So you don't want to go to church anymore?

It's the title of a book that really gets to the heart of what it is to have a real relationship with God. Through it He changed my relationship with Him forever. So when I came across the following article I got the same rosy glow I always get when I am reminded just how much Jesus loves me. However, I'll go further. Christ left us with some very profound teachings, but I believe in a Living God, not a dead prophet! A relationship with the Risen King involves a daily dialogue and an open heart. We can play theology all we want but it simply ties us up in knots. Reflecting on the scriptures informs us of the message Jesus wants us all to understand - Love. Love Him, Love your neighbour, Love your enemy. Those who reach back into the Old Testament as if it has real relevance in our lives today, do so because of an academic need to acquire and control worldly understanding of the divine. A futile endeavour! It results in egotistical presumptions of theological purity. We cannot know the mind of God!

The sad fact is, the vast majority of churches are 'managed' by leaders who mistakenly spend more time in study than in conversation with Jesus. Some of the most vocal are 'fundamentalists', easy to spot because they are theologically centred and spend more time in the Old Testament than the Gospels, because they are uncomfortable with many things Jesus said. They will usually say 'God' more often than they say 'Jesus'. If you want a church that really makes you feel welcome, find one that worships Jesus and not the bible!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-mcswain/now-this-is-a-church-i-co_b_1868351.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009

Apple - An article in Yahoo today may well be a eulogy and not a fanfare!

Love him or hate him, Steve Jobs had a genius for one thing - knowing what people wanted. For Jobs, an understanding of the subtleties of customer experience, ahead of that experience, marked him out as a true game changer. For better or worse, he understood that the spirit of a thing is more important than the worldly value it might possess. He appreciated the iconic essence of the devices he introduced, held more power than Apple's stock value or the clever management of it's supply chains, which are ephemeral. The design of Ives and the vision of Jobs, will live on, when Apple has become just another lumbering corporate machine.

Get Anyone to do Anything?

In his book "Get Anyone to do Anything - and never feel Powerless Again", Dr David Lieberman reveals an arsenal of potent psychological techniques for increased influence in ALL situations. This blog investigates his claims and asks: Is it possible to get others to yield to our will? and if it is, should we?

It has been almost a year since this blog was last posted to! However, the adventure towards 'optimal work/life balance' (investigated and updated in our sister blog 'The 6 Hour workweek journal') continues to develop, and the opportunity to truly progress with the 'Vision' of Goodcommerce, is irresistibly unfolding. To begin this new year, now with 'time' at hand, I thought we might dive into some really tasty morsels. I want to deliver these appraisals in small bite size chunks so that people can digest them before moving on - is that OK? [Feeling hungry?]

Over the coming weeks we will explore Dr Lieberman's claims and evaluate the methods in his book. If you can't wait and would like to grapple with his theories, please use the link below. You won't pay any extra but you will help support our endeavours.

"Stop feeling powerless!" It shouts in the intro, offering rock solid methods to get what you want "reduced to an easy-to-follow formula - a series of simple techniques and tactics"

He claims "This book contains only specific psychological tactics governing human behaviour that will let you outsmart, out-think, and outmanoeuvre...anyone, anyplace, anytime." [BIG claim!]


The book is divided into 5 sections:
1. Get anyone to like you, love you, or plain just think you're great!
2. Never be fooled, tricked, manipulated, used, lied to, or taken advantage of again.
3. Take Control of any situation and get anyone to do anything.
4. How to win at any competition: Beat out anyone for the job, for the date, or for the game.
5. Make life easy: Learn how to take life's most annoying, frustrating, and difficult situations and get the upper hand every time!

We'll begin with the 1st chapter of the first section: Get anyone to like you...every time:

Dr Lieberman states "..these aren't ways to manipulate other people into liking you. Rather, you'll be orchestrating the application of certain psychological principles and methodologies to bring out and develop a natural chemistry." In other words what Dr Lieberman is suggesting is that these techniques facilitate an unfolding of what is already there, that it is about making it easier for people to express what they really feel in a positive way. [OK that doesn't sound too provocative]

He emphasises that mutual liking underpins all successful relationships. He cites 9 psychological principles which when combined appropriately, significantly increase the chances of being liked by someone.

1. Familiarity breeds fondness, not contempt! The more you are around a positive person the more they grow on you. Be that positive person and be around.
2. The law of association says we associate people with the mood we're in when they are around. Avoid someone in a bad mood and be around when they're feeling good.
3. The principle of Reciprocal Affection says we like people more if they like us. He suggests we gently impress upon those we want to influence that we like them. He also says that we should 'gradually' impress this upon them if they don't like us!
4. Similarity is a principle of 'like mixes with like' - Birds of a feather! Always find common ground and focus on that.
5. Compliments and gestures of affection will always warm someone up. It must be subtle though.
6. Rapport is about a sense of synchronicity, in other words making gestures and behaviours that mirror and compliment another person's, puts them at ease.
7. Cognitive Dissonance theory suggests that our actions towards others are followed by a rationalisation of why we did what we did. If we hurt someone we often justify our action by reducing their value to us in order to 'justify' our actions. The reverse is also true, if we do something for someone that makes us feel good, we rationalise that they are more important. So to get people to like us we should get them to 'do us a good turn'.
8. 'Humanise' yourself. Although we admire confident people, we have more affection for people who don't seem so omnipotent. Whenever you make a mistake, laugh at the situation and be humble.
9. A positive attitude, comfortably restrained, creates an aura that is attractive. In other words joyful not egotistical!

[The key is intent. If you have a selfish agenda, then this is manipulative. If you simply seek to incorporate these gently into your way of being and intend it only to subtly increase your influence for selfless purposes, then it is to be applauded.]

In the next post we will look at 'Get Anyone to find you Irresistibly Attractive.'

Surrender!

For most people, a working day is a day spent labouring under a delusion!
You see most people who go to work, do so to pay for their lives, to keep a roof over their head, to feed the hungry mouths of their families and so on. Most people who start a business do so because they wish one day to escape the toil of 'work', usually by putting in 16 hour days in the first few years, hoping they will be able to delegate themselves out of the 'grind' or better still, sell up and 'retire'. It's why so many people play the lottery, it's why some turn away from legitimate enterprise and engage in darker ways!
Most people, have turned away from the truth, probably because they think that what is offered is no better, or even worse, than what they have now. And I have to say, that from the outside, it seems the truth merely competes with the chaos, and represents only one option in a smorgasbord of alternatives. However, the 'Truth' is the truth. We can bury our heads in the sand and believe it isn't there - but it remains. We can look the other way and whistle, to drown out the noise it makes - but it remains. We can claim to have embraced one of the other alternatives, "so there is no point discussing it!" - but it remains. It is the Truth. It is and always will be. In fact the delusion, is not in embracing the Truth but in rejecting it, just because it needs faith to accept.
This week I encountered some wonderful words of wisdom that demonstrate how the Truth will set us free, so that our working lives can be so much more fruitful and satisfying and joyful. Bob Gass writes "Until we accept and cooperate with the law of gravity, we can't fly. Until we accept and cooperate with the law of economics, we can't succeed in business. Getting the idea? Surrendering to God is not weakness, it's wisdom. Only a fool resists God, because it's a fight we can't win. It's in surrendering to Him that we are empowered to succeed in what He's called us to do.".
Of course the key part of this, is 'surrender'. If our working day, whether through a job or business, isn't in line with His will, it's going to fail. We really don't have any control over the bigger picture of this reality, we can only add or take away flavour from the dish. Those who embrace His Truth, flow with the current, energy is saved and we find peace. No longer do we thrash against insurmountable tide, but are gently carried.
So why do so many thrash against the tide? Because they believe the rubbish they were raised on, that 'they must make their own way in life'. The Truth permeates all things - some years ago a large group of cockle-pickers were drowned on Morcambe sands. They were caught out by the returning tide, which rushes into the bay faster than a galloping horse. However, it doesn't return like a tidal wave, the water level just appears and then rises rapidly. The sands are notoriously dangerous even when the tide is out, but when the water returns the sand becomes quicksand. When people try to escape the water they panic and get stuck. They have usually wandered miles from safety. The truth is this - if you listen to those who know, you won't get caught out, but if you did, the truth is this - you simply lie down and surrender - and the tide lifts you, and you do not drown. Indeed the tide carries you towards the shore, where you will be saved.
So if your day has been, or will be, spent ignoring the truth, why not surrender and find peace?
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28).

"Your vision must come from God. There's a difference between setting your own goals and having a God-given vision."

First of all, may I wish everyone a Happy New Year, and what a start!
Today, UCB Christian radio summed up the point of this adventure that is Goodcommerce, a work of passion and a journey, and as the journey unfolds, the Lord never fails to amaze. Words spoken as if from the lips of God Himself (as they undoubtedly are), encourage and direct as only He can. Thank you Jesus. Please enjoy and remember these words are for you too. Take them, bathe in them and set about your 'field of dreams' in 2011 and beyond.

"Your vision - you must 'find' it! (1)     02 Jan 2011  '..."Write the vision and make it plain"...' Habakkuk 2:2
Notice two important things about vision: 1) Your vision must come from God. There's a difference between setting your own goals and having a God-given vision. When your vision is of God, '...it will surely come...' (Habakkuk 2:3). You won't have to orchestrate events; God will provide the resources and open doors at the right time. Your steps will be directed by Him. Here's an interesting Scripture: '...time and chance happen to them all. For man also does not know his time: like fish taken in a cruel net, like birds caught in a snare, so the sons of men are snared in an evil time...' (Ecclesiastes9:11-12 NKJV). God will reveal to you your destiny and give you an opportunity to fulfil it. But you can resist it, or postpone it, or give your life to other things and end up missing your 'time' and 'chance.' Don't get caught in that net or trapped in that snare and forfeit what God has for you. 2) Your vision will be connected to a certain field. Joseph's dream started with a field of wheat (Genesis 37:6-7). What's your field? Whether God calls you to the field of medicine, education, finance, real estate, or some other field, it's to be a blessing to others. God told Abraham, '...I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing' (Genesis 12:2 NIV). Don't seek fame, seek to serve others. If you do your impact will be greater than your image and your eternal reward greater than anything you can drive, wear, live in, or hang on a wall."

Have a great year and may the Lord bless you with abundance and the joys of rightful living.
Mike

Goodcommerce is on the UP.

Here you will find posts related to our progress, reflections on the philosophy we hold, insights into our purpose, instruction and information on many things business and work related and recommendations and suggestions for work and business practice that will reward you again and again.

We look forward to offering great service, information and entertainment.

 Have a great day, keep coming back, and may God bless you in your endeavours. Mike