by Dale Shumaker
4spirit@gmail.com
Rules for Renegades by Christine Comaford-Lynch is a book for those who "want to succeed without totally sacrificing your personal life." Christine succeeded impressively with making 10 million dollars before 40 years old, consulting 100's of the Fortune 1000 company's, but then pointed out that she made some big errors on personal values, relationships and money.... to the tune of 8 million dollars.
This book will help if you want meaningful rich connections, integrate Spirituality with your work, greater self-confidence and self-esteem. A business starts with your illusion of what your business could be. "You are a renegade because you want to build something great, but not sacrifice yourself on the altar of success."
She did her life by "acting until you ARE it." At Microsoft as an independent programmer, she sold her first company's services when she didn't even have a company or an employee. She has 10 rules. And her website tied to her book is loaded with oodles of resources to help you fulfill each rule.
Rule 1. Start with your illusion. do goals, make goal cards with affirmations, do dream boards, do personal development (what you don't know, learn it). Keep your eyes, ears open constantly and pull up your self-esteem to the level of your illusion.
Rule 2. The big skill is GSD... get stuff done. Learn four important phases in doing it. "Please, Thank you, I'm sorry, I don't know." Apply these honestly when they fit. Ten steps to GSD. Rock responsibility, get visual, solid super support, toss toxicity, pump the positive, your thinking attracts, persevere, pay attention, course correct, and celebrate success.
Rule 3. Problems + Pain = Profit
Pay attention for opportunity. Stuff feelings of inadequacy, go for it. Learn to mind storm, create ways to do it. Plan it out... be concise, compelling and complete.
Rule 4. Build power from within, invest in building you and your company's skill set.
Rule 5. Fail forward. When you blow it, take time out, reflect, review, regroup, retrench and regain your strength. Failure sabbaticals are great for a better illusion ahead.
Rule 6. Learn to love to network. Learn handshaking skills to create connection. Life is people you meet plus what you can do together. Equalize yourself with others(even the rich and famous you can get on the same plane.) Build momentum, Rolodex, daily expression appreciation, love people by being intrigued by what they do. Be sincerely interested in their interests.
Rule 7. Lead your life... only you can. Find your inner guide that can get you through the jungles. Hire the fantastic four... visionaries, leaders, implementers, infrastructure builders. Rock your culture so all want to be part of a rocking business, choose your team wisely, extend your team. Remember course adjustments are always necessary. Trust your instincts. Make sure you are paid well, receive respect and have a personal life.
Rule 8. Work your money mojo. Internal money is funded by customers who buy your product, selling your knowledge which is your consulting, and cost controls by reducing your costs. Four steps to external funding. Get money you think you need, before you need it, from someone you like and respect, without being greedy or taken advantage of.
Rule 9. Resign as general manager of the universe... Beliefnet.com sent Christine an email message with the thought: Love is letting go of fear. "the more you try to hold it together, the more it will fall apart." Reform from being a control freak. Hire slowly, fire quickly. Have a team of those you can count on coming through. Forgive those who have hurt you.
Rule 10. Don't just do something, stand there. No matter what happens, you still have you. Learn you well, like the best you, and find the strength core of you. It's okay to wait until you get clarity. "Every ten weeks or so I go on a retreat, just me, alone with (or without) my thoughts." Dream, reflect, recharge, keep in place what matters most to you and take time to make sure that stays in place. Your Spiritual part is most important. Retreat to it often. Give time for your attitudes to heal.
Find a cause that feeds your soul.
Give one hour worth of your salary a week to a cause.
Give time, talent or treasure.
Get others involved.
"Look around you and find something that needs to be fixed. Go into the world and go into yourself. Find out what you're giving away power over your life, and figure out how to stop doing that... keep moving and keep increasing connection to yourself and others, you'll make it." ... concludes Christine.
Life = the people you meet + what you create together.
"You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God."
Mother Teresa
Christine goes into a lot more detail, which I see as a very good guide for anyone in a business or mission venture.
And she has lots of resources to do the ten rules at:
http://rulesforrenegades.com/
Getting through what we have to go through has so much to do with how well we do. So much of it depends on inner strength, where we go when all around us is collapsing or being a problem. As Christine says in Rules for Renegades that you still have you, and she recommends going off alone to find that inner strength. Paul the Apostle talked about going into that too.
"For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, as our great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.
9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.
10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.
11 Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus
will be evident in our dying bodies.
12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.
16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.
17 For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever."
(2 Corinthians 4, NLT)
Spirit Inspires vision, dreams, illusions of a grand life.
Take time to reflex on what Paul the Apostle is saying here. In the Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster recommends we allow time to soak into the Scriptures for inner strength. "The meditation upon Scripture becomes the central reference point by which all meditations are kept in proper perspective. You can actually encounter the living Christ in this event, be addressed by His Voice and be touched by His healing power."
Andrew Murray says about prayer,
"God wants the whole heart. Our hearts must be drawn away from other desires. We must give ourselves wholly to this one. We must be willing to live completely in intercession for the Kingdom." (The Ministry of Intercession)
Our illusions we receive when in Spirit, in His Presence, are many times God Inspired and we can trust that. These have eternal implications and are surrounded by His Power to run before they are fulfilled. We stay in the vision, the illusion... relishing in the vision and God's greatness in making in happen. When in there, the Spirit is doing the major breakthrough work for us. This is where the POWER IS!
We can then run with boldness and certainty in faith toward His Vision in us. We know God is with us, and even if not seen in the natural, IT will be manifested through God's Supernatural Abilities, His Spirit in Power. Although, in process, of pursing these illusions, we become perplexed as Paul says, but not in Despair. Greatness greater than us is there for us.
We then live with Hope in this power, not ours, while we continue pursuit.
We never give up.
The Glory produced by this is everlasting.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
The Dream Manager... making our joy complete
by Dale Shumaker
4spirit@gmail.com
The Dream Manager by Matthew Kelly is a story and principles on how dream managing can help people become the best version of themselves by helping them re-engage in their dreams... either secret, hidden or forgotten. The concept of dreaming can totally reinvigorate a business.
"The most competitive advantage any business is the ability to keep and motivate human capital." A business can then become the best version of itself ever possible.
A John Schlitt song lyric says, "As a child, you used to dream there wasn't anything that you couldn't do...
then somebody told you dreams don't come true..."
This song is a theme in many hearts. It affects the heart of productivity, emotional, personal and business well being.
In a story, Kelly shares how dreams re-discovered totally transformed Admiral Janitorial Service. Here's a thumbnail version:
Greg owned the business. The typical short-to-the-point, somewhat abrasively direct, business entrepreneur owner. Simon is his general manager. They realized they have a big problem. Of their 400 employees, they have a turnover rate of 107% each quarter. That's over 400% a year. Simon had an idea on how to find the solution. Ask the employees.
They did a survey and found out most had transportation problems. So the company created a transportation system for them to pick them up, deliver to jobs, and take home at night. In time the idea worked great. They cut the turnover nearly in half...down to 224%.
Greg felt they could build on this and do better. He called an executive meeting for ideas. One voice jumped out from the group... Simon's assistant, Sandra, spoke up and said. The problem is "they don't see a future here. They have dreams and they need to find a way to connect their job today with their dreams of tomorrow." Greg, the strong-willed entrepreneur struggled with this idea. Simon wondered on this. Then he challenged himself and Greg with "isn't one of the primary responsibilities of all relationships to help each other fulfill our dreams. Shouldn't we do the same for our employees?"
Simon and Sandra went to work on Admiral's first Dream Survey.The survey was simple... "What are your dreams?"
From the responses they had, Simon saw many things people wanted were things management took for granted. With a little guidance many were achievable. But there were a lot of areas.
People have small dreams and big dreams. If "we helped with just one small dream, it would create unimaginable good will and loyalty." Then Simon came up with the another idea (which constantly just thrilled Greg to the core). Simon drove to Greg's house one Saturday morning with his eureka idea. "We need a dream manager."
Greg wondered about this again. Simon showed that with what Admiral will save it will more than pay for the manager, plus the potential impact on what it will do for profitability at Admiral. Greg thought Simon was either a genius, or crazy. Simon's ideas were working so far, so he gave the nod on this one again.
They concluded an outside person would be best to handle this... someone with life experiences, personal management skills and ability to guide people. They found a seasoned business owner who had brought himself out of the tough side of life. The office was made, the dream manager was in.
One by one employees stepped in to visit Sean, the dream manager. They reviewed dreams, set priorities and goals and created a plan to reach them. Just the idea of doing it added a buzz in the business.Then successes began happening. Sean wisely took them from one level to the next in their dream realization process. More and more came.
And when Rita, a 58 year-old worker, who never owned a home stepped in her dream, her own home, the dream manager position could not handle all the requests. New dream managers were hired.
Profits increased. Turnover went to about zero, client retention was at all time highs. More and more people wanted to work there and more businesses wanted them as their janitorial service company. The business became a green house for nursing new business dream innovations into produce. There was no limit to the enthusiasm and things they began achieving. The workforce became Admiral's best sales force for the workforce and clients. Admiral even helped those pursue dreams outside the company. This kept the business fresh, alive with zeal and the client quality improving.
In 4 years, the 625 employees had nine dream managers. With turnover almost nonexistent it proved to be a tremendous cost savings for them. (On the average, turnover costs 150% of an employee's base salary. Now every dollar being spend there was producing up to 10 fold.) Individual workloads increased 32%, with high efficiency, cohesiveness and self-initiated enthusiasm. People want meaningful work. They need help to articulate dreams and form plans for short-, medium-, long-term achievements.
People spend most of their lives working, so their work should contribute to moving them in the direction of their dreams.
Why did this work?
Money is important to people, but what is more important is getting from life what they want... their dreams. The Dream Manger Program showed that the company cared about them personally. Loyalty and doing a great job are a natural outgrowth of being valued. In many companies, the workforce feels their management doesn't care about them as people and their heart's desires, the things important to them, their dreams, their personal development so they can live their dreams.
Even Greg, skeptical at first, was right in the middle of dreaming. He and his wife were taking month-long vacations, of their dreams, as he knew Admiral was in good hands.
The big discovery was that by teaching personal dreaming skills and living in a dream process, these skills carry into the job and it boosts the business in accomplishing business dreams. Positive and hopeful thinking, can-do attitudes and motivation spur process skills, which are sharpened for greater company success. They believe dreams can come true and apply this to the company's vision and dreams. They are skilled and motivated to make it happen.
John Schlitt continues his lyric on dreams:
"...inside of you there's a heart full of dreams
like gold in a stream to be uncovered...
a soul made to shine, yes a child meant to fly
and discover all the wonders God can do
inside of you.
Where dreams can still come true."
The Dream Manger Process
The first truth, we all need someone to hold us accountable. People start, but give up on dreams. They need direction, how-to methods, ideas, encouragement, prodding, teaching and support to keep going. So a dream manager is vital... to see each person through to successfully reaching a desired goal.
Success, of any kind, is absolutely "Huge" for personal transformation to becoming self motivated. We all have a place to be a dream manager for someone. Those who reach dreams can help others. In the story, when Rita got her house, workers started coming over to her "dream" home on their own for dream sessions. One grassroot's success can light a match for the masses to jump in. Grassroots successes are vital to pave a dream builder's pathway across the company.
Dreaming is essential to stay alive and vibrant.
When we stop dreaming, we stop living. In Admiral, some managers realized they gave up on some dreams and stopped dreaming. They re-lit their dream fire and got to living with a sparkle in their eyes again.
Start with a dream book.
Take it with you everywhere to list things that excite you. Have one for personal dreams, business dreams, contribution dreams. Write your thoughts down constantly. Have a dreaming place. Write in a stream of thought flow. Don't edit or evaluate. Just let them flow to the greatest level as it wonders out of you. Enjoy this time of living in wonder.
Review them periodically. Date important dreams. Create a personal road map to get there... with dates and steps. Date them when you achieved them.They don't have to all be big dreams. Some are the simple and intangible things we wish for. When we stop dreaming we disengage from work, life, relationships. The human being is naturally a dreamer. If this shuts down our sense of well being goes down.
Here's 12 areas to consider dreams.
Physical
Emotional
Intellectual
Spiritual
Psychological
Material
Professional
Financial
Creative
Adventure
Legacy
Character
Kelly recommends to come up with 100 dreams over all. (That's about 8 or 9 small, medium, big ones per area.) Dreams may overlap several categories. For example, paying off a credit card may fulfill financial, psychological and emotional areas. Take all your dreams on the list and prioritize them to short-term (12 months) and long-term (5 years).
Carry your dream book with you everywhere and constantly jot down dreams.
"Get a dream book!" and just start.
Start with easily attainable dreams over a short-term. Get some wins in your dream book. Then began working on some bigger ones, until you have developed the belief and dream skills to go after some of the big ones... that only you and God may know about.
Create a dream team. Meet regularly to share new dreams and progress on dreams in motion. Think of ways you may practically help each other to achieve their dreams. Hanging around dreamers is a refueling, and re-invigorating experience as well. Life becomes exciting, hopeful.
What is rewarding is the pursuit. Just being in pursuit, and sharing with others who are in pursuit, brings new life into your life. Then what you experience in the pursuit can be unexpected life fulfilling experiences that turn into new dreams discovered, open up what you forgot about, or just gives you a sense of heightened satisfaction. You learn a lot in the pursuit that enlightens you, builds skills for you, your life, your business activities, and your contributions to society to make a better world. When we dream, we build a better world.
"What's Your Dream?"
Note The Dream Manger's website.
http://www.floydconsulting.com/
And Matthew Kelly's... It is interesting to observe the contributions he is making through his own dreams and his foundation.
http://www.matthewkelly.org/
Dreaming is natural for a child. Jesus said unless you become like a child you can't enter the Kingdom of Heaven. A child has simple faith, a child simply believes. Some where in life this gets knocked out of most people. We just need to believe again like when we were a child.
The Scriptures also say the righteous live by faith. "And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away."
(Hebrews 10:38, NLT)
Faith according to the Hebrew writer is knowing, expecting something to happen without any doubt in you. It is seeing what we see in our imaginations as already existing.
(Hebrews 11)
Dreaming is a very important part of our existence.
When in Spirit and prayer the ideas, imagined thoughts, or dreams which come to mind, are many times God inspired. We can trust these as from God and we can act on them knowing He is there with us.
Paul the Apostle said, that the Spirit will do things beyond what we can even think and imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)
He goes on to say that we should think about things that are noble and true.
"Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."
(Philippians 4:8, NLT)
Think about things that will make this world a wonderful place, make people happy and live in joy with each other, and things that bring the heartily sought after inner peace.
Happiness comes when we pursue dreams and believe they are possible. Think on Heavenly things. What's that? Things that bring Heaven to earth. As Jesus said to pray for bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to earth. May the Kingdom come to earth as it is in Heaven.
John the Apostle said the Spirit came to make our joy complete. He expounds that when we lack joy we are focusing on the world's pleasures, crave its possessions and are proud of what we own. True joy is doing God's will.
(1 John 2:15)
That is to fulfill the dreams He puts on our hearts. He has planned things long ago (Eph. 2:10). That's the dreams He has for us that are very big and exciting. So big there is no way we can do it alone, but Jesus said to not be afraid, "I am with you." The Spirit will always be there to help and make it happen. It's not by our effort but His Power.
Joy is in giving... the dreams that promote giving to others are the most powerful to see fulfilled.
"Our happiness lies in sacrificing our honor, our advantage, and our comfort in favor of others. Love takes no account of sacrifice. It is blessed to love."
"The Holy Spirit is not a power that in any sense is subordinate to us, entrusted to us, or to be used by us. He is an energizing power that is over and above us, carrying forward His Work from moment to moment."
(Andrew Murray, In Search of Spiritual Excellence.)
Let God direct your vision, dreams, thoughts, imagination.
Allow the Very Spirit of God to take you down His Path of Life. Our gifts and abilities, our personality are God engineered. When He molds it to His designed way, we have the greatest sense of peace, satisfaction. It's living in Him in His Grand Plan of the Universe we share forever.
Dream His dreams and live in His Power to do it!
He takes on the Big dreams, as we do the small stuff He can multiply to Be Great. In faith, we see the result in our dreams and know it is certain to Happen, because He created the Dream in us.
4spirit@gmail.com
The Dream Manager by Matthew Kelly is a story and principles on how dream managing can help people become the best version of themselves by helping them re-engage in their dreams... either secret, hidden or forgotten. The concept of dreaming can totally reinvigorate a business.
"The most competitive advantage any business is the ability to keep and motivate human capital." A business can then become the best version of itself ever possible.
A John Schlitt song lyric says, "As a child, you used to dream there wasn't anything that you couldn't do...
then somebody told you dreams don't come true..."
This song is a theme in many hearts. It affects the heart of productivity, emotional, personal and business well being.
In a story, Kelly shares how dreams re-discovered totally transformed Admiral Janitorial Service. Here's a thumbnail version:
Greg owned the business. The typical short-to-the-point, somewhat abrasively direct, business entrepreneur owner. Simon is his general manager. They realized they have a big problem. Of their 400 employees, they have a turnover rate of 107% each quarter. That's over 400% a year. Simon had an idea on how to find the solution. Ask the employees.
They did a survey and found out most had transportation problems. So the company created a transportation system for them to pick them up, deliver to jobs, and take home at night. In time the idea worked great. They cut the turnover nearly in half...down to 224%.
Greg felt they could build on this and do better. He called an executive meeting for ideas. One voice jumped out from the group... Simon's assistant, Sandra, spoke up and said. The problem is "they don't see a future here. They have dreams and they need to find a way to connect their job today with their dreams of tomorrow." Greg, the strong-willed entrepreneur struggled with this idea. Simon wondered on this. Then he challenged himself and Greg with "isn't one of the primary responsibilities of all relationships to help each other fulfill our dreams. Shouldn't we do the same for our employees?"
Simon and Sandra went to work on Admiral's first Dream Survey.The survey was simple... "What are your dreams?"
From the responses they had, Simon saw many things people wanted were things management took for granted. With a little guidance many were achievable. But there were a lot of areas.
People have small dreams and big dreams. If "we helped with just one small dream, it would create unimaginable good will and loyalty." Then Simon came up with the another idea (which constantly just thrilled Greg to the core). Simon drove to Greg's house one Saturday morning with his eureka idea. "We need a dream manager."
Greg wondered about this again. Simon showed that with what Admiral will save it will more than pay for the manager, plus the potential impact on what it will do for profitability at Admiral. Greg thought Simon was either a genius, or crazy. Simon's ideas were working so far, so he gave the nod on this one again.
They concluded an outside person would be best to handle this... someone with life experiences, personal management skills and ability to guide people. They found a seasoned business owner who had brought himself out of the tough side of life. The office was made, the dream manager was in.
One by one employees stepped in to visit Sean, the dream manager. They reviewed dreams, set priorities and goals and created a plan to reach them. Just the idea of doing it added a buzz in the business.Then successes began happening. Sean wisely took them from one level to the next in their dream realization process. More and more came.
And when Rita, a 58 year-old worker, who never owned a home stepped in her dream, her own home, the dream manager position could not handle all the requests. New dream managers were hired.
Profits increased. Turnover went to about zero, client retention was at all time highs. More and more people wanted to work there and more businesses wanted them as their janitorial service company. The business became a green house for nursing new business dream innovations into produce. There was no limit to the enthusiasm and things they began achieving. The workforce became Admiral's best sales force for the workforce and clients. Admiral even helped those pursue dreams outside the company. This kept the business fresh, alive with zeal and the client quality improving.
In 4 years, the 625 employees had nine dream managers. With turnover almost nonexistent it proved to be a tremendous cost savings for them. (On the average, turnover costs 150% of an employee's base salary. Now every dollar being spend there was producing up to 10 fold.) Individual workloads increased 32%, with high efficiency, cohesiveness and self-initiated enthusiasm. People want meaningful work. They need help to articulate dreams and form plans for short-, medium-, long-term achievements.
People spend most of their lives working, so their work should contribute to moving them in the direction of their dreams.
Why did this work?
Money is important to people, but what is more important is getting from life what they want... their dreams. The Dream Manger Program showed that the company cared about them personally. Loyalty and doing a great job are a natural outgrowth of being valued. In many companies, the workforce feels their management doesn't care about them as people and their heart's desires, the things important to them, their dreams, their personal development so they can live their dreams.
Even Greg, skeptical at first, was right in the middle of dreaming. He and his wife were taking month-long vacations, of their dreams, as he knew Admiral was in good hands.
The big discovery was that by teaching personal dreaming skills and living in a dream process, these skills carry into the job and it boosts the business in accomplishing business dreams. Positive and hopeful thinking, can-do attitudes and motivation spur process skills, which are sharpened for greater company success. They believe dreams can come true and apply this to the company's vision and dreams. They are skilled and motivated to make it happen.
John Schlitt continues his lyric on dreams:
"...inside of you there's a heart full of dreams
like gold in a stream to be uncovered...
a soul made to shine, yes a child meant to fly
and discover all the wonders God can do
inside of you.
Where dreams can still come true."
The Dream Manger Process
The first truth, we all need someone to hold us accountable. People start, but give up on dreams. They need direction, how-to methods, ideas, encouragement, prodding, teaching and support to keep going. So a dream manager is vital... to see each person through to successfully reaching a desired goal.
Success, of any kind, is absolutely "Huge" for personal transformation to becoming self motivated. We all have a place to be a dream manager for someone. Those who reach dreams can help others. In the story, when Rita got her house, workers started coming over to her "dream" home on their own for dream sessions. One grassroot's success can light a match for the masses to jump in. Grassroots successes are vital to pave a dream builder's pathway across the company.
Dreaming is essential to stay alive and vibrant.
When we stop dreaming, we stop living. In Admiral, some managers realized they gave up on some dreams and stopped dreaming. They re-lit their dream fire and got to living with a sparkle in their eyes again.
Start with a dream book.
Take it with you everywhere to list things that excite you. Have one for personal dreams, business dreams, contribution dreams. Write your thoughts down constantly. Have a dreaming place. Write in a stream of thought flow. Don't edit or evaluate. Just let them flow to the greatest level as it wonders out of you. Enjoy this time of living in wonder.
Review them periodically. Date important dreams. Create a personal road map to get there... with dates and steps. Date them when you achieved them.They don't have to all be big dreams. Some are the simple and intangible things we wish for. When we stop dreaming we disengage from work, life, relationships. The human being is naturally a dreamer. If this shuts down our sense of well being goes down.
Here's 12 areas to consider dreams.
Physical
Emotional
Intellectual
Spiritual
Psychological
Material
Professional
Financial
Creative
Adventure
Legacy
Character
Kelly recommends to come up with 100 dreams over all. (That's about 8 or 9 small, medium, big ones per area.) Dreams may overlap several categories. For example, paying off a credit card may fulfill financial, psychological and emotional areas. Take all your dreams on the list and prioritize them to short-term (12 months) and long-term (5 years).
Carry your dream book with you everywhere and constantly jot down dreams.
"Get a dream book!" and just start.
Start with easily attainable dreams over a short-term. Get some wins in your dream book. Then began working on some bigger ones, until you have developed the belief and dream skills to go after some of the big ones... that only you and God may know about.
Create a dream team. Meet regularly to share new dreams and progress on dreams in motion. Think of ways you may practically help each other to achieve their dreams. Hanging around dreamers is a refueling, and re-invigorating experience as well. Life becomes exciting, hopeful.
What is rewarding is the pursuit. Just being in pursuit, and sharing with others who are in pursuit, brings new life into your life. Then what you experience in the pursuit can be unexpected life fulfilling experiences that turn into new dreams discovered, open up what you forgot about, or just gives you a sense of heightened satisfaction. You learn a lot in the pursuit that enlightens you, builds skills for you, your life, your business activities, and your contributions to society to make a better world. When we dream, we build a better world.
"What's Your Dream?"
Note The Dream Manger's website.
http://www.floydconsulting.com/
And Matthew Kelly's... It is interesting to observe the contributions he is making through his own dreams and his foundation.
http://www.matthewkelly.org/
Dreaming is natural for a child. Jesus said unless you become like a child you can't enter the Kingdom of Heaven. A child has simple faith, a child simply believes. Some where in life this gets knocked out of most people. We just need to believe again like when we were a child.
The Scriptures also say the righteous live by faith. "And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away."
(Hebrews 10:38, NLT)
Faith according to the Hebrew writer is knowing, expecting something to happen without any doubt in you. It is seeing what we see in our imaginations as already existing.
(Hebrews 11)
Dreaming is a very important part of our existence.
When in Spirit and prayer the ideas, imagined thoughts, or dreams which come to mind, are many times God inspired. We can trust these as from God and we can act on them knowing He is there with us.
Paul the Apostle said, that the Spirit will do things beyond what we can even think and imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)
He goes on to say that we should think about things that are noble and true.
"Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."
(Philippians 4:8, NLT)
Think about things that will make this world a wonderful place, make people happy and live in joy with each other, and things that bring the heartily sought after inner peace.
Happiness comes when we pursue dreams and believe they are possible. Think on Heavenly things. What's that? Things that bring Heaven to earth. As Jesus said to pray for bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to earth. May the Kingdom come to earth as it is in Heaven.
John the Apostle said the Spirit came to make our joy complete. He expounds that when we lack joy we are focusing on the world's pleasures, crave its possessions and are proud of what we own. True joy is doing God's will.
(1 John 2:15)
That is to fulfill the dreams He puts on our hearts. He has planned things long ago (Eph. 2:10). That's the dreams He has for us that are very big and exciting. So big there is no way we can do it alone, but Jesus said to not be afraid, "I am with you." The Spirit will always be there to help and make it happen. It's not by our effort but His Power.
Joy is in giving... the dreams that promote giving to others are the most powerful to see fulfilled.
"Our happiness lies in sacrificing our honor, our advantage, and our comfort in favor of others. Love takes no account of sacrifice. It is blessed to love."
"The Holy Spirit is not a power that in any sense is subordinate to us, entrusted to us, or to be used by us. He is an energizing power that is over and above us, carrying forward His Work from moment to moment."
(Andrew Murray, In Search of Spiritual Excellence.)
Let God direct your vision, dreams, thoughts, imagination.
Allow the Very Spirit of God to take you down His Path of Life. Our gifts and abilities, our personality are God engineered. When He molds it to His designed way, we have the greatest sense of peace, satisfaction. It's living in Him in His Grand Plan of the Universe we share forever.
Dream His dreams and live in His Power to do it!
He takes on the Big dreams, as we do the small stuff He can multiply to Be Great. In faith, we see the result in our dreams and know it is certain to Happen, because He created the Dream in us.
Monday, September 10, 2007
The New Rules of Marketing & PR
by Dale Shumaker
4spirit@gmail.com
In The New Rules of Marketing & PR, author David Meerman Scott says that you can learn from many. "I am absolutely convinced that you will learn more by emulating successful ideas from outside your industry than by copying what your nearest competitor is doing."
There are new rules to marketing and PR. They are not two but interweaving into one. It's not a one way talk from the company to consumer, or interrupted marketing with ads on radio or TV to interrupt you.The new marketing is interactive, informative, educational and a choice.
Scott says that when I'm on your website I am already interested. You don't have to use the old rules to jar my interest. I want to learn more. Will you teach me and provide the content that will answer my questions.
The old rules are ineffective today.
The Old Rules:
Marketing simply meant advertising and branding. It appealed to the masses, interrupted you, was one way from the company to the consumer, about selling products only, based on limited campaigns, with creativity the leading feature. it was more important for the ad agency to win awards then add new customers. Advertising and PR were separate disciplines. None of these is true anymore.
The web has transformed the rules. PR land and marketing mainstream is now many tributaries... within a web of diverse connections. Public relations is public again and not dependent on certain select media. The masses are reachable directly, individually.
The new goal is education. Find the under-served and target them. Marketing on the web is about understanding the key phrases people use when looking for things, then deploying micro-campaigns to drive buyers to pages that seek your content.
Marketing and PR is merging today. It is about great content.
Content drives action.
Constant flow of content keeps bringing back the buyers.
So the New Rules:
Marketing is more than just advertising and PR, more than getting in mainstream media. You are what you publish, it's authentic, with participation, delivered as needed, serving the under-served, buyers see your content on the web, it's winning business, public relations is with the public, great online content, blogs, e-books, podcasts, e-news releases, and other online content directly in touch with the buyer.
On the web, there is a blur between marketing and PR.
Reaching your Buyer Directly.
News releases were once for publications that reached many. Now, they're for bloggers who know your buyers who talk to them all the time. Success today is doing a lot of small things for many. Keep driving content. Keep getting niche audiences of the many coming back for more. The appeal is not the mass market, but the interest of these niches. Provide links to their interests. Bloggers are many mini-publishers.
The new marketing/PR has clearly defined business goals that get people to vote, join. Your news release, blog, website, podcasts draws visitors into the sales consideration cycle. This funnels them to action. They know the next step, the "go" button is there and easy to push. The goal is not hidden.
Blogging: Reaching the buyers directly.
You're an evangelist.
You're telling your story.
With your own blog, you are your own publishing company, editor, writer, expert in what you know. Your observations count. You're earthy, real, authentic, break some rules, but honest with how you present yourself. Bloggers are writing new rules on how to communicate. You can select and connect with others like you and share insights, collaborate, joint venture, back and forth.
It's an immediate tool to find out what others think, or get help from others like you who do it too. Blogging is for the individual, the CEO to stay in touch with his organization, and the employee to voice concerns as he sees them so others can help out or make adjustments quickly. It is the way we will stay in touch with our markets and influencing. You build a loyal connecting family with content and communication.
News Releases... speak directly
Your news can be read by many at once who want to know. Your web has the updates, ideas, new content, advances... what your community wants to know more of. Or it is sent immediately for those wanting to stay instantly in the know. Buyer direct communication is the order of the day.
Scott also has a list of new rules for news releases for those wanting to know.
(By the way, his web has a lot of this info too... )
http://www.webinknow.com/
If they find you, they will come. The key is "keyword" skill application. Know the buyer's use of words they use when looking for something that will bring them to you.
Podcasting... delivering audio content
They can hear you... they want to hear you.
Your content, your voice, your book, your advice is important.
Wiki... let's all work together now
On line projects can be put up for many to put their parts in, in progress as each works on it simultaneously. It is great collaboration of all parts of a business, your company, or associates all over the world. You have a work in progress, a project, that needs certain eyes monitoring others so it all comes out right. The consumer can jump in and help you create the product or service in how they want it or like it.
Going Viral... the self-propelled buzz
What catches the fever?
A sort of homemade feel seems to work while slick and polished doesn't. The Internet is highly personal, and real, so being real we all know we have self-evident flaws. It's more accepting and forgiving. Good content, authentic and human heart-catching, with a small contingencies of friends or fabulous fans, can light the fire.
Content Rich is the new big Rule at the Web place.
What's most important is content... more than new technology features, design or marketing schemes. It's how the content is organized, and how it drives action from buyers. It should be multi-dimensional using podcasts, videos, interactive links of relevancy, but all rich in content. You become a publisher and think about how to put together a content rich "publication" ...a Web inter-faceted presence.
David Scott puts into perspective what it takes to make it work. His plan starts with the organizational goals, not the product as most marketers do. Your site must lead your audience to where it helps to reach your goals such as building revenue, donations, new members and the like. What's your goal?
Keep that in perspective versus the WOW of your product to start. Next create a buyer persona profile.The persona profile is a short biographical, personal description of background, daily activity, loves and joys and what they seek. The buyer's words, categories they view are top-of-the-list importance.
Note: http://www.buyerpersona.com/
So far, you go from organizational goals, to buyer persona profile then to words and phrases your buyer's speak, or use when looking for solutions. Knowing about them, helps you know what language they use when looking to solve problems or know more.
What do they believe about your organization? What message do you use to reach each of the buyer's persona... and what do they believe you will do for them.
Now start thinking like a publisher. Create content organized by your buyer's persona. Create clicks to pages that have content to help with their questions, problems that gives them help right away. Educate them on ways to solve it, and deal with it better. The more you help, the more they come back for more... especially come to you.
Your web presence is what you publish on it. People have problems to solve and questions to answer. Will the millions on the web daily find you and your answers... that you are their answer.
Leadership. You are not an advertiser but a place with leadership in providing answers to people's problems. Keep helping until they ask for more.
What does this? ...your blog, podcasts, whitepaper,e-book, e-newsletter, webinar (seminar on the web).
In this, your content will be a solution to their problems and in the process, you don't even mention your company's name.
"Thought leadership content" provides free content, without registration. Think like a publisher. Write for your audience, use grab attention titles, promote content with links, drive the viral, the buzz. Be a thought content leader... a buzz will self-ignite.
The content influence on the buyer is the drive behind it all. Your web personality image, interactive tools, etc., affect influence. Scott explains this in more detail. He continues with details on how to use news releases to reach buyers directly; building your on-line (website) press room; effectively reaching other media; blogging effectively reaching the media; blogging to transform your business; podcasting and video made as easy as possible; social networking; and search engine marketing.
In the last chapter, Make It Happen, Scott gives an example of how one organization is using content, orchestrating Internet-based marketing tools, to build and innovative community. It's a church community with a fascinating concept reaching thousands in the Washington, D.C. area.
It's a great timely book for what's coming into place. Each section is detailed on how to do it. It's a thorough one source guide. Definitely a must biz-book shelf reference guide for the new web of business.
David Scott has a lot of free info of what we just overviewed very quickly above. His web and personal site are very good to view as well.
http://www.webinknow.com/
http://www.davidmeermanscott.com/
In his book the Body of Christ, Dr. J. Robert Ashcroft outlined what is the ideal Christian community and how it functions. It has so many parallels to Scott's last example of the church community in the last chapter.
Today's world communicates in many advanced ways.
The two key words are communication and becoming one in community. Relationship is central. Relationship must have a constant flow. Our technology makes this possible and strikingly enhances this communication.
Dr. Ashcroft identified where Being One applies:
This is both a communications and relationship principle.
1. One with God... Jesus Spirit. This is first and foremost that each person cultivate this in themselves (Being One with Jesus-Spirit) or the rest won't work.
Right here it breaks down in many.
Many never really pursue a One relationship with Jesus Spirit.
(Jesus Spirit is a term I created to denote that
we have the mind of Christ
and are filled with the Holy Spirit of God...
thus God, Spirit, Jesus as One in us.)
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.
Our communication with God in Spirit should be perpetual, a prayer communication with God, in Spirit. A praying without ceasing, in Spirit.
2. One in themselves. 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.
This reflection, meditation in Spirit is about what we know and how we do it. Are they consistent with each other? Are we communicating well with ourselves, based on what we know? It is important that what we think and what we are is the same and the Spirit is the same with that.
When this is in alignment as One (and the body is not fighting the mind, or the mind having an argument with the Spirit), we as individuals become a Supernatural Force. The biggest war is in the mind, within ourselves...win those battles.
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 is a constant communication in mind and heart. People need to know the development of our thought process and how we feel about it. 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. We have interaction with each other, and then added power in Spirit.
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.
A constant chatter among each other goes on here.
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... inter-Spirit communication.
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 picking up a phone and calling someone.
In this process, we each take time to observe,
meditate on what we observe,
draw Divinely driven conclusions,
and then share the Spiritual insights we have gotten with others.
We are all teachers.
God wants to teach through all of us to teach each other.
We hear God's Voice when we listen to everyone.
This helps to complete His Total Voice to us.
Knowing that since Jesus was on earth, He came back as "Jesus Is Us" ... an important concept of what the Body of Christ is, as Paul the Apostle calls us. This again reflects the power of working in pairs. This is very powerful when like minded in Spirit. This interacting power moves mammoth barriers.
6. One in ownership. Individual possessive nature is lost when people are the same in Jesus Spirit. Everything we have is part of Us, Jesus is Us, the inter-twined body of Believers. 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.
With the Spirit of Christ manifesting around us through aligned Spiritual relationships, these qualities should be the norm in our lives. There still is more to this. The magnitude of Jesus Believers as One is hard to put into words properly.
"And the church is his body (of people as One), it is filled by Christ, who fills everything, everywhere with His presence." (Ephesians 1:23)
Although it must be put to work to work... even experimentally for a while to really see what starts to happen. When we do it, we will learn through it as Spirit teaches us along the way.
The journey must begin first, one step at a time,
even though imperfect as we start.
This is the only way to find out how extensive this is …and its Supernatural impact as it empowers our lives Beyond the natural.
That our communication is thorough, constant and comprehensive.
So much so that it becomes One Voice, the Voice of God among us.
This is the ultimate objective of communication.
And what Scott outlines in the new rules or marketing/PR can assist in mobilizing this power.
And then...The very Power, Presence, Peace of Jesus Himself is manifested when we function as One.
4spirit@gmail.com
In The New Rules of Marketing & PR, author David Meerman Scott says that you can learn from many. "I am absolutely convinced that you will learn more by emulating successful ideas from outside your industry than by copying what your nearest competitor is doing."
There are new rules to marketing and PR. They are not two but interweaving into one. It's not a one way talk from the company to consumer, or interrupted marketing with ads on radio or TV to interrupt you.The new marketing is interactive, informative, educational and a choice.
Scott says that when I'm on your website I am already interested. You don't have to use the old rules to jar my interest. I want to learn more. Will you teach me and provide the content that will answer my questions.
The old rules are ineffective today.
The Old Rules:
Marketing simply meant advertising and branding. It appealed to the masses, interrupted you, was one way from the company to the consumer, about selling products only, based on limited campaigns, with creativity the leading feature. it was more important for the ad agency to win awards then add new customers. Advertising and PR were separate disciplines. None of these is true anymore.
The web has transformed the rules. PR land and marketing mainstream is now many tributaries... within a web of diverse connections. Public relations is public again and not dependent on certain select media. The masses are reachable directly, individually.
The new goal is education. Find the under-served and target them. Marketing on the web is about understanding the key phrases people use when looking for things, then deploying micro-campaigns to drive buyers to pages that seek your content.
Marketing and PR is merging today. It is about great content.
Content drives action.
Constant flow of content keeps bringing back the buyers.
So the New Rules:
Marketing is more than just advertising and PR, more than getting in mainstream media. You are what you publish, it's authentic, with participation, delivered as needed, serving the under-served, buyers see your content on the web, it's winning business, public relations is with the public, great online content, blogs, e-books, podcasts, e-news releases, and other online content directly in touch with the buyer.
On the web, there is a blur between marketing and PR.
Reaching your Buyer Directly.
News releases were once for publications that reached many. Now, they're for bloggers who know your buyers who talk to them all the time. Success today is doing a lot of small things for many. Keep driving content. Keep getting niche audiences of the many coming back for more. The appeal is not the mass market, but the interest of these niches. Provide links to their interests. Bloggers are many mini-publishers.
The new marketing/PR has clearly defined business goals that get people to vote, join. Your news release, blog, website, podcasts draws visitors into the sales consideration cycle. This funnels them to action. They know the next step, the "go" button is there and easy to push. The goal is not hidden.
Blogging: Reaching the buyers directly.
You're an evangelist.
You're telling your story.
With your own blog, you are your own publishing company, editor, writer, expert in what you know. Your observations count. You're earthy, real, authentic, break some rules, but honest with how you present yourself. Bloggers are writing new rules on how to communicate. You can select and connect with others like you and share insights, collaborate, joint venture, back and forth.
It's an immediate tool to find out what others think, or get help from others like you who do it too. Blogging is for the individual, the CEO to stay in touch with his organization, and the employee to voice concerns as he sees them so others can help out or make adjustments quickly. It is the way we will stay in touch with our markets and influencing. You build a loyal connecting family with content and communication.
News Releases... speak directly
Your news can be read by many at once who want to know. Your web has the updates, ideas, new content, advances... what your community wants to know more of. Or it is sent immediately for those wanting to stay instantly in the know. Buyer direct communication is the order of the day.
Scott also has a list of new rules for news releases for those wanting to know.
(By the way, his web has a lot of this info too... )
http://www.webinknow.com/
If they find you, they will come. The key is "keyword" skill application. Know the buyer's use of words they use when looking for something that will bring them to you.
Podcasting... delivering audio content
They can hear you... they want to hear you.
Your content, your voice, your book, your advice is important.
Wiki... let's all work together now
On line projects can be put up for many to put their parts in, in progress as each works on it simultaneously. It is great collaboration of all parts of a business, your company, or associates all over the world. You have a work in progress, a project, that needs certain eyes monitoring others so it all comes out right. The consumer can jump in and help you create the product or service in how they want it or like it.
Going Viral... the self-propelled buzz
What catches the fever?
A sort of homemade feel seems to work while slick and polished doesn't. The Internet is highly personal, and real, so being real we all know we have self-evident flaws. It's more accepting and forgiving. Good content, authentic and human heart-catching, with a small contingencies of friends or fabulous fans, can light the fire.
Content Rich is the new big Rule at the Web place.
What's most important is content... more than new technology features, design or marketing schemes. It's how the content is organized, and how it drives action from buyers. It should be multi-dimensional using podcasts, videos, interactive links of relevancy, but all rich in content. You become a publisher and think about how to put together a content rich "publication" ...a Web inter-faceted presence.
David Scott puts into perspective what it takes to make it work. His plan starts with the organizational goals, not the product as most marketers do. Your site must lead your audience to where it helps to reach your goals such as building revenue, donations, new members and the like. What's your goal?
Keep that in perspective versus the WOW of your product to start. Next create a buyer persona profile.The persona profile is a short biographical, personal description of background, daily activity, loves and joys and what they seek. The buyer's words, categories they view are top-of-the-list importance.
Note: http://www.buyerpersona.com/
So far, you go from organizational goals, to buyer persona profile then to words and phrases your buyer's speak, or use when looking for solutions. Knowing about them, helps you know what language they use when looking to solve problems or know more.
What do they believe about your organization? What message do you use to reach each of the buyer's persona... and what do they believe you will do for them.
Now start thinking like a publisher. Create content organized by your buyer's persona. Create clicks to pages that have content to help with their questions, problems that gives them help right away. Educate them on ways to solve it, and deal with it better. The more you help, the more they come back for more... especially come to you.
Your web presence is what you publish on it. People have problems to solve and questions to answer. Will the millions on the web daily find you and your answers... that you are their answer.
Leadership. You are not an advertiser but a place with leadership in providing answers to people's problems. Keep helping until they ask for more.
What does this? ...your blog, podcasts, whitepaper,e-book, e-newsletter, webinar (seminar on the web).
In this, your content will be a solution to their problems and in the process, you don't even mention your company's name.
"Thought leadership content" provides free content, without registration. Think like a publisher. Write for your audience, use grab attention titles, promote content with links, drive the viral, the buzz. Be a thought content leader... a buzz will self-ignite.
The content influence on the buyer is the drive behind it all. Your web personality image, interactive tools, etc., affect influence. Scott explains this in more detail. He continues with details on how to use news releases to reach buyers directly; building your on-line (website) press room; effectively reaching other media; blogging effectively reaching the media; blogging to transform your business; podcasting and video made as easy as possible; social networking; and search engine marketing.
In the last chapter, Make It Happen, Scott gives an example of how one organization is using content, orchestrating Internet-based marketing tools, to build and innovative community. It's a church community with a fascinating concept reaching thousands in the Washington, D.C. area.
It's a great timely book for what's coming into place. Each section is detailed on how to do it. It's a thorough one source guide. Definitely a must biz-book shelf reference guide for the new web of business.
David Scott has a lot of free info of what we just overviewed very quickly above. His web and personal site are very good to view as well.
http://www.webinknow.com/
http://www.davidmeermanscott.com/
In his book the Body of Christ, Dr. J. Robert Ashcroft outlined what is the ideal Christian community and how it functions. It has so many parallels to Scott's last example of the church community in the last chapter.
Today's world communicates in many advanced ways.
The two key words are communication and becoming one in community. Relationship is central. Relationship must have a constant flow. Our technology makes this possible and strikingly enhances this communication.
Dr. Ashcroft identified where Being One applies:
This is both a communications and relationship principle.
1. One with God... Jesus Spirit. This is first and foremost that each person cultivate this in themselves (Being One with Jesus-Spirit) or the rest won't work.
Right here it breaks down in many.
Many never really pursue a One relationship with Jesus Spirit.
(Jesus Spirit is a term I created to denote that
we have the mind of Christ
and are filled with the Holy Spirit of God...
thus God, Spirit, Jesus as One in us.)
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.
Our communication with God in Spirit should be perpetual, a prayer communication with God, in Spirit. A praying without ceasing, in Spirit.
2. One in themselves. 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.
This reflection, meditation in Spirit is about what we know and how we do it. Are they consistent with each other? Are we communicating well with ourselves, based on what we know? It is important that what we think and what we are is the same and the Spirit is the same with that.
When this is in alignment as One (and the body is not fighting the mind, or the mind having an argument with the Spirit), we as individuals become a Supernatural Force. The biggest war is in the mind, within ourselves...win those battles.
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 is a constant communication in mind and heart. People need to know the development of our thought process and how we feel about it. 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. We have interaction with each other, and then added power in Spirit.
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.
A constant chatter among each other goes on here.
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... inter-Spirit communication.
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 picking up a phone and calling someone.
In this process, we each take time to observe,
meditate on what we observe,
draw Divinely driven conclusions,
and then share the Spiritual insights we have gotten with others.
We are all teachers.
God wants to teach through all of us to teach each other.
We hear God's Voice when we listen to everyone.
This helps to complete His Total Voice to us.
Knowing that since Jesus was on earth, He came back as "Jesus Is Us" ... an important concept of what the Body of Christ is, as Paul the Apostle calls us. This again reflects the power of working in pairs. This is very powerful when like minded in Spirit. This interacting power moves mammoth barriers.
6. One in ownership. Individual possessive nature is lost when people are the same in Jesus Spirit. Everything we have is part of Us, Jesus is Us, the inter-twined body of Believers. 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.
With the Spirit of Christ manifesting around us through aligned Spiritual relationships, these qualities should be the norm in our lives. There still is more to this. The magnitude of Jesus Believers as One is hard to put into words properly.
"And the church is his body (of people as One), it is filled by Christ, who fills everything, everywhere with His presence." (Ephesians 1:23)
Although it must be put to work to work... even experimentally for a while to really see what starts to happen. When we do it, we will learn through it as Spirit teaches us along the way.
The journey must begin first, one step at a time,
even though imperfect as we start.
This is the only way to find out how extensive this is …and its Supernatural impact as it empowers our lives Beyond the natural.
That our communication is thorough, constant and comprehensive.
So much so that it becomes One Voice, the Voice of God among us.
This is the ultimate objective of communication.
And what Scott outlines in the new rules or marketing/PR can assist in mobilizing this power.
And then...The very Power, Presence, Peace of Jesus Himself is manifested when we function as One.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Power and Influence of the Highest Level
by Dale Shumaker
4spirit@gmail.com
Power and Influence is by Robert Dilenschneider, a veteran communications professional, advising Presidents, dignitaries, CEO's and other high-level business Power People.
The Rules have changed.
His book is about your future. By wielding personal power in a smart, technological, and ethical manner, you can help shape a more prosperous, future collectively for everyone.
Robert reads 11 newspapers a day, two books a week, and numerous selected blogs and preaches that you must be reading, listening, and learning about your culture and people constantly. Written in narrative style, Robert D. shares story after story of infamous power people and how they're inundated with influence.
His principles of power people and influence:
Accept, Adapt, and Accelerate -- or waste away with atrophy
"To obtain and retain power, you have to create a balance between your knowledge of technology, and your networks of personal contacts, friendships."
We're globalized. What happens out there affects us all. Ideas around the world affects everyone, everywhere. Learn them and how to handle people.
Everyone has a story to tell... listen to them. Ask questions and you'll fill up with riches of life. Listen to, extract information from. Everyone has a unique blend of insight and knowledge. With rules and technology constantly changing, you stay in touch by listening to everyone.
You must know technology, effective ways to use it, and how to customize it for yourself. So skills of logic, thinking, reasoning, writing (forming, parsing, punctuating) are core. Everyone uses email so personal notes stand out... use them creatively with a personal touch. Answer every email in 24 hours, identify key blogs to read regularly. Learn social changes, adjust to them.
Be prepared to start over... again and again.
"Attitude trumps resume."
Be ready to fight back even when you may get knocked down again and again. Power and influence is transitory and elusive. Power players engage us and permit us to celebrate their successes with them. Not every thing works, but always resolve to come back. Be determined to use your talent to rise to a higher level.
Technology is an ally... use web searches to PDA's. Use them in strategic conjunction with each other. Always learn from problems. The web is there, learn through it. Think things through, cope strategically with business problems. Help others too. They'll never forget you. Keep friendships, nurture them, don't expect anything in return. "America is a country of second acts." Always be prepared to start over and over again and again if you have to.
Think Innovation... forget about just keeping up.
"Power players stay alert to technical developments so that they can make smart judgment calls about what's a must-learn."
Refusing to learn about technology is business self destruction. New gadgets can be just that-- gadgets. But the intellectual property on driving the gadgets, productively, makes the difference. It's the canny use of technology. Technology can get you the right information quickly. Keeping up with developments, finding new sources of information, making quick (well-informed) decisions is why technology is unquestionably essential.
Seize the opportunity in every crisis.
"Technology enhances your professional prospects regardless of your setbacks and may even help you become an independent entrepreneur."
Uncertainty is certain. It's our biggest challenge to seize the challenge of crisis. Of the 6 billion people worldwide, 2 billion make less than on dollar a day. That's one challenge. When faced in personal crisis, seize the opportunity in that crisis. It's okay to be nervous, but change how you see it. Find new ideas and then do something about it.
Stick to your principles, be stubborn if it's right. Being stubborn when right is personal power. The unexpected will happen, turbulence will occur, but in change is opportunity. Power players take steps to their sense of a future they see.
Look beyond the new rules to connect.
"Treat people with respect and courtesy...Always Connect!"
The rules of power and influence are changing so fast it'sdifficult to grasp. "Read blogs." Power players know what's the talk, and get new sources of insight. CEO's keep their companies informed with personal blogs. There's news you don't get from the news media, bloggers will give you. Create a blog read list. Read them daily, weekly, whenever they update.
Everyone can be a journalist. In the 21st Century, power players master this. Don't rely on just emails. Some are missed. Use followup phone calls or, to stand out, send a personally handwritten, signed note. Face to face is still the ultimate relationship builder.
Always look for higher purposes. Higher purpose has to be the core of everything you do, say. Draw people in, make them part of the picture. If your values give to those around you, your power influence increases. Your contacts will expand.
Take the heat and never compromise.
"Power players aren't timid about tackling criticism, but they shouldn't be unguided missiles in responding."
The downside of blogs is you can be criticized and a lot will know. Keep open channels of communication. Get proper packages of communication out there... speeches, articles, quotes.
Cultivate the network of people you want to hear from you directly. They will stay loyal.
Being on the Internet is not as big as using the Internet's tools effectively, collectively and targetly. Losses, humiliation, embarrassment may come. Always be ready to respond with power come backs. Take the heat and rely on your friends, your networks, your special skills.
Be vigilant. Have faith in God and show your true values. Build strength around your special friends, networks and power remains with you.
Keep focusing on your strengths.
"Knowing yourself and your adversaries."
Part of the CEO's job is figuring out what people have on their minds, synthesize issues, and produce workable solutions. Learn how to block out weaknesses, prune them, and drive steadily from your strengths. Power players can show strength by yielding a little especially in negotiations.
Research people well before talking to them. Knowing them, things important, rare to them, not only impresses them, but gives you power.
Keep growing your network by shaving it.
"There's no substitute for a powerful network that embraces you and even nurtures you. You cannot do it alone."
Keep contact information on friends of over thirty and twenty years ago. Never take people off the list. And cultivate relationships with the most important of your personal data base. Always be adding people and get to know things about them. Have power people on your contact list that have influence to help you.
Robert D. has such a high profile contact base, one he can call and talk to in a minute, that he charged $25,000 to make 4 phone calls, when one person requested his services to meet 4 high-level important people.
Giving to your contact base, personalized contacts and special invitations increase the strength of relationships. You can also reignite past relationships by initiating getting in touch, even with people going 30 years back. High school, college friends and acquaintances are contacts forever.
Always be gracious, and happy to hear from old acquaintances. In your mind, consider everyone to be your friend.
Seek Acclaim, but practice humility.
"Be strong in your actions and humble in your heart."
It's just as important to reach out to the shoe shine boy as a CEO. You're a person of people, a person who's generous, who's humble, who's willing to do outreach. Turn to people and ask for help (i.e., the CEO uses a newly hired English major to sharpen his skills on grammar).
Search for Power but never forget to share it.
"Genuine power players work for a larger cause than consolidating their own power. They empower others."
Power players look for a higher purpose, have enduring professional values, are honest and vigilant, transparent, caring and polite. Power people give their power to empower others of lesser power.
The central question:
"What are you prepared to do, beyond your own life and company, that adds value to society?"
Technology's influence on power continues to evolve. Keep searching the opportunities it is bringing.
www.dilenschneiderpower.com
Jesus promised us that He would furnish us with Powers of Heavenly proportions. He said as he final words before departing to Heaven that He would send all the Power of God to us.... "And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven." (Luke 42:49, NLT)
"For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body."
(Colossians 2:9, NLT)
This Power exists in and with us now.
We can tap It, use It, be used by It, and live moment by moment in It now. This is not an It, but a real person, living, creating, strategically thinking, and maneuvering ahead of us for our behalf. As David said, Our Lord fights for me. We can say the same. Our Lord of the Universe fights for us.
The Apostle Paul proclaims that "I depend on the mighty power of God that so wonderfully works in me." We can proclaim the same. Our confidence is not in our abilities, reputation, accomplishments, or status, but the very Power of God who creates, recreates and transforms all things.
When we are weak we are more likely to be strong. It is then we are more likely to rely on Spirit to do the work for us. When we relinquish our power and lean on God's Mighty Power, we will see great feats accomplished where we do this.
The Apostle Paul talks of Christ Supreme position in the universe, and that we have Christ living in us (Col. 1), we can say confidently that the world around me may have its troubles, I may have some of them, then through the Power of Jesus Spirit in me, all things will be overcome by His Spirit.
Walk in this confidence, lean on Spirit Strength, not your own,
and expect to have Supernatural surprises happening around you continually.
In the Kneeling Christian by the Unknown Christian, he highlights the significance of praying in Jesus name, praying on behalf of God's Kingdom to come on earth as in Heaven. The Resources of Heaven are right with us. We can tap that.
"God is like a Great Banker. The Lord Jesus has given us a blank check in prayer. 'Fill it in,' He says, 'to any amount , ask anything what you will and your request will be honored. Present your check in My Name and you will be honored.' That is what happens when we go to the bank of Heaven-- when I go to God in prayer. I have nothing deposited there; I have no credit there; and if I go in my own name I will get absolutely nothing. But Jesus Christ has unlimited credit in Heaven, and He has granted me the privilege of going with His name on my checks. And when I thus go my prayers will be honored to any extent. To pray, then, in the name of Christ is to pray, not on the ground of my credit, but His."
Ours is not a kingdom we live and dwell in of just words, it is a kingdom of power. It is not just talk, but action of miracle transforming levels. "My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power."
(1 Corinthians 2:4, NLT)
This is the very Power of God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus...
that is the forming force for the whole earth, people and nature.
This is the ultimate of Power. And we are tapped into It.
This Power touches and controls everything.
We are connected to this power source and we have influence of the Supernatural in all our natural dealings.
"Exceptional," as we remain tapped into this Power Source,
is the common occurrence of the day.
We have this privilege to have the very Power of The Creator of All things
to be our Head Production Department.
Walk in the Strength and Influence of this Power as your source.
4spirit@gmail.com
Power and Influence is by Robert Dilenschneider, a veteran communications professional, advising Presidents, dignitaries, CEO's and other high-level business Power People.
The Rules have changed.
His book is about your future. By wielding personal power in a smart, technological, and ethical manner, you can help shape a more prosperous, future collectively for everyone.
Robert reads 11 newspapers a day, two books a week, and numerous selected blogs and preaches that you must be reading, listening, and learning about your culture and people constantly. Written in narrative style, Robert D. shares story after story of infamous power people and how they're inundated with influence.
His principles of power people and influence:
Accept, Adapt, and Accelerate -- or waste away with atrophy
"To obtain and retain power, you have to create a balance between your knowledge of technology, and your networks of personal contacts, friendships."
We're globalized. What happens out there affects us all. Ideas around the world affects everyone, everywhere. Learn them and how to handle people.
Everyone has a story to tell... listen to them. Ask questions and you'll fill up with riches of life. Listen to, extract information from. Everyone has a unique blend of insight and knowledge. With rules and technology constantly changing, you stay in touch by listening to everyone.
You must know technology, effective ways to use it, and how to customize it for yourself. So skills of logic, thinking, reasoning, writing (forming, parsing, punctuating) are core. Everyone uses email so personal notes stand out... use them creatively with a personal touch. Answer every email in 24 hours, identify key blogs to read regularly. Learn social changes, adjust to them.
Be prepared to start over... again and again.
"Attitude trumps resume."
Be ready to fight back even when you may get knocked down again and again. Power and influence is transitory and elusive. Power players engage us and permit us to celebrate their successes with them. Not every thing works, but always resolve to come back. Be determined to use your talent to rise to a higher level.
Technology is an ally... use web searches to PDA's. Use them in strategic conjunction with each other. Always learn from problems. The web is there, learn through it. Think things through, cope strategically with business problems. Help others too. They'll never forget you. Keep friendships, nurture them, don't expect anything in return. "America is a country of second acts." Always be prepared to start over and over again and again if you have to.
Think Innovation... forget about just keeping up.
"Power players stay alert to technical developments so that they can make smart judgment calls about what's a must-learn."
Refusing to learn about technology is business self destruction. New gadgets can be just that-- gadgets. But the intellectual property on driving the gadgets, productively, makes the difference. It's the canny use of technology. Technology can get you the right information quickly. Keeping up with developments, finding new sources of information, making quick (well-informed) decisions is why technology is unquestionably essential.
Seize the opportunity in every crisis.
"Technology enhances your professional prospects regardless of your setbacks and may even help you become an independent entrepreneur."
Uncertainty is certain. It's our biggest challenge to seize the challenge of crisis. Of the 6 billion people worldwide, 2 billion make less than on dollar a day. That's one challenge. When faced in personal crisis, seize the opportunity in that crisis. It's okay to be nervous, but change how you see it. Find new ideas and then do something about it.
Stick to your principles, be stubborn if it's right. Being stubborn when right is personal power. The unexpected will happen, turbulence will occur, but in change is opportunity. Power players take steps to their sense of a future they see.
Look beyond the new rules to connect.
"Treat people with respect and courtesy...Always Connect!"
The rules of power and influence are changing so fast it'sdifficult to grasp. "Read blogs." Power players know what's the talk, and get new sources of insight. CEO's keep their companies informed with personal blogs. There's news you don't get from the news media, bloggers will give you. Create a blog read list. Read them daily, weekly, whenever they update.
Everyone can be a journalist. In the 21st Century, power players master this. Don't rely on just emails. Some are missed. Use followup phone calls or, to stand out, send a personally handwritten, signed note. Face to face is still the ultimate relationship builder.
Always look for higher purposes. Higher purpose has to be the core of everything you do, say. Draw people in, make them part of the picture. If your values give to those around you, your power influence increases. Your contacts will expand.
Take the heat and never compromise.
"Power players aren't timid about tackling criticism, but they shouldn't be unguided missiles in responding."
The downside of blogs is you can be criticized and a lot will know. Keep open channels of communication. Get proper packages of communication out there... speeches, articles, quotes.
Cultivate the network of people you want to hear from you directly. They will stay loyal.
Being on the Internet is not as big as using the Internet's tools effectively, collectively and targetly. Losses, humiliation, embarrassment may come. Always be ready to respond with power come backs. Take the heat and rely on your friends, your networks, your special skills.
Be vigilant. Have faith in God and show your true values. Build strength around your special friends, networks and power remains with you.
Keep focusing on your strengths.
"Knowing yourself and your adversaries."
Part of the CEO's job is figuring out what people have on their minds, synthesize issues, and produce workable solutions. Learn how to block out weaknesses, prune them, and drive steadily from your strengths. Power players can show strength by yielding a little especially in negotiations.
Research people well before talking to them. Knowing them, things important, rare to them, not only impresses them, but gives you power.
Keep growing your network by shaving it.
"There's no substitute for a powerful network that embraces you and even nurtures you. You cannot do it alone."
Keep contact information on friends of over thirty and twenty years ago. Never take people off the list. And cultivate relationships with the most important of your personal data base. Always be adding people and get to know things about them. Have power people on your contact list that have influence to help you.
Robert D. has such a high profile contact base, one he can call and talk to in a minute, that he charged $25,000 to make 4 phone calls, when one person requested his services to meet 4 high-level important people.
Giving to your contact base, personalized contacts and special invitations increase the strength of relationships. You can also reignite past relationships by initiating getting in touch, even with people going 30 years back. High school, college friends and acquaintances are contacts forever.
Always be gracious, and happy to hear from old acquaintances. In your mind, consider everyone to be your friend.
Seek Acclaim, but practice humility.
"Be strong in your actions and humble in your heart."
It's just as important to reach out to the shoe shine boy as a CEO. You're a person of people, a person who's generous, who's humble, who's willing to do outreach. Turn to people and ask for help (i.e., the CEO uses a newly hired English major to sharpen his skills on grammar).
Search for Power but never forget to share it.
"Genuine power players work for a larger cause than consolidating their own power. They empower others."
Power players look for a higher purpose, have enduring professional values, are honest and vigilant, transparent, caring and polite. Power people give their power to empower others of lesser power.
The central question:
"What are you prepared to do, beyond your own life and company, that adds value to society?"
Technology's influence on power continues to evolve. Keep searching the opportunities it is bringing.
www.dilenschneiderpower.com
Jesus promised us that He would furnish us with Powers of Heavenly proportions. He said as he final words before departing to Heaven that He would send all the Power of God to us.... "And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven." (Luke 42:49, NLT)
"For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body."
(Colossians 2:9, NLT)
This Power exists in and with us now.
We can tap It, use It, be used by It, and live moment by moment in It now. This is not an It, but a real person, living, creating, strategically thinking, and maneuvering ahead of us for our behalf. As David said, Our Lord fights for me. We can say the same. Our Lord of the Universe fights for us.
The Apostle Paul proclaims that "I depend on the mighty power of God that so wonderfully works in me." We can proclaim the same. Our confidence is not in our abilities, reputation, accomplishments, or status, but the very Power of God who creates, recreates and transforms all things.
When we are weak we are more likely to be strong. It is then we are more likely to rely on Spirit to do the work for us. When we relinquish our power and lean on God's Mighty Power, we will see great feats accomplished where we do this.
The Apostle Paul talks of Christ Supreme position in the universe, and that we have Christ living in us (Col. 1), we can say confidently that the world around me may have its troubles, I may have some of them, then through the Power of Jesus Spirit in me, all things will be overcome by His Spirit.
Walk in this confidence, lean on Spirit Strength, not your own,
and expect to have Supernatural surprises happening around you continually.
In the Kneeling Christian by the Unknown Christian, he highlights the significance of praying in Jesus name, praying on behalf of God's Kingdom to come on earth as in Heaven. The Resources of Heaven are right with us. We can tap that.
"God is like a Great Banker. The Lord Jesus has given us a blank check in prayer. 'Fill it in,' He says, 'to any amount , ask anything what you will and your request will be honored. Present your check in My Name and you will be honored.' That is what happens when we go to the bank of Heaven-- when I go to God in prayer. I have nothing deposited there; I have no credit there; and if I go in my own name I will get absolutely nothing. But Jesus Christ has unlimited credit in Heaven, and He has granted me the privilege of going with His name on my checks. And when I thus go my prayers will be honored to any extent. To pray, then, in the name of Christ is to pray, not on the ground of my credit, but His."
Ours is not a kingdom we live and dwell in of just words, it is a kingdom of power. It is not just talk, but action of miracle transforming levels. "My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power."
(1 Corinthians 2:4, NLT)
This is the very Power of God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus...
that is the forming force for the whole earth, people and nature.
This is the ultimate of Power. And we are tapped into It.
This Power touches and controls everything.
We are connected to this power source and we have influence of the Supernatural in all our natural dealings.
"Exceptional," as we remain tapped into this Power Source,
is the common occurrence of the day.
We have this privilege to have the very Power of The Creator of All things
to be our Head Production Department.
Walk in the Strength and Influence of this Power as your source.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Words that Work... Convincingly
by Dale Shumaker
4spirit@gmail.com
Words that Work (by Dr. Frank Luntz) affects us all.
Some words work as intended, others don't. They change and shift with our society as we continually merge into one mind but with vastly divergent components. The problem--words mean different things to different people.The theme: "It's not what you say, it's what people hear."
We create meaning to words. What each of us see as a meaning is what it means to us. Old words have new meanings. We are constantly making up new meanings. What we think something means, and what others think it means may be vastly different.
Luntz has Ten Rules of Effective Communication.
Rule 1: Simplicity. Use small words. Long words raise suspicion when not necessary.
Rule 2: Brevity. Use short sentences. Small beats large, short beats long, plain beats complex.
Rule 3. Credibility is as important as philosophy. Without sincerity, belief in your words lack impact. "Mean what you say."
Rule 4. Consistency matters. Repetition of theme phrases helps them to lock into minds.
Rule 5. Novelty. Offers something new. Creative use of words as phrases strike interest.
Rule 6. Sound and texture matter. A string of words starting with the same letter or ending with the same sound create memorability.
Rule 7. Speak aspirationally. Personalize and humanize the message to trigger an emotional remembrance.
Rule 8. Visualize. Paint a vivid picture. Use slogans that create pictures in other minds.
Rule 9. Ask a question. It's not what you say, but what you ask that really matters.
Rule 10. Provide context and explain relevance. Explain why a particular message matters.
George Orwell has a series of language rules.
1. Never use figures of speech you are used to seeing, hearing all the time.
2. Never use a long word when a short one will do.
3. Cut out as many words as possible.
4. Use active instead of passive in statements.
5. Never use foreign, scientific jargon when you can use an everyday English equivalent.
"Good communication requires conviction and authenticity."
Be the Message.
What we really care about... this communicates.
Words connect ideas, emotions, hopes and fears. What matters is how we really feel and what really matters. This includes:
Principles. If your principles match their values, the details don't matter.
Opportunity… more than fairness and more than ownership. We want to be treated fairly and have a stake in what we do.
Community. The desires to associate, affiliate, and belong.
Common Sense. It's self-evident, it makes sense.
Getting Value... what we get for what we pay for is more important than how much we pay for it.
Convenience. Today's catch word is "hassle-free." ... that's personal and based on individual interest.
Main street not Wall Street. The small guy over corporate America is still favored.
Family Values.
The Future. Where will this take us.
Positive messages. Limitless dreams, unending possibilities, promise of a wonderful future.
Accountability, respect, and solutions round out what people care about.
Great words for the 21st Century.
Imagine... hassle-free... lifestyle... accountability...
results and can-do spirit... innovation...
renew, revitalize, rejuvenate, restore, rekindle, reinvent...
efficient and efficiency... the right to... patient-centered...
investment... casual elegance... independent...
peace of mind... all-American... certified...
prosperity... spirituality... financial security...
a balanced approach... a culture of... .
Language is functional, it's a tool.
Acceptable language varies and changes, so you must know your audience, challenge them but don't offend them. "It's not what you say, it's what people hear."
Here's a more extensive summary:
http://dropabull.com/myopic/summary/Words%2520That%2520Work.pdf
Plus Luntz's site:
http://www.luntz.com/
Jesus talked about hearing.
He quoted the prophet Isaiah…
"You will hear my words
But you will not understand
You will see what I do,
But you will not perceive its meaning.
(Why?)
For the hearts of these people are hardened.”
(Matthew 13:14,15, NLT)
Some don't get what you are talking about because they don't want to. It goes against who they are and they don't want to change. They aren't open to Spirit and they can't hear when Spirit speaks.
People have core beliefs of some kind. When something challenges someone's core beliefs they immediately reject what is said. Jesus knew people's core beliefs, or hearts. He knew so much, that He also knew what would be rejected. He knew His audience. Jesus demonstrated the importance of knowing people and dealing with what people believed and the way they were.
Jesus creates an analogy of how this works.
When talking about hearing, He said there are these levels of hearing.
1. Some hear but don't understand. They have no clue to what you are talking about. Their hearts and minds are hardened, very removed from where you are. They are just not open to anything outside what they already know and live.
2. Some hear, but the deceptions of this world and cunning evil powers wile it away. It coerces them to stop believing.
3. Others hear, receive it immediately, even excitedly. But when they get back into the routine of their lives, it loses its flavor, the taste it once had for them.
It just doesn't take root and ceases to be relative to their life. It is soon dismissed.
4. Then there are those who readily accept and begin putting to work what they heard. When facing the cares, challenges, or the pleasures of this life, it loses its place of relevance or importance to them. They just busy it away.
5. Finally, when honest people true to themselves of a good-heart (that's those who respect God's ways and insights) hear an idea, they will cling to it. They hold tightly to it. They make it a working part of their lives and produce results many times over and over again.
(Note: Luke 8:10–16)
Their abilities to hear, understand increase and they grasp more and more beyond what they learn. They develop an never-ending ability to see and put into practice in a productive way what they are learning. They accomplish more and more with what they heard and learned. And it continues to increase their abilities to learn, grow and accomplish greater and greater things. And their desire to learn keeps expanding at constantly increasing proportions.
Jesus said "my sheep," those with a heart toward Him, "recognize my voice" and respond. They follow exactly where He goes and tells them to go.
It all boils down to a desire to hear His voice, to respond to it joyfully and when challenges come, to not give up on it and know Jesus has a better way and miracles along the way He leads. He says those who recognize, respond to His voice, He will give them abundant life. More and more will be added to you.
(Note: John 10)
He speaks constantly and to be tuned-in to His voice will intricately guide your steps day-by-day, hour-by-hour. You will be led through the most challenging circumstances as well as the most delightful events in your life and mind. Joy abounds, continually, as we tune in and follow moment by moment His speaking to us.
He promises to speak to us and wants us to listen to His voice, to hear and understand what He means by it. But most of all, when we know we have heard His voice, do not stop what He directs us to do until victory is won.
He will speak to us again and again to guide us with penetrating precision to decisive, stunning victories!
Through constant practice and recognizing "His voice", allowing it to touch our hearts and speaking to our minds, we grow in His guiding Spirit. Great insights will come to mind, and remarkable High Levels of power will follow.
As Jesus said "He walks ahead of them" and we follow a very Strategic, Spiritually Supernatural path when we do.
Hear Him, listen and understand… follow Him with a refined accuracy and let His guiding voice give you life. Spirit will grant it to you abundantly, immeasurable…in all areas of your life and Spirit.
And He will, without limit, when you listen to His voice.
It's all about your relationship with Jesus and the Spirit of God. The closer you are to Jesus in a daily interacting relationship the more clearly you hear His voice and understand what He is saying.
Get close,
know His voice,
and live in a constant rejuvenating power.
4spirit@gmail.com
Words that Work (by Dr. Frank Luntz) affects us all.
Some words work as intended, others don't. They change and shift with our society as we continually merge into one mind but with vastly divergent components. The problem--words mean different things to different people.The theme: "It's not what you say, it's what people hear."
We create meaning to words. What each of us see as a meaning is what it means to us. Old words have new meanings. We are constantly making up new meanings. What we think something means, and what others think it means may be vastly different.
Luntz has Ten Rules of Effective Communication.
Rule 1: Simplicity. Use small words. Long words raise suspicion when not necessary.
Rule 2: Brevity. Use short sentences. Small beats large, short beats long, plain beats complex.
Rule 3. Credibility is as important as philosophy. Without sincerity, belief in your words lack impact. "Mean what you say."
Rule 4. Consistency matters. Repetition of theme phrases helps them to lock into minds.
Rule 5. Novelty. Offers something new. Creative use of words as phrases strike interest.
Rule 6. Sound and texture matter. A string of words starting with the same letter or ending with the same sound create memorability.
Rule 7. Speak aspirationally. Personalize and humanize the message to trigger an emotional remembrance.
Rule 8. Visualize. Paint a vivid picture. Use slogans that create pictures in other minds.
Rule 9. Ask a question. It's not what you say, but what you ask that really matters.
Rule 10. Provide context and explain relevance. Explain why a particular message matters.
George Orwell has a series of language rules.
1. Never use figures of speech you are used to seeing, hearing all the time.
2. Never use a long word when a short one will do.
3. Cut out as many words as possible.
4. Use active instead of passive in statements.
5. Never use foreign, scientific jargon when you can use an everyday English equivalent.
"Good communication requires conviction and authenticity."
Be the Message.
What we really care about... this communicates.
Words connect ideas, emotions, hopes and fears. What matters is how we really feel and what really matters. This includes:
Principles. If your principles match their values, the details don't matter.
Opportunity… more than fairness and more than ownership. We want to be treated fairly and have a stake in what we do.
Community. The desires to associate, affiliate, and belong.
Common Sense. It's self-evident, it makes sense.
Getting Value... what we get for what we pay for is more important than how much we pay for it.
Convenience. Today's catch word is "hassle-free." ... that's personal and based on individual interest.
Main street not Wall Street. The small guy over corporate America is still favored.
Family Values.
The Future. Where will this take us.
Positive messages. Limitless dreams, unending possibilities, promise of a wonderful future.
Accountability, respect, and solutions round out what people care about.
Great words for the 21st Century.
Imagine... hassle-free... lifestyle... accountability...
results and can-do spirit... innovation...
renew, revitalize, rejuvenate, restore, rekindle, reinvent...
efficient and efficiency... the right to... patient-centered...
investment... casual elegance... independent...
peace of mind... all-American... certified...
prosperity... spirituality... financial security...
a balanced approach... a culture of... .
Language is functional, it's a tool.
Acceptable language varies and changes, so you must know your audience, challenge them but don't offend them. "It's not what you say, it's what people hear."
Here's a more extensive summary:
http://dropabull.com/myopic/summary/Words%2520That%2520Work.pdf
Plus Luntz's site:
http://www.luntz.com/
Jesus talked about hearing.
He quoted the prophet Isaiah…
"You will hear my words
But you will not understand
You will see what I do,
But you will not perceive its meaning.
(Why?)
For the hearts of these people are hardened.”
(Matthew 13:14,15, NLT)
Some don't get what you are talking about because they don't want to. It goes against who they are and they don't want to change. They aren't open to Spirit and they can't hear when Spirit speaks.
People have core beliefs of some kind. When something challenges someone's core beliefs they immediately reject what is said. Jesus knew people's core beliefs, or hearts. He knew so much, that He also knew what would be rejected. He knew His audience. Jesus demonstrated the importance of knowing people and dealing with what people believed and the way they were.
Jesus creates an analogy of how this works.
When talking about hearing, He said there are these levels of hearing.
1. Some hear but don't understand. They have no clue to what you are talking about. Their hearts and minds are hardened, very removed from where you are. They are just not open to anything outside what they already know and live.
2. Some hear, but the deceptions of this world and cunning evil powers wile it away. It coerces them to stop believing.
3. Others hear, receive it immediately, even excitedly. But when they get back into the routine of their lives, it loses its flavor, the taste it once had for them.
It just doesn't take root and ceases to be relative to their life. It is soon dismissed.
4. Then there are those who readily accept and begin putting to work what they heard. When facing the cares, challenges, or the pleasures of this life, it loses its place of relevance or importance to them. They just busy it away.
5. Finally, when honest people true to themselves of a good-heart (that's those who respect God's ways and insights) hear an idea, they will cling to it. They hold tightly to it. They make it a working part of their lives and produce results many times over and over again.
(Note: Luke 8:10–16)
Their abilities to hear, understand increase and they grasp more and more beyond what they learn. They develop an never-ending ability to see and put into practice in a productive way what they are learning. They accomplish more and more with what they heard and learned. And it continues to increase their abilities to learn, grow and accomplish greater and greater things. And their desire to learn keeps expanding at constantly increasing proportions.
Jesus said "my sheep," those with a heart toward Him, "recognize my voice" and respond. They follow exactly where He goes and tells them to go.
It all boils down to a desire to hear His voice, to respond to it joyfully and when challenges come, to not give up on it and know Jesus has a better way and miracles along the way He leads. He says those who recognize, respond to His voice, He will give them abundant life. More and more will be added to you.
(Note: John 10)
He speaks constantly and to be tuned-in to His voice will intricately guide your steps day-by-day, hour-by-hour. You will be led through the most challenging circumstances as well as the most delightful events in your life and mind. Joy abounds, continually, as we tune in and follow moment by moment His speaking to us.
He promises to speak to us and wants us to listen to His voice, to hear and understand what He means by it. But most of all, when we know we have heard His voice, do not stop what He directs us to do until victory is won.
He will speak to us again and again to guide us with penetrating precision to decisive, stunning victories!
Through constant practice and recognizing "His voice", allowing it to touch our hearts and speaking to our minds, we grow in His guiding Spirit. Great insights will come to mind, and remarkable High Levels of power will follow.
As Jesus said "He walks ahead of them" and we follow a very Strategic, Spiritually Supernatural path when we do.
Hear Him, listen and understand… follow Him with a refined accuracy and let His guiding voice give you life. Spirit will grant it to you abundantly, immeasurable…in all areas of your life and Spirit.
And He will, without limit, when you listen to His voice.
It's all about your relationship with Jesus and the Spirit of God. The closer you are to Jesus in a daily interacting relationship the more clearly you hear His voice and understand what He is saying.
Get close,
know His voice,
and live in a constant rejuvenating power.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Our Iceberg is Melting... staying adventurous
by Dale Shumaker
4spirit@gmail.com
Our Iceberg is Melting by John Kotter features the 8-step process to successful change...
told in a fable about a Penguin Colony.
America is on the cusp of the biggest sociological, philosophical, and economic change ever. It may be the most dramatic and revolutionary of all time. From lifestyle perspective to economic prowess, the psychology, cultural and relational framework is shifting. Like an iceberg taking on water in its middle but not discovered until winter comes, it can be too late to make adjustments.
New trends in how we live and do things and philosophies on how we live and do things, will soon have dramatic impact on our culture.
So how do we manage change constructively?
Our Iceberg is Melting gives us a course outline to follow.
More and more biz books are written for communication and educational effectiveness today. Our Iceberg is Melting hallows this style. It teaches and helps you apply to real life the principles for change as you read.
Using a fable along with key principles outlined helps your mind to put this in to real world perspective.
First the principles, then a summary of the fable.
The Eight Step process of Successful Change.
Set the Stage
1. Create a sense of urgency.
Help others see the need for change and the importance of immediate action.
2. Pull together the guiding team... with varied skills for the task to convince all minds and handle uniquely different situations.
Decide What to Do
3. Develop the change vision and strategy.
Clarify how the future will be different, be better, and how you can make it into a reality.
Make it Happen
4. Communicate for understanding and buy in.
Make sure as many as possible understand and accept the vision.
5. Empower others to act.
Remove as many barriers and obstacles as you can so those who want to make the vision a reality can do so.
6. Produce short-term wins.
Create some visible, unambiguous successes as soon as you can.
7. Don't let up.
Press harder and faster after the first successes.
Be relentless with initiating change after change until the vision is reality.
Make it Stick
8. Create a new culture.
Hold on to the new ways of behaving, and make sure they succeed, until they become strong enough to replace old traditions.
The importance of thinking and feeling differently.
Thinking differently can help change behavior and lead to better results.
--collect data, analyze.
--present information logically to change people's thinking.
--change thinking, in turn, can change behavior
Feeling differently can change behavior MORE and lead to even better results.
--create surprising, compelling, and, if possible, visual experience.
--the experiences change how people feel about a situation.
--a change in feeling can lead to significant change in behavior.
The Fable
Once upon a time, there was a Penguin Colony on an iceberg in Antarctica, near Cape Washington. They lived there many years and they all were a happy, astute bunch. Their natural elegance of appearance as penguins made them look like they walked proudly in tuxedos all the time. Out of the 268 penguins, Fred was somewhat of a loner. He liked to hang out looking across the sea and seem to also be observing and noting things. A little different bird in the colony but his curiosity and observations skills led him to draw up some interesting conclusions. He carried a briefcase of all his notes of his observations.
But Fred was getting more and more concerned... or, frankly, very worried and troubled. So much so that one day he decided to meet with one of the colony council birds, Alice. She was well respected by most, and Fred felt he could talk to her.
He told Alice he was very worried about the nature of the iceberg they were on. Alice saw it as a great place to live and they had been there for a long time. But Fred said its melting... and we can't see it. Where was it melting?... in the center. He took Alice for a swim under the iceberg to show her. She saw what Fred was seeing. There were many channels of water underneath and a large body of water in the middle. When Fred got back he pointed out... that when winter comes the channels will freeze first, trap the water inside and it will expand when it freezes causing the iceberg to break up into many sections. It would cause havoc for the community and many young and old could die.
Alice saw Fred's point and suggested they get a key few of the council together to share his observations. Well, some in the council bought into Fred's story and some didn't. Fred then used a bottle that floated up one day to demonstrate what happens when a sealed bottle full of water freezes. The council members came to inspect the bottle the next day. Like Fred suggested, it broke into numerous fragments. The Council decided we must do something about it. They decided to have a meeting with the whole community. Some felt it could cause fear and panic break out. Although, it was necessary.
They presented their observations and set out a challenge to the group to come up with ideas to solve this problem. Many ideas came up, maybe not the best ones, so they agreed to continue to walk around the iceberg and dream up more ideas.
Then Fred had an unusual observation, as usual for Fred, when looking up in the air. He saw a Seagull. What is a Seagull doing here? He suggested they interview the Seagull. They did and found out he was a scout for other Seagulls and they were constantly looking for places that had food. This gave them the idea. Why not become nomadic penguins and find a better iceberg with great fish. They lived off of fish and needed good fish inhabited areas. The scouting idea was scary for some (mostly moms of the excited young wanting to be scouts) as the young adventurous scouts could get lost and or eaten by whales.
They began preparing the community for a potential new lifestyle and living on new icebergs... even better than the one they live on and love and adore. After the first scout mission, the scouts said they found several possibilities. So they began to narrow them down.
They had some naysayers causing trouble and saying all this was foolishness and we would all die. The young penguins were starting to have nightmares. The core team had a variety of personalities, so each one was strategically assigned to a key person causing the problems to change their way of thinking. It worked. They dispelled the fear factors emerging.
Being nomadic penguins was something no one was used to, but it seemed like a better solution than to try to fix the iceberg by neutralizing the problem by drilling holes so the water could escape the caverns( a lot of penguins pecking to make the holes), or the idea of using whale glue to glue the cracks back together. Moving to a possible better iceberg and keep looking for a better icebergs was looked on the best way to go. It meant having scouts at work continually, and keeping them fed... most penguins fed for themselves and weren't used to feeding others outside their own family. But the scouts needed to scout and so food needed to be provided for them. Again, innovation played a part in finding a solution for this too.
The fable cleverly outlines examples of the change process and things you run into and how to handle them. The story re-enacted urgency,
getting authority figures behind it,
pulling together and creating a balanced core team
(carefully selecting this guiding group),
forming a new vision
and communicating the new vision successfully,
making everyone feel empowered,
removing obstacles as they came up,
creating short-term wins to keep everyone encouraged,
and not letting up.
They never moved around before. It became a tradition of lifestyle. So they had to strategically execute the change effort so it would not be impeded by stubborn, hard-to-die traditionalists. They broke tradition and became nomadic. But each move was one to a better iceberg with better fish opportunities. Change was not for change sake, but for constantly getting better, improving their position in life.
The moral of the story...
In a constantly changing world, we should constantly be moving into the benefits of what is changing around us.
More resources on change by Kotter:
http://www.ouricebergismelting.com/
http://www.theheartofchange.com/
http://www.johnkotter.com/
The premier change agent was Jesus.
He came and presented views that every one was fascinated by. The people listened to him and were amazed by him. Why was he so successful?
He narrowed things down to one word... Love.
To love God with all your heart, mind, soul and body.
To love others as much as you love yourself and how you love yourself.
Love is forgiving, forbearing and tolerating. Like the woman caught in sin. The law said to stone her... Jesus forgave her.
In Luke 10 he told His disciples to go to the places where people were. Live with them.
"The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and
sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he
planned to visit. These were his instructions to them:
'The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray
to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to
send more workers into his fields. Now go, and remember
that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.' "
"Don't hesitate to accept hospitality,
because those who work deserve their pay."
"Heal the sick, and tell them,
'The Kingdom of God is near you now.' "
(Luke 10: 1-11, NLT)
The Law of the day said to "come" and bring sacrifices.
He said to "go" and show mercy to the undeserving.
He said to be merciful...
I don't want your sacrifices. He had a plan. He was to be their sacrifice. Man could not live up to the law, so he instituted forgiveness. He knows our nature and we can't and don't do what we say we should. So he said be open and admit your shortcomings and know there is forgiveness and tolerance. For, His sacrifice would cover it all.
A very different way of thinking of the day. Maybe even today. He even demonstrated dramatic change again. He died and left his old body and came back in three days with a completely different body. He said if you die in My Spirit, the Spirit of Me in You will live forever. This new body was so different. Most didn't even recognize Him.
He appeared suddenly and disappeared suddenly with this new body. He said to keep watch because He will again come back suddenly. He left again, and this time, he didn't leave the body he had but went straight up in the air. Like in a cloud of sorts. The disciples waited... and 10 days later, the rush of His Spirit hit the room they were in and they changed... dramatically.
They with ease did all that Jesus showed they could do while on earth. One person who even persecuted Jesus' followers, was dramatically changed. Jesus came to him in such a brilliant light that Saul, the Christian persecutor, was blinded. He changed to be one of His most outstanding followers. Everywhere he went people changed. Everywhere the other disciples went people changed. It was one of the biggest change events ever.
And we have this at our disposal today.
If we seek and and ask for it.
If we wait on it.
Because our body's of today will again be changed, transformed suddenly.
"It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead.
Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die,
but they will be raised to live forever. Our bodies are
buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength.
They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be
raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies.
But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not
all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a
moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown.
For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be
raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.
For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies
that will never die; our mortal bodies must be
transformed into immortal bodies.
Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled
"Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?"
(1 Corinthians 15: 42 - 53, NLT)
This is our great finale of change.
Is it worth focusing our lives around such a reward?
Spiritual life is transformation upon transformation as we follow the life of Jesus until now. This is to continue and we may very well see in our own lives... the old transformed before our very eyes into the new. We have a much better body that will never decay away, become old and despised, unattractive, and useless. (An interesting picture to compare... our old imperfect next to the new perfection.)
"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but
let God Transform you into a new person
by changing the way you think.
Then you will learn to know God's will for you,
which is good and pleasing and perfect."
(Romans 12:2, NLT)
We can honestly accept the truth of our imperfections of our old form, and see us being transformed into a perfect truth, nothing to hide, of our new form.
We are also nomadic in the process. Going here and there to vision upon vision, place on place, and heart to a heavenly heart.
We are compelled to search for this new place,
a better place, and experience never ending adventures
in Spirit life every day.
4spirit@gmail.com
Our Iceberg is Melting by John Kotter features the 8-step process to successful change...
told in a fable about a Penguin Colony.
America is on the cusp of the biggest sociological, philosophical, and economic change ever. It may be the most dramatic and revolutionary of all time. From lifestyle perspective to economic prowess, the psychology, cultural and relational framework is shifting. Like an iceberg taking on water in its middle but not discovered until winter comes, it can be too late to make adjustments.
New trends in how we live and do things and philosophies on how we live and do things, will soon have dramatic impact on our culture.
So how do we manage change constructively?
Our Iceberg is Melting gives us a course outline to follow.
More and more biz books are written for communication and educational effectiveness today. Our Iceberg is Melting hallows this style. It teaches and helps you apply to real life the principles for change as you read.
Using a fable along with key principles outlined helps your mind to put this in to real world perspective.
First the principles, then a summary of the fable.
The Eight Step process of Successful Change.
Set the Stage
1. Create a sense of urgency.
Help others see the need for change and the importance of immediate action.
2. Pull together the guiding team... with varied skills for the task to convince all minds and handle uniquely different situations.
Decide What to Do
3. Develop the change vision and strategy.
Clarify how the future will be different, be better, and how you can make it into a reality.
Make it Happen
4. Communicate for understanding and buy in.
Make sure as many as possible understand and accept the vision.
5. Empower others to act.
Remove as many barriers and obstacles as you can so those who want to make the vision a reality can do so.
6. Produce short-term wins.
Create some visible, unambiguous successes as soon as you can.
7. Don't let up.
Press harder and faster after the first successes.
Be relentless with initiating change after change until the vision is reality.
Make it Stick
8. Create a new culture.
Hold on to the new ways of behaving, and make sure they succeed, until they become strong enough to replace old traditions.
The importance of thinking and feeling differently.
Thinking differently can help change behavior and lead to better results.
--collect data, analyze.
--present information logically to change people's thinking.
--change thinking, in turn, can change behavior
Feeling differently can change behavior MORE and lead to even better results.
--create surprising, compelling, and, if possible, visual experience.
--the experiences change how people feel about a situation.
--a change in feeling can lead to significant change in behavior.
The Fable
Once upon a time, there was a Penguin Colony on an iceberg in Antarctica, near Cape Washington. They lived there many years and they all were a happy, astute bunch. Their natural elegance of appearance as penguins made them look like they walked proudly in tuxedos all the time. Out of the 268 penguins, Fred was somewhat of a loner. He liked to hang out looking across the sea and seem to also be observing and noting things. A little different bird in the colony but his curiosity and observations skills led him to draw up some interesting conclusions. He carried a briefcase of all his notes of his observations.
But Fred was getting more and more concerned... or, frankly, very worried and troubled. So much so that one day he decided to meet with one of the colony council birds, Alice. She was well respected by most, and Fred felt he could talk to her.
He told Alice he was very worried about the nature of the iceberg they were on. Alice saw it as a great place to live and they had been there for a long time. But Fred said its melting... and we can't see it. Where was it melting?... in the center. He took Alice for a swim under the iceberg to show her. She saw what Fred was seeing. There were many channels of water underneath and a large body of water in the middle. When Fred got back he pointed out... that when winter comes the channels will freeze first, trap the water inside and it will expand when it freezes causing the iceberg to break up into many sections. It would cause havoc for the community and many young and old could die.
Alice saw Fred's point and suggested they get a key few of the council together to share his observations. Well, some in the council bought into Fred's story and some didn't. Fred then used a bottle that floated up one day to demonstrate what happens when a sealed bottle full of water freezes. The council members came to inspect the bottle the next day. Like Fred suggested, it broke into numerous fragments. The Council decided we must do something about it. They decided to have a meeting with the whole community. Some felt it could cause fear and panic break out. Although, it was necessary.
They presented their observations and set out a challenge to the group to come up with ideas to solve this problem. Many ideas came up, maybe not the best ones, so they agreed to continue to walk around the iceberg and dream up more ideas.
Then Fred had an unusual observation, as usual for Fred, when looking up in the air. He saw a Seagull. What is a Seagull doing here? He suggested they interview the Seagull. They did and found out he was a scout for other Seagulls and they were constantly looking for places that had food. This gave them the idea. Why not become nomadic penguins and find a better iceberg with great fish. They lived off of fish and needed good fish inhabited areas. The scouting idea was scary for some (mostly moms of the excited young wanting to be scouts) as the young adventurous scouts could get lost and or eaten by whales.
They began preparing the community for a potential new lifestyle and living on new icebergs... even better than the one they live on and love and adore. After the first scout mission, the scouts said they found several possibilities. So they began to narrow them down.
They had some naysayers causing trouble and saying all this was foolishness and we would all die. The young penguins were starting to have nightmares. The core team had a variety of personalities, so each one was strategically assigned to a key person causing the problems to change their way of thinking. It worked. They dispelled the fear factors emerging.
Being nomadic penguins was something no one was used to, but it seemed like a better solution than to try to fix the iceberg by neutralizing the problem by drilling holes so the water could escape the caverns( a lot of penguins pecking to make the holes), or the idea of using whale glue to glue the cracks back together. Moving to a possible better iceberg and keep looking for a better icebergs was looked on the best way to go. It meant having scouts at work continually, and keeping them fed... most penguins fed for themselves and weren't used to feeding others outside their own family. But the scouts needed to scout and so food needed to be provided for them. Again, innovation played a part in finding a solution for this too.
The fable cleverly outlines examples of the change process and things you run into and how to handle them. The story re-enacted urgency,
getting authority figures behind it,
pulling together and creating a balanced core team
(carefully selecting this guiding group),
forming a new vision
and communicating the new vision successfully,
making everyone feel empowered,
removing obstacles as they came up,
creating short-term wins to keep everyone encouraged,
and not letting up.
They never moved around before. It became a tradition of lifestyle. So they had to strategically execute the change effort so it would not be impeded by stubborn, hard-to-die traditionalists. They broke tradition and became nomadic. But each move was one to a better iceberg with better fish opportunities. Change was not for change sake, but for constantly getting better, improving their position in life.
The moral of the story...
In a constantly changing world, we should constantly be moving into the benefits of what is changing around us.
More resources on change by Kotter:
http://www.ouricebergismelting.com/
http://www.theheartofchange.com/
http://www.johnkotter.com/
The premier change agent was Jesus.
He came and presented views that every one was fascinated by. The people listened to him and were amazed by him. Why was he so successful?
He narrowed things down to one word... Love.
To love God with all your heart, mind, soul and body.
To love others as much as you love yourself and how you love yourself.
Love is forgiving, forbearing and tolerating. Like the woman caught in sin. The law said to stone her... Jesus forgave her.
In Luke 10 he told His disciples to go to the places where people were. Live with them.
"The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and
sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he
planned to visit. These were his instructions to them:
'The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray
to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to
send more workers into his fields. Now go, and remember
that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.' "
"Don't hesitate to accept hospitality,
because those who work deserve their pay."
"Heal the sick, and tell them,
'The Kingdom of God is near you now.' "
(Luke 10: 1-11, NLT)
The Law of the day said to "come" and bring sacrifices.
He said to "go" and show mercy to the undeserving.
He said to be merciful...
I don't want your sacrifices. He had a plan. He was to be their sacrifice. Man could not live up to the law, so he instituted forgiveness. He knows our nature and we can't and don't do what we say we should. So he said be open and admit your shortcomings and know there is forgiveness and tolerance. For, His sacrifice would cover it all.
A very different way of thinking of the day. Maybe even today. He even demonstrated dramatic change again. He died and left his old body and came back in three days with a completely different body. He said if you die in My Spirit, the Spirit of Me in You will live forever. This new body was so different. Most didn't even recognize Him.
He appeared suddenly and disappeared suddenly with this new body. He said to keep watch because He will again come back suddenly. He left again, and this time, he didn't leave the body he had but went straight up in the air. Like in a cloud of sorts. The disciples waited... and 10 days later, the rush of His Spirit hit the room they were in and they changed... dramatically.
They with ease did all that Jesus showed they could do while on earth. One person who even persecuted Jesus' followers, was dramatically changed. Jesus came to him in such a brilliant light that Saul, the Christian persecutor, was blinded. He changed to be one of His most outstanding followers. Everywhere he went people changed. Everywhere the other disciples went people changed. It was one of the biggest change events ever.
And we have this at our disposal today.
If we seek and and ask for it.
If we wait on it.
Because our body's of today will again be changed, transformed suddenly.
"It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead.
Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die,
but they will be raised to live forever. Our bodies are
buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength.
They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be
raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies.
But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not
all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a
moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown.
For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be
raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.
For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies
that will never die; our mortal bodies must be
transformed into immortal bodies.
Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled
"Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?"
(1 Corinthians 15: 42 - 53, NLT)
This is our great finale of change.
Is it worth focusing our lives around such a reward?
Spiritual life is transformation upon transformation as we follow the life of Jesus until now. This is to continue and we may very well see in our own lives... the old transformed before our very eyes into the new. We have a much better body that will never decay away, become old and despised, unattractive, and useless. (An interesting picture to compare... our old imperfect next to the new perfection.)
"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but
let God Transform you into a new person
by changing the way you think.
Then you will learn to know God's will for you,
which is good and pleasing and perfect."
(Romans 12:2, NLT)
We can honestly accept the truth of our imperfections of our old form, and see us being transformed into a perfect truth, nothing to hide, of our new form.
We are also nomadic in the process. Going here and there to vision upon vision, place on place, and heart to a heavenly heart.
We are compelled to search for this new place,
a better place, and experience never ending adventures
in Spirit life every day.
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