a thinking stuff from which all things are made, and which, in its original state, permeates, penetrates, and fills the inter spaces of the universe.

A thought in this substance produces the thing that is imaged by the thought. Man can form things in his thought, and by impressing his thought upon formless substance can cause the thing he thinks about to be created.

In order to do this, man must pass from the competitive to the creative mind; otherwise he cannot be in harmony with the Formless Intelligence, which is always creative and never competitive in spirit.

Man may come into full harmony with the Formless Substance by entertaining a lively and sincere gratitude for the blessings it bestows upon him. Gratitude unifies the mind of man with the intelligence of Substance, so that man's thoughts are received by the Formless. Man can remain upon the creative plane only by uniting himself with the Formless Intelligence through a deep and continuous feeling of gratitude.

Man must form a clear and definite mental image of the things he wishes to have, to do, or to become; and he must hold this mental image in his thoughts, while being deeply grateful to the Supreme that all his desires are granted to him. The man who wishes to get rich must spend his leisure hours in contemplating his Vision, and in earnest thanksgiving that the reality is being given to him. Too much stress cannot be laid on the
importance of frequent contemplation of the mental image,
coupled with unwavering faith
and devout gratitude.

This is the process by which the impression is given to the Formless, and the creative forces set in motion. The creative energy works through the established channels of natural growth, and of the industrial and social order. All that is included in his mental image will surely be brought to the man who follows the instructions given above, and whose faith does not waver.

What he wants will come to him through the ways of established trade and commerce. In order to receive his own when it shall come to him, man must be active; and this activity can only consist in more than filling his present place. He must keep in mind the Purpose to get rich through the realization of his mental image. And he must do, every day, all that can be done that day, taking care to do each act in a successful manner.

He must give to every man a use value in excess of the cash value he receives, so that each transaction makes for more life; and he must so hold the Advancing Thought that the impression of increase will be communicated to all with whom he comes in contact.

The men and women who practice the foregoing instructions will certainly get rich;
and the riches they receive will be in exact proportion
to the definiteness of their vision,
the fixity of their purpose,
the steadiness of their faith,
and the depth of their gratitude."

I found a fascination with Wattles thoughts and not knowing anything about him, something kept drawing me back to his book.The full book is on online at:
http://www.v-j-enterprises.com/scienceofgettingrich.pdf

In the Science of Getting Rich there are striking parallels to the Spiritual path to Spiritual Riches.

The nucleus of all faith is that Spirit creates Matter.
God is Spirit.
Spirit creates from nothing what it desires.

God created the world, universe from nothingness. He created man from dust of what He created. And this phenomenon hasn't stopped. Spirit, now among us, gives us the same privileges to create--from nothing.

Faith is the trigger that ignites the explosion of vapor into matter, functional existence. In our vision, when in prayer and power, the power of Spirit is expressed in Scriptures. Our Faith wells up. We see a picture in our minds of God's designated outcomes. The longer, more intense our times in concentrated, contemplation, or overtly expressive times, the greater the thrust of Spirit Power is produced.

The vision from Spirit, in our hearts, minds, soul is put in motion.
It affects everything it is connected with and controls--That's Everything!

In our hearts we must know nothing can steal this (like competitive factors) in that God's Spirit creates from nothing and controls everything. In our hearts, we must also have a forgiving spirit.

Lack of forgiveness, bitterness, jealousy just kills Spirit activity. When you forgive, tolerate, bless rather than curse, give rather than horde or protect, you increase the ignition power of Spirit.

According to your faith (belief and a kind heart) it is done to you.

Gratitude is then another key as reflected by Wattles. Praise and Worship unites you with the inner soul of God's Spirit's Presence. In there, expressing gratitude to Him, He takes care of all challenging matters around you. In these moments of grateful expression, Spirit heals those you love, protects them. Spirit gives you exciting visions of even greater things He is planning to do. And shows your part in them.

When you receive these inspirations,
write them down.
Share with others who have faith in God and you.
Recite it daily,
pray it daily,
dream it daily
and express praise for it daily.
Walk in the path it tells you to walk, daily.

You will always see more accomplished than you imagined, contribute more than you thought you could, and see miraculous around you more than you ever thought possible.

But in this journey there may be a few toll roads along the way. Jesus asked, "Are you willing to pay the price?" When Jesus said "follow Me," He was also asking “are you willing to have the same priorities as I have?"

Do you value having a home more than “walking with Me?”
Do you mourn physical death and losing the things of the world more than Spiritual death... “ and living with Me forever?”
Do you value earthly ties, biological and socially, more than ties to Heavenly fellowship, or the fellowship with those who also “believe in Me with all their heart?”
(see Luke 9:52-62)

Has your faith developed so that your faith extends beyond belief just for you, but also for others' well being? Is your faith, your vision, so fixed on God's Power at work with you, and His love for others that you have the same faith for them... what He wants for another person?

Is your life about living in the Supernatural so you walk with power to heal others, as Jesus did, and Spirit can do through you too. Is life about getting stuff, or using what is given you to contribute to others?

As God told Joshua, the Psalmist, the Wise one,
"To meditate on His ways.
Study this Book of Instruction continually.
Meditate on it day and night
so you will be sure to obey everything written in it.
Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do."
(Joshua 1:8. NLT)

Jesus said to live for His Kingdom, the Kingdom of Heaven, and all these things will be part of your life as well.

"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else,
and live righteously,
and he will give you everything you need."
(Matthew 6:33, NLT)

Evil will fight good.
Persist in Spirit and you will eventually win.
His Power will fight for you.

Do not waver in this Faith, this vision, this Inspired walk. Keep active in it, stay active in Spirit. But first, always start in Spirit and then from Spirit's direction... take action.

Spirit through Prayer moves matter,
creates favorable conditions,
then shows you.

You Now walk with victory just ahead. New levels of depth in happiness will come into your life, into your deepest part of your soul continually.

Riches of Spirit will have an eternal sustaining place... in your heart, mind, soul.

"I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches.
I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word.
I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your principles."
(Psalm 119:14, 16, 30, NLT)

Jesus was saying... "put My mission for you first, follow My Spirit-Inspired principles above all other things." If you do, the kingdom of Heaven will walk with you, along with all its resources, and be continually around you.

Instant Income... Spirit Lives Immediately

by Dale Shumaker
4spirit@gmail.com

Instant Income at first sounded a little sensational, then after looking through it, Janet Switzer, the author, has crafted some great strategies for boosting your business money stream. She has strategies for getting more cash into your business, going into business with your boss, becoming an occasional entrepreneur and turning wealth into a lifetime income.

In the first 8 chapters of the book, several money stream strategies for small business are laid out. Included are getting cash from great ads, your sales force, the Internet... But for now here's others and a part of the picture she paints that will get you started.

Getting Customers to give you more money.
Your best resource... your customers past, present, future. The customers you have had, presently have will do more business with you, when you give them the opportunity. You already won them as a customer so the door is open for other beneficial services/products you provide.
Customer Strategy 1
Keep track of Customer Buying Patterns, then call to take Reorders. What have they bought? What will they want to buy if they knew about it?
Customer Strategy 2
Up-Sell Customers at the Point of Purchase.
What would they want in the future and it would serve them well now as part of the package? Do the two sentence approach...Enlighten them on a potential threatening circumstance and then show what they can do now to avoid this frustration, hassle, worry in the future.
Customer Strategy 3
Convert One time Customers to Continuity Customers.
What services can you offer that converts customers to clients? Put more than one arrow in your quiver.. so you have other offers to shoot off to them.
Customer Strategy 4
Re-Sell Customers Prior to their Renewal date.
Before warranty contracts run out, approach about renewals, upgrades, new offers. What products or services can be added to, enhanced, intro new hardware/software, etc.?
Customer Strategy 5
Instantly Re-activate past customers.
Special offers, special events, plan a campaign to Re-activate past customer. Pay them... special bonuses, free consultation, one-time fee reduction, special packages. Needs of people change, find out and re-offer.

Getting Other People to help bring in the cash.
Consider Joint Ventures.... or simply simple referral relationships where you pay finder's fees for sending new customers/clients. (It does not mean you are in a formal, legal partnership in someone's business.) Look for synergistic companies... who sell products or services complementary to yours; competitive companies... leads your competitor doesn't convert to as clients; (If they don’t convert to them and they do to you and you pay for the lead. Your competition still makes money on the deal. So this would possibly interest them.) Unrelated companies who have demographics, psychographics similar to yours. Switzer shows ways to develop a joint-venture relationship with them.
Strategy 1
Create Endorsed offers... They endorse your product or service and email or direct mail introducing you to their clients.
Strategy 2
Referral Circle or Professional Consortium... This is a professional relationship of a diverse group who proactively, strategically refer each other to those they know, are doing, or have done business with. They work as a team actively for helping each other expand business with the contacts they all have.
Strategy 3
Offer Other People's Products and Services to your customers... This can enhance value, increase revenue for you.
Strategy 4
Conduct Tele-seminars with your joint venture partners.
Strategy 5
Become an Add-on to Some Else's Product or Service... do for them what they don't like, don’t want to do or can't do.

Prospecting for Instant Income
Strategy 1
Conduct Preview Workshops and Start Speaking… low sign up fees, then sell products, special consulting packages, advanced programs.
Strategy 2
Run a Two-step Campaign... sell great value, sampler, at low price, then followup for a bigger priced tag offer. If they like what they tasted, they will naturally want more.
Strategy 3
Place Your Literature in Target locations... with a compelling offer in the literature.
Strategy 4
Ask Customer and Vendors for Referrals.
Strategy 5
Create Instant Income at Trade Shows.

Switzer also leads you through finding
instant income in overlooked assets
including liquidation of overstocks,
sell excess service capacity,
credits for short-pay options,
turn employees into experts,
sell apprenticeships that teach your business model.

As Switzer swishes the net in developing these ideas in the first main section, she gives the reader a great advantage tool in Chapter 8-- identify the Hidden Income Opportunities in Your Small Business. She takes the first seven idea and process-packed chapters and helps you conduct your own internal audit... to find all the cash hidden there.

You now are more skilled in identifying where it is, creating strategies on how to generate it, and prioritizing where to start. Now, you have in hand several in-sight-full Instant Income Opportunities.

This book is loaded and sufficiently thorough in how to do it. Instant Income is truly a credible title. It does what it says and it will lead you to more cash with some great solid money growth ideas. There's more in Instant Income as an internal entrepreneur, occasional entrepreneur, and long-term income systems.

And even more at
www.instantincome.com

"Instant" is a popular word used by Mark when he penned the significance of Jesus' life. Mark's Gospel uses the word which means "immediate, instant, sudden" about 47 times in His account of Jesus.

The very character of Jesus Spirit is one of dramatic things happening immediately, instantly. They are Supernatural.

Just for instance, leprosy disappeared instantly, a young girl was healed instantly, people were fed immediately, storms subsided suddenly, the disciples responded to follow Him immediately. Actually, when people refused to listen to Him, he left them immediately and went some where else.

Qualities of Spirit are Fast, Decisive, Over Powering all imminent obstacles.

Where does this power come from… the very Almighty power of God's unmatchable Spirit. When we live in Spirit, Abide in Spirit, spend focused time in Spirit, we can expect the same... actually, proactively causing the same.

Prepare in Spirit, connect in Spirit as Jesus did on the mountain (where Moses and Elijah even visited Him in person). Spend time like this and "Instantly, Powerfully, Incredibly" will be part of your every day experience .You must believe. As a father of a sick child cried out to Jesus for help... he asked Jesus to help his unbelief and instantly the child was healed. Jesus did two miracles there... gave the father instant faith he needed and healed the little girl instantly.

Can Instant Income come your way?
In prayer, God's Spirit will show you where. Jesus told them to go catch a fish to get money… instantly... the exact amount and right when they needed it. Thousands of people were fed immediately when Jesus took a few pieces of a meal and multiplied it...right then and there.

Instant Supply can come your way. See it, Believe in Jesus Miracle Power in, around, for you. Jesus has access to Thousands of Angels He can dispatch on a moments notice. In response to any immediate, threatening situation.

In John's Gospel, Jesus saw the disciples in trouble 4 or 5 miles from him in a death threatening lake storm. He vetoed the natural and pursued them by skiing across the water to them (without a jet ski). But beyond the storm subsiding when He got in the boat, an equal miracle is that "immediately" the boat reached the shore... another incident of Spirit Superseding the natural.

Spirit in you creates suddenly, immediately, at once. Believe in your connection as One in Spirit to God, Jesus, and the universe and all other people around you in Spirit. At once, an immediate need can be satisfied Instantly.

You must Believe, See, and expect it to come as a child's faith. Be a child in Spirit. Expect the Greatness of God to work through you... Instantly. Live, Receive, Abide in Spirit and live, as a normal lifestyle, in the Instant with the Almighty Power that taps anything, everything, everywhere.

Jesus message is all about Power.
A real formidable power that created
the universe and still creates the world around us.

It's not a superficial power,
but a Perfected Power
that creates instantly, formidably and perfectly.

The Ultimate Sales Tool Kit... ask, seek, knock

by Dale Shumaker
4spirit@gmail.com

According to author William "Skip" Miller of The Ultimate Sales Tool Kit,
the art of selling is about getting solid hits throughout the game. Hit the ball hard and straight, on the line, or on the ground... fly balls get caught. He's compiled 15 tools for the beginning, middle and end of the sales process. He has also created Visual Exercise Areas (VEA) so you can go from "what to do" to "how you will do it."

Each chapter is only 4 or 5 pages for explaining the tool, followed by Illustration and application pages—few on words, big on how to get it going.

The first tool is the process which is initiate (in interest), educate, validate (transfer of ownership), justify (rationalize), and close (decide).

The Beginning (6 tools)

Buythink-- think like the buyer. Prepare two Immediate Questions (IQ).
You must find out what's on the prospect's mind...
Right now.
What decision options does the prospect have?
Great Action Stops--how will they implement what I sell them?

Miller points out the sales person has all these wonderful ideas on features/benefits of his product. But the buyer, on any given day, has a couple key problems he must solve right now. Seek and find what they are and then help him.

The Power Hour--create an hour to get to your best prospects.
Look for whales... the bigger catches. Focus one hour to do just that. So many of us get into our emails, voice mail, fires to put out and then think we just started out great. Miller says to set aside the Power Hour to get to the big ones. His VEA includes 9-10 steps that get you there. It is a process. This will keep you driving the ball and keep building up runs.

30-second intro-- starting the sales call.
1. Intro--short and sweet
2. 3/3 -- 3 things about you (take only 10 seconds) then into questions. Get from about you to about them as soon as possible.
3. Summarize and flip--
Use "bridges" to shift to questions. You "flip" by shifting from telling to asking about them.... it’s then their turn to talk.

20-second intro--best use of email, voice mail.
Step 1 Quick intro (5 seconds)
Step 2 Then questions "The reason for my call is to answer questions you may have...”
Step 3 Call to Action. "I can be reached at .... Please call me back at your earliest convenience.”

3 Languages--everyone lives differently.
Speak the language of the level of who you are speaking to.
First level--first-level managers are more into features and benefits.
Second level--the middle leaders are into cost, profits.
Third level--the top executive is looking at market share.
When in Spain, don't speak Russian.

RePhrase--make sure they know they are heard.
Do not answer prospects question, but rephrase it back to them, so they know you heard them and heard them correctly. It's about getting what they meant not what you think they are asking. Then ask a clarifying question to make sure you "get it."

The Middle (5 tools)

Time Zones--buyers purchase to satisfy needs; and time considerations are a critical deciding element. What issues do the past, present, future create. Find them related to strategic needs, operational efficiencies, planned events, future consideration, projected actions.

Yes, we can do that--prospects want to feel needs are being met, that they are being heard. When seeking clarity by asking questions and the concluding with "yes, we can do that." Re-affirm customer’s confidence in you.

Value Star--how customer values what you have.
ROI--return on investment, time savings or speed. Find their risks and address them. Leverage by satisfying multiple needs. The brand’s value of what it can do for them is most important. Use 30-second intro process and ValueStar email process for these.

3 Stages of Value--buyers must substantiate value in their minds, and you must lead them there. Three stages of Value:
1. Basic understanding
2. Taking ownership
3. Applying value
The seller progresses through these stages: 1. Agreement, 2. Transfer of Ownership, 3. Quantified Value.

Ask/Tell--buyers want to be educated and have their decisions validated.
Educate--when the prospect gets it (it’s mostly tell, tell, tell)
Validate--ask what's important, tell them what you do, ask them would they use it and what they'll do with it.

The End (5 tools)

The idea of closing is a "sales" interest although the prospect is not too hip on the idea they are being closed. Miller encourages the view to be jointly involved in the process of a buying decision. With his tools Miller inserts that if you have made it this far, a buying decision is about inevitable. These tools then will aid in completing your prospect's buying decision.

Summarize/Bridge and Pull--ending the sales call with you in control of the sale. Summarize/Bridge and Pull( SBP) has three parts:
1. Them/you, 2. Agree?/Bridge, 3. Next Step.
Summarize what you have covered, the prospects needs and interests, and ask them "would you agree?" Next Step... then you direct the next step and ask "Does that sound good to you?" Then finally ask if they have any additional questions. At the "would you agree?" stage if they still have questions, it goes back to them for clarity of certain specific areas.

TimeDemo--creating sense of urgency so prospects can deal with their fears and make decisions. When the thought of "change" creates fear in the prospect's mind for whatever reasons, take him on down the road to the benefits of the decision in the future...out 30 - 60 days when things with product/service are in motion. Move him to the next great place..."where he'll find his hopes, dreams and desires.”

I-Date--Implementation Date
The sales person sees the contract signing as the end of the sale, while the prospect sees the "start to use" time as the beginning date, his implementation date. So focus on these dates as your most important dates with the prospect. Dragons are what causes an I-Date to be firm... that can be the board meeting, end of a lease, start of a tournament, launch of a new product. These motivate movement to locking in a buying decision. Find the prospect’s dragons.

Homework Assignment--the prospect taking ownership of the sale. The more you get them involved, the more control you have. Doing something of value. The prospect will do many things for you they see as value which keeps them influencing the buying decisions, lessens their risks, and solidifies the sale. Some areas of involvement could include proposal drafts, demonstrations, agenda sharing, wipe board explanations, option lists with rationales, etc.

Neutral Elements--a prospect-communication tool that gets all parties involved and helps everyone understand the different points of view. Flow charts, pictures, diagrams can be neutral elements for both to refer to for clarity, understanding, potential applications. Send out a prospective agenda for the meeting and ask the prospect to check areas of their interest... this keeps them working along side you and you along side them.

Lastly, use the tools and adapt your sales content, objectives of meetings, approaches to them. Make them your progressive innings of play so you have the runs to win in the end.

More on William "Skip" Miller's book, with worksheets, at his company's website. Go to the site, then products, books…scroll down and click on The Ultimate Sales Tool Kit. There you will find the link to free worksheets for the book, the tools. Do this. It is very helpful and made a difference for me in just after one week of putting just some of the tools to work.
www.m3learning.com

Jesus says to ask, seek, knock.
He tells a story of someone who goes to a friend’s house late at night. The friend doesn't want to get up to help because it is late and he is already in bed. But because of the person’s "shameless persistence," the friend doesn’t want to mar his reputation, so he gets up and gives him what he wants.

Here’s the story: "Suppose you went to a friend's house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, 'A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.' And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, 'Don't bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can't help you.' But I tell you this—though he won't do it for friendship's sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence. "

"And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead?" (Luke 11:5-11, NLT)

Jesus said to keep on asking, keep on seeking and keep on knocking, the doors will be opened for you. We are to do the same.

What God promises He will honor when we persist based on His Promises.... His reputation is at stake and He always honors His promises. If you don't approach Him because you have failed, and feel your aren't worthy, Jesus said God will forgive you. Forgive from your heart, ask boldly, and God will respond when you persist. He will give you what you ask for.

Persistence and Faith in Him are the critical issues.

Once a business entrepreneur (who happened to be Inc magazine’s entrepreneur of the year) gave this advice to a person I knew who had a very difficult business problem. His advice was "when you are desperate, you got to be bold." Big problems need big solutions, so big boldness is needed.

God responds to us when we are bold.
This relates to sales. Jesus said to go find the lost sheep.There are many people who would benefit greatly from what you have to offer them. The principle here is to keep asking where they are, go seek them out and find them and when you do, knock on their door until they answer.

As in The Ultimate Sales Tool Kit, Miller has about a 9-step approach to get to the major, best prospects. It is about constantly coming back and knocking on the door until they realize what you have for them is important and they need to hear about it. Some people will greatly benefit from what we have to offer them. You have a great solution for them... seek them out and knock on their door until they respond to you.

Also, God sees us as His Children. Would you give your child a poisonous snake when they ask for a puppy.... Of course Not! Just like our children, He delights to do good to us.

Maybe in your life it seems like many people have not done good to you. Jesus said come to me all you are weary, tired and discouraged. He will console you and give you boldness to ask, seek, and knock and receive what you ask for.

Ask for help from people who can make a difference
in your life,
seek them out and find the just right person
for your circumstances,
and keep knocking, boldly,
until they respond to you.

And the Biggest promise of all is that Jesus Himself will assist you and respond on your behalf with all the Spirit's power to help you.

Your are part of His Family, His Creation,
and He delights to do good to you.
He will give you The Same Spirit as Part of Your life
that creates all things.
That has power to form matter from nothing!

Jesus Himself told us to ask, seek, knock.
Keep knocking until with a determined, bold persistence, you are heard and responded to.
He stands behind His promises. He never lied or misled.
He will honor His Word and do what He said He will do.

But He tells us to ask, keep asking,
to seek, and keep seeking
and knock and don't stop
until His promise is fulfilled
and we get what we are asking for.

Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking.
Don't ever stop.
He loves you more than anyone and
He delights to do good to you.