by Dale Shumaker
4spirit@gmail.com
A recent Maximum Impact Leadership simulcast by John Maxwell featured several leading authors on leadership and exceptional performance principles. Here are some of my "take aways " from this idea packed day-long presentation.
Andy Andrews, author of The Traveler's Gift, has 7 decisions that determine success. One of the seven is Choose to Be Happy. To be a happy person, be grateful. Find what's going right and talk about that. No one wants to be around a whinny person. When you have a grateful spirit, exude happiness, people like to be around you and come your way.
Choose to be a person of action. A butterfly can send small wind currents that start affecting many wind currents. All small things can begin a change response that can eventually be a mass of power. Everything you do matters. Someone is affected by what you do, no matter how big/small it is.
Smile a lot. People like people who smile a lot and this increases your influence with people. Be a person others want to be around. Be likable. Decide to be happy, take action and carry a smile that magnetically draws people to you.
Andy has more for you at
http://www.andyandrews.com/
John Maxwell's new book, Leadership Gold, has 26 lessons he learned as a leader. He calls it Gold, because after all his years and books on leadership, he feels these are the most golden principles that have time-tested seasoned wisdom. A few he mentioned included:
The best leaders are listeners. You need to be able to walk through a crowd and hear people and see where they are. Leaders listen, learn from what they hear, and then lead. Then you cut off potential big problems at the pass keeping problems from escalating... when you listen.
Don't send your ducks to eagles school. Put the right people in the right position. Those who want to soar in ideas and visions, will get frustrated swimming around in a duck pond.The ducks who like to swim in the duck pond will be unnerved to have to fly. Ducks get frustrated when asked to do things they can't do. Eagles will get frustrated when they can't fly. And you will become frustrated with their frustrations. So put the right people in the right places. Then the ducks and eagles will be more successful.
You can't manage time. You can only manage your life. Time goes on, although we can manage what we do. Count your days and make them count. When you help a leader, you go from addition to multiplication.
People will summarize you in one sentence when you die.
Pick it now.
John Maxwell's Injoy site has several free newsletters:
http://www.injoy.com/
Mavericks at Work: the new business agenda by Bill Taylor features a new logic of business leadership. Create great economic value and reflect personal values. The best way to predict the future is to invent it yourself.
Stand for something special, that's original, with a clear sense of purpose.
Southwest Airlines didn't create a business model like everyone else. They created a distinctive business model and made it happen. It's not just a company but a cause being led by thought leadership.
Customer success today is about passion, emotion, identity, sharing your values. Real magic is making your company more memorable to do business with... emotional, psychological connections with customers. When you do this you create your own edge. We miss the point when we replace people with technology. People like to interact with people, to know someone who is real, who cares. Small gestures send big signals.
Innovation is about many being one. No one person is as smart as everyone together. Innovation comes out of those who do things for the love of it. In open source, we share what we know with many and ask them to share what they see. Solving problems is not just you or your company, it's those outside who don't even know you or your company, but see things you don't or in a way you don't.
Be a solution finder. Find those who can give solutions. When you expect others to be generous with their ideas, you be generous with your return. The smart take from the strong and out-think the competition.
http://www.mavericksatwork.com/
Andy Stanley coming from a church background shared vision process... especially Making Vision Stick, his book.
1.To make your vision stick state it simply. When vision doesn't stick it leaks. People remember simple. Success is tough on vision, because the more we get the more we tend to lose focus and the vision leaks. Memorable is portable. It is something you can carry with you and state easily, simply, that others see it too... in everyday terms.
2. Cast it convincingly. When you define the problem offer a solution, then explain why and why now, so it gets in the brain. Position and present your vision as the solution to a problem that must be addressed immediately.
3. Repeat it regularly. Discover the best time in the rhythm of your organization to cast the vision. Repeat it, repeat it, repeat it.
4. Celebrate it systematically. When someone gets it, share their experience with many. Celebrate when others reflect they are getting it, and find ways to do this systematically.
5. Embrace it personally and publicly.
Vision has no autopilot. Got to work constantly to make it stick. Vision requires constant care.
For more on Making Vision Stick check Andy Stanley's publisher:
http://www.zondervan.com/cultures/en-us/home.htm
Rediscover play, bring fun and passion back into your life. Kevin Carrol, couldn't find someone to publish his colorful creative book, the Red Rubber Ball. So he published it himself, then was discovered by ESPN and is on the road again. His favorite play was his red rubber ball and he finds that when play stays in your life, you will see yourself constantly bouncing into new opportunities. The Red Rubber Ball has 7 lessons of play and rules. Human potential is boundless and endless. As he dribbled through his presentation he outlined his 7 points.
1. Commit to it. It must come from deep within what you want.
2. Find encouragers. You cannot do it alone. Find people who give you permission to dream big. Grandma's are great who love you and believe in you.
3. Work out your creative muscle. It won't be easy to follow your dream. Get fit for the full court press.
4. Prepare to shine.
5. Speak up. Never accept the boundaries before you. Alter the course when necessary. As Grandma said, "a closed mouth don't get fed." Be a great story teller, be transparent and authentic.
6. Expect the unexpected. Some things unfold outside what you think. Incidences, material assistance will come your way. Ingenuity, not just technology, may be your new highly valued product.
7. Maximize the day. You have 86,400 seconds or times to maximize your red rubber ball daily.
Live life where there is little division between work and play. Find things you like to do for fun, things that tickle your brain. Ideas come when your are enjoying yourself.
Kevin has more to say at:
http://www.kevincarrollkatalyst.com/
John Maxwell interviewed Dan Cathy, president of Chick-fil-A. Dan Cathy shared these insights to a servant-based company. When external change exceeds internal change, disaster is imminent.
Use ideas from other businesses not of your industry. Creative applications out of their ideas keep innovation fresh and advance sure.
It's what you learn after you know it all that counts. We change for pain, fear of consequences, for vision.
They are retouching the whole business model based on what Jesus had to say. For example, going the extra mile is a premium customer service principle. The first mile is transaction, the second relationship.The first is the head, the second mile is the heart. Doing what we know to do, then doing more because we care.
See the background on Chick-fil-A at founder Truett Cathy's website:
http://www.truettcathy.com/
The Game of Life by Dick Vitale is about 3 E's...energy, enthusiasm, excitement for life. His presentation was a demonstration of that. Some of his one liners included:
Don't allow "can't" to be part of your life.
Never ever believe in can't.
Do these things... persevere, respect competition and have intellectual decisions.
Then these four things will get you there... desire, dedication, determination, and discipline of body and mind. You find a lot about people in adversity. Write goals down, feel it and then see the unbelievable ability to make the goal a reality. Be compassionate and extend a hand to the less fortunate.
His website has more about his foundations and desire to help the less fortunate. Note:http://www.dickvitaleonline.com/
They played "take this job and shove it" as Patrick Lencioni came out to talk about the Three Signs of a Miserable Job.
The ministry of management... you are ministering to your employees. Jobs are one of the greatest senses of hopelessness in their lives.
The 3 signs of a miserable job.
Anonymity. When you feel anonymous in your job, don't feel like a person, is the first sign of being in a miserable job.
People want us to know them. We need to be recognized and be known.
Get to know your people. They want you to know who they are and that you care about them.
Irrelevance. You don't feel like your job matters to someone else, that it makes a difference.
Minister of management is to give a little hope to those they see and help them make a difference and feel like they make a difference. Everyone wants to know what they do matters.
Immeasurement. You don't know where you stand on your job, and don't have anything that lets you know.
It's the inability of an individual to access for themselves if they are succeeding. We need feedback for our work and lives.
All three are free.
Get to know, help find relevance, give them a measure. It takes time to build, but destruction can be quick.
Patrick Lencioni has all kinds of resource helps at:
http://www.tablegroup.com/
There are heroes in the Spirit that seem to walk a while before they come to the forefront. One of these is R. A.Torrey(1856-1928) whose works have stood the test of time. With an inspired heart for prayer, he not only shows us how powerful it really is, and how, when prayer lives in the center of our lives, it produces a power beyond what we can fathom. From How to Pray (1900), here are Torrey's 11 reasons why prayer is such a center force that should be in our life unceasingly. The following are extensive excerpts of his reasons for prayer.
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching there unto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." Ephesians 6:18
Paul realized the natural slothfulness of man, and especially his natural slothfulness in prayer.
I wish that these words "being sleepless unto prayer" might burn into our hearts. But why is this constant, persistent, sleepless, overcoming prayer so needful?
1. First of all, BECAUSE THERE IS A DEVIL.
He is cunning, he is mighty, he never rests, he is ever plotting the downfall of the child of God; and if the child of God relaxes in prayer, the devil will succeed in ensnaring him. "For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."
(Ephesians 6:12)
Then Paul brings all to a climax in the 18th verse, telling us that to all else we must add prayer -- constant, persistent, untiring, sleepless prayer in the Holy Spirit, or all else will go for nothing.
2. A second reason for this constant, persistent, sleepless, overcoming prayer is that PRAYER IS GOD'S APPOINTED WAY FOR OBTAINING THINGS, AND THE GREAT SECRET OF ALL LACK IN OUR EXPERIENCE, IN OUR LIFE AND IN OUR WORK IS NEGLECT OF PRAYER.
"Ye have not because ye ask not." These words contain the secret of the poverty and powerlessness of the average Christian -- neglect of prayer.
3. The third reason for this constant, persistent, sleepless, overcoming prayer is that THOSE MEN WHOM GOD SET FORTH AS A PATTERN OF WHAT HE EXPECTED CHRISTIANS TO BE -- THE APOSTLES -- REGARDED PRAYER AS THE MOST IMPORTANT BUSINESS OF THEIR LIVES.
All the mighty men of God outside the Bible have been men of prayer. They have differed from one another in many things, but in this they have been alike.
4. But there is a still weightier reason for this constant, persistent, sleepless, overcoming prayer. It is, PRAYER OCCUPIED A VERY PROMINENT PLACE AND PLAYED A VERY IMPORTANT PART IN THE EARTHLY LIFE OF OUR LORD.
Turn, for example, to Mark 1:35. We read, "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." The preceding day had been a very busy and exciting one, but Jesus shortened the hours of needed sleep that He might arise early and give Himself to more sorely needed prayer.
Evidently prayer took much of the time and strength of Jesus, and a man or woman who does not spend much time in prayer, cannot properly be called a follower of Jesus Christ.
5. There is another reason for constant, persistent, sleepless, overcoming prayer that seems if possible even more forcible than this, namely, PRAYING IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE PRESENT MINISTRY OF OUR RISEN LORD.
If we then are to have fellowship with Jesus Christ in His present work, we must spend much time in prayer; we must give ourselves to earnest, constant, persistent, sleepless, overcoming prayer. I know of nothing that has so impressed me with a sense of the importance of praying at all seasons, being much and constantly in prayer, as the thought that that is the principal occupation at present of my risen Lord.
The hard driven man of business can have part in it, praying as he hurries from duty to duty. But of course we must, if we would maintain this spirit of constant prayer, take time -- and take plenty of it -- when we shall shut ourselves up in the secret place alone with God for nothing but prayer.
6. The sixth reason for constant, persistent, sleepless, overcoming prayer is that PRAYER IS THE MEANS THAT GOD HAS APPOINTED FOR OUR RECEIVING MERCY, AND OBTAINING GRACE TO HELP IN TIME OF NEED.
Heb. 4:16 is one of the simplest and sweetest verses in the Bible, -- "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
That way is prayer; bold, confident, outspoken approach to the throne of grace, the most holy place of God's presence, where our sympathizing High Priest, Jesus Christ, has entered in our behalf. (Verses 14, 15.)
Be constant and persistent in your asking. Be importunate and untiring in your asking. God delights to have us "shameless" beggars in this direction; for it shows our faith in Him, and He is mightily pleased with faith.
7. The next reason for constant, persistent, sleepless, overcoming prayer is that PRAYER IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST IS THE WAY JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF HAS APPOINTED FOR HIS DISCIPLES TO OBTAIN FULLNESS OF JOY. The Psalmist was not only talking about future blessedness, but also of present blessedness when he said, "In Thy presence is fullness of joy." (Ps. 16.11.) O the unutterable joy of those moments when in our prayers we really press into the presence of God!
8. The eighth reason for constant, persistent, sleepless, overcoming prayer is that PRAYER, IN EVERY CARE AND ANXIETY AND NEED OF LIFE, WITH THANKSGIVING, IS THE MEANS THAT GOD HAS APPOINTED FOR OBTAINING FREEDOM FROM ALL ANXIETY, AND THE PEACE OF GOD WHICH PASSETH ALL UNDERSTANDING.
"Be careful for nothing," says Paul, "but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God, and the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:6,7.)
One night of prayer will save us from many nights of insomnia. Time spent in prayer is not wasted, but time invested at big interest.
9. The ninth reason for constant, persistent, sleepless, overcoming prayer is that PRAYER IS THE METHOD THAT GOD HIMSELF HAS APPOINTED FOR OUR OBTAINING THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Upon this point the Bible is very plain. Jesus says, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?" (Luke 11:13.)
Early one morning in the Chicago Avenue Church prayer room, where several hundred people had been assembled a number of hours in prayer, the Holy Spirit fell so manifestly, and the whole place was so filled with His presence, that no one could speak or pray, but sobs of joy filled the place. Men went out of that room to different parts of the country, taking trains that very morning, and reports soon came back of the out-pouring of God's Holy Spirit in answer to prayer.
10. The tenth reason for constant, persistent, sleepless,overcoming prayer is that PRAYER IS THE MEANS THAT CHRIST HAS APPOINTED WHEREBY OUR HEARTS SHALL NOT BECOME OVERCHARGED WITH SURFEITING AND DRUNKENNESS AND CARES OF THIS LIFE, AND SO THE DAY OF CHRIST'S RETURN COME UPON US SUDDENLY AS A SNARE.
According to this passage there is only one way in which we can be prepared for the coming of the Lord when He appears, that is, through much prayer.
11. There is one more reason for constant, persistent, sleepless, overcoming prayer, and it is a mighty one: BECAUSE OF WHAT PRAYER ACCOMPLISHES.
(1) Prayer promotes our spiritual growth as almost nothing else, indeed as nothing else but Bible study; and true prayer and true Bible study go hand in hand. John Welch, son-in-law to John Knox, was one of the most faithful men of prayer this world ever saw. He counted that day ill-spent in which seven or eight hours were not used alone with God in prayer and the study of His Word.
(2) Prayer brings power into our work. John Livingstone spent a night, with some others like minded, in prayer to God and religious conversation, and when he preached next day in the Kirk of Shotts five hundred people were converted, or dated some definite uplift in their life to that occasion. Prayer and power are inseparable.
(3) Prayer avails for the conversion of others. How utterly all of Monica's efforts and entreaties failed with her son, but her prayers prevailed with God, and the dissolute youth became St. Augustine, the mighty man of God. By prayer the bitterest enemies of the Gospel have become its most valiant defenders, the greatest scoundrels the truest sons of God, and the vilest women the purest saints.
(4) Prayer brings blessings to the church. It was so in the days of Knox, it was so in the days of Wesley and Whitfield, it was so in the days of Edwards and Brainerd, it was so in the days of Finney, it was so in the days of the great revival of 1857 in this country and of 1859 in Ireland, and it will be so again in your day and mine. Satan has marshaled his forces.
The world, the flesh and the devil are holding high carnival. It is now a dark day, BUT--now "it is time for Thee, Lord, to work; for they have made void Thy law." (Ps. 199:126). And He is getting ready to work, and now He is listening for the voice of prayer. Will He hear it? Will He hear it from you? Will He hear it from the church as a body? I believe He will.
The complete book on How to Pray by R. A. Torrey is online at:
http://www.freewebs.com/ratorrey/How%20to%20Pray.txt
Prayer is still our greatest weapon for overcoming, accomplishing and seeing all of God's power at work in all we are about.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Inspired Marketing Inspires Big Faith
by Dale Shumaker
4spirit@gmail.com
Inspired Marketing by Joe Vitale... "Speak from your heart. Let ideas come by grace." Creating ideas is not so much about thinking about creating ideas as allowing ideas to come... which end up being creative. The biggest lesson of creativity is that we can't force it. But when we allow it, it happens. As Vitale puts it, "it allows marketers to follow their hearts and tell their stories to a marketplace that wants what they have. It allows you to encounter a marketing message and feel good about buying it."
Two key ingredients of inspired marketing is that it is authentic, your real story, and it comes to you by grace. You are not thinking about it. It just shows up. "It will have a feeling more than a thinking aspect of it. It comes from the unexpected." It is inspired. Ask nicely, your subconscious mind will respond. When trying to come up with a brilliant idea, the very act of trying is screwing things up. Trust it will come and it will surface.
Inspired Marketing taps into the vast power of the unconscious mind, whereas traditional marketing relies more on the conscious mind. Give up control and let your unconscious mind guide you. Don't be afraid, the money will flow. If you are not passionate about it, others will know; your intuition and inspiration need to be in tune with the marketplace (or they won't buy). Then blend the inspired with the practical. When inspired leads, the rest is not drudgery. Get out of ruts by getting inspired through helping people, combining minds.
Inspiration is infinite. Play what-if games, list actions, by-pass fear (it's not allowed), shift to the believe mode, meditate on it (walks are good), be willing and delegate what's not fun for you... then joy vibrations simulate your being. When inspiration is blocked, sit quietly, look around for the unexpected, new inspirations. You know it's inspired when it helps others, improves their lives and you get supportive feedback. It's dreams, hobbies, a secret thing that lights you up... energy emerges when you show your passion. Continue self-growth and getting better and better.
Are you really inspired or just having a wild goose chase? Is it ego, an impulse, familiar enough so people can accept it. We have left brains, rational thinking processes for reasoning....use it too. You may need to put the breaks on or be more precise. Some call it "making a mistake." But mistakes are actually launching pads for a new product ideas. Persistence and fearing less move you toward a new product idea, move you toward inspiration.
Be a gift-giver. The more you make, the more you can bestow on others. Inspired marketing stimulates you to take action, by-pass doubt and procrastination. You can surpass competition and be "first" in your industry. Trust Divine timing, timely coincident happenings, differentiate from temptation and inspiration, surrender to the process, trust, and surrender control to God.
Nurture your relationships with the Divine and take action on what's Divinely inspired. Ego wants credit for success, the giving spirit is fair, accurate, necessary. The Divine hangs out with "High" attitudes. You always benefit by helping others. Provide people with value, something they desire, feel compelled to give and they will gladly give you money for it. Make marketing personal, something they can visualize, taste, touch, feel part of.
Let yourself be emotional, feel the words you say, be who you really are. Listen to your instincts and they won't steer you wrong. Just continue the conversation already going on in their minds. Be inspired and you inspire others. Inspired Marketing comes from the heart, a Higher Purpose you are involved in that others share with you. Let go, let inspiration guide you. Act on your hunches...there may be more to it. Press through fears and pour love into your product, ideas... your success is then indeed inspired
More on Inspired Marketing:
http://inspiredmarketing.com/
Your inspirations, from the Spirit of God, can have a powerful influence on the world. They can come about, actually come into existence. The ingredient that makes inspiration become a living, visible reality is faith. How do we have great faith? It comes from great thoughts of inspiration... it comes from spending time in the very presence of God. In the Victory Ladder by Jamie Cantrell, she outlines 8 steps to the ladder of mountain moving faith.
Jamie has some excellent points of process that will be transformational, miracle enacting in your pursuit of seeing it happen for you. Here's a brief outline of the process.
1. Accept your inheritance. Salvation is more than just getting you a pass to heaven. It is receiving all the power that God had in Jesus as He walked the earth. We have the privilege to this very same power. We are made righteous in God's sight through Jesus. So we don't have to live in guilt or reluctance of having this gift of Salvation. Frankly... you are worthy, so accept this inheritance.
2. Listen... God loves you and is speaking to you. Jamie would ask of God, "Give me some new and insightful revelation that will strengthen my faith." She would hear, "I Love you." Faith works through love (Galatians 5:6). Love never faiths (1 Corinthians 13:8). When we really know how much God loves us and desires to pour His love on us, we then really realize how much He wants to see in our lives what gives us complete joy. This love is so monumental it builds the mountain-moving faith we so desire. Listen to Love, Listen to God. Faith cannot work without love. Our ammunition to anything that attacks us is love, faith is the weapon that pulls the trigger to conquer what attacks us. Listen to God. He will tell you what to do. Then in faith, with his power of love, act in faith.
3. The deal of fortune is coming to you. To receive it, just believe. This is a covenant promise. Our loving Father wants you to have security and peace. All things that are important, through faith, He provides. Completely trust God who loves you more than anyone. Believe, give him unwavering trust. When you tell him you believe in Him and give Him steady, concentrated trust, He gives the power to move mountains with your faith. Simply believe, trust Him... absolutely. He has made the promises, so enter into this agreement with God and He will without question adhere to the terms of His agreement. You can count on His contract with you.
4. Watch your mouth. Speak to your challenge and it must flee. He said if you have faith as small as a very small seed, you can say to a mountain, with thousands of trees produced by very small seeds, to move out of your way. When you speak to a monstrous mountain, it can be totally lifted from the ground and the whole thing throw into a sea. Jesus told the demons to leave the person and go into a herd of pigs. The demons had to flee. Start speaking in the authority God has give you and tell all the illnesses, bad situations, lack of money, poor relationships to leave. Whatever is hindering you, it must leave if you speak directly to it with your delegated power of Jesus. You have that right, privilege, authority. It is given you through your salvation, His Love for you, the promises He has made with you. Use this Spiritual privilege of power and command what is not righteous to leave, to let loose of you and those you love. Speak your vision of Spirit to come into being .Use positive faith-expressing words all day long and see faith move the mountains around you.
5. Be willing to be a fool. When God speaks to you to take action in faith, it may sound a little strange or awkward for you. If he tells you to tell the checkout lane person that God loves them, you better tell them. You don't know. That person may be on the verge of suicide, be losing hope,
feel all alone in life. That small comment could begin to turn their life around. Listen to what His voice says to you in your spirit, be a fool for Him in doing it. We ought to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). Heed to His voice. Faith is obeying His voice and doing what He says to do.
6. Stand. Sometimes faith waits. Mountain-moving faith may need to be worked on and developed over time. Don't be discouraged when faith waits. You may need to develop more in faith as your faith becomes big faith. Sometimes it is at work and you must just stand. In Luke 11, we were asked to be persistent in our requests. Stand strong in His might. When faith requires you to stand, fear and worry may try to creep in. Stand in hope, the power and truth of his love and promises. Your faith, persistence, will win. Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid. You will be victorious... for the Lord who loves you and is powerful is with you (Joshua 1).
7. When you pray, then praise. Praise with Thanksgiving sees faith through. As you stand, give thanks to God for the answer. With your mouth praise Him and thank Him for what he is doing... in your faith know He is doing great things, even when things still look bleak on the surface. Praise brings the miracle, it is an immensely powerful weapon, so praise God at all times. Praise is a decision, not an emotion. Give thanks to God for all things (note the Psalms) and be a person who voices "thanks" from your lips constantly. A thankful and grateful heart, stimulates faith as you stand. Miracles are formed and put in motion as you Praise Him. Love Him and stand on His Love for you and His promises, and His undefinable power to make miracles happen.
8. The last rung of the Victory Ladder is to give the ladder away. What you have, give to others. Give love, give money, give time. Give freely and it will be given to you even more. Faith is expressed through us in tangible ways. When we give, we show faith in even bigger things coming into our lives. Freely give what you have so freely received. You have received Christ's love, promises that are solid, with a power that's unmatchable, so you have a lot to give to others. Above all, as you build mountain moving faith, give the blessing of faith to others. When you live in great faith, the faith of others is raised to higher levels. Be humble and share your stories of how faith moved on your behalf in your life. "God doesn't want to keep everything to Himself. He wants you to have it all... the power to heal, to love, and to move mountains he desires to give you." He desires to share everything with you, so you give freely as he has given you and mountain-moving faith will spread everywhere.
Jamie spent many years in developing the Victory Ladder, and has been through many battles in life. She is a disciplined servant of our Lord who carries an anointing with her. I have read her book carefully, and repeatedly for building my own faith. She is worth taking a look at what God has taught her and you will find as she shares the gift of faith will envelope you.
For more from Jamie Cantrell and information about her book note her website at:
http://jamiecantrellministries.org/
Andrew Murray in How to Strengthen Your Faith says that Jesus is speaking to our hearts and saying, "'Believe in Me as Your Savior.' He speaks to you in order to rescue you from it. 'Believe in Me that I am given by God to be your Savior. Stretch out your hand to lay hold of Me and to take Me for yourself.' Listen to Him, be willing to obey Him. Remember that with the command He also gives the strength. Although you do not yet feel the power, begin, although you can still do nothing, say, as Martha said, 'I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God.'"
Live in a righteous, stubborn faith. Your mountains will move. Your inspirations will be fulfilled. You will not be denied the miracles God has for you to make the way for your mission to be completed. As Paul the Apostle said, "Jesus, Spirit will bring to completion the gifts and works started in you."
Believe in the Power of the Spirit that works with great force in you.
4spirit@gmail.com
Inspired Marketing by Joe Vitale... "Speak from your heart. Let ideas come by grace." Creating ideas is not so much about thinking about creating ideas as allowing ideas to come... which end up being creative. The biggest lesson of creativity is that we can't force it. But when we allow it, it happens. As Vitale puts it, "it allows marketers to follow their hearts and tell their stories to a marketplace that wants what they have. It allows you to encounter a marketing message and feel good about buying it."
Two key ingredients of inspired marketing is that it is authentic, your real story, and it comes to you by grace. You are not thinking about it. It just shows up. "It will have a feeling more than a thinking aspect of it. It comes from the unexpected." It is inspired. Ask nicely, your subconscious mind will respond. When trying to come up with a brilliant idea, the very act of trying is screwing things up. Trust it will come and it will surface.
Inspired Marketing taps into the vast power of the unconscious mind, whereas traditional marketing relies more on the conscious mind. Give up control and let your unconscious mind guide you. Don't be afraid, the money will flow. If you are not passionate about it, others will know; your intuition and inspiration need to be in tune with the marketplace (or they won't buy). Then blend the inspired with the practical. When inspired leads, the rest is not drudgery. Get out of ruts by getting inspired through helping people, combining minds.
Inspiration is infinite. Play what-if games, list actions, by-pass fear (it's not allowed), shift to the believe mode, meditate on it (walks are good), be willing and delegate what's not fun for you... then joy vibrations simulate your being. When inspiration is blocked, sit quietly, look around for the unexpected, new inspirations. You know it's inspired when it helps others, improves their lives and you get supportive feedback. It's dreams, hobbies, a secret thing that lights you up... energy emerges when you show your passion. Continue self-growth and getting better and better.
Are you really inspired or just having a wild goose chase? Is it ego, an impulse, familiar enough so people can accept it. We have left brains, rational thinking processes for reasoning....use it too. You may need to put the breaks on or be more precise. Some call it "making a mistake." But mistakes are actually launching pads for a new product ideas. Persistence and fearing less move you toward a new product idea, move you toward inspiration.
Be a gift-giver. The more you make, the more you can bestow on others. Inspired marketing stimulates you to take action, by-pass doubt and procrastination. You can surpass competition and be "first" in your industry. Trust Divine timing, timely coincident happenings, differentiate from temptation and inspiration, surrender to the process, trust, and surrender control to God.
Nurture your relationships with the Divine and take action on what's Divinely inspired. Ego wants credit for success, the giving spirit is fair, accurate, necessary. The Divine hangs out with "High" attitudes. You always benefit by helping others. Provide people with value, something they desire, feel compelled to give and they will gladly give you money for it. Make marketing personal, something they can visualize, taste, touch, feel part of.
Let yourself be emotional, feel the words you say, be who you really are. Listen to your instincts and they won't steer you wrong. Just continue the conversation already going on in their minds. Be inspired and you inspire others. Inspired Marketing comes from the heart, a Higher Purpose you are involved in that others share with you. Let go, let inspiration guide you. Act on your hunches...there may be more to it. Press through fears and pour love into your product, ideas... your success is then indeed inspired
More on Inspired Marketing:
http://inspiredmarketing.com/
Your inspirations, from the Spirit of God, can have a powerful influence on the world. They can come about, actually come into existence. The ingredient that makes inspiration become a living, visible reality is faith. How do we have great faith? It comes from great thoughts of inspiration... it comes from spending time in the very presence of God. In the Victory Ladder by Jamie Cantrell, she outlines 8 steps to the ladder of mountain moving faith.
Jamie has some excellent points of process that will be transformational, miracle enacting in your pursuit of seeing it happen for you. Here's a brief outline of the process.
1. Accept your inheritance. Salvation is more than just getting you a pass to heaven. It is receiving all the power that God had in Jesus as He walked the earth. We have the privilege to this very same power. We are made righteous in God's sight through Jesus. So we don't have to live in guilt or reluctance of having this gift of Salvation. Frankly... you are worthy, so accept this inheritance.
2. Listen... God loves you and is speaking to you. Jamie would ask of God, "Give me some new and insightful revelation that will strengthen my faith." She would hear, "I Love you." Faith works through love (Galatians 5:6). Love never faiths (1 Corinthians 13:8). When we really know how much God loves us and desires to pour His love on us, we then really realize how much He wants to see in our lives what gives us complete joy. This love is so monumental it builds the mountain-moving faith we so desire. Listen to Love, Listen to God. Faith cannot work without love. Our ammunition to anything that attacks us is love, faith is the weapon that pulls the trigger to conquer what attacks us. Listen to God. He will tell you what to do. Then in faith, with his power of love, act in faith.
3. The deal of fortune is coming to you. To receive it, just believe. This is a covenant promise. Our loving Father wants you to have security and peace. All things that are important, through faith, He provides. Completely trust God who loves you more than anyone. Believe, give him unwavering trust. When you tell him you believe in Him and give Him steady, concentrated trust, He gives the power to move mountains with your faith. Simply believe, trust Him... absolutely. He has made the promises, so enter into this agreement with God and He will without question adhere to the terms of His agreement. You can count on His contract with you.
4. Watch your mouth. Speak to your challenge and it must flee. He said if you have faith as small as a very small seed, you can say to a mountain, with thousands of trees produced by very small seeds, to move out of your way. When you speak to a monstrous mountain, it can be totally lifted from the ground and the whole thing throw into a sea. Jesus told the demons to leave the person and go into a herd of pigs. The demons had to flee. Start speaking in the authority God has give you and tell all the illnesses, bad situations, lack of money, poor relationships to leave. Whatever is hindering you, it must leave if you speak directly to it with your delegated power of Jesus. You have that right, privilege, authority. It is given you through your salvation, His Love for you, the promises He has made with you. Use this Spiritual privilege of power and command what is not righteous to leave, to let loose of you and those you love. Speak your vision of Spirit to come into being .Use positive faith-expressing words all day long and see faith move the mountains around you.
5. Be willing to be a fool. When God speaks to you to take action in faith, it may sound a little strange or awkward for you. If he tells you to tell the checkout lane person that God loves them, you better tell them. You don't know. That person may be on the verge of suicide, be losing hope,
feel all alone in life. That small comment could begin to turn their life around. Listen to what His voice says to you in your spirit, be a fool for Him in doing it. We ought to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). Heed to His voice. Faith is obeying His voice and doing what He says to do.
6. Stand. Sometimes faith waits. Mountain-moving faith may need to be worked on and developed over time. Don't be discouraged when faith waits. You may need to develop more in faith as your faith becomes big faith. Sometimes it is at work and you must just stand. In Luke 11, we were asked to be persistent in our requests. Stand strong in His might. When faith requires you to stand, fear and worry may try to creep in. Stand in hope, the power and truth of his love and promises. Your faith, persistence, will win. Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid. You will be victorious... for the Lord who loves you and is powerful is with you (Joshua 1).
7. When you pray, then praise. Praise with Thanksgiving sees faith through. As you stand, give thanks to God for the answer. With your mouth praise Him and thank Him for what he is doing... in your faith know He is doing great things, even when things still look bleak on the surface. Praise brings the miracle, it is an immensely powerful weapon, so praise God at all times. Praise is a decision, not an emotion. Give thanks to God for all things (note the Psalms) and be a person who voices "thanks" from your lips constantly. A thankful and grateful heart, stimulates faith as you stand. Miracles are formed and put in motion as you Praise Him. Love Him and stand on His Love for you and His promises, and His undefinable power to make miracles happen.
8. The last rung of the Victory Ladder is to give the ladder away. What you have, give to others. Give love, give money, give time. Give freely and it will be given to you even more. Faith is expressed through us in tangible ways. When we give, we show faith in even bigger things coming into our lives. Freely give what you have so freely received. You have received Christ's love, promises that are solid, with a power that's unmatchable, so you have a lot to give to others. Above all, as you build mountain moving faith, give the blessing of faith to others. When you live in great faith, the faith of others is raised to higher levels. Be humble and share your stories of how faith moved on your behalf in your life. "God doesn't want to keep everything to Himself. He wants you to have it all... the power to heal, to love, and to move mountains he desires to give you." He desires to share everything with you, so you give freely as he has given you and mountain-moving faith will spread everywhere.
Jamie spent many years in developing the Victory Ladder, and has been through many battles in life. She is a disciplined servant of our Lord who carries an anointing with her. I have read her book carefully, and repeatedly for building my own faith. She is worth taking a look at what God has taught her and you will find as she shares the gift of faith will envelope you.
For more from Jamie Cantrell and information about her book note her website at:
http://jamiecantrellministries.org/
Andrew Murray in How to Strengthen Your Faith says that Jesus is speaking to our hearts and saying, "'Believe in Me as Your Savior.' He speaks to you in order to rescue you from it. 'Believe in Me that I am given by God to be your Savior. Stretch out your hand to lay hold of Me and to take Me for yourself.' Listen to Him, be willing to obey Him. Remember that with the command He also gives the strength. Although you do not yet feel the power, begin, although you can still do nothing, say, as Martha said, 'I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God.'"
Live in a righteous, stubborn faith. Your mountains will move. Your inspirations will be fulfilled. You will not be denied the miracles God has for you to make the way for your mission to be completed. As Paul the Apostle said, "Jesus, Spirit will bring to completion the gifts and works started in you."
Believe in the Power of the Spirit that works with great force in you.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Awakening the Entrepreneur Within... God Created
by Dale Shumaker
4spirit@gmail.com
Awakening the Entrepreneur Within by Michael Gerber shows how ordinary people can create extraordinary companies. Known for his E-myth series, Gerber at age 69, strikes out on a new venture he refers to as the dreaming room. He has been wanting to do this most of his life, and decided he hasn't burned up all his E-cells yet. Here's the process of the Entrepreneur about to "awaken" in you. It all begins in your newly found dreaming room.
To invent a new life out of nothing takes the Five Realities of the Entrepreneur.
Reality #1 An entrepreneur invents.
Reality #2 Entrepreneurs do not buy business opportunities, they create them.
Reality #3 Invention is contagious.
Reality #4 To an entrepreneur, the success of the invention, the business,
is measured by growth.
Reality #5 Everyone possess the ability to be an entrepreneur.
The entrepreneur personality has four dimensions.
The Dreamer
The Thinker
The Storyteller
The Leader
Each are in you and are part of the process of raising up the dream to be reality. It's to invent, conceive, articulate and build a new venture.
The Dreamer and the Dream
The dreamer invents ideas, then creates systems. Everything in a business needs a system to function, grow, thrive. Although at the beginning the dreamer stops, focuses, listens, feels. The awakening comes from this. Logic is not needed, the dreamer defies logic.
The best dreams of the entrepreneur are not personal dreams, but impersonal dreams. Dreams that serve your interests are personal; dreams serving other people's interests are impersonal. They care about creating it because it impacts so many people. They think about "what this will have for people who want to buy it." It's lasting value to the customer.
The personal dream limits one to one's self. The impersonal dream is much larger than one's self and impacts many who share in building it. What matters is the customer and treating them better than anyone else. It's a dream that has meaning for many. What's missing in every business... the system. When you see the system, the dream rolls. It then moves from a dream, to a vision, to a purpose, and mission. Results are then produced.
The Thinker and the Vision
Some fundamentals.
--All businesses require vision. To develop a vision requires a process.
--All visions are both personal and impersonal. A life vision, a business vision.
--Every company is an organization of people, relationships, functions, a flow that can be charted.
--An organization is an organization of systems. All systems merge into one system.
Take the dream apart. Study every detail and put it back together answering "what do I want." Then you re-dream again, and take it apart again... conceiving, creating process, systems and the scalability factor. The ten pillars of the most successful business in the world include the above four plus:
--There is no such thing as customer service, only commitment
--Master money, and everyone in your business must master money.
--Your people are not your business. Your business is your own reality. Your people are themselves, interested in themselves.
--Your business is an idea.
--You know more about your business than anyone else.
--A business must mean something. Never stop asking questions.
Design a business model that transforms itself and grows. Come to grips with your business model including your design, implementation, management (i.e., low cost, easy to enroll, easily accessible). Ask: "How are we going to get this done?" Revisit the "What?" you're getting done, for whom, and why it's important to them.
The Storyteller and the Purpose
The storyteller is the one who sings songs and tells his story to whomever will listen. It's the spirit of the story that grabs the heart of the listener. The story makes the purpose real, shows why the business is important. The story shows why a new company needs invented. The story grows within you and is you.
It's your story and you make it come true. For the story to be told you must tell it. For the risks to be taken, you must risk it. For the journey to be continued, you must continue it. For the mission to be accomplished, you must accomplish it.
The Leader and the Mission
The five essential skills to lead anything... concentration, discrimination, organization, innovation and communication. Everything you do as a leader is documented as a system, implemented as a system. Embrace ideas with your whole being. A business is a hierarchy of three stages.
The lowest is the practice... a self-operating system for lead generation, lead conversion and client fulfillment.
The next level is the business or many practices being tied together with a business management system to monitor, control and improve the operating system.
The third is the enterprise to lead management of the business to greater levels through inspiration, application, coaching and consulting. Then the company grows to multiple enterprises or regions. Most establish a practice but don't build, perfect or replicate what they started. There's wisdom in process... knowledge of the world, what it wants, knowing yourself and what you need, getting results and what you need in order to get them. Then knowing what's next and improving to get there.
You learn to take time to figure out what steps to take and take them one after another... to grow progressively. You learn not to move on until the step you are on is on sure footing. Getting everything under way falls back on your imagination... your energy, your spirit, your passion for your cause. You progressively move from dreaming, to thinking, to storytelling, to leading and missioneering. The old is thrown away. The new starts in your imagination.
More on Awakening the Entrepreneur Within and how to get involved in an exciting social network of entrepreneurs.
http://www.awakeningtheentrepreneur.com/
In The Beginning The Spirit of God created.
The source of all creation is His Spirit.
Nothing existed and Spirit created all things we see now, have seen, will ever see.
It all starts in Spirit, which is first a dream. Spirit gives us a dream then it shows us how to process the dream. Then Spirit empowers everything to release and make the dream into something we see, something that works, that exists.
Ezekiel pointed out that we must let the old go and allow the new to come about. "Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit!"
(Ezekiel 18:31, NASB)
This is to put away the old and begin developing the new heart, a new way of looking and doing things. Our efforts are limited. "The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life."
(John 6:63, NLT)
This new heart will then change everything around you and all things will become new and beautiful, fresh like a new spring in a meadow. "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations."
(Ezekiel 36: 25-27, NLT)
The rules of the Spirit are filled with love, joy, peace. It's regulations give freedom, excitement and exhilaration in its process. The old rules wear you out, the new rules give you life... full and filling!
The New Spirit will begin rebuilding a new land for you to live. "I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live again and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken, and I have done what I said. Then I will arrange to take you to another land like this one—a land of grain and new wine, bread and vineyards."
Ezekiel 37:14; 36:17 NLT)
And this New Spirit, the Spirit of creative power is yours for free... "how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask."
(Luke 11:13, NLT)
He will put it in us and He gives the Spirit "freely" for all who ask. This Spirit is given "freely" without reservation... For those who ask and keep asking.
The more you ask, the more Spirit is given. Spirit is the creator of all things and with Spirit all things are created with the Unlimited resources of Spirit... The Spirit which created the Universe. He doesn't ask us to keep asking because he is a stubborn God, but because He is a generous God and gives more, and more, the more we ask. So keep asking, ask for a lot, of Spirit, and allow the dream to be as Big as Spirit can create, The All-Universe creating Spirit.
The secret is to go into your dreaming room of Spirit, frequently, stay a while. Go into this re-invigorating meadow where fresh Springs of Spirit flow into and then through you and you employ the strategies of the vision that come over you.
The Spirit then goes ahead of you doing the miracles of the vision, mission you are set out to participate in Him to see come into being. The Spirit is the ultimate dreamer in you, the vision maker, the vision fulfiller, the path director and the driving force of the purpose with a mission that keeps you proclaiming jubilantly to all what you are doing.
Spirit-inspired vision is your driving power. It is the Spirit power of God that creates all this of beauty, creates new life, and significance. Then we all know, when we see its exuberance, that the very Spirit of God has done this.
Its significance lances so much beyond us. We know that something greater than us has Created, has dreamed through us and has maneuvered a mission of eternal entries.
And the Spirit of God is coming on us new, the old will pass away,
and He will give us a new heart
and He will give us a new land to live.
4spirit@gmail.com
Awakening the Entrepreneur Within by Michael Gerber shows how ordinary people can create extraordinary companies. Known for his E-myth series, Gerber at age 69, strikes out on a new venture he refers to as the dreaming room. He has been wanting to do this most of his life, and decided he hasn't burned up all his E-cells yet. Here's the process of the Entrepreneur about to "awaken" in you. It all begins in your newly found dreaming room.
To invent a new life out of nothing takes the Five Realities of the Entrepreneur.
Reality #1 An entrepreneur invents.
Reality #2 Entrepreneurs do not buy business opportunities, they create them.
Reality #3 Invention is contagious.
Reality #4 To an entrepreneur, the success of the invention, the business,
is measured by growth.
Reality #5 Everyone possess the ability to be an entrepreneur.
The entrepreneur personality has four dimensions.
The Dreamer
The Thinker
The Storyteller
The Leader
Each are in you and are part of the process of raising up the dream to be reality. It's to invent, conceive, articulate and build a new venture.
The Dreamer and the Dream
The dreamer invents ideas, then creates systems. Everything in a business needs a system to function, grow, thrive. Although at the beginning the dreamer stops, focuses, listens, feels. The awakening comes from this. Logic is not needed, the dreamer defies logic.
The best dreams of the entrepreneur are not personal dreams, but impersonal dreams. Dreams that serve your interests are personal; dreams serving other people's interests are impersonal. They care about creating it because it impacts so many people. They think about "what this will have for people who want to buy it." It's lasting value to the customer.
The personal dream limits one to one's self. The impersonal dream is much larger than one's self and impacts many who share in building it. What matters is the customer and treating them better than anyone else. It's a dream that has meaning for many. What's missing in every business... the system. When you see the system, the dream rolls. It then moves from a dream, to a vision, to a purpose, and mission. Results are then produced.
The Thinker and the Vision
Some fundamentals.
--All businesses require vision. To develop a vision requires a process.
--All visions are both personal and impersonal. A life vision, a business vision.
--Every company is an organization of people, relationships, functions, a flow that can be charted.
--An organization is an organization of systems. All systems merge into one system.
Take the dream apart. Study every detail and put it back together answering "what do I want." Then you re-dream again, and take it apart again... conceiving, creating process, systems and the scalability factor. The ten pillars of the most successful business in the world include the above four plus:
--There is no such thing as customer service, only commitment
--Master money, and everyone in your business must master money.
--Your people are not your business. Your business is your own reality. Your people are themselves, interested in themselves.
--Your business is an idea.
--You know more about your business than anyone else.
--A business must mean something. Never stop asking questions.
Design a business model that transforms itself and grows. Come to grips with your business model including your design, implementation, management (i.e., low cost, easy to enroll, easily accessible). Ask: "How are we going to get this done?" Revisit the "What?" you're getting done, for whom, and why it's important to them.
The Storyteller and the Purpose
The storyteller is the one who sings songs and tells his story to whomever will listen. It's the spirit of the story that grabs the heart of the listener. The story makes the purpose real, shows why the business is important. The story shows why a new company needs invented. The story grows within you and is you.
It's your story and you make it come true. For the story to be told you must tell it. For the risks to be taken, you must risk it. For the journey to be continued, you must continue it. For the mission to be accomplished, you must accomplish it.
The Leader and the Mission
The five essential skills to lead anything... concentration, discrimination, organization, innovation and communication. Everything you do as a leader is documented as a system, implemented as a system. Embrace ideas with your whole being. A business is a hierarchy of three stages.
The lowest is the practice... a self-operating system for lead generation, lead conversion and client fulfillment.
The next level is the business or many practices being tied together with a business management system to monitor, control and improve the operating system.
The third is the enterprise to lead management of the business to greater levels through inspiration, application, coaching and consulting. Then the company grows to multiple enterprises or regions. Most establish a practice but don't build, perfect or replicate what they started. There's wisdom in process... knowledge of the world, what it wants, knowing yourself and what you need, getting results and what you need in order to get them. Then knowing what's next and improving to get there.
You learn to take time to figure out what steps to take and take them one after another... to grow progressively. You learn not to move on until the step you are on is on sure footing. Getting everything under way falls back on your imagination... your energy, your spirit, your passion for your cause. You progressively move from dreaming, to thinking, to storytelling, to leading and missioneering. The old is thrown away. The new starts in your imagination.
More on Awakening the Entrepreneur Within and how to get involved in an exciting social network of entrepreneurs.
http://www.awakeningtheentrepreneur.com/
In The Beginning The Spirit of God created.
The source of all creation is His Spirit.
Nothing existed and Spirit created all things we see now, have seen, will ever see.
It all starts in Spirit, which is first a dream. Spirit gives us a dream then it shows us how to process the dream. Then Spirit empowers everything to release and make the dream into something we see, something that works, that exists.
Ezekiel pointed out that we must let the old go and allow the new to come about. "Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit!"
(Ezekiel 18:31, NASB)
This is to put away the old and begin developing the new heart, a new way of looking and doing things. Our efforts are limited. "The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life."
(John 6:63, NLT)
This new heart will then change everything around you and all things will become new and beautiful, fresh like a new spring in a meadow. "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations."
(Ezekiel 36: 25-27, NLT)
The rules of the Spirit are filled with love, joy, peace. It's regulations give freedom, excitement and exhilaration in its process. The old rules wear you out, the new rules give you life... full and filling!
The New Spirit will begin rebuilding a new land for you to live. "I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live again and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken, and I have done what I said. Then I will arrange to take you to another land like this one—a land of grain and new wine, bread and vineyards."
Ezekiel 37:14; 36:17 NLT)
And this New Spirit, the Spirit of creative power is yours for free... "how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask."
(Luke 11:13, NLT)
He will put it in us and He gives the Spirit "freely" for all who ask. This Spirit is given "freely" without reservation... For those who ask and keep asking.
The more you ask, the more Spirit is given. Spirit is the creator of all things and with Spirit all things are created with the Unlimited resources of Spirit... The Spirit which created the Universe. He doesn't ask us to keep asking because he is a stubborn God, but because He is a generous God and gives more, and more, the more we ask. So keep asking, ask for a lot, of Spirit, and allow the dream to be as Big as Spirit can create, The All-Universe creating Spirit.
The secret is to go into your dreaming room of Spirit, frequently, stay a while. Go into this re-invigorating meadow where fresh Springs of Spirit flow into and then through you and you employ the strategies of the vision that come over you.
The Spirit then goes ahead of you doing the miracles of the vision, mission you are set out to participate in Him to see come into being. The Spirit is the ultimate dreamer in you, the vision maker, the vision fulfiller, the path director and the driving force of the purpose with a mission that keeps you proclaiming jubilantly to all what you are doing.
Spirit-inspired vision is your driving power. It is the Spirit power of God that creates all this of beauty, creates new life, and significance. Then we all know, when we see its exuberance, that the very Spirit of God has done this.
Its significance lances so much beyond us. We know that something greater than us has Created, has dreamed through us and has maneuvered a mission of eternal entries.
And the Spirit of God is coming on us new, the old will pass away,
and He will give us a new heart
and He will give us a new land to live.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Predictably Irrational... Faith, the Irrational Trademark of Spirit
by Dale Shumaker
4spirit@gmail.com
Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely points out that our rational methods to evaluate economic and customer responses to the economy are not really rational. We are predictably irrational in how we make choices and function in lifestyle. Ariely specializes in behavioral economics. The way we gather information using controlled methods is based on human behavior being rational. Simply, human behavior is not rational; decisions are irrational, but predictably irrational.
Predictably Irrational proves this point, and continues to provide insight to how we respond to teetering life stimuli.... which is predictably irrational.
The truth about relativity is we do compare things to one another, but we compare what's easily understood and avoid what is not. Our view of our own attractiveness affects our view of attractiveness of others. The more of what we have promotes having more of what we have. So those who have, want more, even when our rational side thinks we have enough.
We anchor ourselves to initial prices. Our first purchase price affects the rest... how we review them. It's not so much supply and demand affecting prices. It's not so much demand as what the price was when we first bought it. Behavioral thinking takes us back to what we once paid for it... our anchor.
Zero cost is still irresistible. If it's free we will try to get it no matter what it costs us. We will buy one and get one free faster than buy two for the price of one. We will get free now, and be willing to pay later. We will pay more for free time. For example we will pay to be a preferred customer so we won't have to wait on the phone, in the line. Make something free and people will run to you.
Social norms are stronger than market norms. Volunteerism is big. We would rather do something for nothing that means something to us than to get paid for it. When we introduce market norms into social norms, we violate social norms and hurt relationships. For example, on a date, when buying dinner (social norm), we will insult our date if we suggest we want something back in return (market norm). The two ideals don't mix. Treating customers using social norms is more powerful; it promotes loyalty.
Courtesy wins over contract. Social rewards strongly motivate behavior... which becomes a predictably irrational factor. The social norm says if your are flexible, concerned, we are willing to pitch in without additional compensation. Social norms applied in business out-market market norms.
When aroused sensuously, we do things we won't do in a normal state when we are rational, in a sound mind. When emotionally or sensuously aroused we become predictably irrational.
Procrastination can be controlled when process is divvied out in small parts, short-term specific deadlines. People who procrastinate will always procrastinate. You can't fix it by trying to change the behavior of procrastination, you must use controls, guides to redirect behavior. Rational approaches don't have an effect because procrastination is based on conditioned behavior. So tools and guidelines are necessary to control behavior patterns. It is good to admit procrastination, get the tools designed to help you. Planners, technology, people assistants... devices that interrupt your conditioned behavior and force you to stop and change course.
If we own it, we think it's worth more. We value it more than other people do. What we have we fall in love with. The more work we put into something, the more we value, feel a sense of attachment to it and ownership of it. What we want and dwell about having, we start putting ownership on it before we actually own it. Ownership is not limited to just material things. It can be ideas, points of view, politics, sports. Ownership increases over time and it is hard to move backwards...downsizing our home, our cars, tools and toys.
Closing doors on options we have is difficult for human behavior to do. We want to keep options open and not close any doors. So we have a tendency to run back and forth to them. It is difficult to break from this behavior and spend time on only that which is really important. This running back and forth to lifestyle, mental options not only takes our time but it wears us out. Doors which we see as tied to our dreams are hard to close. So we're irrationally compulsive to keep these doors open... when we would be better off to shut the one we need to shut.
Expectation creates the result of the expectation. For instance, when expecting a movie will be good, we will find ways to like it and enjoy it. Our expectations, perspective, beliefs can blind us to the truth. A third party can help us see through tainted expectations. Like a placebo, we think the higher priced tastes better, is better than the lower priced. We assume quality is less in lower price. Consider quality, value with price.
Why we are dishonest. Most everyone is dishonest about something. One may not even take a pencil from the office, but will do personal work at night using the office electricity. Honesty is subjective to how a person views honesty. So honesty varies. When given the opportunity, most will cheat. When we think about honesty, like right after reading the 10 Commandments in the Bible, we deter dishonest actions. When removed from these benchmarks, we stray to dishonesty. So an oath, the rules, must be recounted just before temptation. When professional ethics decline, it's hard to get them back. Whatever reminds us of ethical principles needs frequent review.
We have a tendency to cheat more with non-monetary objects, than when dealing with money. When given a chance, people cheat. But when money is tied to cheating, we then justify it to go for the money (i.e., stock option backdating).
We are far less rational in our decision making than standard economic theory assumes. Our irrational behaviors are systematic and predictable. Ariely concludes that "economics would make a lot more sense based on how we actually behave, than on how we should behave."
"What we digest (through our eyes, ears, brain) is not necessarily a true reflection of reality. We are limited to the tools nature gives us, limited by the quality and accuracy of these tools. We need to force ourselves to think differently about our decisions... based on actuality."
http://www.predictablyirrational.com/
So what is faith?
It's predictably irrational.
Faith is what we hope for but have no evidence to support it will happen but we believe it will happen anyway, regardless of circumstances or evidence.
The concept of Spirit is that the very Spirit of God will do things based on faith alone. This requires no evidence or physical rational, proven methods that it will happen. In many cases it may be viewed as impossible according to human, world and physics standards. So faith is what Jesus said is what our lives are based on and it is predictably irrational.
We are saved, brought into His Kingdom by faith...mere belief in Him and turning from our other ways and following His ways. To accept His teachings on faith. And to know everything in our lives are provided by faith.
Just do a keyword search at
http://www.biblegateway.com/
and type in "faith" for Matthew through John. Look at all the applications of faith. If this is not an exhilarating case for faith...! (Caution: you may become overly inspired by just reading the Scriptures that have the word "faith" in them.)
Now try Hebrews. Just look at the references to faith in this letter. Here's just part of it:
"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see (will materialize). By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him."
(Hebrews 11: selective verses, NLT)
Then the Hebrew writer continues to list all the anointed ones in the Bible and their walk of faith. He mentions over 20 examples of the most prominent men of God who ever lived that they lived by faith.
It is like ... do we get this picture?
It's all about faith.
It's all about that miracles are manufactured in faith.
It's that all life substance comes from faith.
Do we get this yet?
Is this not predictably irrational, but it is the way that in the world we work miracles, live in love; it's where peace and joy abounds exuberantly.
The Hebrew writer then draws this conclusion:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."
(Hebrews 12:1, NLT)
Don't stop there, keep on reading. It keeps getting better and never stops... forever, our faith promises, its forever. And live exuberantly in faith... the assurance that great things are on the way.
And we can go to the bank on it!
Make your withdraw from the bank today and life in the abundance of love, joy, peace, power through faith... knowing it will happen. So be expectant as it journeys to you.
Now, this is too hard to grasp, to be figured out logically, rationally. But Jesus said, this is the way it is and will be. Those who come to Him by faith, will be received into His kingdom of eternal love, joy, grace, and power. It's all about living by faith and trusting in Him.
How do we understand this?
We can't... only in His Spirit.
As the Apostle Paul said,
"And we have received God's Spirit (not the world's spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit's words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren't spiritual can't receive these truths from God's Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can't understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. For, 'Who can know the Lord's thoughts?'"
(I Corinthians 2:12-16, NLT)
We must live in Spirit to understand Spirit, which we really can't understand but accept it through faith. To understand this, and see it work for us, it requires being Spiritual, to operate in Spirit as our main mode of operation. So the only catch is we must give our minds over to Spirit and live in the mind of Christ... a Spirit function. Our thoughts and education are based on rational thinking.
We can analyze and figure things out with our minds.
But Jesus said you can't.
The Apostle Paul says we can't.
So we must learn to trust Spirit, that all things work out through faith, trust in that God's power is working on our behalf.
"My righteous ones will live by faith.
We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.
For every child of God defeats this evil world,
and we achieve this victory through our faith."
(Hebrews 10:38,39; 1 John 5:4, NLT)
4spirit@gmail.com
Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely points out that our rational methods to evaluate economic and customer responses to the economy are not really rational. We are predictably irrational in how we make choices and function in lifestyle. Ariely specializes in behavioral economics. The way we gather information using controlled methods is based on human behavior being rational. Simply, human behavior is not rational; decisions are irrational, but predictably irrational.
Predictably Irrational proves this point, and continues to provide insight to how we respond to teetering life stimuli.... which is predictably irrational.
The truth about relativity is we do compare things to one another, but we compare what's easily understood and avoid what is not. Our view of our own attractiveness affects our view of attractiveness of others. The more of what we have promotes having more of what we have. So those who have, want more, even when our rational side thinks we have enough.
We anchor ourselves to initial prices. Our first purchase price affects the rest... how we review them. It's not so much supply and demand affecting prices. It's not so much demand as what the price was when we first bought it. Behavioral thinking takes us back to what we once paid for it... our anchor.
Zero cost is still irresistible. If it's free we will try to get it no matter what it costs us. We will buy one and get one free faster than buy two for the price of one. We will get free now, and be willing to pay later. We will pay more for free time. For example we will pay to be a preferred customer so we won't have to wait on the phone, in the line. Make something free and people will run to you.
Social norms are stronger than market norms. Volunteerism is big. We would rather do something for nothing that means something to us than to get paid for it. When we introduce market norms into social norms, we violate social norms and hurt relationships. For example, on a date, when buying dinner (social norm), we will insult our date if we suggest we want something back in return (market norm). The two ideals don't mix. Treating customers using social norms is more powerful; it promotes loyalty.
Courtesy wins over contract. Social rewards strongly motivate behavior... which becomes a predictably irrational factor. The social norm says if your are flexible, concerned, we are willing to pitch in without additional compensation. Social norms applied in business out-market market norms.
When aroused sensuously, we do things we won't do in a normal state when we are rational, in a sound mind. When emotionally or sensuously aroused we become predictably irrational.
Procrastination can be controlled when process is divvied out in small parts, short-term specific deadlines. People who procrastinate will always procrastinate. You can't fix it by trying to change the behavior of procrastination, you must use controls, guides to redirect behavior. Rational approaches don't have an effect because procrastination is based on conditioned behavior. So tools and guidelines are necessary to control behavior patterns. It is good to admit procrastination, get the tools designed to help you. Planners, technology, people assistants... devices that interrupt your conditioned behavior and force you to stop and change course.
If we own it, we think it's worth more. We value it more than other people do. What we have we fall in love with. The more work we put into something, the more we value, feel a sense of attachment to it and ownership of it. What we want and dwell about having, we start putting ownership on it before we actually own it. Ownership is not limited to just material things. It can be ideas, points of view, politics, sports. Ownership increases over time and it is hard to move backwards...downsizing our home, our cars, tools and toys.
Closing doors on options we have is difficult for human behavior to do. We want to keep options open and not close any doors. So we have a tendency to run back and forth to them. It is difficult to break from this behavior and spend time on only that which is really important. This running back and forth to lifestyle, mental options not only takes our time but it wears us out. Doors which we see as tied to our dreams are hard to close. So we're irrationally compulsive to keep these doors open... when we would be better off to shut the one we need to shut.
Expectation creates the result of the expectation. For instance, when expecting a movie will be good, we will find ways to like it and enjoy it. Our expectations, perspective, beliefs can blind us to the truth. A third party can help us see through tainted expectations. Like a placebo, we think the higher priced tastes better, is better than the lower priced. We assume quality is less in lower price. Consider quality, value with price.
Why we are dishonest. Most everyone is dishonest about something. One may not even take a pencil from the office, but will do personal work at night using the office electricity. Honesty is subjective to how a person views honesty. So honesty varies. When given the opportunity, most will cheat. When we think about honesty, like right after reading the 10 Commandments in the Bible, we deter dishonest actions. When removed from these benchmarks, we stray to dishonesty. So an oath, the rules, must be recounted just before temptation. When professional ethics decline, it's hard to get them back. Whatever reminds us of ethical principles needs frequent review.
We have a tendency to cheat more with non-monetary objects, than when dealing with money. When given a chance, people cheat. But when money is tied to cheating, we then justify it to go for the money (i.e., stock option backdating).
We are far less rational in our decision making than standard economic theory assumes. Our irrational behaviors are systematic and predictable. Ariely concludes that "economics would make a lot more sense based on how we actually behave, than on how we should behave."
"What we digest (through our eyes, ears, brain) is not necessarily a true reflection of reality. We are limited to the tools nature gives us, limited by the quality and accuracy of these tools. We need to force ourselves to think differently about our decisions... based on actuality."
http://www.predictablyirrational.com/
So what is faith?
It's predictably irrational.
Faith is what we hope for but have no evidence to support it will happen but we believe it will happen anyway, regardless of circumstances or evidence.
The concept of Spirit is that the very Spirit of God will do things based on faith alone. This requires no evidence or physical rational, proven methods that it will happen. In many cases it may be viewed as impossible according to human, world and physics standards. So faith is what Jesus said is what our lives are based on and it is predictably irrational.
We are saved, brought into His Kingdom by faith...mere belief in Him and turning from our other ways and following His ways. To accept His teachings on faith. And to know everything in our lives are provided by faith.
Just do a keyword search at
http://www.biblegateway.com/
and type in "faith" for Matthew through John. Look at all the applications of faith. If this is not an exhilarating case for faith...! (Caution: you may become overly inspired by just reading the Scriptures that have the word "faith" in them.)
Now try Hebrews. Just look at the references to faith in this letter. Here's just part of it:
"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see (will materialize). By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him."
(Hebrews 11: selective verses, NLT)
Then the Hebrew writer continues to list all the anointed ones in the Bible and their walk of faith. He mentions over 20 examples of the most prominent men of God who ever lived that they lived by faith.
It is like ... do we get this picture?
It's all about faith.
It's all about that miracles are manufactured in faith.
It's that all life substance comes from faith.
Do we get this yet?
Is this not predictably irrational, but it is the way that in the world we work miracles, live in love; it's where peace and joy abounds exuberantly.
The Hebrew writer then draws this conclusion:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."
(Hebrews 12:1, NLT)
Don't stop there, keep on reading. It keeps getting better and never stops... forever, our faith promises, its forever. And live exuberantly in faith... the assurance that great things are on the way.
And we can go to the bank on it!
Make your withdraw from the bank today and life in the abundance of love, joy, peace, power through faith... knowing it will happen. So be expectant as it journeys to you.
Now, this is too hard to grasp, to be figured out logically, rationally. But Jesus said, this is the way it is and will be. Those who come to Him by faith, will be received into His kingdom of eternal love, joy, grace, and power. It's all about living by faith and trusting in Him.
How do we understand this?
We can't... only in His Spirit.
As the Apostle Paul said,
"And we have received God's Spirit (not the world's spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit's words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren't spiritual can't receive these truths from God's Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can't understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. For, 'Who can know the Lord's thoughts?'"
(I Corinthians 2:12-16, NLT)
We must live in Spirit to understand Spirit, which we really can't understand but accept it through faith. To understand this, and see it work for us, it requires being Spiritual, to operate in Spirit as our main mode of operation. So the only catch is we must give our minds over to Spirit and live in the mind of Christ... a Spirit function. Our thoughts and education are based on rational thinking.
We can analyze and figure things out with our minds.
But Jesus said you can't.
The Apostle Paul says we can't.
So we must learn to trust Spirit, that all things work out through faith, trust in that God's power is working on our behalf.
"My righteous ones will live by faith.
We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.
For every child of God defeats this evil world,
and we achieve this victory through our faith."
(Hebrews 10:38,39; 1 John 5:4, NLT)
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Compassionate Samurai... Warrior of the Lamb
by Dale Shumaker
4spirit@gmail.com
The Compassionate Samurai by Brian Klemmer is leading lives with boldness to create a world that works for everyone, with no one left out. The Samurai were the feared, and respected warriors of their day. They were known for bravery, honor, personal loyalty. Samurai means "to serve." Klemmer coined the phrase compassionate samurai to reflect someone strong on values, can make anything happen, with a life devoted to service.
Your business, organization, network can excel while living by the compassionate samurai code: commitment, personal responsibility, contribution, focus, honesty, honor, trust, abundance, boldness, and knowledge. With these tools, or ammunition, you can go into the marketplace and wage a great war. Klemmer recommends you focus on one trait every week. The last chapter summaries his key points throughout the book.
Commitment
Say it and begin taking steps. When you put your thoughts into words, it begins moving you toward your goals. Say what you mean, do what you say, and be bold in your promises... that you absolutely commit to keep. Make agreements based on priorities, avoiding trivial matters. You're committed to do more than you can. Your work ethic, dedication, and self confidence contribute to making big agreements and keeping them.
Personal Responsibility
Everything you have and don't have, and ever will have in life is because of the choices you make. Your quality of life or lack of quality of life is the result of your choices. We all have freedom. Our choices increase our freedom, or limit our freedom. No one is your problem. You take responsibility for everything. God is all-powerful. We are responsible to use the power and gifts provided to us.
Contribution
"How can I serve this person, organization, or country." The compassionate samurai gives without thought of personal gain. They are not only contributors but living gifts. They take care of themselves so they can give more to others recognizing the six benefits of giving: it feels good; you give to get; it builds loyalty; it increases your power; giving without recognition increases your power; it increases your spirituality. Giving without recognition causes something supernatural to occur-- you gain influence that's inexplicable. Thinking service before self, give them what they want, not what you want to give them.
Focus
Anchor reality to your visions. Focus turns average talent, small amounts of time, or minimal resources to produce extraordinary results. Focus leverages power.The three challenges of focus are inability to focus, focusing on things that make you ineffective, being unaware of what's around you. Life is full of distractions, so the compassionate samurai learns to not let surroundings distract them. Their focus is on service or contributions, regardless of their circumstances. They stay focused on effective things, forget failures or successes...giving full attention to what's here now. Not being "here now" kills effectiveness and intimacy. Compassionate samurai are focused but still aware of what's going on around them, without letting it impair their focus. It's a 360 degree awareness. Hearing others, taking that in consideration as you present yourself.
Honesty
Say what you mean, mean what you say. You can tell the truth and still not be honest. It's a true picture of yourself or circumstances involved. We are dishonest when we tell something that isn't true, give an illusion of what's not so, not telling what is so, pretending to know. Honesty lets your heart show. Transparent or honest. Honesty has integrity, sincerity while transparent is free of pretense, visible, being understood. Honesty is truthful on our own experiences, and uses diplomacy in respect of others... giving them the right to share feedback or not.
Honor
Hold principles above personal benefit. It's respecting others, not being condescending to others, listening to others, speaking well of others and their organizations. Honor is about respect, but learning to respect yourself as well as others. When you dishonor or belittle others, you make yourself small. Honor sees that everyone wins around you.
Trust
The ability to trust others and themselves with their life. "I love you" is a powerful phrase we should share freely, frequently with those close to us. The same holds true for the phrase, "I trust you." Those who lack trust for themselves, distrust others. So build up your trust for yourself through honor and honesty. Trust is a great personal power. it produces synergistic power in teamwork, builds intimate relationships, releases time freedom and efficiency, makes service stand out, and gives you a feeling of exhilaration. When trust is betrayed, it's very difficult to regain. Trust is built and rebuilt by making commitments and keeping them, making yourself accountable to others.
Abundance
Be willing to pay the price. Before anything happens, it must first happen in your mind. It must take root there. The compassionate samurai realizes that his wholeness and completeness doesn't depend on external circumstances. It's about being connected to God who is infinite. You are complete being connected to Him. Then your thoughts create the right habits that facilitate perpetual wealth. Even when current circumstances may be dire, train your mind to buy into your future reality and continue advancing toward it.
Keys to abundance are giving--practice tithing. Receiving freely, learn to accept graciously and feel you are worthy of it. Learn to say "thank you" and leave it at that when people compliment you. Use systems to create profits. Don't think "I can do this," think "How can I?"
There's no lack; there's more than enough. You are more than enough. Thus, there is an abundant supply of everything you need. Humility is understanding God is the supply not you.
So, the economy, recession, inflation, don't sway you. The compassionate samurai says that if abundance does not seem to exist, I'll have to create it. Take life on.
Boldness
We have courage. But are we displaying it? The compassionate samurai see problems as a set of weights. The more weight (bigger the challenge) the stronger we get when we take the problem on. Pressure is the opportunity to awaken the sleeping beauty of courage inside. Courage is an attitude of confronting danger or your greatest fear. Courage does not deny fear, it recognizes fear as reality, but acts valiantly in spite of it. Practice courage on the day by day opportunities. Climb out on the limb until it breaks, then dust yourself off and do it again.
Keep the potential rewards and benefits before you. Create your support team of lions. Make friends, help them. Leverage your strength. If God is with you, who can be against you. Courage is not an option; it's a way of life. When you are scared and want to back down, then is the time to go faster.
Knowledge
Specialized knowledge provides you the edge. Compassionate samurai pursue excellence, always seeking to surpass their current level. Satisfaction and contentment come when you are where you're supposed to be. When you're aligned to your purpose, things don't matter unless they support that purpose. No matter where you are now, you always have more to learn. Be humble enough to receive instruction even from those you see as less than you. Some of the greatest knowledge you can tap exists right in your circle of influence.
Finishing Strong
Now put the 10 traits of Compassionate Samurai character to work. Re-read each chapter again and again, and use repetition in actions.The idea is to make these qualities automatic. Klemmer has exercises in this chapter to help you do that for each quality.
http://www.klemmer.com/
Jesus had so much of the samurai characteristics. He is gentle, kind, caring. He held children with much tenderness with a preference for them. But He was militant as a warrior to the critical spirit of the Pharisees.
To the one's who hurt, He was kind and gentle, compassionate and used His powers to heal them. To the one's who were arrogant He was cutting as a sword making them aware of their coming demise. As the samurai was so loyal to his superiors, Jesus expressed great loyalties to His Superior, God the Father. He said He would do nothing outside God the Father... completely devoted to His Superior.
Jesus also warned he did not come to bring peace but a sword. He walked the earth in peace, but wickedness would come to an end violently. "Don't imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword." 'I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be right in your own household!' "If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it."
(Matthew 10:33-39, NLT)
Our battle on earth is much like the Samurai's. They fought to the end courageously. Committed to fight for what they valued even if it would take them to their death. They knew the risks. Faced their risks, but they faced fear with courage. Jesus in facing the cross was in human fear. He pleaded with God for strength because the human side of him had great fear.
But the strength He drew from the Spirit of God gave Him the edge to carry out the most courageous assignment anyone has ever dared to take on. And without the Spirit of God, He could not have completed His mission which required great perseverance, courage, to overcome unbelievable physical pain, but He held on to complete what God had for Him to do that would change the world, universe forever. Only with the Supernatural Power of the Holy Spirit could He withstand all the pain, conniving and opposition to complete His mission.
As Jesus was privileged to have the Holy Spirit Power, we are too. We have the same privilege to attain the Supernatural Power of Spirit for all we face. The greater the mission, the greater the challenge, the more the Spirit will be poured into you to give you Supernatural Strength. When we seek it, we will attain it. That's why our strength is in prayer, going into the Inner Chamber of God for our Strength in Spirit.
Can we live out our purpose and mission... even if it means death to close relationships, giving up people and circumstance closest to us, even when these reject our mission? Are you so close to God you know what your mission is and you fulfill it even if it means total loss?
But loss of this life and benefits of this life, will eventually have its rewards. The compassionate samurai kept his eyes on the rewards. There are short-term rewards, those that will come eventually on earth, and long-term, those that will come in heaven. All the silver and gold belongs to us, those who follow the Lord as warriors.
"The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of Heaven's Armies."
(Haggai 2:8, NLT)
Are we warriors in Spirit, God is using in Spirit to defeat the strongholds evil in spirit that surround the universe, that war against us. The gold and silver will be returned to His Servants.
"For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places."
(Ephesians 6:11-13, NLT)
We fight these strongholds, but we have the power to destroy them.
Those who fight to the end will.
If we don't quit, we will win.
"The Son of Man... held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death."
(Revelations 1:13,16,18, NLT)
At the final battle we will win.
Jesus will return with a Sword for the final victory
and we will win, forever winners in our faith,
in our loyalty, in our mission for Jesus' Kingdom to come on earth as in Heaven.
"And everyone will hate you because you are my followers.
But the one who endures (perseveres, suffers through) to the end will be saved."
(Mark 13:12-14, NLT)
Fight the Fight now, with the Sword of Spirit. Evil does not like good. But the Good, the Righteousness of God will prevail. We are to fight the fight against evil in the marketplace.
We are called as warriors in the marketplace.
No matter how severe the opposition, if we fight to the end, we will win. Those who endure to the end will win.
If you don't quit, you will win.
It's guaranteed. It's an eternal guarantee.
Victory will come for those who persevere, even to the end. Victories are yours along the way.The way includes a life of Spirit, a life of prayer intercession, in our prayers the Spirit, the Lord all Powerful, fights for us.
As we live a life of living in prayer and constant contact in the Spirit, the Power of Spirit wages our the wars, fights our battles and our victory is guaranteed.
Live in the Power of Spirit.
Don't quit, depend on God's Spirit
and His unmatchable Power and... you will win!
4spirit@gmail.com
The Compassionate Samurai by Brian Klemmer is leading lives with boldness to create a world that works for everyone, with no one left out. The Samurai were the feared, and respected warriors of their day. They were known for bravery, honor, personal loyalty. Samurai means "to serve." Klemmer coined the phrase compassionate samurai to reflect someone strong on values, can make anything happen, with a life devoted to service.
Your business, organization, network can excel while living by the compassionate samurai code: commitment, personal responsibility, contribution, focus, honesty, honor, trust, abundance, boldness, and knowledge. With these tools, or ammunition, you can go into the marketplace and wage a great war. Klemmer recommends you focus on one trait every week. The last chapter summaries his key points throughout the book.
Commitment
Say it and begin taking steps. When you put your thoughts into words, it begins moving you toward your goals. Say what you mean, do what you say, and be bold in your promises... that you absolutely commit to keep. Make agreements based on priorities, avoiding trivial matters. You're committed to do more than you can. Your work ethic, dedication, and self confidence contribute to making big agreements and keeping them.
Personal Responsibility
Everything you have and don't have, and ever will have in life is because of the choices you make. Your quality of life or lack of quality of life is the result of your choices. We all have freedom. Our choices increase our freedom, or limit our freedom. No one is your problem. You take responsibility for everything. God is all-powerful. We are responsible to use the power and gifts provided to us.
Contribution
"How can I serve this person, organization, or country." The compassionate samurai gives without thought of personal gain. They are not only contributors but living gifts. They take care of themselves so they can give more to others recognizing the six benefits of giving: it feels good; you give to get; it builds loyalty; it increases your power; giving without recognition increases your power; it increases your spirituality. Giving without recognition causes something supernatural to occur-- you gain influence that's inexplicable. Thinking service before self, give them what they want, not what you want to give them.
Focus
Anchor reality to your visions. Focus turns average talent, small amounts of time, or minimal resources to produce extraordinary results. Focus leverages power.The three challenges of focus are inability to focus, focusing on things that make you ineffective, being unaware of what's around you. Life is full of distractions, so the compassionate samurai learns to not let surroundings distract them. Their focus is on service or contributions, regardless of their circumstances. They stay focused on effective things, forget failures or successes...giving full attention to what's here now. Not being "here now" kills effectiveness and intimacy. Compassionate samurai are focused but still aware of what's going on around them, without letting it impair their focus. It's a 360 degree awareness. Hearing others, taking that in consideration as you present yourself.
Honesty
Say what you mean, mean what you say. You can tell the truth and still not be honest. It's a true picture of yourself or circumstances involved. We are dishonest when we tell something that isn't true, give an illusion of what's not so, not telling what is so, pretending to know. Honesty lets your heart show. Transparent or honest. Honesty has integrity, sincerity while transparent is free of pretense, visible, being understood. Honesty is truthful on our own experiences, and uses diplomacy in respect of others... giving them the right to share feedback or not.
Honor
Hold principles above personal benefit. It's respecting others, not being condescending to others, listening to others, speaking well of others and their organizations. Honor is about respect, but learning to respect yourself as well as others. When you dishonor or belittle others, you make yourself small. Honor sees that everyone wins around you.
Trust
The ability to trust others and themselves with their life. "I love you" is a powerful phrase we should share freely, frequently with those close to us. The same holds true for the phrase, "I trust you." Those who lack trust for themselves, distrust others. So build up your trust for yourself through honor and honesty. Trust is a great personal power. it produces synergistic power in teamwork, builds intimate relationships, releases time freedom and efficiency, makes service stand out, and gives you a feeling of exhilaration. When trust is betrayed, it's very difficult to regain. Trust is built and rebuilt by making commitments and keeping them, making yourself accountable to others.
Abundance
Be willing to pay the price. Before anything happens, it must first happen in your mind. It must take root there. The compassionate samurai realizes that his wholeness and completeness doesn't depend on external circumstances. It's about being connected to God who is infinite. You are complete being connected to Him. Then your thoughts create the right habits that facilitate perpetual wealth. Even when current circumstances may be dire, train your mind to buy into your future reality and continue advancing toward it.
Keys to abundance are giving--practice tithing. Receiving freely, learn to accept graciously and feel you are worthy of it. Learn to say "thank you" and leave it at that when people compliment you. Use systems to create profits. Don't think "I can do this," think "How can I?"
There's no lack; there's more than enough. You are more than enough. Thus, there is an abundant supply of everything you need. Humility is understanding God is the supply not you.
So, the economy, recession, inflation, don't sway you. The compassionate samurai says that if abundance does not seem to exist, I'll have to create it. Take life on.
Boldness
We have courage. But are we displaying it? The compassionate samurai see problems as a set of weights. The more weight (bigger the challenge) the stronger we get when we take the problem on. Pressure is the opportunity to awaken the sleeping beauty of courage inside. Courage is an attitude of confronting danger or your greatest fear. Courage does not deny fear, it recognizes fear as reality, but acts valiantly in spite of it. Practice courage on the day by day opportunities. Climb out on the limb until it breaks, then dust yourself off and do it again.
Keep the potential rewards and benefits before you. Create your support team of lions. Make friends, help them. Leverage your strength. If God is with you, who can be against you. Courage is not an option; it's a way of life. When you are scared and want to back down, then is the time to go faster.
Knowledge
Specialized knowledge provides you the edge. Compassionate samurai pursue excellence, always seeking to surpass their current level. Satisfaction and contentment come when you are where you're supposed to be. When you're aligned to your purpose, things don't matter unless they support that purpose. No matter where you are now, you always have more to learn. Be humble enough to receive instruction even from those you see as less than you. Some of the greatest knowledge you can tap exists right in your circle of influence.
Finishing Strong
Now put the 10 traits of Compassionate Samurai character to work. Re-read each chapter again and again, and use repetition in actions.The idea is to make these qualities automatic. Klemmer has exercises in this chapter to help you do that for each quality.
http://www.klemmer.com/
Jesus had so much of the samurai characteristics. He is gentle, kind, caring. He held children with much tenderness with a preference for them. But He was militant as a warrior to the critical spirit of the Pharisees.
To the one's who hurt, He was kind and gentle, compassionate and used His powers to heal them. To the one's who were arrogant He was cutting as a sword making them aware of their coming demise. As the samurai was so loyal to his superiors, Jesus expressed great loyalties to His Superior, God the Father. He said He would do nothing outside God the Father... completely devoted to His Superior.
Jesus also warned he did not come to bring peace but a sword. He walked the earth in peace, but wickedness would come to an end violently. "Don't imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword." 'I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be right in your own household!' "If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it."
(Matthew 10:33-39, NLT)
Our battle on earth is much like the Samurai's. They fought to the end courageously. Committed to fight for what they valued even if it would take them to their death. They knew the risks. Faced their risks, but they faced fear with courage. Jesus in facing the cross was in human fear. He pleaded with God for strength because the human side of him had great fear.
But the strength He drew from the Spirit of God gave Him the edge to carry out the most courageous assignment anyone has ever dared to take on. And without the Spirit of God, He could not have completed His mission which required great perseverance, courage, to overcome unbelievable physical pain, but He held on to complete what God had for Him to do that would change the world, universe forever. Only with the Supernatural Power of the Holy Spirit could He withstand all the pain, conniving and opposition to complete His mission.
As Jesus was privileged to have the Holy Spirit Power, we are too. We have the same privilege to attain the Supernatural Power of Spirit for all we face. The greater the mission, the greater the challenge, the more the Spirit will be poured into you to give you Supernatural Strength. When we seek it, we will attain it. That's why our strength is in prayer, going into the Inner Chamber of God for our Strength in Spirit.
Can we live out our purpose and mission... even if it means death to close relationships, giving up people and circumstance closest to us, even when these reject our mission? Are you so close to God you know what your mission is and you fulfill it even if it means total loss?
But loss of this life and benefits of this life, will eventually have its rewards. The compassionate samurai kept his eyes on the rewards. There are short-term rewards, those that will come eventually on earth, and long-term, those that will come in heaven. All the silver and gold belongs to us, those who follow the Lord as warriors.
"The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of Heaven's Armies."
(Haggai 2:8, NLT)
Are we warriors in Spirit, God is using in Spirit to defeat the strongholds evil in spirit that surround the universe, that war against us. The gold and silver will be returned to His Servants.
"For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places."
(Ephesians 6:11-13, NLT)
We fight these strongholds, but we have the power to destroy them.
Those who fight to the end will.
If we don't quit, we will win.
"The Son of Man... held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death."
(Revelations 1:13,16,18, NLT)
At the final battle we will win.
Jesus will return with a Sword for the final victory
and we will win, forever winners in our faith,
in our loyalty, in our mission for Jesus' Kingdom to come on earth as in Heaven.
"And everyone will hate you because you are my followers.
But the one who endures (perseveres, suffers through) to the end will be saved."
(Mark 13:12-14, NLT)
Fight the Fight now, with the Sword of Spirit. Evil does not like good. But the Good, the Righteousness of God will prevail. We are to fight the fight against evil in the marketplace.
We are called as warriors in the marketplace.
No matter how severe the opposition, if we fight to the end, we will win. Those who endure to the end will win.
If you don't quit, you will win.
It's guaranteed. It's an eternal guarantee.
Victory will come for those who persevere, even to the end. Victories are yours along the way.The way includes a life of Spirit, a life of prayer intercession, in our prayers the Spirit, the Lord all Powerful, fights for us.
As we live a life of living in prayer and constant contact in the Spirit, the Power of Spirit wages our the wars, fights our battles and our victory is guaranteed.
Live in the Power of Spirit.
Don't quit, depend on God's Spirit
and His unmatchable Power and... you will win!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Become a better you... others become better too
by Dale Shumaker
4spirit@gmail.com
Become a Better You by Joel Osteen inspires you to build a better you regardless of what's going on around you. Use what is around you to plant the seeds that will lead you to greatness. His theme is that your life may not seem to be the best it can be, but you can become better through it. When you become better, then you will see life become better for you.
God wants you to be what he created you to be. What God created you to be you can be confident He will do His part, so do your part.
Seven Keys open the doors to a better you:
1. Keep pressing forward.
2. Be positive toward yourself.
3. Develop better relationships.
4. Form better habits.
5. Embrace the place where you are.
6. Develop your inner life.
7. Stay passionate about life.
You could easily make these your daily affirmations and prayers. And in prayer ask God to help you in these areas and then affirm these to yourself all day long... trusting God is with you and helping you.
Joel has 31 chapters in Become a Better You. A life changing read would be to read one chapter a day for a month, while committing to make one change a day during this time. Do this again for another month and I see this process with Joel's book to be life transforming. He deals with some critical issues which generally plague our society today. Here's just a brief glimpse of what he highlights in the seven keys.
Keep pressing on.
Move from yesterday. Defeat rejections of the past with new directions for today. Your dreams deserve new beginnings. God promises "New Things" for your life constantly. Avoid people who hold you back, and connect with people who want to move forward with you. Your family history, if dysfunctional, doesn't have to be yours. Tap into God's power. Break the curse of the past and learn to function beyond the dysfunctional. Believe in your generational blessings as a Child of God and discover the destiny God has for you. God had great things for you at birth, your destiny, and in your dreams, your heart's desires, know that God put them there...to be fulfilled.
Be positive toward yourself.
Stop accusing yourself and using your own voice in your head, from your mouth, to put you down. Nothing you have done is too much for God's mercy. Like yourself, God does. Get in line with God's likeness of you. What you send out comes back. So send out good. Use words that bless and build up others. Make your mouth a source of positive declaration.
Be a continuous positive self-talk person and proclaim positive ideas to others. What you say to yourself you become. What you say to others, they become.
Develop Better Relationships.
Be a giver. Give to those who can't give back to you. Give compliments to others. This makes someone's day... God will make yours. Be a peacemaker. Blessed are the peacemakers. Invest in people's emotional bank account... it eventually pays back dividends of greatness. When you meet others needs, God meets yours. Take notice of needs and give to someone you know can't pay you back and do it not desiring for them to pay you back.
Form Better Habits.
Those who get ahead, get there on time... be punctual. It is not so much about breaking habits, but replacing bad habits with good habits. What bad habits are holding you back? What good habits could you put in their place that will move you forward? Choose the habit of happiness. Do not magnify problems, magnify the the Bigness of God over your problems. Overcome criticism by not allowing yourself to take revenge or harbor a bitter revengeful attitude. Don't spend too much time trying to win over you critics. Run your own race. You determine your destiny, your happiness; don't allow your critics to determine it for you.
Train your mind to see good, and to dwell in that Good. Be happy, share happiness, lure others into happiness.
Embrace where you are.
Faith may not deliver you, but it will carry you through problems. When things go wrong, believe in God that it is well with your soul. God is Supernatural, he will help you rise above the natural... Supernaturally.
Stay in peace. A storm may rage around you, but you can choose not to be in the storm. God's sunshine is always above the clouds. Remember the Good. God is always guiding your life. Make lists of the good you have when all seems bad. Then focus on the good you do have. Even when things appear out of control, God continually guides circumstances, while protecting you. So you can be a good influence by how you handle challenging situations.
Develop Your Inner Life.
When you obey, you sow a seed that will grow and rise higher. It doesn't always grow and mature over night. God deals with us individually. To whom much is given, much is required. Think higher, God is preparing you for greater things. When your conscience is clear, we can expect good things. Our self image accepts good things. Deal with root issues. A better you won't stick without cleaning out the roots of our problem. Take responsibility and rise up, do something about it. Pay attention to your conscience. Listen to it and obey its quiet commands... the promptings of the quiet voice in you always coaxing you along.
Stay passionate about life.
Begin now planning for your blessings. Don't quit dreaming; keep the vision in front of you. Believe right now that all things are working out in your favor. Use your faith. Exercise your faith. Make provision for new success of abundance to come into your life. Keep singing your song. Keep smiling from your heart. There's a power in giving a pleasant smile to everyone you see. Give to people the best gift of all, a gift of a cheerful heart.
Have a song (create your own Psalms) in your heart. Get up every morning and expect God to turn your problems around for good. He'll give you Supernatural strength to fly with wings like eagles. Start, prepare to live a blessed life. Always keep the vision in front of you, and don't believe the "never" lies. Speak to yourself and others with the confidence of God's belief in you that it's going to happen, act like its going to happen.
Stay passionate about life, don't dwell on what's wrong, but press on to what's better. Every day's a gift from God. There's no limit to what God can and will someday do in your life. Remember, you eventually attract what you think about all the time. Make your thoughts prayers of faith, of expectancy. Pray the belief and confidence you have in God's power on behalf of your life continually. God's miracle potential and power will respond to your persistent faith in Him. Allow miracles to be the common part of you all the time, then the miracles will be common to our lives everyday.
Become a Better You... as you do, life will become increasing better for you.
Joel Osteen sees his role to give us hope. You can find more hope at:
http://www.joelosteen.com/
In With Christ in the School of Prayer, Andrew Murray encourages the value of persistent prayer. "When the answer to our prayer does not come at once we should combine quiet patience and being joyful as confidence in our persevering prayer. To enable us to do this, we must try to understand the character and conduct of our God and Father towards those who cry day and night to Him: He is long-suffering over them. He will avenge them speedily."The Master uses the word speedily. The blessing is all prepared. The Father is not only willing, but most anxious to give what we ask. His everlasting love burns with His longing desire to reveal itself fully to His beloved and to satisfy their need. God will not delay one moment longer than is absolutely necessary. He will do everything in His power to hasten the answer."
Be expectant...
God's idea is to answer your prayers speedily.
But stay steadfast, enduring, constant in asking...
and expecting.
Andrew Murray.... persevering prayer... the complete chapter:
http://www.worldinvisible.com/library/murray/5bm.10353/5bm.10353.16.htm
And we live in the confidence that His Spirit has the Power to do it, what He Promises to give, "without limit" ..."The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard. For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit."
(John 3:31-34, NLT)
What we say, people become and even more so when coming from a boss, a leader... someone of a position of power or respect. Then when we touch a heart, Spiritual Power is transferred through us.
If we do a Jesus Thing and take an active positive approach in our business and with all we work with, we can drastically decrease the need for reprimands.
People will live out the blessings we give, become what we tell them. Sometimes called a "pat on the back" or a "that-a-boy," when done strategically and meaningfully will turn the people and culture mindset around.
Speaking blessing (positive I-believe-in-you tone/comment) with value to that person recognized, and efforts appreciated, is what Jesus recommended.This spiritual power went through His followers to do this.
He spoke, touched them… they excelled. In His Love, Jesus transferred the Power of God's Spirit in to them. Do the same…in faith, in love …you bless your people. Begin creating a new atmosphere in your business culture, with your customers, suppliers. The Power of Spirit goes into that person when you do it in love, so they continually know that you appreciate them for who they are. This actualizes their gifts, and enhances ability to perform at higher levels.
As God created, you create. It's in your hands. Give a blessing to all you meet and begin changing the world today one person at a time. What you sow, you will reap and the blessings will boomerang back to you. What you want, give to others.
(Luke 6:38)
Jesus "Proclaimed" people to do great things.
"I tell you the truth… you will do Greater things than these."
(John 14:12)
"I will give you whatever you ask, using my name."
(John 16:17)
Proclaim freedom to the captive minds and hearts around you…
and you will set them free.
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
for he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,
that the blind will see,
that the downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors,
and that the time of the Lord's favor has come."
(Luke 4:18-19)
4spirit@gmail.com
Become a Better You by Joel Osteen inspires you to build a better you regardless of what's going on around you. Use what is around you to plant the seeds that will lead you to greatness. His theme is that your life may not seem to be the best it can be, but you can become better through it. When you become better, then you will see life become better for you.
God wants you to be what he created you to be. What God created you to be you can be confident He will do His part, so do your part.
Seven Keys open the doors to a better you:
1. Keep pressing forward.
2. Be positive toward yourself.
3. Develop better relationships.
4. Form better habits.
5. Embrace the place where you are.
6. Develop your inner life.
7. Stay passionate about life.
You could easily make these your daily affirmations and prayers. And in prayer ask God to help you in these areas and then affirm these to yourself all day long... trusting God is with you and helping you.
Joel has 31 chapters in Become a Better You. A life changing read would be to read one chapter a day for a month, while committing to make one change a day during this time. Do this again for another month and I see this process with Joel's book to be life transforming. He deals with some critical issues which generally plague our society today. Here's just a brief glimpse of what he highlights in the seven keys.
Keep pressing on.
Move from yesterday. Defeat rejections of the past with new directions for today. Your dreams deserve new beginnings. God promises "New Things" for your life constantly. Avoid people who hold you back, and connect with people who want to move forward with you. Your family history, if dysfunctional, doesn't have to be yours. Tap into God's power. Break the curse of the past and learn to function beyond the dysfunctional. Believe in your generational blessings as a Child of God and discover the destiny God has for you. God had great things for you at birth, your destiny, and in your dreams, your heart's desires, know that God put them there...to be fulfilled.
Be positive toward yourself.
Stop accusing yourself and using your own voice in your head, from your mouth, to put you down. Nothing you have done is too much for God's mercy. Like yourself, God does. Get in line with God's likeness of you. What you send out comes back. So send out good. Use words that bless and build up others. Make your mouth a source of positive declaration.
Be a continuous positive self-talk person and proclaim positive ideas to others. What you say to yourself you become. What you say to others, they become.
Develop Better Relationships.
Be a giver. Give to those who can't give back to you. Give compliments to others. This makes someone's day... God will make yours. Be a peacemaker. Blessed are the peacemakers. Invest in people's emotional bank account... it eventually pays back dividends of greatness. When you meet others needs, God meets yours. Take notice of needs and give to someone you know can't pay you back and do it not desiring for them to pay you back.
Form Better Habits.
Those who get ahead, get there on time... be punctual. It is not so much about breaking habits, but replacing bad habits with good habits. What bad habits are holding you back? What good habits could you put in their place that will move you forward? Choose the habit of happiness. Do not magnify problems, magnify the the Bigness of God over your problems. Overcome criticism by not allowing yourself to take revenge or harbor a bitter revengeful attitude. Don't spend too much time trying to win over you critics. Run your own race. You determine your destiny, your happiness; don't allow your critics to determine it for you.
Train your mind to see good, and to dwell in that Good. Be happy, share happiness, lure others into happiness.
Embrace where you are.
Faith may not deliver you, but it will carry you through problems. When things go wrong, believe in God that it is well with your soul. God is Supernatural, he will help you rise above the natural... Supernaturally.
Stay in peace. A storm may rage around you, but you can choose not to be in the storm. God's sunshine is always above the clouds. Remember the Good. God is always guiding your life. Make lists of the good you have when all seems bad. Then focus on the good you do have. Even when things appear out of control, God continually guides circumstances, while protecting you. So you can be a good influence by how you handle challenging situations.
Develop Your Inner Life.
When you obey, you sow a seed that will grow and rise higher. It doesn't always grow and mature over night. God deals with us individually. To whom much is given, much is required. Think higher, God is preparing you for greater things. When your conscience is clear, we can expect good things. Our self image accepts good things. Deal with root issues. A better you won't stick without cleaning out the roots of our problem. Take responsibility and rise up, do something about it. Pay attention to your conscience. Listen to it and obey its quiet commands... the promptings of the quiet voice in you always coaxing you along.
Stay passionate about life.
Begin now planning for your blessings. Don't quit dreaming; keep the vision in front of you. Believe right now that all things are working out in your favor. Use your faith. Exercise your faith. Make provision for new success of abundance to come into your life. Keep singing your song. Keep smiling from your heart. There's a power in giving a pleasant smile to everyone you see. Give to people the best gift of all, a gift of a cheerful heart.
Have a song (create your own Psalms) in your heart. Get up every morning and expect God to turn your problems around for good. He'll give you Supernatural strength to fly with wings like eagles. Start, prepare to live a blessed life. Always keep the vision in front of you, and don't believe the "never" lies. Speak to yourself and others with the confidence of God's belief in you that it's going to happen, act like its going to happen.
Stay passionate about life, don't dwell on what's wrong, but press on to what's better. Every day's a gift from God. There's no limit to what God can and will someday do in your life. Remember, you eventually attract what you think about all the time. Make your thoughts prayers of faith, of expectancy. Pray the belief and confidence you have in God's power on behalf of your life continually. God's miracle potential and power will respond to your persistent faith in Him. Allow miracles to be the common part of you all the time, then the miracles will be common to our lives everyday.
Become a Better You... as you do, life will become increasing better for you.
Joel Osteen sees his role to give us hope. You can find more hope at:
http://www.joelosteen.com/
In With Christ in the School of Prayer, Andrew Murray encourages the value of persistent prayer. "When the answer to our prayer does not come at once we should combine quiet patience and being joyful as confidence in our persevering prayer. To enable us to do this, we must try to understand the character and conduct of our God and Father towards those who cry day and night to Him: He is long-suffering over them. He will avenge them speedily."The Master uses the word speedily. The blessing is all prepared. The Father is not only willing, but most anxious to give what we ask. His everlasting love burns with His longing desire to reveal itself fully to His beloved and to satisfy their need. God will not delay one moment longer than is absolutely necessary. He will do everything in His power to hasten the answer."
Be expectant...
God's idea is to answer your prayers speedily.
But stay steadfast, enduring, constant in asking...
and expecting.
Andrew Murray.... persevering prayer... the complete chapter:
http://www.worldinvisible.com/library/murray/5bm.10353/5bm.10353.16.htm
And we live in the confidence that His Spirit has the Power to do it, what He Promises to give, "without limit" ..."The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard. For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit."
(John 3:31-34, NLT)
What we say, people become and even more so when coming from a boss, a leader... someone of a position of power or respect. Then when we touch a heart, Spiritual Power is transferred through us.
If we do a Jesus Thing and take an active positive approach in our business and with all we work with, we can drastically decrease the need for reprimands.
People will live out the blessings we give, become what we tell them. Sometimes called a "pat on the back" or a "that-a-boy," when done strategically and meaningfully will turn the people and culture mindset around.
Speaking blessing (positive I-believe-in-you tone/comment) with value to that person recognized, and efforts appreciated, is what Jesus recommended.This spiritual power went through His followers to do this.
He spoke, touched them… they excelled. In His Love, Jesus transferred the Power of God's Spirit in to them. Do the same…in faith, in love …you bless your people. Begin creating a new atmosphere in your business culture, with your customers, suppliers. The Power of Spirit goes into that person when you do it in love, so they continually know that you appreciate them for who they are. This actualizes their gifts, and enhances ability to perform at higher levels.
As God created, you create. It's in your hands. Give a blessing to all you meet and begin changing the world today one person at a time. What you sow, you will reap and the blessings will boomerang back to you. What you want, give to others.
(Luke 6:38)
Jesus "Proclaimed" people to do great things.
"I tell you the truth… you will do Greater things than these."
(John 14:12)
"I will give you whatever you ask, using my name."
(John 16:17)
Proclaim freedom to the captive minds and hearts around you…
and you will set them free.
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
for he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,
that the blind will see,
that the downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors,
and that the time of the Lord's favor has come."
(Luke 4:18-19)
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Speak to Win... Amazingly
by Dale Shumaker
4spirit@gmail.com
In Speak to Win, Brian Tracy enlarges the best principles on how to present with power in any situation. It's the greatest power there is. When you can communicate very well, so others get it too, and can get across what's on your mind, what you've learned or experienced, you will rise to the top wherever you are. All great leaders are exceptional speaking communicators.
Tracy reassures us that this is a skill you can learn and become very good at. This is one of Tracy's best skills and he has now written a book about what it takes to be one of best at speaking.
Speak to Win covers small groups, meeting, large and small group presentations.
The art of speaking and rhetoric.The three elements of persuasion.
Logos--words and reasoning in your argument.
Ethos--character, ethics, believability when you speak.
Pathos--emotional content of your messages, which is perhaps the most important.
Planning and preparation made simple. Know your audience. Age and age range, gender, income, education, occupation, family status, their knowledge on your subject, how they think, personal desires. Go deeper into their lifestyle such as what is going on in their business, their environment, who they listen to, specific concerns.
For each point use the PREP Formula.
Your Point of view,
Reasons why,
Examples,
re-affirming your Point of view.
Practice (Tracy lists several methods on how).
Use memory techniques. The more you practice, starting small, the better you become. The key to speaking well is speaking a lot. (Toastmasters is a great place to practice, learn and improve.) Develop self-confidence and mental mastery. Overcoming fear is the biggest speaking roadblock. To increase self confidence, talk about what you strongly believe in, talk from your heart, think of the audience as being on your side, use positive self-talk. ("These guys like me.")
Visualize like a kid imagining great speaking success, go to sleep dreaming of your speech. Emotionalize seeing a pleased group when finished. Do this over and over again and you will actualize what you fantasize?
Also come early, room management is important. Prepare the room ahead of time, so you have time to meet a few people before you begin. Start strong, take charge, be authentic and humble, use humor, tell stories.
Mastering meetings with small groups.
Use meetings for problem solving, information sharing, new product announcements, team building. Be prepared and start with the most important items first... so if you run out of time you have the most important covered.
As a participant, be the first to share, volunteer for responsibilities, prepare before meetings.To be persuasive in a meeting: accept others, express appreciation of other's ideas, compliment others and reveal what you admire about them, share approval by praising others, pay attention to others, be agreeable with others. (Point out what you like about someone else's ideas before suggesting your own.)
Mastering small-group presentations and negotiations.
Negotiations: Start with the end in mind. Remember everything is negotiable. Think like a lawyer by thinking through the other person's case before giving yours. Know the differences between desire and fear. People buy more out of fear of loss, than a desire for a gain.
Law of four: most negotiations require four main issues to be resolved. Find your four and sculpture your presentation around them.
Presentations:
Get them involved. Group solidarity. When your are nice to one person they all feel you are being nice to them. Know the pecking order and make sure you peck in the right order. Invite questions, take a power position. Stand at the head of the table. Determine the next best action. Use visuals: show, tell and ask questions.
In the rest of Speak to Win, Tracy covers how to impress large audiences, learning the tricks of the trade techniques used by master speakers, controlling your space using sound, lighting, temperature, and how to end with a bang. Plus, he adds a bonus chapter on making persuasive sales presentations.
This is vintage Tracy. He packs a lot of quality information into Speaking to Win, dealing with the essential speaking skills and techniques. Tracy has more, including free newsletters and ebooks at:
http://www.briantracy.com/
When Stephen faced the crowd it was said he was filled with the Holy Spirit. Here, a young man, soon to be a martyr, spoke with a boldness which amazed everyone. Peter was given credit after being filled with the Holy Spirit to have great speaking influence. The Apostle Paul was known for his ability to persuade the Jewish leaders to persecute the Christians. But after His conversion experience He spoke with great power, but not of human persuasive abilities. His abilities were of the Supernatural, of Great Power, and that which changed the behavior of those around him.
The Apostle Paul says himself, learning to talk with a new oratory skill... the skill of Spirit...."When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn't use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God's secret plan. I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God."
(I Corinthians 2: 1-5, NLT)
We have a power beyond our abilities to speak well. Paul, an educated man, was quite good at expressing a point, and change people's mind. But, in Spirit he found something even Greater.
Andrew Murray enlarges on this theme in the Spirit of Christ.
"Every person must continually be taught by the Spirit how to speak it. And every hearer needs the inward illumination: it is only as he is a Spiritual man, with his life under the rule of the Spirit, that his mind can take in spiritual truth."
"Our preaching was not in man's wisdom, but in the Spirit; that your faith might not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."
"We must learn to fear our own wisdom. 'Trust in the Lord with the whole heart, and lean not to your own understanding.' Paul says, to believers: 'If any man thinks that he is wise, let him become a fool, that he may be wise ' (I Cor.3:18)"
"Reject the spirit of the world which is still in you, with its wisdom and self - confidence; come, in poverty of spirit, to be led by the Spirit that is of God. 'Be not fashioned according to the world,' with its confidence in the flesh, and self, and its wisdom; 'but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, ' It is a transformed, renewed life, that, only wants to know God's perfect will, that will be taught by the Spirit. Cease from your own wisdom; 'God hath revealed them to us by His Spirit.'"
"The crucifixion of self and all its wisdom, the coming in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling, as Paul did, will most assuredly be met from above with the demonstration of the Spirit and of power."
This all comes from time committed in Prayer, entering in Spirit, and listening to Spirit. When the Spirit fills our souls, then the words Spirit gives us are loaded with Power that transforms, revolutionizes, persuades beyond our best human skills.
Dr. J. Robert Ashcroft pointed out in the Body of Christ that Peter prayed for ten days with the disciples, gave a 3-minute speech and 3000 people were converted that day.
Power in Spirit is always preceded by much prayer. Put more work into prayer and your work will produce more. You will see demonstrations of power in what you do, and others will be impressed by it and drawn to the source of the Power, Jesus Himself. God then is Glorified which builds His Kingdom.
People need to walk away being impressed of Spirit, not impressed of you. If they do, the human exceeded the Spiritual, and God's Power was left to be desired. When in Spirit, people are drawn to Spirit, not us. Then they will have His Power too.
Heavenly wisdom and power is so beyond human wisdom and power. With the Holy Spirit, Peter went from being the most ineffective disciple to being one of the model apostles. Jesus knew what the Holy Spirit will do when we take time in prayer, in Spirit, and allow the Holy Spirit to saturate the Situation.
Add to your speaking skills the skill of Spirit and let there then be a demonstration of power in and through whatever you speak.
"For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God's power."
(1 Cor. 4:20, NLT)
This is the new speech... it may not be verbalized but only in prayer, but in prayer our battles are won. We walk by power, not articulation skills. We have confidence to enter any communication, knowing when we have prepared in Spirit we have a power beyond us, that works beyond anything we can do... that's amazing.
4spirit@gmail.com
In Speak to Win, Brian Tracy enlarges the best principles on how to present with power in any situation. It's the greatest power there is. When you can communicate very well, so others get it too, and can get across what's on your mind, what you've learned or experienced, you will rise to the top wherever you are. All great leaders are exceptional speaking communicators.
Tracy reassures us that this is a skill you can learn and become very good at. This is one of Tracy's best skills and he has now written a book about what it takes to be one of best at speaking.
Speak to Win covers small groups, meeting, large and small group presentations.
The art of speaking and rhetoric.The three elements of persuasion.
Logos--words and reasoning in your argument.
Ethos--character, ethics, believability when you speak.
Pathos--emotional content of your messages, which is perhaps the most important.
Planning and preparation made simple. Know your audience. Age and age range, gender, income, education, occupation, family status, their knowledge on your subject, how they think, personal desires. Go deeper into their lifestyle such as what is going on in their business, their environment, who they listen to, specific concerns.
For each point use the PREP Formula.
Your Point of view,
Reasons why,
Examples,
re-affirming your Point of view.
Practice (Tracy lists several methods on how).
Use memory techniques. The more you practice, starting small, the better you become. The key to speaking well is speaking a lot. (Toastmasters is a great place to practice, learn and improve.) Develop self-confidence and mental mastery. Overcoming fear is the biggest speaking roadblock. To increase self confidence, talk about what you strongly believe in, talk from your heart, think of the audience as being on your side, use positive self-talk. ("These guys like me.")
Visualize like a kid imagining great speaking success, go to sleep dreaming of your speech. Emotionalize seeing a pleased group when finished. Do this over and over again and you will actualize what you fantasize?
Also come early, room management is important. Prepare the room ahead of time, so you have time to meet a few people before you begin. Start strong, take charge, be authentic and humble, use humor, tell stories.
Mastering meetings with small groups.
Use meetings for problem solving, information sharing, new product announcements, team building. Be prepared and start with the most important items first... so if you run out of time you have the most important covered.
As a participant, be the first to share, volunteer for responsibilities, prepare before meetings.To be persuasive in a meeting: accept others, express appreciation of other's ideas, compliment others and reveal what you admire about them, share approval by praising others, pay attention to others, be agreeable with others. (Point out what you like about someone else's ideas before suggesting your own.)
Mastering small-group presentations and negotiations.
Negotiations: Start with the end in mind. Remember everything is negotiable. Think like a lawyer by thinking through the other person's case before giving yours. Know the differences between desire and fear. People buy more out of fear of loss, than a desire for a gain.
Law of four: most negotiations require four main issues to be resolved. Find your four and sculpture your presentation around them.
Presentations:
Get them involved. Group solidarity. When your are nice to one person they all feel you are being nice to them. Know the pecking order and make sure you peck in the right order. Invite questions, take a power position. Stand at the head of the table. Determine the next best action. Use visuals: show, tell and ask questions.
In the rest of Speak to Win, Tracy covers how to impress large audiences, learning the tricks of the trade techniques used by master speakers, controlling your space using sound, lighting, temperature, and how to end with a bang. Plus, he adds a bonus chapter on making persuasive sales presentations.
This is vintage Tracy. He packs a lot of quality information into Speaking to Win, dealing with the essential speaking skills and techniques. Tracy has more, including free newsletters and ebooks at:
http://www.briantracy.com/
When Stephen faced the crowd it was said he was filled with the Holy Spirit. Here, a young man, soon to be a martyr, spoke with a boldness which amazed everyone. Peter was given credit after being filled with the Holy Spirit to have great speaking influence. The Apostle Paul was known for his ability to persuade the Jewish leaders to persecute the Christians. But after His conversion experience He spoke with great power, but not of human persuasive abilities. His abilities were of the Supernatural, of Great Power, and that which changed the behavior of those around him.
The Apostle Paul says himself, learning to talk with a new oratory skill... the skill of Spirit...."When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn't use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God's secret plan. I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God."
(I Corinthians 2: 1-5, NLT)
We have a power beyond our abilities to speak well. Paul, an educated man, was quite good at expressing a point, and change people's mind. But, in Spirit he found something even Greater.
Andrew Murray enlarges on this theme in the Spirit of Christ.
"Every person must continually be taught by the Spirit how to speak it. And every hearer needs the inward illumination: it is only as he is a Spiritual man, with his life under the rule of the Spirit, that his mind can take in spiritual truth."
"Our preaching was not in man's wisdom, but in the Spirit; that your faith might not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."
"We must learn to fear our own wisdom. 'Trust in the Lord with the whole heart, and lean not to your own understanding.' Paul says, to believers: 'If any man thinks that he is wise, let him become a fool, that he may be wise ' (I Cor.3:18)"
"Reject the spirit of the world which is still in you, with its wisdom and self - confidence; come, in poverty of spirit, to be led by the Spirit that is of God. 'Be not fashioned according to the world,' with its confidence in the flesh, and self, and its wisdom; 'but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, ' It is a transformed, renewed life, that, only wants to know God's perfect will, that will be taught by the Spirit. Cease from your own wisdom; 'God hath revealed them to us by His Spirit.'"
"The crucifixion of self and all its wisdom, the coming in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling, as Paul did, will most assuredly be met from above with the demonstration of the Spirit and of power."
This all comes from time committed in Prayer, entering in Spirit, and listening to Spirit. When the Spirit fills our souls, then the words Spirit gives us are loaded with Power that transforms, revolutionizes, persuades beyond our best human skills.
Dr. J. Robert Ashcroft pointed out in the Body of Christ that Peter prayed for ten days with the disciples, gave a 3-minute speech and 3000 people were converted that day.
Power in Spirit is always preceded by much prayer. Put more work into prayer and your work will produce more. You will see demonstrations of power in what you do, and others will be impressed by it and drawn to the source of the Power, Jesus Himself. God then is Glorified which builds His Kingdom.
People need to walk away being impressed of Spirit, not impressed of you. If they do, the human exceeded the Spiritual, and God's Power was left to be desired. When in Spirit, people are drawn to Spirit, not us. Then they will have His Power too.
Heavenly wisdom and power is so beyond human wisdom and power. With the Holy Spirit, Peter went from being the most ineffective disciple to being one of the model apostles. Jesus knew what the Holy Spirit will do when we take time in prayer, in Spirit, and allow the Holy Spirit to saturate the Situation.
Add to your speaking skills the skill of Spirit and let there then be a demonstration of power in and through whatever you speak.
"For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God's power."
(1 Cor. 4:20, NLT)
This is the new speech... it may not be verbalized but only in prayer, but in prayer our battles are won. We walk by power, not articulation skills. We have confidence to enter any communication, knowing when we have prepared in Spirit we have a power beyond us, that works beyond anything we can do... that's amazing.
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