Thursday, November 04, 2004
LIFE LINE
11-4-04
These emails are like a lifeline during this season. They cost time to write but WOW there changes due to answered prayers. Know that God is using you in wonderful way as a reader and intercessor.
· Giving thanks is an easy way to pray any time
· God changed me at depth decades ago and I hope this will become a testimony too
· I boast in my weakness like Paul so that the power of Christ may rest on me
· I know three one hour projects to get unstuck
· Rent is due and God shall supply all my needs
THANKS
I am grateful to God that I can pray again. I was not aware how much the act of prayer is healing and helpful. My prayers have included thanks for the simple daily blessings like health, clothes, friends, Christian radio, knowing Him, etc. I thank God for His blessings like the ability to walk, see, hear, digest, eliminate, read, etc
TESTIMONY
The Lord has reminded me about the testimony of how He changed my life back in the 1970s. I was working at a hospital in Houston as a patient escort. My job was to take patients from their room to Physical Therapy, X-ray, Cardio Clinic and various places in the vast hospital complex. They were in a wheel chair or on a stretcher. Therefore I was with dozens of strangers each week for 5 to 15 minutes. That was terrifying at first. I did no know how to start and lead a conversation of pure small talk. After weeks prayer by me and others God did a mighty work in my heart and then mind. By the time I left the job I did not want to go. I had come to enjoy chatting with so many fascinating people.
WEAKNESS UNTO STRENGTH
It is my hope and expectation that Jesus Christ also change my weakness of fund raising into my strength. My desire is to raise funds to build communication bridges with will serve believers and unbelievers all over the world through the Internet. Also I will be teaching others to raise funds for the kingdom of God.
The image is that of the 90 pound weakling on the beach that works out with weights and becomes the strong man.
THREE HOURS
To get unstuck the Holy Spirit has led me to invest one hour each in the following. But it has been very hard just to do it.
One hour going over the various notes and coming up with a practical and simple system that will get me into motion and send suitable reports to accountability partners and intercessors. This will revolve around the point system of
1 point for setting the appointment
2 points for having the face to face meeting
3 points for asking for the donation
4 points for securing the commitment – not necessarily the funds in hand.
I know to do that but I have been stalled and need a way for those interested to track with me.
One hour developing the site map for the new web site called Treasures in Heaven. This is addressed to donors and I need to not be shy about asking for the money on the site. There will be many more hours needed to get this to where I will be delighted to have strangers share it with business owners and the financial planners for the wealthy. But starting with the site map will help to keep it simple and orderly.
One hour going over the dozens of names I have already. Most cannot afford to give one thousand dollars but many may have contacts that they can refer. Thus the importance of the new web site Treasures in Heaven.
BOTTOM LINE
What they say over and over in the seminars is that people give to people based their feelings about both the mission of the ministry and the leadership. So what is hard for me about that is I need to make the appeal more emotional. Plus I need to step from behind the scenes and mention myself. You probably get too much about John in these emails. But when I meet face-to-face I hardly mention me. There needs to be a slight but wise shift in what is shared. For example at the end of the last meeting the man was attempting to grasp the various diagrams and words I said. Then right at the end I told him that my passions are missions, education and media. The light went on in his eyes and everything had three obvious reference points. So I need to say that earlier and relate the plans back to the three passions.
RENT
The place I went to seek assistance with rent today denied me. My situation fell outside of their guidelines. That was another time of discouragement.
The apartment manager has been working with me. I need to pay 500 dollars in the next few days. I am not sure how God is going to provide that. He has met many smaller needs right on time in unexpected ways for most of this year. I am seeking Jesus my Good Shepherd to guide me one day at a time.
John 8:30 PM
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
DEBRIEF MORNING MEETING
11-3-04
Some intercessors and friends want to read about each key meeting. Pray for me to develop a way to serve that group while not bothering the others. Meanwhile here is what just happened. This is important because the big struggle has been getting into motion. Thanks to answered prayers the locomotive train is just starting to move.
I was tweaking the visual aids and handout until the last minute. Arrived 2 minutes late and slightly winded. Therefore the new goal is to have the visual aids ready at least the day before.
I will spend the time before the meeting focusing my prayers and thoughts on that person. I intend to begin with the end in mind. What do I hope to walk away with afterward, like information, referrals, donation, other. Then tailor the introduction, conclusion and body unto that end.
This was one of the longest meetings I have had. It ran an hour and ten minutes without any thing else. The man was a superb listener. He was expert as drawing me out. Several times I said that I was talking too much. I wanted to get his thoughts and feelings. I did not use open ended questions to discover how well he was tracking.
Now he has an understanding of where I am coming from and where I am headed. He did indicate a willingness to work with me next year on mutually beneficial projects. And he is willing to give his advice and insight on the new program named Treasures in Heaven.
I asked for referrals, yet he was silent about that.
The fund raising seminars say that in this business it is about developing relationships. And we have begun to go down that path of mutual benefits.
4 points so far this week = two face-to-face meetings at 2 points each
And there is another meeting scheduled for 2 this afternoon. I do not have any other appointments on the calendar this week YET. However it is a high priority to just set appointment for this week and the next few weeks. I can learn best by getting out there and experiencing the reality of it instead of hanging back in the comfort of endless preparations.
John 10:46 PM
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
FLEETING UPDATE
11-2-04
SUMMARY
· Two important meeting on Wednesday
· New web site just to tell the story and ask for money named Treasures in Heaven
· Real solution is to go see many of the right people and ask the right questions
· Links to the checklist for your prayers and comments
MEETINGS
Please pray for two very important meetings on Wednesday at 11 and 2. Getting ready for them is helping to focus me at a higher level. These staff members personally know the ones who fund the scholarships. My challenge is to show how what I offer is a compliment to what already exists and not competition.
Getting ready for the meeting tomorrow and digesting the fund raising seminar last week has had an unexpected outcome. I have been using the same central diagram but there has been a different introduction and conclusion.
TREASURES
In order to keep it short and focused I have been writing the script and developing some Power Point slides. These will be on a new web site that is JUST for making the case and asking for money. The other sites are too cluttered with other stuff. I need to practice telling the story and boldly asking for money. There will be the appropriate Bible verses and visual aids. Such web sites do not brig in large donations alone. But this will be a great way to both open the door for a face-to-face meeting and/or follow up afterwards.
The name of the new site is Treasures in Heaven based on what Jesus said about storing up treasures in heaven instead of on earth.
SOLUTION
The REAL solution is for me to do what I have been saying for months. I need to just GO to SHOW and TELL many well qualified prospects face-to-face. I need to ASK and keep on ASKING. This is NOT complicated. I have been avoiding this for YEARS. God has provided a wide range of support and accountability partners.
The bottom line is that I fear rejection. I am afraid that I will not be accepted. Instead others will judge me as unacceptable or inadequate.
I know that the plans and preparations are excellent. I know that the communication system that is proposed will meet many needs. Lives will be changed. The gospel will go forth and thus there will be rebirths. The truth of God’s word will be taught and reached thus people will become more like Christ.
CHECKLISTS
The checklists are a way to enroll prayers to help get on track and keep moving forward.
What follows are links to three checklists and a few more will follow soon.
If they are too small to read then put the curser in the bottom right corner to enlarge it.
Your comments are welcomed
http://www.ears2hear.homestead.com/files/40_PROD_Checklists/20_face_to_face/index.jpg
http://www.ears2hear.homestead.com/files/40_PROD_Checklists/20_media/index.jpg
http://www.ears2hear.homestead.com/files/40_PROD_Checklists/40_prep_pres/index.jpg
John 11:29 AM
Monday, November 01, 2004
UNTO CHECKLISTS
11-1-04
At lunch today I made a presentation of the emerging ministry. I told the member of my church this was like a pop quiz. It gave me feed back on what needs improvement.
During and after the meeting I took notes on what changes need to be made in the presentation. Those notes along with others need be put on checklists. Those lists will be specific tasks that lead toward goals.
Such items are scattered throughout my files. They need to be bought together soon. Then these lists will be shared with the intercessors, accountability partners and advisors.
I have started this process several times before but not continued with the same format. As these tasks are given relative priorities and prayed over then wise movement will occur.
Watch for these lists soon. And may God guide me in how to best present them.
John 3:50 PM
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