Bring Back the Cilice Belt

June 9th, 2008

Among Dan Brown’s many accomplishments is bringing the cilice belt to popular attention. Silas, Brown’s tonsured hit man in “The Da Vinci Code”, wears one and also flagellates himself with The Discipline, a knotted rope. The image of this tall, albino monk performing ‘corporal mortification’ is a shocking one that stays with the reader.

Curiously, it was the image that sprang to mind yesterday when I was talking with a woman about the issues she is facing right now. Yvette (not her real name) is not, fortunately, at risk physically, but the situation in which she lives is spiralling out of control.

Her emotional world is becoming increasingly tortured and intolerable. And because she objects to various behaviours that she senses to be fundamentally wrong, she is being blamed. She is constantly being told that her attitude, rather than the behaviours, are the source of the problem.

Yvette is desperate to manage a dysfunctional situation and remain in control of her life. Her dilemma is this: if the behaviours are unacceptable then she is vindicated but powerless. Because they are not going to change. If her attitude is to blame, then she is, clearly, losing her grip on the situation but, theoretically at least, she has the power to improve things.

Maybe this strikes a chord with you?

Reassurance doesn’t work terribly well in a situation like this, because if Yvette is right, then the situation must be worse even than she likes to think. (Actually, it’s a perfect no win situation for her, because if the opposite is true and the behaviours are ok, to her that signifies she must be spiralling into mental illness.)

And so it was that I suggested to her that she get a cilice belt and a Discipline and ritually flagellate herself. I said this not because I don’t care about her situation and would wish any more pain on her. I care very much and would dearly love her to be spared any further pain.

Precisely because I care, I wanted to give her a response she could work with. Reassurance wasn’t going to do that for more than about 5 minutes.

She met my suggestion with stunned silence. Then she started to laugh. The image was so grotesque that it was funny. And as she laughed she translated it into terms that were meaningful to her. Suddenly she could visualise what she had been doing, unintentionally, and it became repellent to her.

Words are tremendously powerful. Words have the power to shackle and enslave you. The right words also have the power to set you on the path back to freedom and wholeness.

C) 2005 Annie Kaszina

Joyful Coaching

An NLP Practitioner and Women’s Empowerment Coach, Annie specialises in helping women heal the trauma of bad relationships, so they can enjoy the present and look forward to the future. To contact Annie email: annie@joyfulcoaching.com

For more information and free resources go to http://www.joyfulcoaching.com

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ISO 9001 the Process Approach to Quality Assurance

June 8th, 2008

What is the Process Approach to Quality?

The ISO 9001 2000 standard is designed to manage and improve organizations processes. There is a great deal of misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the meaning of the process approach to Quality.

If you have at all been involved with quality assurance I am sure that you will at least heard of the “process approach” to Quality Assurance even if you are not fully aware of its meaning. The process approach to Quality Assurance is based on the idea that an organization is a system of interlinked processes.

If an organization does not define how its individual activities work together and the order in which the activities are performed it cannot deliver a quality product to its customers.

The process approach to quality involves analysing and then documenting the actual activities and links between those activities within an organization using simple process flowcharts. This technique is typically used by an auditor when conducting a gap analysis on a business. If you are unsure about your ability to identify your processes then you can employ a consultant to assist you.

Once the process and their interactions have been identified a framework of procedures and work instructions can be built around them.

It can often be the case that the output from one process in an organization is the input for another process within the same organization. As can be seen in the diagram below where the output for activity one is the input for activity two and similarly the output of activity two is the input for activity three.

When analysing the processes within your organization it should be remembered that processes may link to processes outside of your organization. A typical example of this might be the product design interface between you and your customer.

Your organization sends a design concept to the customer (the Process input).

The customer approves the design (the Process activity).

You receive back the approved concept design (Process output)

In many organizations it may be possible to break down each process still further into their individual sub-process components, (please forgive the simplistic example).

For example: The posting of a letter might be broken down into.

Process 1: Selection of the envelope type. E.g. Padded, anti static, brown, white, anti-static.

Process 2: Selection of postal method. E.g. Courier, air-freight, secure, insecure.

Process 3: Selection of first or second class postage, same day, seven day.

Each of these processes can then be broken down into sub-processes. E.g. The closure of the envelope. Should it be the type you lick, self adhesive, secured with sticky tape, security fastener or wax seal?

One always has to look at the common sense approach as to how far you should break each process down into sub-processes.
For example: If the customer does not specify the method of envelope seal to be used then any type of seal may be used as long as it is fit for purpose. However, if the customer specifies a particular type of seal for certain products the process becomes more important to both you and your customer and therefore the process is worthy of documentation.

If you have difficulty documenting your processes, especially regarding the amount of detail required then it may be worth employing a consultant to guide you through the process. If your procedures are too prescriptive you will end up with unmanageable documents which serve no real purpose. A consultant will be able to minimise your documentation while ensuring compliance with ISO 9001 2000.

Many organizations already have documented instructions in the form of standard operating procedures (SOP’s) and work instructions (WI’s) that define how individual activities are performed. However, it is often the case that the interfaces between these instructions are misaligned. In some cases the interfaces are not even considered let alone documented. Misaligned process interfaces within an organisaton often leads to process fragmentation and eventually to break down of the organizations processes.

The ISO 9001 2000 standard has adopted the process approach to Quality management systems which is designed to improve an organizations processes.

The following rules may be used to implement a process approach to your Organizations Quality Management System.

Identify your Organizations key processes.

Define Quality Assurance levels for those processes.

Decide how process quality will be measured.

Document your approach to achieving the desired quality.

Evaluate your quality level and continuously improve it.

The following example will help guide you through the methology of identifying process inputs, activities and outputs.

As an example, let us consider the Purchasing Process:

1. The Input to the Purchasing process is a requirement to purchase materials, components or services.

2. The Purchasing Activity involves selecting a supplier from our approved supplier list and preparing a purchase order. We will interact with - The supplier: to place the order. - Receiving: to notify them of the material ordered. We may interact with - Engineering: if Purchasing specifications are needed. - Quality Assurance: if Receiving inspection is needed and to disposition the product if it is non-conforming when received.

3. The Output of the purchasing process is an approved purchase order released to the supplier.

A typical manufacturing company will have the following product realization processes:

Customer Enquiry.

Review and Quote.

Receive Order

Prepare Process Control Documentation

Purchase Materials

Receive Materials

Production

Pack

Label and Ship

In addition, we have the following support processes:

Management Review

Training

Document Control

Internal Auditing

Corrective and Preventive Action

Summary: As you develop your quality system, you must define the sequence and interaction of your processes in your quality manual as required in Section 4.2.2 of the new standard.

As you define your processes and prepare the accompanying documentation, be sure that the inputs, activities, interactions and outputs are fully defined so your quality system is effective.

Driso provide ISO 9001 2000 consultancy, auditing, software, and training Services.
They also supply Easy ISO 9001 2000

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His Seed Begging Bread

June 6th, 2008

There are many verses in scripture that give the believer a sense of safety and security. These verses in Psalms is especially prominent in the life of a Christian. Our belief values are somewhat based on our belief that God will take care of us, threw the tough times. But this is not nor should it be our primary reason to believe. Our belief system begins with the Birth, Death, Resurrection and Assention of Jesus, as Both Lord and Christ, the Son of God. We start out believing that Jesus is the Son of God and it grows from there to believe as we are taught. When a Christian is in trouble, there is no need to call upon man to help first, but rather we are commanded by Christ to call upon the name of the Lord.

Psa 37:25-32; I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken(Deserted; left; abandoned.), nor his seed begging bread. There is no time, that the believers in Christ, are left alone. The Devourer is on the prowl, looking for a young lamb to destroy. Can you ever think of a time when you saw a Christian going hungry? I mean really hungry? Hunger is something different to different people. The Bible tells us that what ever condition that we find ourselves in, there with be content. “There with” is stating that if you are in a state of riches, be content with what you have, if you find yourself poor, be content, if you find yourself with a set of cloths and a piece of bread, be content.

Our contentment with our present state is pivotal to being rewarded by God. We are there by showing that we are willing to accept the state or destiny that God has designed for us. If we cannot be content with food and clothing we are unable to accept or control greater riches or position in this life.

He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. When we become believers in Christ, we are separated from the world , become a new creature and have been sealed to the everlasting Father. Now if your friends and family can give you food, clothing and shelter, weather being a Christian or not, how much more do you think God can give and how much more that He loves you? The Love of God is endless, as far as His Children is concerned. “his seed is blessed.” This is what we must believe. Our time of total acceptance of God and His word is now, today, while today is still called today. Are we the seed of God, the seed of Abraham? Then we must start acting as Kings and Priest, we must become the children of God. Being faithful, if only with a few things, accepting our Son-ship and being totally dependent upon God. (Mat 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.)

Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. In 2nd Co 8:2-4, we see that poverty is not uncommon within the Church, as far back as the Churches at Macedonia, we see that God knew of their state and they were content with it. This is where their power was centered. The blessings of God start coming when we begin 1. believing and 2. When we become content with what He supply’s to us. “How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

” Let me ask you a question.”Does your coffers must need to be full before you can say that you are blessed by God? Lets read, 1Ti 6:5-8, and understand; “Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” You argue that, “There are others that have plenty and we have nothing, is this a show of love from the one we believe in?” My answer is what Jesus stated to Peter, one of the other disciples, and what God told the world; John 21:21-22; Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. “what is that to thee?”
Deu 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. The things that are ours, are the insight and understanding, not of what takes place to many who believe, but rather as to what the scriptures mean. Many things that we do not understand, belong to God and to Him only. We cannot say to the one who created us,”What are you doing?”

Job 33:11-14; He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths. Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.(God allows many things to afflict His Children, a sort of Chastisement, that takes a believer father than they ever imagined to go.
Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.

And this last verse explains it all; Dan 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.

Don’t be dismayed by the state that you find yourself. God is all knowing and all caring. He know what His children need and desire. He know when one is hungry or saddened by events that are taking place around them. When hunger comes, manna is sent, when one is naked, cloths appear when one is down hearted, one is sent to assure joy in their life. Remember that, “The Joy of the Lord is my Strength.” So have Joy in the Lord and He will take care of you. ars.
2Co 8:2 -
in: 1Th_1:6, 1Th_2:14, 1Th_3:3, 1Th_3:4
the abundance: Neh_8:10-12; Act_2:45, Act_2:46
their deep: Mar_12:42-44; Luk_21:1-4; Jam_2:5; Rev_2:9
the riches: 2Co_6:10, 2Co_9:11, 2Co_9:13; Deu_15:4; Pro_11:25; Isa_32:5-8
liberality: Gr. simplicity, 2Co_1:12; Rom_12:8
Psa 37:25 -
I have: Psa_71:9, Psa_71:18; Job_32:6, Job_32:7; Act_21:16; Phm_1:8, Phm_1:9
yet: Psa_37:28, Psa_94:14; Jos_1:5; 1Sa_12:22; Isa_13:16; 2Co_4:9; Heb_12:5, Heb_12:6; Heb_13:5
nor his seed: Psa_25:13, Psa_59:15, Psa_109:10, Psa_112:2; Gen_17:7; Job_15:23; Pro_13:22; Luk_1:53-55
Mat 25:21 -
Well: 2Ch_31:20,2Ch_31:21; Luk_16:10; Rom_2:29; 1Co_4:5; 2Co_5:9, 2Co_10:18; 1Pe_1:7
I will: Mat_25:34-40,Mat_25:46, Mat_10:40-42, Mat_24:47; Luk_12:44, Luk_22:28-30; Rev_2:10,Rev_2:26-28, Rev_3:21; Rev_21:7
enter: Mat_25:23; Psa_16:10,Psa_16:11; Joh_12:26, Joh_14:3, Joh_17:24; Phi_1:23; 2Ti_2:12; Heb_12:2; 1Pe_1:8; Rev_7:17

Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries
A.R.Smith Ministries
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/

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