tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5298778366723865508.comments2014-09-28T06:14:13.968-05:00Slowing Down the BlurDaniel Burnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07674244143714022380noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5298778366723865508.post-81189716654504990342014-09-28T03:36:39.083-05:002014-09-28T03:36:39.083-05:00Answer from a 17 year old I asked.
He said we sho...Answer from a 17 year old I asked.<br /><br />He said we should slow down enough ourselves to have time to talk with them about faith outside of official times.<br /><br />Blessings.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5298778366723865508.post-24759904013964140382012-06-12T09:39:52.551-05:002012-06-12T09:39:52.551-05:00Rex, I honestly feel like most of my profs at Hard...Rex, I honestly feel like most of my profs at Harding tried to convey this, but it is one of those things that we just don't get until we experience it.Daniel Burnshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07674244143714022380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5298778366723865508.post-54561225699953769162012-06-12T09:27:15.973-05:002012-06-12T09:27:15.973-05:00I like that quote, "ministry is messy, becaus...I like that quote, "ministry is messy, because sin is messy." So true.<br /><br />- K. Rex ButtsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5298778366723865508.post-67586120344651019492012-06-04T09:21:33.942-05:002012-06-04T09:21:33.942-05:00You told me some of this before. But here the par...You told me some of this before. But here the part that really sticks out is "surrounding yourself with a team" of people who complement you. I like that. Our tendency is to go at it alone, but even some of the best people who recognize their need for teammates, tend to pick teammates most LIKE themselves. It is comfortable. <br /><br />Here's a thought I ran across talking to a friend the other night. I think maybe Ive been going about the ministry search all wrong. When we go to a church of, say, 100 people, and interview, we ask all these questions about leadership, structure, visions, goals, finances, blah blah blah- We are focusing on the whole group of 100. Which is really not that important (dont say that to your group of 100 this sunday). But that I mean is, that group of 100 is not going to all be defining your life and ministry. Even though being a preacher is not about YOUR LIFE and ministry, you cant be effective to that group if youre not living in rhythm in your own daily life. <br /><br />Think about our concentric circles of family. We cant be fully functioning as OURSELVES without healthy circles - our inner circle of 3, our circles of 12, 72, and 5000. The most important circle I would think is my circle of 3, and of course, next, 12. Maybe in ACTUAL LIFE the question over where I would be best used for the kingdom may be- who would be my circle of 3, and my circle of 12? Where could I go that would place me and my family in a GOOD healthy circle of 3 and 12? And to a lesser extent, the 100 that attend that church. <br /><br />It becomes a little difficult when we dont even know a single person there. But I do think that even in one interview weekend, you can search for these people just as easily as you would be able to gauge the entire group of 100.sethnbethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14368026219916416668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5298778366723865508.post-69955440390891014502012-05-30T21:56:23.582-05:002012-05-30T21:56:23.582-05:00I add value to people by commenting on their blog ...I add value to people by commenting on their blog and making it look like they have more followers. <br /><br />No, really, I like what you have to say- pretty basic, but something Ive struggled to do. I can't seem to shake it- every time I try to go about my day selflessly, adding value to others, it seems that later that day I find myself frustrated still because somebody in my world isnt helping the universe revolve around me. I have found that the more healthy time I spend with God alone in the mornings, the easier it seems to be. Not just because I am reminded of God's presence in my life, but there seems to be an, almost, supernatural help with clarity of vision. <br /><br />I am interested in hearing more about how there is no middle ground- either we are or arent adding value to others. Because if you had asked me, I would say, yeah, sometimes I do, sometimes I dont. Sometimes I kind of do, etc. Expound wise sir.seth nicholshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13244680153534504492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5298778366723865508.post-8767320848491961972012-05-25T09:27:31.814-05:002012-05-25T09:27:31.814-05:00Seth,
I think you are right. I think he set up h...Seth, <br />I think you are right. I think he set up his definitions in a way that he has to be always working towards them. It may even be more fair to say, "I am a success as long as I am always living a life that exist to continually strive towards all three of these. <br /><br />I think it important that we have some definition of what we should be working toward. I think it should be developed with close guidance and discernment from spiritual friends. And I believe that it can adapt some as time goes on, but only with more guidance and discernment with a group of trusted Christ-followers.<br /><br />I think this would help us (not completely protect us) from falling pray to outside definitions of success. Money, power, status, title, size church/company we work with, etc.Daniel Burnshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07674244143714022380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5298778366723865508.post-13178804951831717452012-05-24T18:29:33.268-05:002012-05-24T18:29:33.268-05:00I like the thoughts. The problem we run into with...I like the thoughts. The problem we run into with this is-<br /><br />If we have a "measurable" definition of success, then what do we/others consider our lives should we never reach that measure? A failure? What if our life was magnificently lived, but our definition of success was perhaps a bit too unrealistic? Then, on the other hand, what if we DO reach our measure of success, or do so early? Then what?<br /><br />Then, on the other hand, if we DONT have a measurable success, we would find ourselves asking what youre asking-- what am I really shooting for anyways? <br /><br />I think thats why, if you think about it, Maxwell probably intentionally made them all (or at least #2 and 3 are) very generic and not really measurable. In fact, #2 is impossible. Max potential? That sounds like another way of saying "Being perfect". Impossible to obtain, although perhaps a great goal. Seeings how a very wise other man once told us to be perfect.seth nicholshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13244680153534504492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5298778366723865508.post-79908734128069297302012-05-23T09:59:32.943-05:002012-05-23T09:59:32.943-05:00Seth, I do remember a professor in youth ministry ...Seth, I do remember a professor in youth ministry warning us to watch our motives as we try to do ministry. He told us that encouragement and manipulation were very close cousins.Daniel Burnshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07674244143714022380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5298778366723865508.post-52437249299672835142012-05-22T21:16:55.059-05:002012-05-22T21:16:55.059-05:00Hey Jason. I think you are right. Good thoughts....Hey Jason. I think you are right. Good thoughts. Good notes, Daniel. Keep em coming.seth nicholshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13244680153534504492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5298778366723865508.post-43896163060136147912012-05-22T13:58:21.427-05:002012-05-22T13:58:21.427-05:00I don't think the comment is as much about Chr...I don't think the comment is as much about Christian character as it is a commentary on human nature. Look at all the multi-billion dollar corporations that are such because they provided a product or a service that gave people something they felt they wanted or needed. Consequently, people were drawn to those people because they did something that met a need in culture. Whether it was the first air conditioner or something like Facebook, people in places of influence have a natural gravitational pull because they have the "power" (maybe position is a better word), to meet needs. For leaders, these are not people who made homes cooler or put a camera on their cell phone, but rather people who help people understand themselves better and in turn people are drawn to that. I've heard Maxwell speak and I've read 21 Laws and at least one of his other books. Maxwell is not advocating that service be done under the premise that we will get something back. That's just the way people are.Jason Huffmanhttp://www.jasonbhuffman.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5298778366723865508.post-61939594281625532352012-05-21T23:11:32.946-05:002012-05-21T23:11:32.946-05:00May not have been. I do remember reading a blippe...May not have been. I do remember reading a blippet from one of his books in the past that suggested something like that, though, which is why I said what I did. Anyways, whether Maxwell said it/meant it or not, I guess, point is, we know its true- if you help others get what they want, they will be glad to help you. And someone who is really skilled at that can let it lead them to bad places.seth nicholshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13244680153534504492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5298778366723865508.post-72296004812064034972012-05-21T22:31:15.264-05:002012-05-21T22:31:15.264-05:00Seth it is probably only fair that I say I am not ...Seth it is probably only fair that I say I am not sure that 7a was part of 7. It was in my notes and seemed connected but I dont think that the 7a quote was in the context of 7. My post may have been misleading.Daniel Burnshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07674244143714022380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5298778366723865508.post-33621434913564980472012-05-21T20:21:28.997-05:002012-05-21T20:21:28.997-05:00Again, I really enjoyed that list. These are not ...Again, I really enjoyed that list. These are not just questions you have to save for great leaders, though. Of course, youre going to naturally give their answers more weight than you might would others', but every person around you can provide some great insights, just because we are different. Sometimes it surprises me how much wisdom I glean from unsuspecting people.<br /><br />I need to be much better at extracting people's stories and advice, and much more restrained at trying to get other people to listen to my own. Like you told me one time, referring to the guy you listened to on the subway- we forget how much people are dying to tell their stories, if we'll really give them a chance. <br /><br />The one on the list I take issue with is 7a. #7 itself is a great question. But when its qualified with 7a, it seems to reveal a backwards heart. Do we do things to manipulate people to get them to do something for us in the end, or do we just do them without any expectation of anything in return, because we love them? <br /><br />I know, on one hand, people might defend that by saying, "thats not what we REALLY do it for- its just a side benefit", but I would just say you have to be careful if thats even in your radar. I think when you know how to manipulate people, you will do it so well that sometimes you dont even realize thats what youre doing. The heart is deceitful above all else. So even though we may know our helping others will cause them to want to help us, maybe we should ignore that little factoid as much as possible? Thoughts?seth nicholshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13244680153534504492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5298778366723865508.post-18109345199985364172012-05-21T16:09:13.143-05:002012-05-21T16:09:13.143-05:00Phillip,
I understand why that is stuck. But I w...Phillip, <br />I understand why that is stuck. But I would have to say that Hitler was a great leader --for the negative. So was Stalin, but being a great leader does not make one a great person. So can't use our influence/leadership for good or bad. What do you think?Daniel Burnshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07674244143714022380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5298778366723865508.post-89094792084692072702012-05-21T14:34:41.867-05:002012-05-21T14:34:41.867-05:00I'd ask...
- If "leadership is influence...I'd ask...<br /><br />- If "leadership is influence: nothing more, nothing less," then are you saying that Adolph Hitler is an all-time great leader?<br /><br />That statement of his has always stuck in my crawIIIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16315227626348856638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5298778366723865508.post-3392704459075731312012-05-17T07:16:09.980-05:002012-05-17T07:16:09.980-05:00Seth, I cannot explain the benefit I received from...Seth, I cannot explain the benefit I received from our stop in Hillsboro. I don't plan on us finishing our conversation.Daniel Burnshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07674244143714022380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5298778366723865508.post-78314281671589904382012-05-16T21:29:32.304-05:002012-05-16T21:29:32.304-05:00Your conversation really had me going today. I ap...Your conversation really had me going today. I appreciate all the thoughts on what you learned. Have been processing the Maxwell goal/success stuff and trying to wade through my own core here. Much appreciated, and Im not done talking with you yet.seth nicholshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13244680153534504492noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5298778366723865508.post-86954944682301955302010-10-30T09:26:04.076-05:002010-10-30T09:26:04.076-05:00VOM reported yesterday (10/29/10) that a Christian...VOM reported yesterday (10/29/10) that a Christian writer in China who was under house arrest and who needed help was able to make contact with fellow believers through Twitter--technology at work in the church.Scott Thomashttp://www.languagesafari.comnoreply@blogger.com