The Dearest Place on Earth

Give yourself to the Church. 

You that are members of the Church have not found it perfect and I hope that you feel almost glad that you have not.

If I had never joined a Church till I had found one that was perfect, I would never have joined one at all! 

And the moment I did join it, if I had found one, I should have spoiled it, for it would not have been a perfect Church after I had become a member of it.

Still, imperfect as it is, it is the dearest place on earth to us…
All who have first given themselves to the Lord, should, as speedily as possible, also give themselves to the Lord’s people.

How else is there to be a Church on the earth?

If it is right for anyone to refrain from membership in the Church, it is right for everyone, and then the testimony for God would be lost to the world!

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

 

tj

Decision-Making

People either use heuristics and short-cuts in decision-making or they systematically process the merits and demerits of a given argument.

Heuristics include our own emotions as we ask ‘How do I feel about this?’ although this can cause a problem where we mix up the cause and effect of our emotions.

Systematic processing is more likely when:

1. Careful thought is likely to generate judgment confidence.
2. The message is uncertain or unexpected and more thought is needed to work out what it means. 
3. The message is particularly relevant to the person, such as when it is about them personally or about their goals or interests.
4. The person does not agree with the message or feels threatened, and is seeking to resist any persuasive attempts.

Example

When asked to donate to a charity I will quickly dig into my pocket. If asked to help more actively, I will think about it more carefully.

Use it

Embed heuristics and trite statements in a peripherally-aimed speech and there’s a good chance they will get through.

One last thing

When things are important do not use short-cut decision-making, especially if others are encouraging you to do so.


TJ

Kristofferson - Great Songwriter

Who's To Bless And Who's To Blame

If a cheated man's a loser
And a cheater never wins
And if beggars can't be choosers
'Til they're weak and wealthy men

And the old keep gettin' older
And the young must do the same
And it's never gettin' better
Who's to bless, and who's to blame

All the cards are on the table
You done laid your money down
Don't complain about your chances, boy
It's the only game in town

And the meaning doesn't matter
Nor the way you play the game
To the winner or the loser
Who's to bless, and who's to blame

Keep your hands above the table
And your back against the wall
Toss your chips in with your chances, boy
Let 'em lay the way they fall

Cause the moral doesn't matter
Broken rules are all the same
To the broken or the breaker
Who's to bless, and who's to blame

Kris Kristofferson 1975

 

tj