tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57666648348551911802024-02-20T10:54:47.521-08:00Official Quixtar Blogger asked Me to Go so I did!This blog is my opinion and mine only. No one from TEAM is paying me, asked me to start it, or influenced me in any way as to my opinion concerning pyramid schemes, or popcorn flavors. If you have a problem with this, then it is your problem and not mine.1John5:13http://www.blogger.com/profile/16019079888145437629noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5766664834855191180.post-6453482978985503692008-02-22T15:54:00.000-08:002008-02-22T16:20:48.969-08:00A REAL Stimulus IdeaThe so called "stimulus" package that was signed into law is a hoax! Yes we will get money, but most of us are going to use it to pay debt. <br />Now think about this a moment.<br />What has just happened to banks? They have gone through a time of massive foreclosures and loan defaults. The congress will not bail them out so close to an election, well at least not forthrightly. So what do they do? They form a stimulus package where the majority will not be spent, but will be used to pay off some debt that is owed on credit cards, to, YOU GUESSED IT, banks. Two big losers in the sub prime mortgage were Citibank and Household Bank Corp. Two of the largest holders of credit card debt.<br />The Stimulus Package is NOT going to help the economy but THIS would!<br /><br />Congress needs to place a limit on the interest rate a bank can charge for unsecured or revolving credit. The highest should be no more than 12%, which is still substantially higher than what was thought to be exorbitant just 50 years ago. This would <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">immediately</span> and permanently increase the fungible funds available to every family in the US who has credit card debt. This increase in funds would be not just for a month but for a lifetime. This would have a positive effect on the economy as there would be more funds to spend. It would also help people, not banks.1John5:13http://www.blogger.com/profile/16019079888145437629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5766664834855191180.post-21955744824129459912008-02-13T20:40:00.000-08:002008-02-13T20:48:57.592-08:00We Will Be Better!Soon we will be seeing what a GREAT company looks like. I can't wait! We will not be a company that promotes individuals who have chosen to be degraded for money like the company we chose to leave did. (go <a href="http://quixtartalk.com/2007/11/05/quixtar-amway-signs-playboy-model-to-promote-nutrilite-products/">here</a>)<br />I am glad we have people of principle who are interested in lifting up wholesome, God centered, and honest business practices. That we will have a company that we will not be afraid to speak the name of in someones home.<br />It has been quite a vacation, but we will soon return to the business of not only changing peoples hearts, but changing their financial lives as well.<br /><br />BTW, in my next blog, I will give you a stimulus package that will work not for a couple of days, it would work for a lifetime.<br /><br />In Christ,<br /><br />firstjohn1John5:13http://www.blogger.com/profile/16019079888145437629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5766664834855191180.post-15945022681748307392008-02-09T12:06:00.000-08:002008-02-09T13:01:58.019-08:00A leader in helping Rwandan'sA little history:<br /><br />Rwanda went through a civil war and genocide beginning in 1994. Hutu extremists took over media, killed Hutu moderates, and slaughtered the Tutsi tribe. After 100 days of slaughter more than a million Tutsi tribespeople were dead. This left thousands of orphans, so many in fact that most of those living in Rwanda today are under the age of 30. There are still many orphans living in the streets of Kigali (Rwanda's capital city) today.<br /><br />Into this situation came Joie Pirkey. God had given her a verse for the Bible, which she did not quite understand for some time. This was:<br /><br />Dan_9:1,<br />In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans;<br /><br />While at a conference (I was there, and can confirm this) Bernard Blessing was speaking and stated he would be speaking to Darius Twagirayesu a friend of his. It was at that moment she realized that the God was speaking to her about Darius.<br /><br />Darius was born in Rwanda, during the Genocide his family was slaughtered by the Hutu, he even suffered a large gash on the head and was left for dead. Through this experience Darius felt God had spared him for a reason. He now works to bring to light what happened there.<br /><br />Through her contact with Darius, Joie found that God wanted her to build an orphanage in Rwanda. She has followed that calling. Today she and her family continue to go to Rwanda to help the orphans. She continues to lead an effort to bring light to a dark situation. And she continues to follow Johns edict:<br /><br />Jam_1:27,<br />Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.<br /><br />She is leading a great and wonderful effort, and through her effort and that of others concerned with Rwanda, a Revival has come to the people of the people there. They are even sending missionaries here!<br /><br />Thank you Joie for your effort and leadership in an area of such need.<br /><br />Links:<br /><br /><a href="http://shoutsofjoyministries.com/rwanda/">Shouts of Joy Ministries Rwanda</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.ihopeforrwanda.org/">Darius Twagirayesu and International Hope for Rwanda</a>1John5:13http://www.blogger.com/profile/16019079888145437629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5766664834855191180.post-5176028680941102102008-01-28T18:05:00.000-08:002008-01-30T21:19:59.261-08:00A Post I Tried to Make to Frank @ Orrin's BLOGFrank,<br /><br />As Orrin quotes Einstein:<br /><br />The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.<br /><br />We are in the political and moral quagmire due to TWO parties. Both the Republican and Democrat.<br />We all know the lack of moral leadership in the Democrat party. But here is the problem with the Republican party.<br />a) Their big business at the expense of the working person agenda, the common man has no voice. The Republican vote goes to the highest bidder.<br />b) The Republican party is suppose to be for free enterprise, free market and free competition, however they have made it possible for just a few companies to dominate markets. Without competition prices go up. Look at gas prices for example. I know the common answer they only make a few cents per gallon of gas pumped, while this may be true for completed refined product, it is only one small part of their profit stream. The end products of gasoline, diesel fuel, and home heating oil has no bearing on the core of their profits: They OWN the fields, wells, the oil, the transportation companies, the refineries, and the trucking companies. They BENEFIT when oil prices are higher because they do not use 100% of their crude for themselves, they sell it to plastics industries such as carpeting and pharmaceuticals. They benefit from the same principles as Sam Walton did, only for them the product has very little effect on their high margin profits.<br />c) The Republican claim to be conservative in several areas:<br />1) In finance, however we have the largest NON Constitutional spending ever while they controlled both legislative branches and the White House.<br />2) Overturning abortion on demand and partial birth abortion: They controlled both houses and yet did nothing to curb abortion.<br />3) Bankruptcy: They made it harder for the common man to file for bankruptcy yet left it open for big business to carry on business as usual in order to claim bankruptcy. This hurt the common man through businesses like Enron.<br />They also sat around and let banks and financial institution make questionable loans that has ended in the debacle we have before us right now. They also allow banks to issue historically high interest revolving credit cards. High interest USE to be 7% however most credit cards "quietly" go from 6 or 7% introductory rates to exhorbotant rates of 15% or higher. This is another reason our economy is busting, with less fungible cash there is less spending on goods and services, thus less economic growth.<br /><br />One problem with Ron Paul is his desire to take funding away from Israel. God has promised to curse those nations that curse Israel. President Bush (whom I voted for twice and have an autographed picture of) through the Rice doctrine has hamstrung Israel, has made Israel give up it's land for a very tenuous "peace" deal that Hamas could care less about (note they are still sending missiles into Israel while "negotiating" peace). All the Islamic countries have pledged to push them into the sea. With Paul will come a total turning of God's providence on our country.<br /><br />There is only ONE party that fits the bill of what we need, and until we stop being house slaves to the Republican establishment with the "YOUR VOTE IS A VOTE FOR HILLARY" or whatever Demoncrat is running against the "still go down the tubes at a slower rate" Republican party (I personally don't want to go down the tubes), we will still move towards destruction.<br />Again there is only one party that can avert this, it is the Constitution Party that is founded on Judeo-Christian principles and a literal original intent reading of the Constitution.1John5:13http://www.blogger.com/profile/16019079888145437629noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5766664834855191180.post-68042894579256779172008-01-25T14:11:00.000-08:002008-01-25T14:43:20.082-08:00Why Hasn't the FTC Acted on the Pyramid?I believe there is a reason. A very large contributor to the Republican Party and a candidate for Governor in Michigan. They do not want to dry up a cash cow. Think about it.<br /><br />Anyway this brings me to the reason for this post.<br /><br />We have had the same two parties in power since at least the 1860's. But that is history. I am going to address the last 40 years.<br /><br />What has happened? We have had a steady drift to the left. The last few years have seen that drift increase at a vastly higher pace. I got rid of network television about three years ago. There was not much in the way of homosexual inclusion at that time. I think ER had one, but I don't remember many more than that. I understand that this is no longer the case. A show called Ugly Betty is glorifying that "deathstyle" (all one must do is read about the longevity of homosexual men to find out what I mean by that). It also pushed our children to become sexually active at younger and younger ages.<br /><br />Our society needs LEADERS to lead us out of this. We are a training organization that can do just that. But with that said I would like to ask you a question. Would you be interested in a NEW political party? One that has the following founding principles, and stand of Jesus and the original intent of the Constitution?<br /><br /><p><b>Seven Principles of the Constitution Party are: </b></p><p><b>1. Life: For all human beings, from conception to natural death;<br />2. Liberty: Freedom of conscience and actions for the self-governed individual;<br />3. Family: One husband and one wife with their children as divinely instituted;<br />4. Property: Each individual's right to own and steward personal property without government burden;<br />5. Constitution: and Bill of Rights interpreted according to the actual intent of the Founding Fathers;<br />6. States' Rights: Everything not specifically delegated by the Constitution to the federal government is reserved for the state and local jurisdictions;<br />7. American Sovereignty: American government committed to the protection of the borders, trade, and common defense of Americans, and not entangled in foreign alliances.</b></p><p>If these look good to you, I will give you some information. It is the third largest political party in the US with registrations. It is growing faster than ever before as Republican Party has drifted further and further away from its fiscal responsibility and conservative ideals.<br /></p><p>It is the <a href="http://www.constitutionparty.com/">Constitution Party</a>. If you like what you read go to their website.<br /></p>1John5:13http://www.blogger.com/profile/16019079888145437629noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5766664834855191180.post-68425229336917273562008-01-09T15:52:00.000-08:002008-01-09T16:10:17.826-08:00It Is TimeToday is the day.<br /><br />My friend James died almost 5 months ago. Today I am doing something I have dreaded for a while. It is a simple thing, something that we do often and don't think about. What I am talking about is deleting his number and name from my cell phone. It has been hard, I have thought about it often, but I see his name and I think about how I use to call him and most of the time I would get his recording. By now someone else probably owns that number anyway. <br />The question that has went through my mind every time I thought about deleting his number is will I think about him as often? <br />One thing that I do know is, I WILL see him again. He knew Christ as his savior. So even when James is not crossing my mind he will always be on Jesus'!<br />What James knew was this life is transitory, we only walk around in these bodies for a certain amount of days. Jame's were numbered in years, 41. I am not sad, I just miss talking with him. One day we will talk again though, which makes me happy.<br />How did James come about this understanding? He knew it was not about how good he was, or how perfect, or how many good things he accomplished. It was not a thing that is balanced on a scale. It was all about what Jesus did. He was the perfect one, He was the one that "worked the works of his Father". Jesus paid it all, fulfilled it all, and he accomplished all the things that Father requires of us. James accepted that fact, the fact that he would NEVER be able to live up to God's standard, all he could do was to ask for the mercy of the Judge, and the Judge threw his guilt on Christ.<br /><br />So, although it is time for me to let go of this one last vestige of James' life on this earth, it does not mean that it is the last vestige of James.1John5:13http://www.blogger.com/profile/16019079888145437629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5766664834855191180.post-39099190115265760572007-12-19T15:43:00.000-08:002007-12-19T16:11:54.758-08:00It's Christmas, How Are You Doing?Hoping this meets you and you are rejoicing! It is great to praise God for His greatest gift to us, that is, His only BEGOTTEN Son Jesus. The One who came to make us free from the effects of our sin. Have YOU accepted this greatest of gifts?<br /><br />If you are not rejoicing, I pray that you will find some peace to your situation. I care for you. I know it seems the whole world is going by and no one notices your pain. Your heart SCREAMS out to be understood and heard. I care for you!!! If you would like me to pray for you, I will. Just leave a message. Since I have enabled "moderation" of comments, no one will know. God loves you, even though He seems far away, He is right by your side, He will carry you if you ask. I know, I have been there and found that it was me that distanced myself from him.<br /><br />I am SO thankful for all that God has done this year. I am so thankful that we are soon to walk into the promised land. The days of no straw for making bricks are over. The days of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Pharaoh</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">falsely</span> accusing us is over, better, brighter days are upon us. Isn't that GREAT?!.<br /><br />Truly we are blessed far above those in other ages!!!!<br /><br />I want to give you some good books to read this year if you are able.<br /><br />First of course is the Bible. It has answers to all our questions, on life, how to live, how to treat others, how to treat ourselves.<br /><br />How Now Shall We Live? by Chuck <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Colson</span><br /><br />This book gives us detailed accounts of what we are facing in the culture war we are in, with great answers to what that war is pushing on us.<br /><br />Spiritual Leadership by Henry <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Blackaby</span><br /><br />This is a book not on the Spiritual leadership you are thinking of, it is on LEADERSHIP in general. I gives us an understanding that true Servant Leadership has a spiritual component to it.<br /><br />Waking the Dead by John Eldredge<br /><br />Shows our reality is really only about .05% of what is real. The spiritual is much more powerful and real. Think about it, most of what we assume will happen never does.<br /><br />These are a few. Please list your favorites!1John5:13http://www.blogger.com/profile/16019079888145437629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5766664834855191180.post-32904004528289045952007-12-10T17:24:00.000-08:002007-12-10T17:38:23.241-08:00The Latest Shipment of Leadership MaterialHave you received the latest leadership package from TEAM yet?????<br /><br />Great stuff. The new <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">LLR</span> hardbound book looks GOOD. I have loaned my other one out to a Youth Counselor where I work.<br /><br />I am listening to Pastor Dickie's latest CD on Character. If you have not listened to it yet, it is a WINNER.<br /><br />Character counts folks. I recently received a postcard from my sister-in-law who is in Q in another <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">BSM</span> line. It was from the last Achievers. I wanted to send an e-mail link of the you-tube video of the "Family" member stating that nothing that TEAM was doing was inappropriate. But Character Counts. I am glad they made it. They have worked hard over the years to get where they are. Almost 13 years and they are still <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Platinum's</span> but that is the way they have to build their businesses. God blesses them in other ways as well.<br /><br />Please continue to respond to my last blog. YOU PEOPLE ROCK.<br /><br />God Bless,<br /><br />1 John 5:131John5:13http://www.blogger.com/profile/16019079888145437629noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5766664834855191180.post-25435982958388186842007-12-05T17:44:00.000-08:002007-12-05T17:52:03.789-08:00What Core Products Would You Like To See In A New MLM?Most seem to have a vitamin or cosmetic line as their core product lines. One unique one was phone service. Here is your opportunity to voice your opinion as to what a core product would be besides Leadership training.<br /><br />The most obvious question is what do you purchase most often? <br /><br />Foodstuffs is the obvious answer. After that, what comes next? Fuel? Vitamins and cosmetics are lower down the line. <br /><br />Here is your opportunity to let your voices be heard!<br /><br />1 John 5:131John5:13http://www.blogger.com/profile/16019079888145437629noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5766664834855191180.post-90445498285292580902007-11-29T17:03:00.000-08:002007-11-29T17:23:15.270-08:00Great stuff from Latent Heat<span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">As stated in an earlier post, I have shifted the focus of this blog to getting questions and ideas about a "possible" new business answered. Here is a comment from Latent Heat from an earlier post. I have permission to post this. I will only place those comments that I have permission to as a blog post.<br /><br /></span></span><dl id="comments-block"><dt id="c4342163382818167523"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/10872361882149205817" onclick="" rel="nofollow">latent heat</a> said...</dt><dd><p>1john5:13,<br /><br />After reading your reply I can't help but find myself challenged to participate in the discussion as I see your point. I have found this to be the only way to truly <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">flurish</span> even in 95% corporate world when faced with tough decisions. Ultimately, the best inputs do come from places we least expect them and it is very exciting to see someones reaction when you get excited and thank them for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">thier</span> input. Anyway here are my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">intial</span> thoughts:<br /><br />I find that people will focus and act based upon what they are measured on. Hence, it is critical to understand what behavior will be provoked based on what measurements are used to reward. In other words: "expect what you inspect".<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">So, the first question is, "what is the vision, what do we truly want to achieve as a team?".</span> If that the answer is to truly affect our culture and turn it from an entitlement mentality to a leadership driven mentality, then system counts is what should be measured by all means. However, it cannot focus on reaching and sustaining certain numbers, it must focus on growth rates. Unfortunately, since the competition is really week in the industry, reaching certain levels will be a challenge, but in my view, not a very tough one after one engages in the process. Many leaders reach a certain level and then start to rest - or camp at that stage as there is nothing to drive the hunger they had when they started. If we want to truly affect the culture of this and other countries, then growth rates must be a metric used to determine reward, else it is to easy to set up camp and get <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">confortable</span> as we are no longer as hungry as we once were. This also ensures that the newest person in will <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">recieve</span> the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">mentorship</span> and leadership of those that have already walked the miles of the path that he / she will be starting down.<br /><br />Just my thoughts.</p> <p class="comment-timestamp">November 23, 2007 6:01 AM</p></dd></dl><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">This is an important question. What is the vision? "Without a vision, the people perish." I think that without knowing something of what is going to happen in the next few months, the people will languish. I realize there are legal implications, but all I am asking for is "possible" answers.<br /><br />That being said. A couple of observations.<br /><br />1. Leadership is great, and I think that TEAM is great at promoting it within the group, however, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">CD's</span> need to be on how to build leadership mentality, not only for a possible new <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">MLM</span> business, but also for bringing leadership training in other businesses also. This would be an easy sell for most of us to do as we all know business owners. As these new businesses begin to build leaders the "fame" of TEAM approach to leadership training will spread.<br /><br />2. Those of us who are in TEAM and were a part of Q want an alternative REAL wholesale product line to not only sell, but to help others sell as well. It is win win. We are able to build our dreams, as well as build leadership into others.<br /><br />Thanks Latent,<br /><br />Looking forward to some answers.<br /><br />1 John 5:13<br /></span>1John5:13http://www.blogger.com/profile/16019079888145437629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5766664834855191180.post-7411143056667091032007-11-21T17:05:00.000-08:002007-11-21T17:08:22.663-08:00Happy Thanksgiving EveryoneWishing all a wonderful day to thank God for our many blessings He graciously bestows upon us. This is my favorite holiday for it's meaning. I always think of the old hymn "Count Your Blessings".<br /><br />God bless you all,<br /><br />The First John 5:13 Family!1John5:13http://www.blogger.com/profile/16019079888145437629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5766664834855191180.post-89215381575281136072007-11-20T16:59:00.000-08:002007-11-20T17:30:03.663-08:00I've Gone and Will Look to the Future!I have about had it with the past. My wife and I made the decision to leave <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Quixtar</span> when their official Blog disparaged us. You see, we ARE members of TEAM. So when we were asked to leave, we did, as I mentioned on my second blog. <br />There are good blogs out there to find out good information about Q. They are fun and exciting, most have been here since very early on. I like to read them for their insight. From <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Crazyworld</span>, to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Qreily</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Barrister</span>, to lost cents, each plays an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">important</span> part. <br />I am now interested in the future. We only have a couple of months to go before we are free to join whatever <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">MLM</span> we choose, and the first person in our new business that has never been a part of Amway will be on the phone to anyone that I can remember that has been. You see, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Alticor</span> can't touch them. And I don't think there is a court in the land that would honor after the fact alterations to Q rules. Like:<br /><br />Rule 397 <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">sub paragraph</span> A, Line 2- No IBO, Past IBO, or Anyone else never associated with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Quixtar</span>, or it's parent or sister companies, can in any way contact anyone ever associated with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Quixtar</span>, it's parent or sister companies.<br /><br />OR<br /><br />Rule 596 1/2 paragraph 3.222- No person who is alive today on the face of the Earth, OR is orbiting the Earth OR is on a mission outside the confines of the Earth is allowed to disparage <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Quixtar</span>, it's parent or sister companies in any way including saying that it's wholesale prices are in fact retail prices (which we know they are), or in any way discourage anyone from joining our company.<br /><br />Even though they would LIKE those rules to be legal, they never will be.<br /><br />So, with that being said, I am going to be looking to the future. I will ask question to which anonymous <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">bloggers</span> can give answers to those who would like to know. Hopefully we can get some "possible" answers. <br /><br />To start:<br /><br />What will the possible structure of the new business model be? Will it be on a yearly or biannual basis to a supplier of good to great quality products priced at real wholesale levels? <br />Would there be branded products that would be owned by the new corporation?<br />Who will the owners of the new corporation be? Would it be structured where 1/3rd will be owned by Woodward/Brady, 1/3rd by Policy council, and 1/3rd by an Independent Owners Association? Perhaps wholly owned by the independent owners, with a Board of Directors that are voted on by the independent owners annually. With those supplying the Motivational and personal growth materials gaining intellectual rights to their materials and if they wanted using it to help out with incomes of those who are triple 50's or some number?<br /><br />I am just asking for some "supposed" answers, these will be helpful for those interested in their future.<br /><br />In Christ,<br />And may His Blessings be on you this Thanksgiving and every day!1John5:13http://www.blogger.com/profile/16019079888145437629noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5766664834855191180.post-39060239089031968702007-11-14T18:15:00.000-08:002007-11-14T20:44:59.959-08:00Why "THE NEW AMWAY" Will NOT Succeed.I know that I will be treading on dangerous territory here, but, the truth must be told.<br /><br />Amway NEEDS BSM'S in order to survive. And that is why they will never outright ban them. TEX and IBOFIGHTBACK not withstanding in the fight to get Amway to ban them, Amway KNOWS if they ever do, (IF they actually intend to continue with the current business structure as an MLM) they would cease to exist as a business in less than two years.<br /><br />WHY? Because the BSM's are used to brainwash for a certain amount of time, those entering into the business. For most IBO's this is short lived and they drop out within months. This is a fact that Amway cannot deny. When one came along that actually was meant as a personal improvement model that was changing peoples lives morally, spiritually and financially and actually bucked the trends in both numbers added and those that actually stayed in the business, they were jumping up and down with glee. Alticor praised them over and over. Why?<br /><br />Because it was symbiotic, at least in Alticor's mind it was. Their product was being bought, and they were getting paid handsomely from partner stores. They were happy with the relationship.<br /><br />All along there were calls from IBO's to stop the Business Support Material businesses, but Alticore turned a deaf ear. They have now stepped into the BSM business themselves. Why? They generate <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">$$$</span>. This is no secret.<br /><br />Why is BSM necessary? It is because the Alticor product that is being bought is EXPENSIVE. It takes BSM (Although TEAM's was honest to say that it is ok to purchase Alticor's high price with the end of bonuses in sight) to actually make people believe Alticor products (many which they buy from other manufacturers) were superior and worth the price. They (the BSM) tried to show a per use price to get people to think they were saving money when the facts say otherwise on competing retail products from discount chains.<br /><br />BSM got the name "Brainwashing Support Material" from within the company, NOT FROM THE OUTSIDE.<br /><br />Now that Amway is producing it's own BSM it will not be long until other BSM's are looked at. When it is, and problems are found, there will be more high level firings of INDEPENDENT Business Owners (a copyrighted name of Alticor). All because they will not have to pay out the big bonuses to them, which will artificially prolong the impending death of Alticor. <br /><br />Alticor will fall in the end, we are on the verge of seeing it in England, perhaps even in India. The US will follow. It did not have to be that way, but as Jesus said, "You cannot serve God AND Ill gotten gain".1John5:13http://www.blogger.com/profile/16019079888145437629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5766664834855191180.post-47711582767818401322007-11-14T17:39:00.000-08:002007-11-14T18:09:34.479-08:00All About Roy BoyMy wife was talking the other day about some stuff that was being discussed where she works. She likes to listen to the ladies there. There is always something interesting to talk about I suppose. They had been going on for a while when an ex-employee's name came up.<br /><br />They didn't stop with his first name however. They had come up with a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pejorative</span> feature at the end. Roy Boy. NOW this was not a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">put down</span> of race, but of association.<br /><br />It seems that Roy had some peculiar habits. Like he came to work every day in a suit. Now that might not be peculiar had he been an insurance salesman, but that was not the case. He had a uniform that was required. So in this instance the suit was not a requirement. I have to wear business casual where I work, and am glad to do it. Anyway, they thought the suit was odd.<br /><br />He also "knew" everything about everything. No matter the subject he knew something about it. After a while, they just stopped bringing things up around him. I think we have all met people like that. One thing that could have helped him would have been a personal improvement program. He obviously needed to take the focus off himself and place it on others, that way, when he did say something, people would have been willing to listen. AND they would not have thought he was odd.<br /><br />The straw that broke the camels back for them was his <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">insistence</span> they join AMWAY. Now we who were in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Quixtar</span> understand the association, however, everyone knew what the real company was. They thought that he was odd to actually think they would join a "pyramid" scheme. <br /><br />Interesting that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Quixtar</span> has decided to go back to the name everyone thinks it is anyway. Interesting they decided to ban the only program that actually was working to bring new people in. A program that helps people self improve, get their dream back, and to have a belief they can make a difference in our culture.<br /><br />Instead, they are in the process of making more Roy Boy's. Good luck!1John5:13http://www.blogger.com/profile/16019079888145437629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5766664834855191180.post-82737647504482948442007-10-30T17:27:00.000-07:002007-10-30T18:14:16.620-07:00Let's pretendMost people who have ever played "pretend" gave that up when quite young.<br /><br />I remember this one kid in particular who had a "pretend" problem. I was at one of my friends houses (that was before he told me "Just Go 1John, Go") when another kid came over and asked us to "pretend" we were cowboys and Native Americans (not wanting to offend those with sensitive minds). Well my friend (which shares Teams founder's name only spelled different) told the kid to go home, and when the kid didn't, started in on him.<br /><br />This of course ended a great game of 21, which I of course was winning.<br /><br />"Let's pretend YOU are not here!" Oran yelled as he walked through the other kid. Of course it was hard to pretend the kid was not screaming at the top of his lungs and the driveway was not stained in the kids blood from where his knees were bleeding. But I digress.<br /><br />There is a problem with pretending sometimes. When one pretends someone else does something wrong and goes to their parents to complain just to get the other siblings into trouble, they might get caught for lying. An astute parent will go to the scene of the incident and investigate, OR the astute accused will present their case to the parent with proof of their innocence. After an investigation of cause, the parent will make a judgement, and if there is enough evidence to the contrary of the original complaint will award damages to the accused.<br /><br />Some people it seems NEVER GROW UP. Some people Make Stuff Up (hereafter referred to as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MSU</span>).<br /><br />That is what the lawyers who brought the case in Nevada did. They <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">MSU'd</span> a competing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">MLM</span> against TEAM. They actually brought a case to a judge with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">MSU</span> in it. The only thing that I could think of is perhaps their hired guns overheard some speculation going on with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">IBO's</span> at TEAM events. I have not read ANYWHERE that there is an actual competing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">MLM</span>. If there is one it is INVISIBLE, it is SILENT, and it does not push any PRODUCT.<br /><br />Of course the culture that these lawyers who <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">MSU</span> is prone to MUS (made up stuff). Say like, saying you are selling stuff at wholesale makes it so, even though retail chains are selling products of the same quality at retail for 25% or more lower.<br /><br />As I read the suit they brought, I was intrigued. They said stuff, yet they provided no proof it was true. There was no evidence that what they were bringing had any hint of reality. In other words, just like their first suit against Woodward, in which they argued quite <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">clairvoyantly</span> that he had a competing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">MLM</span>, they did so again here. Just like that kid who messed up my win at basketball.<br /><br />Pretending may be fun when your a kid, but it will get you a large monetary penalty when you bring frivolous lawsuits in Nevada.<br /><br />I wait patiently for the results!1John5:13http://www.blogger.com/profile/16019079888145437629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5766664834855191180.post-29862618872778575002007-10-27T09:12:00.000-07:002007-10-27T10:17:24.300-07:00What Are We In This For?As I look at my daughter drinking a chocolate coffee freeze, (yeah, I know, that is a dangerous thing to allow a 10 year old to do!) I was thinking about why someone would be in a business like I was in. <br />Most who joined, did so when they understood why they actually were in debt as their yearly <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">salary</span> increase fell more and more behind the actual cost of living. This caused them to supplement their income with high interest credit card debt, to the point, when someone actually cared enough to come along at a time when they were ready to hear what the problem was, the finally understood there was the proverbial 2 ton pink elephant in their living room.<br />We did this thing to actually make a difference in our lives. But, the real way to make that improvement meant to make a real change in our thinking. This has to be, for even if we somehow got a million dollars dropped in our laps, with the same thinking that got us into the previous debt in the first place, would soon leave us in debt again. This can be seen by those who loose all their lottery winnings, and usually end up worse than before.<br />I actually got into this business because of a failure of my last one. <br />It is an interesting journey.<br />I was watching Public Television when they were asking for donations, (You know, during the time they actually have "good" things on!) LATE one night, when I saw this funny Asian guy talking about his Rich Dad and his Poor Dad. It piqued my interest, BUT, when they listed the prices for his books, I thought, NAH!<br />A couple of months later I saw Rich Dad Poor Dad in B&N, still to high. <br />Thanksgiving was around the corner, and I was invited to go to my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Fiance's</span> parents home. I met her sister and brother-in-law there, somehow the Rich Dad book came up.<br />When Christmas came, again I was invited, I got a gift from Deb's (We were married a year and a half ago.) sis and brother-in-law gave me a gift. Well, two gifts. Rich Dad and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Cashflow</span> Quadrant, by Robert Kiyosaki, that funny Asian guy I had seen months before.<br />While reading his Rich book, (I have always liked to read) which is a fun read, ONE PARAGRAPH STOOD OUT TO ME. It was to get involved with an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">MLM</span> to learn business principles. <br />(Oh, a little aside note: I believe that God cares <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">intimately</span> for us, and will involve himself in our lives in as far as we will allow him!)<br />I thought, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">hmm</span>, could I find the reason that my business failed? It had nagged me for some time. <br />God kept opening more and more doors to go through, (due to my finally doing what he wanted me to do, kinda tithing my actions, brought His blessings in other areas, I might get into those areas of obedience one day, but back to how I got into TEAM) so I walked through them.<br />Turns out my future sister and brother-in-law was in a company called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Quixtar</span>. <br />I also had a friend at work here in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Quixtar</span> as well. I had to make a decision, Deb and I were married by then, so the decision would be difficult. Either join with her sister, or join with my friend. The problem with joining her Sisters group would be the distance, over 400 miles away, or joining here with my friend, I needed to make sure that if I joined I would he helped, and would be around people that I had actual relationship with, and who had an interest in my success. <br />I decided to join my friend, so I approached him and said "How much to join?" (He had never approached me, so you can imagine his reaction!) Turns our there are more than one organization or groups of people in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Quixtar</span>. My friend was in TEAM, my in-laws in another. Again, God at work! (Don't get me wrong, they are godly people.) He wanted me to learn leadership principles.<br />If you haven't detected it yet, I try to follow God's leading and direction. <br />So it was of GREAT <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">surprise</span> when I read in the threatening e-mail that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Quixtar</span> had terminated Orrin <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">et</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">al</span>. God had led me into their organization, and to read the disparaging remarks from a company that had NEVER e-mailed me before, of those who had helped me grow, was quite naturally discouraging. <br />THEN I read the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">qblog</span>, (I didn't know one existed) that told me to Go, just Go. I did.<br />God was leading me through another door, and I knew I didn't want to be associated with an organization who did not care for me, only that I purchase their <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">overrated</span> high priced products.<br />So, I guess, God was the one that led me away from AMWAY.<br />Hey Mike, you might want to bring suit against God next, He is the one that told me to send in my resignation!1John5:13http://www.blogger.com/profile/16019079888145437629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5766664834855191180.post-24852530312456019862007-10-26T21:48:00.000-07:002007-10-27T09:12:12.002-07:00My mom taught me, "Don't wear out your welcome"!My mom taught me a lot of things.<br /><ol><li>Always wear clean underwear.</li><li>Open doors for ladies.</li><li>Say "Please" and "Thank You".</li><li>Chew with your mouth shut! (I think she thought so highly of her cooking, she could just not bear the thought that one morsel should be lost by falling out of my mouth!)</li><li>NEVER WEAR OUT YOUR WELCOME</li></ol>I think that was her capstone rule. She use to tell me that a lot. You see, I had low self esteem so I only had a few friends, usually one at a time. I would go there every day, and mom would say, "Don't wear our your welcome, your gonna wear out your welcome!"<br />For the longest time I didn't listen, I had a friend that actually liked me, for about a month, then, as if on cue I would get the old rub off, "Just GO 1John, GO!" So I would. Then I would hear the "I told you not to wear out your welcome!"<br />Sometimes, people would invite me over to help them, so I'd go, never knowing they were using me for their own <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">benefit</span>. They would say, Hey, why don't you bring pizza when you come. So I would, then they would give me a rake and while they were in eating the pizza I brought, I would be raking up their leaves. When I was done, after I had done all the work and my pizza was gone even though I got none of it (I got the little plastic pizza protector sometimes if I bought enough of the really expensive pizza), they would come to the screen door after I knocked to come in and they would say "Just GO 1John, GO!" So I did. My mom would tell me, "You shouldn't have worn out your welcome!"<br />I heard a story once about this bumble bee who went to his junior high Halloween party. Well later in life, this particular bumblebee found a good way to get pollen by helping a lot of other bumblebees get pollen. They really didn't care where the pollen came from, they just knew that they needed pollen to survive, and really liked the original bumble bee for bringing them to the pollen. He developed a lot of other bumble bees into those who would lead other bumble bees to the pollen. What was interesting is the particular plant that produced the pollen really like the fact that the first bumble bee brought so many pollinators, more of this later.<br />Eventually the first bumble bee developed a system to help other bumble bees bring other bumble bees to the pollen. It was really good for a while until the first bumble bee got into the International Bumble Bee Association. There he was informed that the pollen that was being produced by the plant had competing pollen plants that were just as good quality however they were gave their pollen up easier. So the bumble bee went to the plant and asked for pollen to be given easier. The plant said it would work on it, however it never did. Eventually the bumble bee was on vacation and ran out of pollen so he went to one of the other plant, whose <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Latin</span> name was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Walius</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Martinus</span>, and was amazed at how easy the pollen was released.<br />When he came home again, he told the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">IBBA</span> about it, some of the bumble bees in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">IBBA</span> thought, "You know, it would be better for the bumble bees that we have taught to come to the plant if the plant made it easier on the bumble bees."<br />They approached the plant, and the plant said, "NO, Why should I make it easier?" So they resigned the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">IBBA</span>, met one more time, and several bumble bees after going over differing scenarios of what the plant would do, then they went over different scenarios of what their actions would be for any action the plant would do, and finally came up with a plan to FREE THE BUMBLE BEES!<br />They approached the plant, let the plant know they wanted out of the high work <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">pollination</span> of the plant and the plant stripped them of their ability to gather pollen and told them they couldn't gather pollen anywhere else for six months, and wouldn't allow them to collect the pollen that was owed them.<br />The plant then sent threatening e-mails to all bumble bees, told them how the original bumble bee was not flapping his wings right, which previously the plant had praised him for, and called the bumble bee really bad names.<br />The Plant also had an employee that like to write stupid things on the web. It was the plants <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">official</span> stupid writing blog. The employee told all the bumble bees to go. So they did, in accordance with plant rules. Several months later the plant sued the organization headquarters of the original bumble bee for telling the other bumble bees to go. The original bumble bee's response was that of amazement because the plant who told them to leave would have the audacity to blame the bumble bee for what the plant had done itself.<br />The moral of the story is this:<br /><br />I never learned my mama's golden rule, I had to be told to leave by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Quixtar's</span> official blog, but I did leave because they asked me too.<br /><br />Oh, yeah, mama also told me not to lie, wish other mothers would have taught their children not to lie as well. Blaming others for telling people to leave when you were the one that actually told them is bearing false witness and a lie!1John5:13http://www.blogger.com/profile/16019079888145437629noreply@blogger.com1