Saturday, July 03, 2004
I have NEVER written so much about myself in such a small space. This came from an interactive way to create a brief introduction on my new website at EcoQuest.
I have omitted one paragraph that relates to the new adventure with this company.
Few people know this much about me.
I do not mean to become obsessed with self. But these points become possible ways to find common ground with those I will be encountering over the web.
Thank you for visiting my personal website and for wanting to learn a little bit about me.
I live in Dallas Texas near Baylor Hospital. I have been here since 1985. During the early 1970s I attended Georgia Tech in Atlanta Georgia. I was born in Houston Texas in 1953.
I am known as the Resource Guy because I often provide people with the information, referrals, recommendation, links, literature, tapes or other resources that they need. This is possible because I enjoy researching.
I am single and never married. I was engaged three times and have fallen in love seven times. Currently I am focused on getting my financial life prospering and stabilized before I consider dating again.
I enjoy watching several DVDs a week from Netflix www.netflix.com . I mostly watch nature shows, documentaries and selected dramas. Plus the bonus materials are usually a treat.
For my last vacation I visited my father, brother and nephew in Colorado.
Goals and ambitions are motivating and important in a person's life. I have passions for Christian education, missions and media. I am launching a web-based ministry that shall synergistically improve evangelism, discipleship and benevolence in the DFW Metroplex. We will create models that can be adapted in other cities..
My biggest accomplishment is that during the last thirty years I have been self-taught in various fields. These include Bible doctrine, theology, psychology, management, marketing, administration and writing. And very importantly I have learned to think both holistically and in an interdisciplinary ways.
I hope that gives you some insights into who I am.
John 8:19 PM
Friday, July 02, 2004
CHANGING GEARS
7-2-4
THANKS again for your prayers.
Last night I went to the meeting for EcoQuest.
Many had prayed for God to help me see and hear.
What follows is what stood out to me.
I do not mean for this to be a sales pitch.
But I wish for you to understand why I was so favorably impressed.
After this message I will not broadcast updates related to EcoQuest.
If you or others want to know more then I will have a blog for that.
Tuesday Briefing began several years ago as the Monday Briefing.
The primary purpose was and still is to enroll prayer support for ministry.
But I need to pay my bills along the way.
So there will be a link in the Tuesday Briefing to the blog about EcoQuest.
PRODUCTS
Various people talked of amazing and rapid results.
In 2 hours most customers could tell a difference in the indoor air quality.
90 percent kept the units after the 3-day trial.
The air purification had worked well in homes and businesses.
The testimonies of those present and online are amazing.
It eliminates odors and air born bacteria.
The Pentagon has units throughout their complex.
All the American embassies worldwide are getting it.
This is to combat possible air-born terrorism attacks.
The products have two patented devices that other companies cannot have.
There are all sizes from car to home to business to major industrial.
MEETING
Several people said AMEN like they would to a preacher.
I was told that 30 percent of the distributors are pastors.
I still need to verify that.
In the meeting room there were less than 100.
This was recognition night.
I did not keep count but about 6 people reached an initial rank.
The company literature says that they average 6K per month.
The average length to reach that rank is 90 days.
I had never seen so many people at a local meeting making so much.
The leaders of the Dallas group have been at this for 9 years.
They have been on 34 company-sponsored vacations.
They have 3 company-sponsored cars.
They continue because they enjoy helping people.
The company culture is about genuine helping.
This can happen easily because the incomes are so big and fast.
BUSINESS
The fast incomes are due in large part to the sales to businesses.
The product combats odor and smoke in restaurants, bowling alleys, pet stores
The product combats germs in daycares, nursing homes, and vet clinics
They offer a web site for a dealer that is like a HUGE brochure and catalog.
I will sign up for this web presence soon.
COMPANY
This company has been very successful for many years.
They have zero debt.
They have a finance company associated with it to help people get started.
The end of their mission statement says And EcoQuest is Committed that All We Do Be Done to the Glory of God. http://www.ecoquestintl.com/missionpg.htm
BOTTOM LINE
I had hit rock bottom.
For more than five years God had sustained me at the brink.
Financial disaster was a hiccup away.
I have stared in the face of possible eviction dozens of times.
I tried various ways to launch the ministry over the years.
I had NEVER gotten this far.
And the red ink has recently begun to get quickly deep.
I have responsibilities that I need to meet.
My responsibility involves earning an income quickly to pay off my bills.
Due to my complex background I do not qualify for more than 10 per hour wage.
I have known for years that commission sales or fund raising offers more income.
I have decided to go with EcoQuest with all my might.
NEXT
I will be investing the next few days to carefully study the materials.
I will put them together in ways that are easy to understand.
There is plenty of information but it is confusing to wade through it.
I need to use my strengths to put this into order.
I know some people out of state and so do most people.
A new man I sat with last night already has enrolled those in Japan and Greece.
I ENJOY developing information and education systems.
That is my approach to best leveraging my time to produce an income.
I shall develop ways to harness the web and mind maps to reach such people.
What I learn about coordinating communications will transfer to the ministry.
I need to get ready to hit the ground running next week.
There are bills to be paid immediately and this can come from retail sales.
You can help by praying for wisdom, guidance and favor.
If you know of those that have allergy or asthma troubles then let me know.
While I know many people few could afford to give to the emerging ministry.
Maybe God will use me to show them how to make money so they can give.
THANKS again for your prayers.
I told the apartment manager that I would begin next week to sell.
I need to catch up with him and others ASAP.
Then I will shift back to the ministry in a balanced way.
John 7:53 PM
Thursday, July 01, 2004
God’s Opportunity
7-1-04
I have been remembering what Chuck Swindoll says
Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity.
I recall that the Bible stories taught in Sunday school.
There are exciting stories about Abraham, David, Daniel, Jonah, and Paul.
These were accounts of special occasion and not ordinary days.
The people listed in Hebrews chapter 11 experienced God in remarkable ways.
Their extremity was God’s opportunity.
Over and over God delivered His people from impossible circumstances.
That is what I need right now.
I have reached the end of my funds and abilities.
I need God to manifest right away.
CURRENT CONDITIONS
I paid the last of the June rent on the last day of June.
I do not know how God will provide the July rent.
The creditors are calling.
The refrigerator and pantry have never been this empty.
The transmission of the car needs repairs I cannot afford.
For more than five years God has provided part of my income from contributions.
I could never predict or control that income.
There was always just enough until recently.
Through answered prayers the presentation for the ministry is complete.
Nothing external is stopping me from going out to show, tell and ask.
The only obstacles are internal fears and inertia.
I told my accountability partner and directors this could come together quickly.
I know those who could introduce me to the wealthy.
They could write checks for thousands within a month.
There are spiritual warfare factors between that possibility and the reality.
Last week I talked with the manager of a crisis housing ministry.
The second in charge said that I qualify for assistance with rent.
But the main person to give the approval has been out sick.
He does not know when the key person will return.
Surely God can work in this situation.
SALES
I have learned of an opportunity to make an income from sales.
I have heard of a company that has an air purification product.
Ecoquest sells to businesses like daycare, restaurants, pet store, kennels.
People with allergies and asthma have been greatly helped.
There are amazing testimonies.
The unit retails for 650 dollars and the commission is 257.
The method is to drop it off for three days.
According to reports 90 percent buy based on results.
I plan to attend a meeting TONIGHT to learn more.
I am asking prayers for God to guide my hearing, seeing and thinking.
I am alert because this is a multi level company.
I have sworn off multi levels MANY times before.
I have spent far too much time and money on them yet not made a dime.
I have never met anyone that did well.
This company has vitamins and other products http://www.ecoquestintl.com/index.htm
I happen to have a meeting schedule with my pastor this afternoon.
I need wisdom and discernment.
I do not have ANY time to waste.
I do not need to be driving all over DFW unless there is income.
The transmission will not get better by itself.
INVITATION
There are dozens of people on this distribution list.
It may be a long time before I call you for an appointment.
Or you might not be a prospect for a meeting in my considerations.
For example there are those that are out of state.
Let me invite all of you to pray about how God will lead you to give.
NEVER before and NEVER again can a few dollars go such a long ways.
I have never been this poor before.
I will be talking with wealthy people in the near future.
It is my hope that the personal cash flow troubles will soon become history.
Today you can give online using Pay Pal or Amazon Honor System
You need to use your debit or credit card with them.
Pay Pal buttons are for 5 10 20 50 100 200 500
If you prefer to give through Amazon then you choose any amount.
This option is for 1 to 50 per day.
Amazon gift would be anonymous so I cannot send you a tax receipt.
It would be like you just helping me as a friend.
I can send receipt with Pay Pal or a check.
You can mail a check to me at.
John S Oliver 4416 Swiss Ave #1 Dallas, TX 75204.
Make the check payable to Our Metroplex Vision.
Then I can send you a tax-deductible receipt.
Go to http://www.osuonline.org/Feedback_Form.html
If you cannot afford to give today then you can pray for those who can.
For example one person gave 100 dollars yesterday.
The invitation is still open for those to pray and give half a windfall.
This would be a timely season for God to drop big bucks on my friends.
The Board of Directors have approved to pay me $12.50 per hour.
That is based on 2K per month and 40 hour a week.
I have logged more than 120 hours.
If the ministry could afford to pay me then I would be caught up.
Kindly pray for the remaining 1,300 to be provided soon.
My dilemma is that if I did not have such pressures I would have come this far.
This is want got me this close to presenting to the wealthy donors.
That could come together soon or after a long while.
If I did not have so much red ink then I would not consider a third job.
Maybe this option to sell is of God and maybe it is of the devil.
I do not know, I could see it either way.
That is why I need to ask for prayers and investigate further.
What I do know is that apart from Christ can do nothing
And through Christ I can so all things.
I will keep you posted.
John 12:40 PM
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
TUESDAY BRIEFING from John S. Oliver on June 29, 2004
BLESSINGS
ALL glory to God in Jesus Name!
May you love God.
May you love your enemies.
May you love your pastor.
Amen?
COMPLETED
· Last week went one hour over the new goal of 25 hours. Need to keep focused this week to do the same.
· The apartment management has been very patient and flexible with me.
CURRENT
· Sorting through the names of prospects and putting them into a natural sequence.
· Praying over them.
· Calling to set appointments.
· Taking steps to get the videos on the web site
UPCOMING
· I will work with the directors, accountability partners and intercessors to break the ice and get into the habit of making face-to-face presentations.
RESOURCES
PBS has a NOVA show abut Fireworks starting in a short time, 7 p.m. on TUE.
Online fireworks show http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/fireworks/gall_01_r_220.html
All kinds of information about fireworks http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/fireworks/
An alternative to Girl Scouts http://www.ahgonline.org
A simple yet profound essay about how the Jewish feasts relate to the Christian life http://trinityfi.org/trinity/feasts.html
Here are hundreds of pictures of Afican Violets This page is just the As http://www.avsa.org/Photographs.asp?Photos=A
Site for teachers and homeschoolers http://www.marcopolo-education.org/
All kinds of maps of DFW www.dfwmaps.com/
Amazing map site http://www.mapcruzin.com/what-is-gis.htm
If you wish to unsubscribe then just let me know by reply email.
John 6:49 PM
NEED PRAYERS
6-29-04
Kindly take time to pray over this.
Time and money are stretched as never before.
Surely God’s grace will be found to be sufficient again.
I have learned that during the greatest hardship that God is the closest.
I need to draw near to Him in spirit and in truth.
And I need to be careful not to go it alone.
The enemy wants to isolate me.
Meanwhile God wants me to be more united with the Body of Christ.
This season I need your prayers in a big way.
This is a very difficult time.
Headway is needed in three areas -- presentations, video and money.
PRESENTATIONS
I need to get into the HABIT of making several face-to-face presentations weekly.
At this moment I have zero appointments set.
I have begun to play telephone tag with a few people.
I recently spoke with a key contact that cannot now set an appointment
I was reminded of the verse about knocking that the door would be opened.
There are many on my list that I have not contacted the first time.
My biggest obstacle is internal.
I have felt fears.
My guts have churned.
I know what to do to set appointments but have not done it.
I have procrastinated in a variety of ways.
They all seemed right at the moment.
But at the end of the day the most important steps had been neglected.
I have just begun to use a simple priority system to help me focus.
Today I have an acceptable set of visual aids.
The web site and DVD are important supplements but not necessary.
Fears are NORMAL for those involved in fund raising and sales.
One of the images used to overcome this barrier is to walk through a wall of fire.
The fear of rejection is normal.
Like I told the board of directors it is unrealistic to expect for everyone to give.
However on the other hand a certain percentage will give.
So it is a matter of getting out there and asking many qualified people.
That is why sales people encourage themselves by saying it is a numbers game.
Over the years I have had a few sales jobs.
I know from experience that this phase is the hardest part of the learning process.
After much practice then the words just roll out of your mouth.
Then you can be more attentive to the other person.
The close ratio gradually increases.
But that competence takes practice and courage.
I have gone back to the long list of the names of people I know today.
I have been organizing them into those I will approach sooner and then later.
I have been setting aside the names of those who can introduce me to the wealthy.
Pray for God to give me wisdom and guidance in this process.
I need to pray more over this process.
May God work with me and them to appropriately fill my calendar.
May I soon go to those who can give generously.
Practice presentations are still helpful at this early stage, but I will out grow it soon.
VIDEO
Last week there were three face-to-face presentations.
These were a vast improvement over the one 8 weeks before.
THANKS to God for answering your prayers during that transitional phase.
Plus I used those visual aids as the core of the group presentation.
Thankfully the group presentation to the men’s breakfast went well.
I have seen the video and it is okay.
I moved around the stage a lot.
The camera operator did a good job of keeping up with me.
But he also helped me to advance to the next illustration with the data projector.
There were moments when the camera was neither on me nor on the screen.
I could post the raw footage and/or edit in what is called a B roll.
This means that dull times of the original roll I plan to insert a picture of the mind map
This would make it easier to follow.
I have never done that before but the Holy Spirit can teach me as I go.
I have never published video on the web so I ask for your prayers on that too.
I seek to slice the 42 minutes of raw footage into a few chapters on a DVD.
I have never done that so please pray for divine guidance.
Kindly pray for God to open doors for other group presentations.
I believe those will come in due season.
There are many different presentations I could make to a group.
I have completed the mind map for missions.
The mind map on discipleship is almost done.’
The mind map on evangelism is about half done.
There will be ones on apologetics and benevolence that follow.
The bottom line is that I can present more material than doors can open for groups.
That is okay because the emerging ministry is web based.
I am pioneering the way for many lay teachers that will be feature on the web.
They will contribute their teachings into an ever-growing collection online.
This relates to another technical challenge that is before me.
I have Power Point slide shows and mind maps in my desktop computer at home.
I have an older VCR.
Today these two are not compatible.
Yet during the coming week I will be seeking the adapters so they can communicate.
This will be a HUGE step forward.
I can make videos at home without a camera.
The video goes from the computer to the VCR and I put a voice-over using a mike.
In theory this can work but I do not know of anyone who has done this.
This weekend I learned of an amazing way to compress video files.
That will be needed to make these videos user friendly.
This too is another learning curve that will take a while to master.
MONEY
I remain amazed at how God has sustained me recently.
THANKS again for your many prayers.
The cash flow has been extremely thin.
The juggling of bills has gotten very difficult.
God has been faithful to provide my real needs right on time.
The last time that I paid all my bills out of my paycheck was November of 1998.
Every month for YEARS God has brought in the funds from different directions.
It is like the brook has dried up, so it must be time to move along.
The way before me is clear.
All the Tuesday Briefings and other messages point in the same direction.
God has not suddenly changed His mind.
I keep hearing the phrase in my mind – the way out is through.
I have invested more than 120 hours during the last two months to get this far.
Some day the ministry will be able to afford to pay me for those hours.
If I had that income today then I would not have money troubles.
Again that points me back to the importance of making presentations.
So again God is using my circumstances to move me outside of my comfort zone.
THANKS again for your prayers.
John 1:27 PM
/// ///
|
|
|