An ordinary guy on a supernatural journey.
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  • Prayer and Gifts

    Posted on February 19th, 2012 michael No comments

    A couple things I wanted to note today.

    First, Pastor Rick shared some good insight in service today. He talked about how the fruit of Matthew 15:1-17 is the result of asking for fruit in your life in prayer. In the passage, Jesus talks about how if we abide in Him, anything we ask for, He will provide. It made me recall that I asked to hear from God. I wonder if that is a pre-requisite to hearing him – to actually ask.

    Second, I’m reading Linchpin: Are you indespensible?. In the book, it talks about linchpins are people who practice giving away their art. By giving away their art, they become indispensable, and gain more personally than if they had tried to charge for their wares in the first place. It makes me think of BoW. BoW should be my gift to the world. A gift of love. A gift wrapped in a BoW :p But really.. why did I ever start getting caught up in how to set up a stupid company. The Lord told me it doesn’t matter either way. Just give it out. Create a community around it. Confirm its value and build a community to help to shape it further. Then it can become a cause, and I can figure out whether it needs me any more than part-time or not. I don’t have to force the issue. Just create art (BoW) and give it out in love and see what happens.

  • Beliefs (entrepreneurship)

    Posted on February 11th, 2012 michael No comments

    Limiting beliefs:
    – I can’t start abusiness without start up capital
    – I don’t have a product that people will buy
    – My inexperience is a liability and a risk to my success
    – A corporate job provides greater security than owning my own business
    – Security is more important than doing what I really love to do

    Enabling beliefs
    – Things are typically much simpler to do than I think they are before I start them
    – I have the intelligence to figure out how to be successful
    – I have a better business sense than many people who are already successful
    – I am passionate about learning and that will help to ensure success
    – I have a broad base of experience that will be very valuable to a startup venture

    Repositioned beliefs
    – I don’t want startup capital! Startup capital is more negative than positive; it’s a last resort only, because then you have to answer to your investor(s).
    – Startup capital would reduce risk that is actually a necessary component for my success.
    – I get to create a product that is uniquely me. I get to try different things out to see what the market is really looking for, and then fill their need.
    – I have great experience in being successful in business. What has made me successful in my prior jobs can be leveraged into success in my own company. I have a passion for customer service – meeting the need and exceeding their expectations. That will go far no matter what my product is.
    – A corporate job is actually more risky than owning my own business. Right now, my income is based largely on the success of others, and is a single source of income. With my own business, I would have diversified risk with many clients or hundreds or thousands of customers.
    – The “security” I perceive is a false security. There are no guarantees. The only guarantee I can really have in my career is the experience of really doing what I love to do, day to day. So the trick is really just a matter of finding that thing that I love to do and doing that to the best of my ability and leveraging it into a scalable business.

  • Guidance with employee

    Posted on February 6th, 2012 michael No comments

    Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus. I come to you today…

    Michael, ease up on the formality.

    Ok… Father, I’m distraught. This issue with my employee has me stressed and distracted.

    I know. What are you going to do about it?

    I’m going to do what is right, according to your word. do you have guidance or direction for me?

    Michael, it’s interesting that you come to me now. Your faith is demonstrated by this. You’re at the end of your abilities, so you now come to me. I am here for you, but do not wait until you’ve reached the end of your ability to leverage my wisdom and guidance.

    Yes, Lord. I am sorry.

    Don’t be sorry. Correct your behavior.

    Yes, Lord. What would you have me do about the employee?

    Show mercy. Demonstrate compassion. Forgive.

    I don’t hold her behavior against her, but I am responsible for doing the right thing for the company aren’t I?

    Yes, Michael. You have a job to do, and you are to do it responsibly. Are you sure that her performance cannot be corrected?

    Well.. it could potentially be corrected, but it would take tremendous time and energy, and that isn’t appropriate for an employee of her level and experience.

    Are you sure you’re not trying to escape your responsibility to her?

    I understand your question… ‘to her’ rather than ‘for her’.  I am not sure, only you know my heart, Lord. Am I trying to escape?

    No, you’re not. I was allowing you to reflect that question back to me. You’re not escaping, per se, but you’re not willing to do everything that would be necessary to foster her success either, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In this case, it is appropriate.

    So, do you have any direction for me?

    Show mercy. Demonstrate compassion. Forgive.

    I understand. So, I proceed down the path I’m headed with mercy, compassion and forgiveness?

    Yes. Do not be harsh with her. Understand that she is a person, not just an employee. Treat her with respect. She is scared, and does not deserve anything less than compassion.

    Yes, Lord. Is there anything else?

    Be humble. You don’t have to puff yourself up in this. State the facts, state your perspective, and do so with humility. Do not talk down to her during this process.

    Yes, Lord. Is there anything else?

    Michael, slow down. Process what I’m telling you.

    Thank you for your guidance, Lord. I will come to you first, and lean less on my own ability.