FutureHopeNow

please read this blog and comment soon. thanks

2010-09-29T18:37:00.001-07:00

my friend decided to start blogging. Please go read her first blog and comment on it. It would really bless me and make us both happy!

http://changinglifestyles2.wordpress.com/

Save Your Marriage

2010-01-03T16:16:00.000-08:00

Do you find yourself feeling anxiety, depression, or hopelessness over your marriage or relationship? You are not alone at all. Due to all the people I know and even some parts of my own marriage, I decided it was time to offer some free and paid help to struggling couples. Today, the pressure is really on when it comes to economic struggles as well as unfaithfulness and frustration in the marriage union. There are marital "agreements" coming forth which allow an "out" to people who decide they "just can't take it anymore" in their relationship. Maybe this is a good thing and maybe not.

My point is, it's very easy for someone to advise you to stay or leave your relationship; after all, they aren't the ones in it. After years of struggle, I have done some research and am still doing some, that offers humorous and yet practical insight into how the other person thinks, perceives, and reacts to various situations.

I've taken the information I've learned, and compiled some of the most crucial parts of it into a free report. The title is catchy but also definitely promising to couples who are ready to call it "quits" on matrimony and give up hope of ever having any "bliss" come from their partnership.

Whether you are newlyweds or long-time strugglers, this information will give you a new avenue to consider in your relationship, will save you nights of restlessness, and probably help you prevent the "D" word from happening. Let us help you.

Sound like it might be a last chance of hope for you to reclaim what you once had or achieve what you now want? Hey, it was worth doing at one point...isn't it worth saving? Let me know if this interests you.

futurehopevm@gmail.com

More info

true shepherd vs hireling

2009-04-10T13:23:00.000-07:00

Over the years, I have had many pastors, mentors, spiritual leaders come into and go out of my life.

Recently, a dear friend of mine pointed out that there is a difference between a shepherd set over you in authority by God Himself, vs a self-promoting hireling facsimile of a shepherd or leader.

One really good way to make sure you are not with a hireling, is to observe how he or she treat other people. I had someone say to me at one time, "I care mostly for my inner group of people and I will not take the time to hear the cry of those "outside." As I heard that, I thought about the Shepherd, Jesus, who taught about how a true shepherd would leave his main flock of sheep just to seek out the one that was lost. I'd say anything other than this attitude, would denote a hireling view on things.

Thankfully, I'm under a true shepherd placed over me by God Himself. Sometimes, this shepherd doesn't understand me or agree with me, but I know that when I wander astray, he will seek me out to restore me to the fold. Even when I had strayed for a while, this person continued to remind me that he was there and loved me and was ready for me to return home whenever I was led to. He never forced me to come back to the family. He just informed me about what was going on while I was away. One day, when I'd exhausted all resources, I once again read about the happenings in the family, and I decided to run home to papa. Just like with God, papa wasn't angry with me and he welcomed me home as the prodigal child that I was.

I'm very grateful that some shepherds understand the heart of Father and do their best to live according to that, treating others with the same love that God Himself does.

Blessings,
~a very grateful daughter,
~Laura

how can you know...

2009-03-26T12:45:00.000-07:00

As I'm experiencing and allowing myself to just embrace life today, I'm going to admit to you all that I am hurting...really hurting in my heart, emotions, feelings...whatever you want to call it. I am feeling deep sorrow, pain, aching, and that feeling of "will this end?" Right now, in the midst of it all, it feels like I'm one of the biggest disappointments to pretty much everyone I know.

Maybe you are feeling like this too. Sometimes, very well-meaning people will say things to you like "get over it" "get over yourself" and "what's wrong with you...it's not the end of the world." How about this one: "chin UP. You look like you lost your best friend!" Ugh, I hate that one! Does it ever occur to these well-meaning humans that maybe you DID lose your best friend? Maybe you are hurting for a very legitimate reason after all.

So, the question is...how can I know...how can YOU know...a God who is totally the opposite of everything you are feeling right now? How can you know God is not angry with you, when you are feeling that everyone under the sun hates your guts? How can you know a God who is in a good mood, when it seems nobody else is? How can you know this "God of reconciliation" when the person you most want that relationship, is not willing to even speak with you, let alone "make up?" How can you know the God of HOPE for the hopeless, when it looks like you really have hit a roadblock that is totally insurmountable in your life?" How can you know the One who really sticks closer than a brother, when your own family is lying to and turning against you and maybe even turning others against you too? How can you know the God who "will never leave you nor forsake you," who "will take you up even when your own mother forsakes you" who "is with you even to the ends of the earth."

Tell me, how CAN you know?

I'll tell you how...I'll show you what will work for you because it has worked for me and after a recent few hurtful events, I am counting on it to pull me through yet again.

Close your eyes right where you are. What do you see? Yes, the inside of your eyelids, of course...but, you can also see into another realm that is very different from this earth; peaceful, tranquil, serene. You get there by asking Jesus to take you. Just say, "Jesus, right now, nothing makes sense to me. Nobody seems to understand me. All feels very much lost to me. I need YOU to show me whatever I need to see, in order to live the very next second without pain and hopelessness. I need YOU to cause all other people, places and things to become totally obscure and dim to me. I need YOU to show me how to commune and cooperate with Your Spirit, so I can escape the uncertaintly in my life long enough to hear what the next step is that I should be taking."

After this, say "Jesus, if YOU don't take me here, to this place where Your Spirit is more real to me than this earthly existence, then I'm not going anywhere. Like Moses said to You, Lord...unless YOU go, I will not. So Jesus, by Your Holy Spirit, take me there, please. Take me now and show me what to do from that place."

To help with all this, put on some really mellow, sweet, soaking-type music. Some good songs can be found at www.soakingwithapurpose.com, or from my dear brother's site at www.dunamisarts.com. Focus on just tuning into God and where He is telling you to go, what He is telling you to do, what His good plan is.

I have learned that when I come to the end of my rope and usually myself, it's because people and myself became way too big in my life. It's time to come away and re-learn what He thinks of me, who He says I am, what He says I'm capable of and what I excel at. You will not find this 24/7 in any human relationship, I guarantee you.

Human beings only carry a portion of who God is. They are like little jagged chips of a mirror...each one reflecting just a part of God, but not able to totally join together to form the full picture. You need Him as He is...as clearly as you can see, feel, hear, smell, breathe Him...man cannot come close to displaying Him in His glory and splendor. Even time with Him cannot fully show you who He is. It will be enough, though. The foggy glimpse of Him that you are able to see, will be enough...to move you forward a little bit more each moment...till you one day see Him face to face.

Physical human beings cannot be all places at all times. We use telephones to communicate; we don't generally speak to each other spirit to spirit, although we can to an extent. God does that all the time and the best! We use computers that shut down in the middle of conversations. We talk in chat rooms in which we don't realize that we hit the "x" too soon and the other person feels slighted by us. God doesn't ever leave in the middle of a conversation, either accidentally or on purpose. We give up on people, on situations. God knows the end from the beginning; He doesn't quit, doesn't falter, doesn't lack answers that you need. People are finite creatures regarding this earth. We die. Lives end. We live again in eternity, but who we are here is nothing remotely close to who we will be when our characters have no flaws and are 100% plus, refined because of being captivated by the power and glory of the Perfect One.

When things happen that feel beyond remedy, Come Away with Him like I just showed you, and know that there is another finite human being, maybe on the other side of the world, doing the exact same thing...and finding myself in HIM.

I welcome any and all comments, suggestions, etc
Bless you all!

What does the Bible say about Character?

2009-03-26T05:30:00.000-07:00

I am writing this today because someone very dear to me believes in the writing ability God has blessed me with. What I'm going to share; by no means exhaustive in supply, definitely needs to be said, pondered upon, meditated on, and practiced, by myself and others who want to have all that God intended. Thank you for reading this, applying what Jesus says and thus, seeing your lives change. I'll be right there with you, doing the same in my own life. I will share these things a little bit at a time, so stay with me :) Thank you.

One of the best books I know of that talks about what true Godly character looks like, is the book of Proverbs in the Bible. Now, whether you regularly peruse the holy scriptures or not, I believe you will find value in what the Lord has me share here today. So, please, read on...

Proverbs 3 v 31, 32

"Do not envy the oppressor and choose none of his ways. For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord, But His secret counsel is with the upright."

Think about that a moment. Someone who envies a person who is oppressive towards others! That means, to me, that, we'll call her "Mary"...Mary wants so badly to be like this lady "Sue" who is just plain MEAN to people! Now, Sue could be Mary's friend or teacher or parent or someone on television for all we know. The point is, the Bible is clear that if Mary wants to be like someone who is a "punishing" "bullying" type of person, she is actually wanting to be like a perverse person whose behavior is literally disgusting to God. God tells His secret plans and directions to people who are on the "up n up" though. Which way would you choose to be? Perverse or one of God's true confidantes? Who would you like for a companion, Mary or Sue?

Next, for all of you who believe you can "fix" someone or help counsel them into being a "good" person, when the core of that person needs and will only yield to the mighty hand of God...

Proverbs 9 v 7 "He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself. Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning."

If you try to approach someone who has such a personal character, that he laughs in your face when you try to point out some things that he needs to let God help him work on, you have met what the Bible calls a "scoffer." These are the people who often utter "yeah right" with a snide smile on their face, while they continue doing the wrong things in their lives.

Proverbs is so clear that when you attempt to correct this person, you get shame for yourself. I think maybe the word "regret" could also fit here. I know that when I have tried to correct these types of people, I walk away feeling like "why'd I even bother?" That person, unwilling to change, simply turned everything back on me and resented me for trying to give him a "wake-up" call.

On the other hand, I have approached some people who were of a personal nature that welcomed correction from God and from His delegated ambassadors (if you will). In these cases, those types of people thanked me for pointing out things they could seek God about helping them work on. I watched those people come back to me, time and time again, to pray with them, to help them get clearer understanding on things that were holding them back from moving in the more mature plans of God for their lives...and those people, I can tell you, I left those conversations with, the feeling that God through me, made a positive difference and planted yet another good seed into good soil in their lives.

Proverbs 11 v 5, 6 "The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, But the unfaithful will be caught by their lust."

The good behavior and character of people who are doing their best to stay out of trouble (be blameless), will cause those people to be living rightly. However, someone who is doing things that God calls sin, is going to eventually fall because of his own actions.

I found this verse interesting, in that it shows that it's the person's actions that produce the results. Yes, God is Sovereign and in control, but He makes it clear that the choices a person makes, are going to either "make him or break him." The person who chooses to act cruel and evil and oppressive toward others, is eventually going to pay a penalty through consequences that come from that behavior. A person who does right, is going to stay on the path that the Lord wants him to be on.

People who do their best to live in a way that God desires, will find deliverance and freedom through Him, but people who stray away after things other than what God wants for them, will eventually replace Him with those things...be they other people, material possessions, vocations in life, their own children or spouses.

God is gracious in allowing us to have "the fullness thereof" as joint-heirs with our brother, Jesus, while here on the earth, but when those blessings become more important than what God wants from relationship with us, then those things become what the Word of God calls "lusts." Lust does not bring blessing. Its sole job is to mislead, entice, and ultimately bring us down to death of spirit and sometimes even complete destruction physically or otherwise.

God's description of the type of character He wants us to have or not have is spelled out in plain words if we'll look at His Word. The results of both types of character are also clear. He says "Choose you this day whom you will serve" Another way to say that is, "choose today who or what will be your God, hold your focus, lead, guide and direct you. Which path will you walk on? Will you bully people and be cruel and unempathetic or will you guard your heart, speak the truth in love, and walk in the example that Jesus showed in His own fine character? Will you live a happy life, full of all God's goodness and blessing...or will you die miserable, alone, with (as another verse in Proverbs 10 v 7 says) your very name rotting!"

These are only a few things I believe the Lord wants me to share right now. I'll be back again soon to continue as He impresses on me. I can't really make it any clearer than this, that people who are worthy of your close friendship and close ties, will be walking in the "light" of righteous behaviors and good choices. The others, let God deal with, because He is the one who best knows how to reach the heart and spirit of another. You also need to be one who walks in the truth and light of Jesus. Pray for unrigteous people, but focus your attention and energies on those people who are like-minded with the Word (the book, the Bible) and the WORD, Jesus Himself.

Talk to more soon on this topic. Thank you.

~Laura (aka: DelusionDispeller)

Check this out!

2009-03-13T11:33:00.001-07:00

Good...yawwwwn...morning!

2009-02-18T04:41:00.001-08:00

Well everyone, it's that favorite time in the day...6 AM (now 6:41 AM)...and God has told me again, that this is His designated time for me to hear from Him the most clearly. My flesh is saying "ugh...just a few more hours of sleep Lord, please?" My spirit is saying "hey, He's been trying to woo you to Him for a while now. You got tons of confirmation that He was waking you up on purpose, and yet still you fight this? Get up, girl. Run to your Father and get wisdom for your day!"

So, here I sat, at 6 AM, after feeding the cats, letting the dog out and in, and taking my daily pill for my sluggish thyroid. I sat, I prayed a brief "good morning, Lord...I'm all yours," type of prayer, and then I wrote my opening question to the Lord. "what would you like to say to me today?" He began reassuring me about an important situation going on in life right now. He told me to rest, trust, and believe that He has it in His hands and knows what to do with it. It was another time of Him letting me know that, though I feel personally out of control, He has it covered!

In 30 minutes I am waking my daughter up for school and will have to be alert to do that. As I continue to think about what just went on between Father and me, however, I ask why He didn't give me wisdom about helping a friend of mine. Could it be that He knows she and I won't be meeting today so that info isn't pertinent in my life? Now THIS is going to be interesting to watch unfold!

Stay tuned till next time.

~Laura

You say you're "sorry" but...

2009-02-05T06:56:00.000-08:00

Have you ever encountered a situation where someone apologizes to you, but their flawed behavior remains the same? I've not only met people like that; I have to really guard that in myself. I believe it stems from an attitude of rebellion and pride. A person seems to feel bad about hurting someone, but at the same time, they may be thinking "he had it comin" or "but what about THEM? They did such and such to ME!" The truth is, no matter what THEY did, YOU are the one whose behavior YOU can change with the help of God. The Lord promises to deal with the other person in His way and time. You and I have to just let HIM have the final say about what the other person did. If you've been confronted, said you were sorry, then you have some work to do on yourself. Yeah, I know...OUCH!

4.) Did you just say "I'm sorry" because you got caught or wanted to relieve a guilty conscience...or do you feel BAD about your part in things?

Again, if you are a person who is truly penitent and wants your life to reflect Christ, you are going to FEEL something when you have hurt someone or done something wrong. If not, you might want to go back to the altar and rededicate your life to Jesus. Be prepared though...once you've broken trust with someone, it can take a very long time to earn it back...sometimes, that person decides to never trust you again. In this case, you have to rely on the truth that God loves you, forgives you and will never leave nor forsake His own who are "the called according to His purposes." Yes, easier said than done sometimes when everything in you just longs for things to be "the way they used to be with her/him and me." Being "heartfelt" repentant toward people you hurt, makes you SAFE to be around.

The Bible Way:

Proverbs 18 v 19

An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

5.) Is your word your honor?

Lying is way too easy to do. Sometimes, we learn as children, to lie our way out of things, rather than suffer the consequences. In relationships, honesty needs to be the foundation, the solid, steady thing that people can count on with you. If someone knows you will tell the truth no matter what the outcome, this builds trust and proves you to be SAFE to be around. Don't live your life trying to "get away with" things. If someone shares that they are concerned about a fault in you, be sure to speak the truth, admit your wrongdoing, make things right through asking forgiveness, repenting, and changing your behavior with God's help. Repentance means a "resolute turning." If you are truly sorry, you don't lie about what you did. Confront it in yourself, Admit it to the person, and set out to have God show you how to do the very opposite.

The Bible way:

Psalm 52 v 3

You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth. Selah

Ephesians 4 v 15

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

5.) Are you spinning your wheels or moving forward in life?

The whole point of following Jesus, is that we need to be moving forward in life. If we're doing nothing or looking back too much, we are going nowhere, accomplishing little, and actually shrivelling up, rather than growing.

I'm considering a plant. After it roots in the ground, it begins to grow up from the dirt! It becomes something awesome to behold! If you are still stuck "in the dirt" of your life, there is a problem!

People who continually talk about the "dirt"...miseries, sorrows, lack of accomplishments, things that didn't work out" are miserable creatures to be around, and when you consider that you become like who you are with...these are UNSAFE people.

If you could be described in the above way, you also are an UNSAFE person to be around. There is nothing wrong with asking for prayer, "confessing your sins one to another" but if the majority of your conversation is seasoned with "bitter root" rather than "salt" you will be pulling the listener right down into the "pit" you're in and vice versa. Want to be SAFE? Hang closely with SAFE people.

The Bible Way:

Proverbs 29:11: A fool vents all his feelings But a wise man holds them back.

It is interesting to note that the Greek translation of the word BITTER is PIKROS, meaning sharp and pointed. When we hang around or when we ARE bitter, we are getting jabbed or jabbing others. It is clear that we cannot hang closely with people who are spewing out negativity, or it will get onto us.

This brings me back to what I said in my very first blog, about gossip. As I said, I had to look at myself regarding this topic. If I'm talking to someone about something they have no ability to change, I'm not only gossiping, I'm also being BITTER and bringing the listener into my hole of bitterness. Yipes! Not good! and most importantly UNSAFE!

Now there is HOPE if you have been an UNSAFE person.

1 John 1 v 9 says that if you go to God, tell Him that you know what you did was wrong and are truly sorry for it, not only will He forgive you, but there will be NO STAIN on you from what you did. (my loose translation) A stain is a lasting reminder of something "dirty" that we got on us. All unrighteousness and ugliness and filth is cleaned off you when you go to God with a heart that is truly penitent, sorry, and ready and willing to make a change.

Here is a really great resource to learn more about heart-motivation, bitterness, and other topics that we need to focus on in order to be SAFE people.

http://www.realtime.net/~wdoud/topics/bitterness.html

The Company You Keep...are you SAFE to be around?

2009-02-05T06:21:00.000-08:00

Here are some things to examine to find out if you are a SAFE person to be around:

1.) When someone points out a flaw in you, do you argue, fight, defend yourself right off the bat? Do you insist that you are "just fine" and could NOT have done or said what they claim? Are you able to admit that you were weak in something and might have hurt someone by it?

How will you be restored, unless you are willing to admit that you messed up? Arguing that you are right, the other person or people is all wrong, is not behaving with LOVE.

The Bible's way:

1 Cor 13:5 it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful

If you are the one confronting the behavior, you also need to check that you are behaving with LOVE.

Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted.

When correcting and receiving correction is done in the right way, both people are in good company and SAFE to be around.

2.) Are you religious or are you Holy Spirit-led?

It's a wonderful thing to "go to church" and do "spiritual things" but what about your home, your friendships, your job? Do you serve God on Sundays, only when you walk through the church doors and are around all the "right" people?

Make sure your family and friends and job do not fall by the wayside while you are busy "serving God in the church." Have those other things that are priorities, become less cared for, nurtured, and paid attention to, than what you are doing at church? Don't become an UNSAFE person to those nearest and dearest to you. Make sure your "lost sheep" (family, friends, etc) get sought after and taken care of, even at the seeming expense of the other 99. (church, spiritual things)

The Bible's way:

Matthew 18 v 12-20

12 “What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying? 13 “And if it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. 14 “Thus it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish.

3.) When confronted, do you listen and consider what is being said or are you ready to FIGHT?

I am so guilty of this, it's not funny. When it comes to "fight or flight" reactions, my first one is to lash back at the "confronter" rather than listen calmly to what they are addressing with me. How about you? When someone says they need to point out something in your life, do you want to run or spout off at them? Either of these reactions make you UNSAFE to be around. If your leaders and others cannot speak to you about what they're concerned about, you will be left in a truly desolate place in your life. Ask God to help you become open to correction. I am doing the same.

Before you even try to worship the Lord through your gifts, you need to be sure and make things right with whatever person or situation needs to be dealt with.

When your brother confronts you, be willing to consider what he's saying. ( "Quick to listen, slow to speak") Then, do what you need to, to make it right between you if possible.

The Bible's way:

Matthew 5 v 24

leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Next post: you say you're "sorry" but ...

The Company You Keep

2009-02-05T06:05:00.000-08:00

As I was having some "God time" last night, I came across a book I read a long time ago called SAFE PEOPLE. The last time I read this was because I was trying to avoid being hooked up to unsafe people and being abused again.

Last night, I discovered something really different. I was asking myself "where am I in this? Am I a person who is SAFE to be around?" Self-reflection is not only a good idea but important when you are in a position of helping others who are really struggling. It's the "remove the board from your own eye so you can see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother's eye," example.

I went carefully through the signs of a "safe" person in the book, realizing I need to make some changes...well, God needs to make some changes in me. Up until yesterday, I had no idea what the definition of "gossip" actually was. I thought gossip was when you talk to one person about another person, with the intent of tearing down that person just because you don't like them.

I had heard that saying "we need to pray for so and so" can even be a form of gossip. It even goes beyond looking at the "motive" for sharing information. The definition someone gave me, is that gossip is "talking to someone about something they can do nothing about." I honestly have NEVER heard this...but with it being described that way, I now realize that I've been very guilty of this over the years. If I were to continue talking to people about other people, situations, that they have no control over or no way to change, that would make me an UNSAFE person. I don't have a desire for people to feel "unsafe" around me, so now I'm re-learning some ways of behaving.

With all that soul-bearing having been done, I'm now going to talk more about what a SAFE person is, how to not attract unsafe ones, and what the Bible has to say about "the company you keep."

One last thing...how to BEAT Idolatry

2009-02-03T06:16:00.000-08:00

Well, I've never been one to name a problem or dilemma, without offering a practical solution. Here ya go.

If you saw yourself in any of what I described in the last 2 blogs, do not be discouraged. Even as King David encouraged his own soul in the book of Psalms, there IS hope for you! There is a way OUT! Jesus is that WAY!

You may have heard the typical preaching about "fix your eyes on Jesus...the author and finisher of your faith." The thing is, whatever you are "fixed" on, looks HUGE in your life. Maybe you already know that what you lend your strength to, becomes your driving force, right? Well, I'll take that a step further, and say that whatever you are fixed, fixated, infatuated with, idolizing, obsessing over, focusing on, becomes GOD in your life! In essence, pondering about a certain topic is not a big problem...it's when that certain thing becomes "it" for you, that you have entered a danger zone and are headed for a hard fall!

So, now that you've figured out if this is your situation or not...the idolatry tendency of man, woman, child, beast, situation...how do you BEAT it?

Fixing your eyes on Jesus. Seeing HIM as your one and only. In order to do that, you have to KNOW Him. Why would you put someone as the RULER over your life, whom you don't even KNOW yet? That would be insane in my view. Get to know Him. Pick up a Bible, read the book of John, learn the nature of Jesus...who was He? how did He respond in different situations and to different people? Ask Him to make Himself REAL to you in a way only YOU can understand and know Him. He will.

Now, one last caution. NEVER and I mean NEVER let someone else tell you who Jesus is to you, unless that person is who you believe to be God's delegated authority. The Bible even has guidelines to determine this. A God-appointed authority, though imperfect, will be doing everything he/she can to follow the Way of Jesus. The apostle Paul told his students to "follow me AS I FOLLOW CHRIST." He was saying "watch me, do what I do, read what I read, respond how I respond." This does NOT mean, "become my clone" "be my puppet"...no, he was saying "observe, learn, act based on my EXAMPLE to you." Paul was NOT Jesus, nor a self-proclaimed ANYTHING. He was a human man, fallible, capable of falling, riddled with things to overcome in his own character...and yet, he was bold enough to know that he was following Someone who was the ONLY God and answer...the Way, Truth, Life.

Follow your leaders in this way. Watch, listen, learn, do...never believe for a second, that they don't have struggles or are closest to God of all mankind. When you keep that balance in your life...respecting, loving, honoring God's appointed shepherds over you, but you know the main one even THEY are being led by is CREATOR, you will NOT fall into disillusionment, disappointment, depression, or Idolatry. Fix your eyes on Jesus...whether through His Word, His leaders, or directly in relationship with Him. Keep it in balance. Keep it real!

When the Bough Breaks and The Pedestal Falls

2009-02-03T05:56:00.000-08:00

I want to explain something...the bough breaking, the pedestal falling. I was thinking about the common song we sing to babies "Rock a Bye Baby." We sing "when the bough breaks, the cradle will fall..." There is even a movie that was made with that title.

When we consider a mother, rocking a precious baby in her arms, we have a protected, secure feeling. Put that baby in a tree top where the tree branch breaks...not so much! Wouldn't that mother want to nurture and protect that child by holding it close, rather than counting on an "iffy" treebranch to sustain that cradle? Apparently not. When the bough breaks, everything that is precious...FALLS! Think about that! The foundation you trust your life upon, when it's not totally, 100% foolproof, infallible and rock-steady, WILL break and fall...and everything you held dear, goes with it!

Now, about pedestals falling, which is very similar to boughs breaking...when I mention this, it means that someone puts another person on such a level that they appear to be almost infallible, precious, flawless, like unto God. (The first chapter of Romans in the Bible talks about it.)
This is so EASY to do when the treasured person is someone who seems to have "always been there" for you, have "all the answers," and seems to have "arrived" in their own life. You might look at this "super-human" as THE exclusive friend, leader, guru, guide, mentor, God's spokesperson, chief, etc, and you might even feel a bit protective or possessive over this person, to a point of overlooking that they have even tiny faults. I think I've seen this a lot, not only in myself moreso in my past, but also in people who admire tv stars, movie stars, evangelists. It is definitely idolatry when it gets to such a point that "creature" replaces "Creator." Any decent, Godly man or woman who is in charge of a part of your walk with Jesus, will always direct your gaze from themselves back onto God!

What it feels like when the pedestal falls, is that everything you had lived for, that controlled your behavior, thoughts, actions, has now totally crumbled into pieces. You forget who YOU were before this one main person entered your life, because all you now know is what THEY like, their interests, their habits, their expectations of you, their strengths and weaknesses...life became all about THEM and they became the FRAMERS of your inner and outer world!
Emotionally, this devestates you, causes you to feel confused, frustrated, out of touch with reality, almost post-traumatically stressed out! It causes the other person to feel like a failure, a disappointment, a fallen being. Red flags should be flying HIGH in thinking about all this. If they aren't, then you might really want to "have a lil talk with Jesus" about all of it and verify if what I'm saying is really the truth.
God indicated in His Word, the Bible, that HE is JEALOUS over us. In fact, I'm pretty sure it says in there that His very NAME is "Jealous." He will have NO OTHER GODS before Him in your life. Personally, when I've idolized any person, I've seen them fall and often be plucked out of my life. It's a hard lesson to learn, but think of it this way...in the end, the only 2 beings that will face to face, are you and Him!

Time for a New Post...daring to bare my soul

2009-02-03T05:12:00.000-08:00

As I'm reading everyone's posts on here, I realize it's time for me to write again too. I have a lot to share today so I'm putting it into separate posts.

As I said in my last post, these next days in this week (as a short-term goal), are going to be about "less of me, most of HIM." As I'm learning to hush, listen, act according to what HE would want, I'm finding it very difficult. It's not the distractions from the outside that are getting to me, but the ones INSIDE.

I have always been a person who needed people. The only times I wasn't wanting someone in my life in some form, were when I'd just been wounded by another "someone." Then, I'd pull the shell up around me and say "I don't trust anyone. I don't need anyone. I am self-sufficient so GO AWAY!" I think I THOUGHT I meant it too, but deep inside, it was just me trying to convince myself that I was an ISLAND and could sustain myself just fine...knowing fully-well, it was a lie. Being a social type of person, it never lasted very long either...only till the next ideal situation came along.

At this point, I'm learning something called BALANCE in my life. I've actually been learning it since 2005 when the last "someone" burned me big time! You see, if you put people on the throne of your life, when they fall, you become disillusioned. Chances are, by that time, you've already given so much of "you" to them, that there isn't much left within yourself to hold onto. Yes, you always have God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, church, mentors...but if you lose your inner core, what it boils down to, is that you become empty in a bad way...lost again. Jesus said "love your neighbor AS YOURSELF." So, it appears that we ARE to have a love for ourselves, not just always give to others codependently, at the expense of our own health, emotional stability or life in general. (Bible verses need to be taken in context as much as possible)

Don't ever give yourself away to another person to that extent. Only GOD is safe to do that with. People will and do fail you and if you doubt that, just try and see any 1 person as your "all in all" and you will watch their pedestal fall and the person crumble before your very eyes. You will see and feel what it is like to have no compass whatsoever, when you trust any human who is NOT THE "way, truth, and LIFE." That sums up ALL of us, and if anyone tells you different, they are...and I will be bold about this...a LIAR! God says to "receive them NOT." Man equalling God is "another gospel" that we need to not even lend our ears to for a moment!

Jesus is the ONLY Way! In fact, in Bible times, I'm pretty sure that His followers were called "followers of the WAY." To be honest, I don't use the term "Christian" to describe myself very much. The world fears Christians; sees them as nutty, rebellious, insane creatures. I am doing the best I know how to listen to God's guidance with not only my ears but the ears of my Spirit...because only His Son, Jesus is MY Way. No man, woman, child, animal, situation can be EVERYTHING to me. Only Him.

(Go to the next post to read "when the bough breaks and the pedestal falls")

For 7 days I'm gonna try...

2009-02-01T15:17:00.000-08:00

For the next 7 days, I'm going to try something I believe the Lord laid on my heart or maybe it was just me...I don't know, but I have to try it for a week.

I've already begun right after church today...totally, 100%, with everything in me, decided to give myself to the Lord. I mean, for this week, I will not go where He doesn't tell me to, won't speak what He doesn't tell me to say...it will be HIM living through me, not me trying to live FOR Him. I've tried to do that; it's not working at all for me. So now, it's time to be..something I have dreaded using even the term of for a long time, since a preacher said "God doesn't USE people...He works THROUGH and IN them"...I'm going to say it..."GOD USE ME! I mean totally empty me of any sign of "me" or "I" or "myself" and just UNDO me this week and every week after!

This is a totally new thing for me. Ya'll be praying and I'll be keeping you informed how it all goes.

Blessya

~Laura

2009-01-30T21:22:00.001-08:00

One time my friend Peter, who used to be named Simon, told our friend Jesus that his mother-in-law had a fever . When Jesus arrived, he simply took Peter's mother-in-law by the hand and the fever left her instantly!
Jesus was a private man of prayer. There were times when He'd just wander off somewhere to be alone. He talked to His Father during those times, and He was given direction from Him. Jesus knew exactly what His purpose was on the earth, and it caused Him to systematically travel into certain villages in order to teach the people and show them miraculous things. He was extremely focused during his journeys and would not allow anyone to disrupt His times of quiet contemplation.
One thing I saw about Jesus, which really touched me, was the compassion He showed the droves of folks following Him. Even though He was a male, I saw very tender emotions come from him; He really felt for people. Like the time the man with leprosy came right to Him and Jesus made him whole again. I was shocked that He would even touch such a person, since our law clearly forbids it. There was no fear that I could see as Jesus reached out and touched the leper. That raggedy old man actually spoke and asked Jesus to make him clean. He said "If you are willing, I know You can make me clean" To my utter amazement, Jesus replied with "I am. Be made clean!" Even more astonishing was when that unclean man's dead, putrified skin actually began bubbling up and sloughing off, displaying fresh, new, whole skin underneath.
This owas only one of the few ponderings of mind. Jesus would blow our minds even more as time continued

The crowds meet the Power

2009-01-28T19:44:00.000-08:00

Told from Mark's point of view again:

People began following Jesus for long distances, just glaring at him, as though he was about to do some amazing thing or another. As I watched Jesus with the crowds falling all over themselves to get a closer look than the guy next to him or her, I could see that He sure knew how to captivate an audience!

Hearing Him teach, one could tell that, without a doubt, this man believed every word He spoke. He taught with such power, such authority; nothing like our scribes, who just tended to drone on and on for many hours, using multitudes of words that meant so very little, except to impose more and more restrictions on the listener. Why, the only effect I could see from these lofty teachers, was that people lived with fear and religious precepts, that they never could seem to quite meet the requirements of. One was left feeling so ashamed and so inadequate. Yet, obeying what the great teachers taught, was the sure proof of humility before your group leaders, others and, of course, God.

As refreshingly new and freeing as Jesus' words were, I'm not sure if the people hearing him, were sure of what to make of His teachings. He seemed to bring a message of goodness and hope. He spoke about His Father being God. I'm not sure I even understood all this, but I listened, I learned, and I began seeing my world turned upside down in so many ways.

Now, if this wasn't all amazing enough, this man even had devils obeying him! I saw a tormented, twisted, cut-up young man walk toward Jesus and walk away being every whit whole! Jesus actually told the evil spirit to "hush" and it stopped tormenting the man and departed entirely, leaving its victim with a sound mind. I still scratch my head, though, remembering Jesus telling that cohort of satan to not tell anyone whom Jesus was. Apparently, it wasn't yet time for people to know the full identity of this incredible teacher.

In spite of the devils being silenced about Him though, Jesus was rarely without droves of people clinging to Him, following Him, and expecting Him to do some awesome things for them. I often puzzled over how Jesus could even move one foot in front of the other, there was such a pressing of those people swarming him.

oops, I missed my flight! last night's dream

2009-01-28T07:05:00.000-08:00

I was at my Mom's, trying to tell her something, she kept getting distracted and finally, I realized I was sposed to catch my plane home...had 5 min, but airport was right near the house, so I ran and my husband ran and we got to the a/p...met a lady who told us she had a wrecked umbilical cord and intestine...she lifted her shirt. You could see under her skin where the umbilical cord (yes the whole cord) was still attached inside to something and it was puffy around her stomach area...same with her intestine. My husband put his bags on the baggage claim belt, she did too, along with the lady's two girls...they boarded the plane.

I went back, put my bags on the baggage claim, but they didn't go through fast enough. I turned, looked out the window and saw 2 planes taking off into the sky and I asked the hispanic guy at the counter, "those planes...I think I missed mine...did they just take off?" he said, "yep!" I began getting upset and crying "what will I do now?" He told me there would be another plane along shortly and to just give him my bags.

I handed him my flags (that I dance with) and also a pumpkin pie. He tasted it, but it was frozen and needed to be baked, so it didn't taste good. I told him to just throw it out. The lady and guy next to me started talking in ebonic language about a tv show. The lady said to the guy "yeah, he's really good lookin but he's a true CC Do." I said to her, "what's that? a CCDo?" They all started laughin at me and told me it meant he was "a young good looking guy"

then I woke up

Any interpretations of this one, feel free

real quick nightmarish one

2009-01-23T23:04:00.000-08:00

I had a real quick nightmarish dream. There was a gang member, bully guy trying to harm me so I trapped him in a refridgerator, thought I had killed him but he then came in my door to try and kill me. He had a leather belt in his hands and tried to choke me with it. I finally shoved him out the door but when I went to lock it, discovered there was no "eye" to put the hook into so he got back in, coming after me, looking more evil than before. Then I woke up.

"young or old" dream

2009-01-22T06:33:00.001-08:00

This dream was about me pondering over "young or old"

I was sitting at a table somewhere and this child was making fun of me, saying I was old. I told the child, "hey, you'll be old someday." A lady on the other side of me said "It's not so bad getting old. I thought I'd freak out when I hit 60 but really it's not that big of a deal. You'll be fine."

Another part of a dream, a little girl was dancing and I said "oh, so that's how it is to be like a child! I can do that!"

Lastly the dream flipped over to me watching a woman preacher that really did not appeal to me. A lady next to me thought she was fantastic however. (Woke up)

>>>>>>I believe this dream literally dealt with my own feelings about aging and that lady was there to let me know it will be ok. This dream was merely my mind reassuring myself that growing old does not have to be terrifying or negative. I also saw that if I wanted to, I could be as free to do what a little child does,regardless of my age. That doesn't mean I could necessarily dance real well at 80 years old, but inside, my spirit could still have liberty. The Bible tells us that the grey-haired have wisdom and are blessed. In some cultures, being OLD is seen as more desirable than being young.

As far as the woman preacher...not sure on that one. I do have my preferences for sure, but not sure what that part of the dream meant.

~Laura

Put a LOCK on that Door!

2009-01-21T08:32:00.001-08:00

Ok I said I'd be sharing dreams and insights, etc...I had one where I think I was troubled because my husband has still not put a lock on the house door yet.

My one boss called me to see if I'd set him any appointments and I told him I'd read them to him, but he had no time to wait, so instead, I said I'd email him. Meanwhile, a guy breaks into my apartment, with a leather belt in his hand to strangle me. I managed to shove him out the door, but couldn't keep him out because there was no lock on it. I tried to latch the hook to the door but there was not even an "eye" to put it in. The deadbolt thingy was hangin by the chain and there was no other part to it either...my dream switched from that scene into another one of a person calling me to tell me her husband bought her a new hutch. She interrupted me to tell me about it and then the phone disconnected and I woke up.

My insights: There is something I'm trying to keep out of my life and I feel unable to succeed because my spiritual husband, isn't doing what he can to protect me. I'm feeling vulnerable. I believe the guy with the belt might be the devil trying to "choke" me, hinder me in some way.

Not sure about the boss, other than I feel obligated to "perform" lately in some areas.

The friend telling me about her hutch, interrupting me to do so, is me realizing that there are times I feel ignored. The hutch represented (in my view) something new and nice given in love, and something to feel proud of. I often see what I have to say, as my own source of "pride" and I want to "tell the world"

Any other ideas? post em please. See ya soon

Spiritual Switcheroo

2009-01-20T20:38:00.000-08:00

It's time for me to do a spiritual switcheroo now. I'm guessing you are wondering what I mean by that. Since August I have been posting all business info on my blog pages. Recently, thanks to my spiritual father, I've been developing a brand new focus for my life...one that brings me peace and joy and everything that I thought I'd be finding in running my own business. Even the little bit of joy I get when I see that someone is buying my products or contacting me about a business opportunity, cannot compare to what I've been discovering recently on my personal walk with my Lord.

So, I'm announcing what this Switcheroo is going to entail. I will be journalling regularly, what God speaks to me through His Holy Spirit. I'll then post those thoughts as a blog here for you all to read and hopefully be encouraged or intrigued by. I believe this is where God has me right now and I am delighted that you will take this journey with me. I will most likely be videoing myself reading my journal writings as well, and the two will be linked together...videos and blogs.

Stand by for my first journal entry. I may share dreams, visions, God-thoughts, ideas, who knows.

Thanks for following me here. Thanks to Papa and Momma for inspiring me in my life to go back to my FIRST LOVE!

~Laura
PapasChild

Know your enemy aka: figure out who you are working with and for

2009-01-07T06:01:00.000-08:00

In other blogs I've talked about different types and colors of employees and employers. Now I'm going to explain how to know who your "enemy" is that you may be working with or for.
Since I blogged about the controlling type of boss or worker, now I want you to know that the extreme of this person is sometimes known as a narcissist. Just like a choleric or red type of person, a narcissistic boss or employee is usually found in some sort of leadership role in the company. They often operate in passive-agressive ways at work, and can be very difficult to deal with.
The narcissistic boss is very demanding, intolerant of any mistakes or mishaps, and has a very cocky attitude of "my way or the highway." He tends to be a man or woman with a lot of charisma, which draws people to him or her. They are arrogant and demanding, and expect all workers to treat them as though they are a king or queen. They are driven and will walk over anyone in their way. If you work for a boss such as this, confronting him or her will only result in them lying and shifting blame onto you, to make you look like you are a trouble-maker at work. The Narcissist will not respect your boundaries and will expect you to "jump through hoops" on command, accomplishing tasks that are nearly impossible in a short amount of time. They have a very hard time accepting criticism and will erupt in rage if they are "exposed" in any way, shape or form. This boss will often turn co-workers against each other and will target a specific employee for torment, usually until he or she quits the job. In front of other managers, this type of boss will often act innocent and charming. Turnover rate is very high in companies run by narcissists
The only way to deal with a narcissistic work situation, is to document everything that is going on and take it to Human Resources and the head of your business. Send complaint letters to managers and HR. This will invoke an investigation of the boss's habits. As I said, direct one-on-one confrontation of your narcissistic boss will result in nothing but you losing your job or being harassed by him from that point on.
These same traits of narcissism can be seen in employees. The reporting of their similar behaviors needs to be reported to HR, who should then insist that they see a bonifide counselor, often provided by the company. Since these people are manipulative and bullying of other employees, they can be confronted by the manager and informed about how their behavior is affecting production on the job. Most of the time, depending on the level of narcissism, this will not work to stop the behavior. This is when HR will need to step in, gently, and establish boundaries and consequences for this person right from the first offense onward. HR will need to keep a careful monitor on the behaviors and results after the boundaries are enforced, and if the behaviors continue and the person refuses help, termination of employment will be the only alternative. The narcissistic employee needs the clear message that his or her behaviors will NOT be allowed in the workplace.
If you know your "enemy" and how to handle him or her, whether it is your boss or another employee, it will really help you maintain the atmosphere of teamwork in your business.

www.futurehopenow.com
www.futurehopenow.com.maxtrax4u.com

futurehopevm@gmail.com

Simpleology 101 is a MUST-DO but CAN DELEGATE course for biz people

2009-01-07T05:36:00.000-08:00

I'm evaluating a multi-media course on bloggingfrom the folks at Simpleology. For a while, they're letting you snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.

It covers:

How to get traffic to your blog.
How to turn your blog into money.

I'll let you know what I think once I've had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it's still free

Attitude Determines Your Altitude with WHOM?

2008-12-19T10:43:00.000-08:00

I'm sure if you've been in business any length of time, you've heard the saying, Your "attitude determines your altitude." Are you sick of the cliches of the network marketing world yet? I know I am. I'm tired of hearing all about how successful I can become if I only speak, think, act the right way. Although there is some truth to all this, I've seen it used as a sort of "one-upmanship" type of thing by too many people. It can often be a covert form of punishment as well. I've studied many forms of abuse and have endured many as well. I had never heard that abuse can go on in Network Marketing, but now I know it does.

There is this underlying mindset among many financially successful online business gurus, that, "if you are going to the top, you MUST talk, think, act like one of US." That's right; the thought is "abandon who you are, what you stand for, what you believe, and just simply step up to the top and leave all those "losers" behind in their woes." Yes, that's REALLY God's heart, right? NOT!

Have you ever been talking to someone about joining their business, and, when you indicate even a slight hesitancy about joining them, you feel their entire mood toward you change? It's like, "well, I'll be saving up to join you but it might be a while." Then, your "recruiter" says something like "oh that's fine. You know how to find me. Look, I need to go take care of my 50 networking partners now. Nice talking with ya." How did you FEEL? That's right, your FEELINGS matter to me, unlike many others whose only FEELINGS involve making sure you JOIN them or suddenly you don't amount to an EQUAL or maybe even a human being at that moment. Now, of course, once you finally run to the guru and say "ok I have the money, let me in," all of a sudden, the tide turns again and you are welcomed with open arms, sometimes until you dare to question the way things are being done in your network marketing plan or company. Then, back to "cold shoulder city" for you.

Here's another scenario for you that is just all too typical in these types of situations. You notice that you aren't getting much support from people on your team. In fact, when you need them, where are they? In a former company I was with, this happened to me, so I contacted my entire team through the main group. When I dared to cry out for help, I was not only reprimanded but then, I was covertly "jabbed" at the next company meeting, when the leader proceeded to talk about how "people like to blame their lack of success on their leaders not being there for them, when actually only YOU are responsible for your own success." This, folks, is not what I'd call good business ethics. It is called a "cop out" and a smokescreen over the lack of follow-through of those sponsors and team people.

We are told to be responsible, yet those who took us under their wings, get away with "murder" which is covered up by the rest of the business? How's THAT a business ANYONE in their right mind would want to be part of?

Ok, all this being said, I want to let you know that, because of the abuses that I've gone through in network marketing companies of the past, I have learned very well how NOT to treat people who join my group. If you have gone through any of the above situations, you know how hurtful it can feel, and maybe you are ready to look for a business and a mentor/sponsor who will be there for you. If so, here I am. I answer to the HIGHEST POWER for how I behave. I am not one to have a problem saying "I'm sorry. I should not have done/said that. I hurt your feelings. I acted unGodly and I want to work through this with you. What can I do to help heal the hurt I've caused you?" I will do my best to show integrity in all I do with the people who put their trust in me in business, period.

And to those who want to continue to exhibit cruel and unGodly attitudes and actions, just realize that you are giving me more material to blog about, so that others will know that that is NOT what a TRUE, Godly Network Marketer behaves like.

Laura Formholtz
futurehopevm@gmail.com
309-794-1675
website: www.futurehopenow.com

This Revelation Totally Revamped My Thinking Today

2008-12-18T12:47:00.000-08:00

As I was browsing around on Youtube today, one of my favorite hangouts and social interraction sites, I discovered something so big, that I will NEVER do business the same way again, no matter WHAT the cost to me. This revelation totally revamped my thinkin!

I was watching some big-wig gurus and listening to the truth of what they were saying about business and success, and the more a couple of the talked, the more disgusted I became. One of these guys actually talks about how thrilled he is to lose at a game because then he can kick the winner's a** the next time even harder and make him "regret beating him at the game." Now, if you are a worldly person, you're probably saying, "well, what's wrong with that? If he lost, he SHOULD want to get back at the other guy and beat him the next time!" If you are a follower of Godly principles, however, this attitude will clearly stand out as being against the heart and practice of Jesus Christ, your Lord.

The day I have an attitude of revenge toward anyone, will be the day I QUIT network marketing and any sort of entrepreneurial venture. I will NOT have a vengeful attitude in order to succeed. This is a "bucket of crabs" mentality, in which one "crab" climbs on top of the others in order to make it to the top and over the edge. It doesn't matter to that crab, if one of it's claws just jabbed another crab underneth it in the eye, or that it just cracked the shell of several on the bottom...no! all that matters to that selfish, driven crustacean is that it makes it to the top and out of that bucket! This seems to be the attitude and action of MANY business people lately and frankly, it STINKS! It's wrong and selfish and narcissistic all the way. (mind you, the same man I heard talking about how he acts this way, also expresses how excited he was for the war to continue because he could basically go battle his opponents and feel the exhillaration of it all! he even admitted that his mindset was crazy when he returned to the USA.)

I'm concerned that the thrust to become a millionaire, has taken the place of love and consideration for one's fellow man. When did money become the be-all and end-all of society, so much so that I could practically "rob you blind" and not give it a second thought, while smiling all the way to the bank? This is a very disturbing and sick mindset. It is not, in my viewpoint, the mindset of success, but of exploitation and self-service.

Are the people doing these things that do not benefit others, still rich? millionaires? Yes indeed they are, but I am again brought back to my Biblical focus of "for what does it profit a man to gain the whole world but to lose his own soul?" People who are narcissistic, have many times lost their own souls. They have tons of money, but on the inside are revealing nothing more than "dead men's bones."

Why is it so alluring to have mega money, while you leave people in your wake, struggling, suffering, maybe unable to feed their family? This is unthinkable and deplorable to me.

No. In my business, I offer you this guarantee. The principles I run my business system on, are God-honoring and compassionate. I am here to work WITH you and you WITH me, till we both can succeed and help others do the same; not for the sake of becoming rich, but in order to have finances to bless the Kingdom of God and offer more to mankind of ourselves and our talents.

If you are wanting a business that is based on integrity, honesty and consideration, I can guarantee that is what I stand for and implement in what I do. I don't lie, color the truth, antagonize prospects, make empty promises and most of all, when you need help, I will do my best to be there for you.

Sadly, I don't see such support of their team-members among some of these high-class, billionaires, who value a trip to Hawaii more than the feelings of others or helping them through their challenges. They say "we won't spoon-feed you"...well, I won't either, but I will at least hand you the spoon instead of making you try to eat with your face in the bowl without any utensils.

God bless you. Welcome to a REAL, decent business mindset. I can't wait to meet you all! I hope and pray this revelation will totally revamp the way YOU think about Network Marketing and the people who join or don't join you, as well! Please, open your eyes...those are human beings that we may have left wounded and bleeding behind us while we went "to the top"

~Laura Formholtz
www.futurehopenow.com
futurehopevm@gmail.com

Your Life....Live It To The Max!!

2008-12-17T20:21:00.001-08:00

Max WLX

2008-12-17T18:45:00.001-08:00

Lazies, Crazies, Hazies, Daisies on your online business team. How do you recognize each one in your business and where should you place them?

2008-10-21T09:42:00.000-07:00

As I was waking up this morning, I was pondering about the people on an online business team. I came up with 4 basic types of people that I've worked with and coached. I'll call them the Lazies, Crazies, Hazies, and Daisies. Each term is based on their individual business motivation or lack thereof. Every person has strengths and weaknesses, yet each one is so important to the team.

Lazies would be the "yellow" or phlegmatic types. These people are laid back, easygoing, sometimes slow, but very nurturing and caring. They are great to place with those in your team, who struggle with occasional "low" moments of wanting to give up, stand still, do nothing and lose hope. These yellow folks, are the "Mr Rogers" of business. Put them in charge of people who are great at the behind-the-scenes things, but just are unmotivated as far as face-to-face meetings or anything more confrontive.

Crazies, or blues or sanguines, should be, in my opinion, at the top of the leadership ladder, except for one crucial factor...they tend to be very disorganized, not seeing a reason to have a whole lot of structure in what they do. These people are the entertainers and can provide tremendous business motivation, while sporting a wide grin, a lot of joking and a cheerful image. Place them as far away from the serious business builders as possible. Let these people make the videos, the audios, chat on the phone (DO give them a script to learn though, or they will be making friends and forgetting they are in business to attain financial freedom too). Make business a game for these people, telling them step by step what to do and what the "Fun" reward will be when the task is completed.

Hazies, the green or melancholies, have the most awesome business skills of all! These people are born to organize and file everything in sight! If you are missing a paper, chances are, the hazy person has already found the "perfect" place "out of the way" for that paper. With people, the hazy will want to dig for details and try and figure out exactly what is what, so they can be sure their customer has all the info needed to make a wise, calculated decision. Business motivation for this type of person...well, first they have to be convinced in and of themselves, after much research and pondering, that it's even anything that they want to attempt. If there is any that even seems amiss, you won't see them hopping into your team, period. Place these people, if you were fortunate enough to have them with you, in charge of paperwork, bookwork, finances. They will take good care of those things for you!

Now, the Daisy...the reason I called the red or choleric person a daisy, is because they are the "flowers" of the bunch when it comes to leadership in business. These people will lead with an iron fist, much of the time, so keep the gentler folk away from them. The Daisy was created to sell, recruit, convince, connive people into business. They do not tolerate slackers or anything that appears to be a form of "ignorance" in their co-workers. They have no problem telling you exactly what they think about you, your endeavors, your way of running your business. Usually these people are at the top in any business plan and they tend to be in charge wherever they go, simply because leadership comes naturally to them. Place these people out in "the field" recruiting, talking, canvassing the entire area...but send another person with them who can keep them a bit tempered so they don't crush the potential customer with their confrontive nature. Welcome independent leadership in this person, because they are not real adept at being placed in a position of submission. They need to feel and be in charge.

So there they are...4 types of people I have run across. It's kind of a joke I have with a friend of mine...I tell her, "I've met a lot of people I'd NEVER want to try to initiate teamwork with, so now I know exactly what to look for in those who join me...the opposite of that!

To join a winning team, check this out: http://www.livin-at-max.info/

yahssis@juno.com

but Me? A Leader?

2008-10-11T13:07:00.000-07:00

Remember back when you started your very first business? You had a product, you had a plan and chances are real good, you had a leader or as "guru" as some call it. You knew that this top guy or gal had to be good at what they did, or they wouldn't be over you, right?

Let's face it...you even had a certain "awe" with this person. I mean, you looked up to them, wanted to be exactly like them, have their money, their flair, their expertise, so that one day, maybe someone would be looking up to you too!

Now, you are hearing all over the internet "in order to make it in business, you must be "leadership material," know your "stuff", be able to teach others to do what you do and make the "big-bucks!"

Maybe you have been envisioning those company cruises or flashing that new Benz that you won from the "powers that be" in the upper echelon. Are you with me on this? That could be "you" one day or...even NOW! Learn to be a leader. I'm about to tell you how.

Let's define effective leadership actually is. Ask yourself this:

1.) Am I determining the direction of anyone?
2.) Do I consider myself to be teachable?
3.) Am I a good listener?
4.) Is there balance in your life?
5.) Will you take time to rest as needed?
6.) Are you passionate?
7.) Do you do what you need to do or wait for others?
8.) Are you persistent and positive?
9.) Do you see your failures as a chance to improve?
10.)Are you "for real" or do riches define you?

These are the traits of what makes a good leader, yet in business, besides all these things, one thing will point you out to others as the person to emulate:

Ready?

Have you learned any type of special information that you could share with others?

That makes you a TEACHER and better than that, a perceived EXPERT to someone...especially...and get this one...starting OUT in business for the first time! In order to be a team leader, you first need to be a one-on-one leader.

There you have it...so next time you are about to say "but ME? A Leader?" now you know that to someone out there, you are!

True no nonsense promise

2008-10-10T10:01:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of the nonsense words I read in business ads. They tell you "no more prospecting." Now, think about that for a moment. Even I have said it...guilty as charged. What ARE we thinking? Rubbish! As long as we open our mouth or hit our keys on our keyboard, we are "prospecting" aren't we?
In fact, I tend to view everyone I talk to as a "prospective" customer or business associate. So in a very real missence, aren't we sort of misleading people by this promise of "no need to go out and find people, use lead lists, etc?" I need to ponder on a truer way of saying this I think.

When you promise someone something, you are guaranteeing that it is so. If I invite you to do business with me, I can give you a true no-nonsense promise that you will make some money...eventually. I can not offer you the promise card of "no prospecting" so I would then be lying. I can show you how to market in pretty much any network marketing company, using a simple plan. I can also teach you how to overcome fears of rejection...those things I can legitimately say, but I cannot stand by or vouch to the other. I am someone to whom integrity is of utmost importance. I have been in too many ventures where they seemed on the up-n-up, but later I found out that there was some sneakiness going on. I do not want to align myself with it.
So, the true no nonsense promise would have to be that I will be your friend, help you every step of the way, and show you the honest, integrous plan that can draw people toward what you are involved in. I can earnestly tell you that I'm a person who does not leave people hanging and who is faithful with follow-up, although I'm still struggling with learning how to get all my files organized!

So my sincere promise is that you have "me"

~Laura

It's truly about working SMARTER not harder!

2008-10-09T08:17:00.000-07:00

The following post is for "brandnewbies"

When I first began my journey of marketing way back "in the day" I was taught to make the typical friends n family, jog your memory type of lead list that most people are. I really came to believe that in order to have my business work out successfully, the more people I could know, the more likely I'd be to attain leads, prospects, customers. That procedure DID work for the "heavy-hitter" types of people and those who got in when the company first began, but that type of approach does not lend itself well at all to Internet jobs and marketing.

With Internet work, it's not about the amount of people you know, it's about the caliber and commitment of the few who are with you. Think about this...you are working hard, making calls, following up with your leads, so you may have about 20 people lined up in your back office. How many of those 20 are actually now leading others into the business? 1 or 2? none?

Ok, well, now consider this scenario. You have 5 people in your back office, on conference calls weekly, building their business and bringing others into the business. See what I mean? You want 5 good people who are going to take things seriously, rather than 20 that just sit there and do nothing.

So, to work smarter, you spend your time with the 5, teaching and training and hanging out as a friend/mentor/guru.

Five people is not very many though is it? That's ok. I used to think that way too. While you are training those 5, you are still busy recruiting others who may either a.) sit and do zilch or b.) run with things for you. Guess who YOU are going to focus on in your Internet business?

So from now on work SMARTER not harder. Put your time and effort into the few who will be productive in the long-run.

If those of you just beginning in network marketing need some help,
feel free to email me at yahssis@juno.com

~Laura

Your Positive Beliefs Blasts any Business

2008-10-08T13:02:00.000-07:00

As I was writing up something to share for one of my business conferences today, I had a thought about "mindset" and beliefs. How you view yourself and your life really does make a difference in the perception of being a success or failure in whatever you are doing.

I was reading a popular business book called "Think and Grow Rich" by Napolean Hill, and I must say that I love the part in the book about "experiment and research." This is exactly what has brought joy into my life. Seeing my business endeavors as a trial and error sort of venture, rather than a "must do" made all the difference in my daily marketing attempts!

Positive values for me came in learning to find fun in the "process" along the way, rather than being so burdened and driven to succeed that I'd be stuck in a miserable frame of mind all the way to my goal. What's the point of that? How enjoyable would your millions of dollars be to you, if you had made yourself exhausted and sick along the way to them!

When I first started this journey of mental cleansing, my husband was unemployed, I was feeling discouraged and had a hard time believing anything was going to change. Positive Affirmations sounded like a panacea to me. I could no more change my belief-system from negative hopelessness to positive thoughts, than I could to force someone to drink my magic juice. I knew something had to be transformed, starting wtih the way I was seeing and speaking about my circumstances; and this change could only get started from ME.

As I read chapter 10 of the above-mentioned book, I saw that Napolean Hill said "poverty and riches often change places." That's an EXCELLENT way to describe what is happening in my life ever since I decided that my positivity would get me further than rehearsing all the things that were NOT working yet.

My husband and I are learning to attract RICHES to us through our burning desire to attain wealth. So, now, we've stopped just READING the book. We're actually applying its principles as well as Biblical ones from the book of Proverbs, adopting a whole new mindset that is bringing to us exactly what we are believing for!

Your Positive belief is a wealth-blasting force. Use it daily!

~Laura
www.FutureHopeNow.com

Let us talk about drawing people to you through magnetic sponsoring and automated marketing. Is this new to you? What is it?

2008-10-07T10:15:00.000-07:00

Well, magnetic means that it has magnetic force, drawing-power, if you will, to woo people, attract them right to where you want them to arrive...in the case of network marketing, at your link, your homepage, your product page, or your ad page.

This majorly effective form of attraction system, can also be used to portray you as a successful business magnet that others will want to know more about. It's all about selling "you" vs selling product in this type of deal.

So, now that we've established that there is a whole lot of attracting going on and what the results can be from these business endeavors, let's talk about how they actually could work for your business.

Ok well the idea behind this form of marketing, is that it does away with the old-school ideas. The cold-calls (which we discussed on yesterday's blog), the face to face "convincing and comparison" sessions (my juice is healthier than yours), the lead lists (now WHERE did that paper go?) and of course, the weekly pep rally meetings.

In magnetic sponsoring, you simply advertise a few links in some high-traffic locations, and, when a person clicks your link, they are drawn to a certain page with your various forms of messages on them. The page should be designed to "grab" the attention of that person, and pull them over to the next page out of desire to know more. Hence, "magnetic"

The automated part of this plan, is that all you have to do is set up a site that is predesigned, and your pages will be played for your prospect automatically, without you having to talk to them about what is on those pages, discuss with them that it's better than what they are currently using or selling or promoting. In fact, you sell and say NOTHING...your magic magnet, if you will, does it all FOR you. How easy is that?

There are a few different types of business systems available. Some of the benefits of this particular one, is that it has the tools you need built into the system already. It is able to be customized with your own name, has ads for you to use already pre-written up with the links right there for you to copy/paste into your classifieds section or wherever you choose to post, and because of affiliate programs that are often part of the system, you can make money up-front, rather than waiting long-term for residuals only.

I guess that getting paid while generating leads, would seem like a GOOD thing to me. Having people come to me without a lot of argument and competitiveness REALLY appeals to me too! I think your best bet in business, is to go with a magnetic sponsoring design and let it do the work FOR you.

Hey, it works for me!

To learn more, I made a video for you below:

Stinky, Rotten Business Really

2008-10-06T19:57:00.002-07:00

Hi everyone! My name is Laura, I’m an experienced wife, mother, pastor, network marketer… and this blog is about stinky, rotten business really! It’s also about how to avoid being IN it.

Now, I am talking to business NEWBIES here, so all you big-wigs, already-made-it-to-the-top, “my stuff is better than your stuff” braggers, do not pay attention to this! It just does not apply to you.

Ok, now that I’ve weeded out the “higher-ups” that be… to anyone, and I mean ANYONE else, who has just ventured into the “hey, I have an idea honey, I’ll quit my job and become SELF EMPLOYED” notion, you NEED and DESERVE to hear and consider (and hopefully apply) what I’m about to tell you! I am about to SPARE you from years of grief in home-based, network marketing, mlm business attempts! Here we go!..

Now, this comes from about 20 or more years of experience (at this point, I’ve lost count how many years). So, if you REALLY are serious about making this new business venture work, please listen, learn from my mistakes, and then and ONLY then, sign on that dotted line, pay your fee to join, etc.

Ok, ready?

1.) Investigate EVERYTHING about it.

That means “do the research, Sammy” Google the company, it’s leaders, it’s legal situations (does it have a law suit against it, for instance). It doesn’t matter much if they were voted #1 in WHO’S WHO OF AMERICAN ENTREPRENEURS if they lack personal character and won’t be there to answer your questions when you have them. Trust me on this one. I know.

Nothin like feelin as though you are a “nuisance” to the big-boy manager! Be sure he is one who built his OWN business from the bottom up, also and that “daddy” didn’t GIVE him the buiz because he was the “favored son” Ugh…movin right along here…

2.) THIS IS A BIGGIE SO PAY ATTENTION CLOSELY!

Examine the PRODUCTS! Are they truly “competitive?” This means, when you decide to stop using your favorite brand of shampoo, will this new one that you buy from your company (oh, did I mention that, for a while, YOU will be your 1st customer, before anyone else will purchase FROM you?)…

When you put that “new business” shampoo on your curly locks and you lather, does it feel as luscious as the one you fell in love with from Wally World? If YOU would switch, chances are, so will your customers. If not, I’d be real careful about selling something even YOU can’t believe in!

Be careful about “ground-floor” opportunities too…no need to rush to be first, in a company nobody even knows about yet. Give em a couple years, see if they are still around, THEN Join. Why should YOU buy a ticket on the TItanic if you know that other ships like it, have sunk within the first couple years! Be careful, prayerful and WISE in your choosing! Remember, “Good things come to those who WAIT!”

3.) Check on pricing of your products. In one business I was in, I found the same machine my company sold for hundreds of dollars, over on a forum selling for at least 1/3 of the price. How’s THAT hit ya? Not a good thing to sell your house, your car, your first-born, to hop on the bandwagon and join! Right? (I hope your head nodded up n down on that one!)

Some extra tidbits of advice here:

a.) Make sure the company sells by RETAIL. If your company sells with retail AND wholesale prices, you’d better be the type of “business tycoon” who can plow through ANY sort of circumstance and “recruit recruit recruit!” In other words, those people I sort of “weeded out” at the beginning of this blog, be sure and let them know that this wholesale and retail set-up was tailor-made just for them! (Laura’s friend Michael says so and Laura agrees)

b.) Would the product sell without a business opportunity attached to it? If not, in the words of the Teletubbies “run away run away!” Chances are it’s an ILLEGAL SCAM! (more on that in future blogs)

c.) Must pay by CASH ONLY? it’s ILLEGAL! Don’t do it!

4.) Ok, what’s the conversion rate for your business? In layman’s terms (which is pretty much the language I like to speak most of the time), of the leads people get into their business, how many of them generally turn into customers and how long will that take?

What I am urging here, no INSISTING you do, is find a company where it’s actually “ok” to talk to the president of the company, the owner of the company, the head-honcho. This is so important because you can’t “learn from the chief eagle, if you can’t approach his nest!” (my little saying there)

So, how about your sponsor? Do you like his personality? What attracted you to him, enough to listen to his message about how “you must join” his company? Is he/she someone you can see yourself having weekly lunches with for the next 10 years at least? If not, why on EARTH are you signing that paper to be his “goonie”? Think HARD here. I made this mistake, BIG TIME too many times! Don’t do it. Do not “pass go” cause you WILL NOT get “$200!”

5.) Lastly, and this is also probably one of the biggest “business “booboos” I and others in business have EVER made! Ready? Hold on to your seats cause this is HUGE…

CAN YOU DO WHAT YOUR SPONSOR DOES TO GET THE SAME RESULTS AS HE/SHE IS?

Let me spell this one out for you, because if you can “get it” it’s going to save you a LOT of aggravation and a lot of bruises (from kicking your own booty)…

Here are the questions you want to ask yourself about this:

1.) My boss is HUGE on cold-calling. Can I see myself picking up the phone, talking to a stranger about this business, risking rejection?

2.) My manager keeps tons of leads on hand. Where will I get all those leads from? Can I AFFORD to pay what he does to have all those…how much of those leads will even be people who will get back in touch with me?

3.) My guru-guy is really into “meetings” Am I? Do I really want to commit weekly to hanging out with strangers in a high-hype atmosphere that leaves me feeling nautious from the combination of “super-juice” and overly-zealous entrepreneurs

If you answered NO to any of these questions, I’d give you A PRIZE, A MEDAL, AN AWARD if I had one! If you cannot DUPLICATE what your sponsor is doing, DO NOT JOIN THE BUSINESS

If, on the other hand, you strangely answered YES to any of these questions, please get in touch with me. We need to really have a talk. No, you didn’t do anything wrong, you aren’t messed up at all. You are just one of very FEW people who enjoy doing things the HARD WAY!

Now, all that being whatever it may (I’m hoping it “may” be that most of you answered NO)…Let me inform you that what I’ve just gone over with you are principles REQUIRED for your SUCCESS in ANY business you decide to do!!! That’s right ANY business.

Those 5 things were very loosely taken from a teaching on the FIVE PILLARS of Success, written by my friend and sponsor, Mr Michael Dlouhy. Of course, that was my own way of telling you about them. Either way, Michael or I, KNOW WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED.

So, there you have it. Be sure to really consider what I shared here, before you jump into any business.

You want to check out, in a nutshell:

1.) Reputation and character of your leaders

2.) Product competitiveness

3.) Compensation Plan

4.) Duplicatable System

Ok there you have it, my first blog and some rather handy info to know before you go jumping into the business pool that HAS NO WATER IN IT! Think. Pray. Consider. LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP into arms that fall to the sides of your sponsor (as he walks away with YOUR hard-earned money)

Till next time remember I am always here to help you, answer your questions and I even have free training on my website that will educate you or give you insight into this industry.

email: yahssis@juno.com

website: www.FutureHopeNow.com

~there is ALWAYS hope for YOUR future!

~Laura

Cold Calling? Not for me or you or anyone whom we want to be kind to

2008-10-06T19:57:00.001-07:00

Let’s discuss cold calling for a moment.

Many of us have done it, and I’d venture to say, those of us who have, absolutely HATED it! It is not a kind thing to do…getting someone out of the bathroom to listen to a “solicitation” about how they MUST buy a new vacuum cleaner system, because theirs will soon be obsolete! Do you really want to do such a thing to friends, neighbors or even strangers?

How about those lovely telephone surveys? “This is just going to take a moment of your time, Sir. We are seeking to better the home-baked pie industry, and are wondering if you might have a friend we can call and ask about their opinion of apple versus lemon pies…oh, and may I please mention who referred me?” (yeah, they’ll be sure and jump right ON that one as they are grabbing the toilet paper, flushing and pulling up their trousers!)

Ok so those cold calls that bug you, me and anyone else regarding pies, vacuums, satellite dish units, home-business opportunties, do not promote human kindness nor friendship. In fact, hounding someone’s phone to sell your product or service, is rather RUDE and not appreciated by pretty much anyone is it? So, how then, CAN we promote our products without using lead calling lists and numbers?

Well, let’s not use that sales method anymore. What we CAN do, is use the telephone in order to follow up on information we have sent our prospects, or better yet, information that they have requested from us. In fact, I’ve had experience in telephone jobs for over 20 years and hands-down, the calls where I just simply say to you, “Mrs Brown, I’m calling to be sure your information arrived ok that you requested from X, Y, Z company,” are the EASIEST and least-invasive ways to talk with people about what you have to offer!

See, this way of “gentle” approach, works for even the shyest person. If you are not someone who likes making phone calls to talk about your business, it’s so much easier to first, just drop a newsletter or information about your product or service into the mail to your list members, and then give a follow-up call, being friendly and kind and caring. This way, the person stays off the defensive and is more likely to at least listen to what you have to say to them.

This way not only feels less “cold” but also is more integrous overall. I am all about honesty and integrity when I do business or just live life. Try to stick with doing “follow-up” calls about the information you have sent out, rather than springing an unexpected sales-pitch on some poor person who had to run out of the restroom out of curiosity of knowing “who in the world is ringing me NOW?”

~Laura

Get into this nifty jot

2008-10-06T19:56:00.001-07:00

Weird words to start out a blog with, I know.

Did you realize that the words “nifty” and “jot” are worth points in emotional value? It’s amazing that there are actual places online that you can go to, type in your headlines and even ads, and they can be analyzed for emotional value to other people, which will increase traffic and sales for your business!

I think this is pretty important if you are going to be sharing about your business online? Just jotting down a few words into a “nifty magic text box” can mean the difference between attracting attention and getting leads, or having your ad or blog head to the bottom of the Google Pile. If you are getting what I mean.

If not, I’m going to take you into an example here of something I happened to jot down that you are actually reading and getting into your emotions right now. This title I wrote above: “Get into this nifty jot” makes very little if any logical sense, does it? It does make 60 emotional points and even more if I leave off a word…about 83% believe it or not.

So, next time you write your blogs or your ads, be sure and find an online tool that will help you analyze and make sure you are tugging at someone’s heartstrings so that the words you have jotted down, will bring you in a nifty paycheck! ok? Check this out..here is one such program to help ya:

http://www.aminstitute.com

Till tomorrow…remember

There’s always Hope!

Laura

www.FutureHopeNow.com

http://Futurehope.mentoringforfree.com