Maslow and The Hierarchy of Needs

Have you ever seen the pyramid developed by Abraham Maslow in which he placed 5 levels of motivation? (Later 3 more levels were added.) That pyramid has influenced every class of teachers, counselors, nurses, and government agencies ever since the Sixties. Late in life Maslow added three additional levels.

The position stated by Maslow and his students was simple. "It is not possible to motivate people to achieve the higher levels if the lower level needs are unmet. This idea has dominated the ways we think about and act to educate, assist people and do church. It is why schools spend so much time on self esteem, feeding kids and offering all kinds of programs to meet their basic needs.

Is that a good idea?

The Great Physician?

                         Peter and Dorcas after Jesus healed her. 

Is it important for Christians to continue the healing ministry of Jesus? What is the impact of failing to pray for the sick? What is the impact of continuing to pray for the sick? 

Twice in his biographies Jesus referred to himself as a "physician" or "doctor," once in the sense of "spiritual healer" and once in the sense of "physical healer." 

Jesus as Spiritual Healer: His opponents once attacked him for having unsavory characters such as tax collectors and "sinners" among his disciples. Jesus reminded them that "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (Mark 2:17) 

Jesus as Physical Healer: When Jesus gave his first sermon in his hometown synagogue of Nazareth, he anticipated the possessive nature of the crowd when he challenged them: 

"Surely you will quote this proverb to me: 'Physician, heal yourself! Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.'" (Luke 4:23)

Want to know more? Check my book, Healing Release of the Holy Spirit.

Why Churches Fail to Innovate?

                                 Lectures, Lectures, Lectures!

I have equipped Christians around the world to develop innovative ways to minister, evangelize and train members. In the USA and most nations the talk is all about entrepreneurs and innovators. But churches in other nations tend to be more innovative than the churches here.

For example, Christians in Asia have no resistance to starting businesses or using current business as platforms to reach out to others.  trained the management of a large multinational company how to train their workers to witness in countries closed to missionaries but open to new factories.

As I look at most churches in the USA, even the big ones, they are stuck in a model from the Reformation. I like Reformation theology for the most part, but the church structure is outdated, ineffective and stifling.

That is especially true today.

Church structure went from a place that a few holy people celebrated the Sacraments for passive unholy people to a place where a few well educated holy people lectured passive uneducated unholy people about theology and morality. They also added a smattering of holy music to further educate the masses about theology.

Today, churches from Protestant traditions still lecture passive people and entertain them with intense, contemporary music with little theological and moral content. They have added similar services for children and youth.

Not much has changed for 400 years. Despite having the Holy Spirit with us and in us, we do not see much innovation even in the most lauded congregations. Why?

What innovations do you think are needed?

See our innovative materials.

Causes of Conflict and Divorce in America

The future of marriage and child rearing in America is daunting. As CNN reported, Scandinavia, Europe and Australia are all experiencing what might be called Severe Marital Pessimism! 

I was struck by the number of people who said they did not want to be married because of the cost of a wedding. A couple mentioned a cost of $20,000.00 or more. There is no doubt that those who spend so much on a wedding do not see marriage as a spiritual, emotional contract but a reason to splurge.

They also mentioned a lack of happiness as a reason to live alone or with sex but no kids. Struggles in life are good! The fact that marriage and family life requires sacrifice is a very good thing.

The lack of progeny in  Europe is leading to several crises. One, there are not enough people being born to replace those dying. That fact requires massive immigration into those countries and is why there is a Muslim problem.

All those agnostic, single, white Europeans will soon be controlled by Sharia Law. Have they not taken that into consideration? How will the Mullahs treat those old people?

See our marriage materials.

Why Did Churches Grow So Rapidly? 2

From the time of the resurrection until Constantine made Christianity the official religion, was about 350 years. Most scholars estimate that there were over 30 million Christians in the Empire at that time and Constantine made it the state religion because it was a wise political decision.

If those numbers are correct, it means that Christianity grew at the rate of some 40% per decade.  What did they do to impact so many people so fast? The growth happened despite severe persecution.

Did they devise a new evangelism program? Was there mass revival meetings with thousands of converts?

After Constantine, the rapid growth stopped. WHY?

Kids and Parents Deal with Autism

A new study has just been published that shows the importance of empowering/training parents of children on the Autism Spectrum Disorder Scale. 

Our new ministry, Patient Home Advantage, L3C has been developing tools to show Service Coordinators how to engage and empower the parents. Traditionally, parents are left out of the assessment, treatment and training process. We are ready to train thousands of Helpers how to train the families and the children.

If you want o know more, write a note to me. We are way ahead of this study!

How to Promote Life After Birth

About 20% of the babies born in America have some sort of delay, disability or disease. Of the five houses on your street, one will likely be impacted by illness.

There would be more except abortion kills about 80% of the babies with Down Syndrome and other genetic aberrations.

For the past fifty years I have focused a lot of personal and professional energy in attempting to support these special people and their families. I grew up in a family with an uncle that was severely brain damaged and I saw first hand how difficult  and stressful it is to rear such a child and young man and adult.

As Americans we love to support organizations that raise awareness and money to meet the needs of people with an acute crisis. Show me photos of pregnant teens, hungry kids or thirsty villages in Africa and we react with energy and money. Most charities promote a series of crises and emotional messages to get funds and keep going.

Rearing a disabled child is not just and immediate crisis. It is a long term chronic situation. There are no quick fixes and the ongoing struggles bring exhaustion, conflicts, despair, and even divorce.

Our ministries develop tools and processes to support families over the long haul. It is not glamorous with instant outcomes but provides consistent support and reduction of stress and conflict. Our outcomes build every year because we train caregivers and friends how to plan for the long haul.

Read more at our web page.

Changing Churches and Changing Society

I have been subjected to preachers and preaching all my life. My parents took me to church as a baby and I have not stopped since.

That means I have heard thousands of sermons, devotions, talks and meditations. Almost every single one of them was designed to motivate me to change.

I have changed. A lot but rarely as a result of a  sermon or talk. In fact, I like most people, resist being preached to and harangued.

And, since the people running churches and preaching are all trying to be change agents, what are they doing to motivate us pew sitters to change?

What are the outcomes from all that attempted change?

Great Change? Some Change? No Change?

By the way, Jesus was pretty successful as a change agent. What was his successful process?

Pro Life for all of Life

I have supported Pro-Life Causes every since the Roe V Wade decision. I think a Pro Life position is essential for Christians.  However, some of us are under attack because it seems that few in our tribe pay much attention to the mother and baby after they decide to carry it full term.

At Sweeten Life Systems we have a strong record of supporting life after birth as well as life before birth. Our seminal research supported by The Hatton Foundation opened up a lot of doors to allow us to see exactly how to support these families.

Because the needs of caring for Special Children we developed an entirely separate organization to tackle the problem. It is called Patient Home Advantage, L3C and is uniquely set up to do research, develop tools and processes to strengthen the health and welfare of the whole family as well as the special child.

Parents and siblings know the special child better than anyone and, with our tools, can develop priorities and goals to create a healthy family unit.

See our web page for what we are doing. 

Party Time

                                     
                                      Party Aftermath 

I am a member of a very exclusive organization in Ohio. It is The Mason Executive Council and meets twice monthly at a not so secret location.

The members are an odd lot but together we have a powerful Think Tank. Most of our THINKING is about THINKING so we are not dangerous or radical.

One of the challenges is to find reasons to celebrate and St. Patrick, bless his soul, gives us a wonderful excuse to party, sing, dance and eat.

You can see photos here of some of the more outgoing members and the Band.

Life Before and After Birth

I attended a wonderful banquet last night. It was sponsored by Life Forward, the new brand name of The Problem Pregnancy Centers of Cincinnati. I have supported a Pro-Life Position since before Roe Vs. Wade in 1973 and am still strongly Pro-Life.

The big room at the Savannah Center was filled with hundreds of well dressed guests who heard Wayne Watson, the famous singer, and Billy Graham's daughter Ruth. Both were terrific and Ruth was also powerful in a soft, sweet way.
her story is one of a The Prodigal daughter and out of wedlock children with special children as well. If you get a chance to hear her do so.

To see our strong Pro-Life focus, go to our web page for ways we help families after the birth of a special child. Nine Months of Pro-Life fervor is not enough. 

Does Marriage Have a Future in America?

According to a report on CNN, the answer to this question is a resounding "NO"!

Is that good or bad? As you read this story, think of the future without families. No married couples, much fewer children and many, many fewer families.

What would fill this certain vacuum? Can you see any implications for the current situation in Australia and Europe which have already taken the path of few marriages?

If you are a Christian, what would be a good thing for churches to do to stem this tsunami of sex but no marriage?

Respond as you want but let's open the discussion.

A Key to Ledership

I just read a breathless article on the one most important key to effective leadership. The author had just returned from a week-long conference on the topic and she came away thrilled with her insight.

Want to guess what it is?

I wrote a Doctoral Dissertation on the topic plus some additional points. We have written several books, numerous monographs and papers and lectured world-wide on the topic but it still needs to be aired widely because so few have ever thought it was important at all let alone a key to leadership.

Some have written on its use in counseling, coaching, teaching and parenting but rarely on leadership. Well, what is this miracle drug? (In fact, lest I forget, it has been called "The Blockbuster Miracle Drug of this Century!" but that seems a bit overblown.)

It is careful patient, non-judgmental listening. Paying attention to others. Slowing down enough that we can observe the non-verbals as well as the words.

Why not get a copy of my take on that Miracle Drug by ordering a copy of my book, "Hope and Change for Humpty Dumpty". If you follow the book it can change you into a famous, world wide leaders!!!

Men in Families are Key

Want to Evangelize?

• If a child is the first person in a household to become a Christian, there is a 3.5% probability everyone else in the household will follow.
• 
  
• If the mother is the first to become a Christian, there is a 17% probability everyone else in the household will follow.
• 
  
• But if the father is first, there is a 93% probability everyone else in the household will follow! (See Acts 16:31b.)
• 
  
• Of about 94 million men in the United States, 68 million don’t attend any church. However, 85% of unchurched men say they grew up with some sort of church background.

Conclusion: If we reach the men, we will reach the families. If we reach the families, we will change the culture.

Want to attract men? Listen to what they think without negative judgments rather than tell them what they should think.

Please, Be Unreasonable!!

The reasonable person adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to them. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable person. George Bernard Shaw 

Healthy Families

Our newest ministry is called Village Initiative with Parents (VIP). Some folks think we are setting up retirement homes because we use the term "Village" but that is not the intent. We are using the term Village in the same way it has been used for decades; o describe the need for a community to work together. "It takes a whole village to raise a child."

Our ministry has a laser sharp intent to recruit, train and release members of the community-the village- to support Parents with a child who has a special need. If it takes a whole village to rear a typical child just think how important it is to have the village a kid with a disability.

The first question I am asked is usually, "What kind of disability?" My answer is always the same: "Any kind". Some of the kids whose parents were in our yearlong research study had severe physical disabilities and others were challenged more in the behavioral areas. It does not make much difference to the rest of the family because "When one member of the family hurts we all hurt." I CO 12.

Hurt comes in many ways and from many directions. It always hurts no matter where it comes from and who it hits. Parents are always hurt when one of their children is hurt. Parents worry a lot. They work a lot and have to spend lots of money when a child is sick. They are bone tired much of the time. They want a need emotional and spiritual support from The Village.

Interestingly, the ways members of The Village can be most helpful are not complicated or difficult. The best helps comes from ordinary people who will be "Friends in Deed". Friends who will listen and cry; listen and laugh: listen and encourage; listen and act.

Go to our web and see what you can do to help.

Can I Be Responsible and Loved by Everyone?

A Expert Speaks


Good leadership involves responsibility to the welfare of the group, which means that some people will get angry at your actions and decisions. It’s inevitable, if you’re honorable. 

Trying to get everyone to like you is a sign of mediocrity: you’ll avoid the tough decisions, you’ll avoid confronting the people who need to be confronted, and you’ll avoid offering differential rewards based on differential performance because some people might get upset.

 Ironically, by procrastinating on the difficult choices, by trying not to get anyone mad, and by treating everyone equally “nicely” regardless of their contributions, you’ll simply ensure that the only people you’ll wind up angering are the most creative and productive people in the organization.” 

General Colin Powell, Chairman (Ret), Joint Chiefs of Staff 

What is Sin, big ones, little ones?

At the end of the year I looked over the top ten stories of 2014 and was amazed to see that the top six most read were all about one topic.

I am concerned at how much air time and ink is spent on sin and sins. It seems to me that far too many of us are confused about the topic so our talk and writing leaves people even more confused than ever.

So, before I begin to really pontificate about the topic, I need to do some research. You write and tell me what you want to get clarity about.

1. What is SIN?
2. What is the difference between BIG SINS and Little Sins? Give me some examples of each kind.
3. What happens when we commit a BIG SIN?
4. A Little Sin?
5. Is it possible to live without sin?
6. Can a Christian sin?
7. Should Christian's confess their sins?

My e-Book, Healing Release of the Holy Spirit discusses some of these issues.

My friend Phil Heimlich's Hard Truths Debuts on Cincinnati's 55KRC

                                     Phil will light a fire under passive people!

You know him as an attorney and a former politician. Now, Phil Heimlich is the host of a new radio feature called Hard Truths, which will be heard on 55KRC (550AM) in Cincinnati each morning and afternoon. 

Spending over a year in development, Hard Truths was conceived to address today's top social issues without being tied to the standard notions of liberalism verses conservatism. Hard Truths will uniquely focus on today's most meaningful issues, issues that have a direct impact on you, your family, your job, your safety and your life.

Listen for Phil Heimlich's Hard Truths each weekday morning between 6am-8am and again each weekday afternoon between 4pm-6pm on 55KRC (550AM) in Cincinnati and on the iHeart Radio App. You can also listen to Hard Truths on demand each day and get Phil's daily commentaries at philheimlich.com.

Phil Heimlich's Hard Truths bringing passion, common-sense and thought provoking opinion to today's most confusing issues. Hard Truths debuts on April 6th.

How the Bible says to Motivate

Start Slowly!

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20.(NIV)

Bob taught me with the five aspects of discipleship. DREAMS

Didactic: Content taught by books, lectures, sermons, etc.

Reflection: Thinking about, discussing, journaling

Experience: Trying it myself by praying for people, speaking, leading a Bible study, etc.

Accountability: Feedback on how I was doing.

Modeling: Watching Bob and others do the stuff then discuss it

Supernatural: Prayer, worship and mem orizing the Bible

Discipleship by a learned, wise person and a close, caring, ongoing relationship. See my books on how. Healing Souls Touching Heart is a great start. 

How do we motivate people to change?

We care!

They share!

We insist and they resist!

For years I have studied how to  inspire people to change. There are many models being used but not all of them work to get people moving in a preferred direction. In fact, some attempts actually cause people to go the opposite direction.

For example, the anti-drug program DARE is a real failure. After a visit to a school by the DARE team research shows that the kids are LESS LIKELY than before to follow the DARE model.  
Most Suicide Prevention Programs have also had poor results. Kids are LESS LIKELY to speak up or try to prevent a friend from self harm.

Other programs and leaders have positive outcomes. Why? What is the difference?

Do you know why training and programs have success? Because we look for positive outcomes and ask the Clients what outcomes they want to work on? After they tell us we assist them in accomplishing the positive changes.

Most every traditional governmental, medical and religious group refuses to ask clients what they want. the attitude seems to be:

"We know what you SHOULD want and we insist that you want it as well." That spells FAILURE after FAILURE!

See Hope and Change for Humpty Dumpty for a strategy that fosters positive outcomes. 

What Leadership Approach Tends to Backfire?

We talk? They balk.(R)

We squawk?  They walk.

We care? They share.

We insist? They resist.

The old model: great diagnosis, correct prescription, give to the patient. One must be an expert in diagnosis and interventions. The patient needs to be passive.

The new model: great diagnosis, correct prescriptions, great assessment of motivation by patient and her support system. The expert must know how to facilitate problem solving with the patient and her support system. The key us an active patient.

Learn to Listen!