Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life Henri J. M. Nouwen Donald P. McNeill Douglas A. Morrison 2005, Image Finished February, 2013 Outline/Notes: Introduction The primary lens through which most of us view the world is competition. Compassion can play a small part of that competition, like the eraser on the end of a pencil. […]
How Much is Enough? Hungering for God in an Affluent Culture Arthur Simon – 2003, Baker Books Finished January, 2013 Summary/Notes: A Preliminary Word A quick overview of the book. One: That Seductive Urge Serve God over mammon. Two: Fat Wallets, Empty Lives Christians must become less possessed by “things” and more awakened to […]
Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening Cynthia Bourgeault – 2004, Cowley Publications Finished January, 2013. Outline/Summary: Introduction Bourgeault’s motivations for writing book. Worth skipping on a re-read. Part I: The Method of Centering Prayer Chapter 1: Contemplative Prayer and Centering Prayer “Prayer is not a request for God’s favors.” “Silence is God’s first language” – St. […]
Dialogue: The Art of Thinking Together William Isaacs Finished January, 2013. Forward Very simple dialogue tool: go around the room and do a “check-in” asking people what they are thinking/feeling. There seems to be a lot of power and need for simply talking and sharing stories with one another. Introduction Dialogue cannot be rushed. Chapter […]
The Cornerstone Concept: In Leadership, In Life Roberta M. Gilbert Thinking It Over sections at end of chapter are good chapter by chapter summaries. Questions at the end may be good journaling activities. Memorize the indicators of self-differentiation in chapter 7. I’m curious why Gilbert never seems to reference Ed Friedman, even in bibliographies. […]
Extraordinary Leadership: Thinking Systems, Making a Difference Roberta Gilbert Finished September, 2012. Best parts to re-read: Top level map of book at end of xvii and xviii. A fair amount of the book is looking at conflict, cutoff, distancing, triangling, underfunctioning, and overfunctioning through different lenses. The different lenses are helpful, but have diminishing returns. […]
A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix Edwin H. Friedman Brilliant book for developing the emotional fortitude necessary for leadership. A little crotchety for my tastes at times, but some of that may come with the territory. Finished April, 2012. Outline/Summary: Editor’s Preface Ed Friedman died prematurely while working […]
Naked Spirituality: A Life with God in 12 Simple Words Brian D. McLaren Finished April, 2012. Helpful Chart Summary: Simplicity Right vs. Wrong Dualism Dependence Complexity Effective vs. Ineffective Pragmatism Independence Perplexity Honest vs. Dishonest Relativism Counterdependence Harmony Understanding of Purpose and Timing Interdependence of Mutuality Syntopical Learning: [Resonating with Thinking, Fast and Slow] O seems […]
How to Click with People: The Secret to Better Relationships in Business and in Life Dr. Rick Kirschner Brief Summary: Use a variety of techniques to “click” with people. Blending is the most comprehensive and powerful of these techniques. I found the first four chapters to be the most helpful. Finished March, 2012 Outline/Summary: Chapter […]
Leading from the Second Chair: Serving Your Church, Fulfilling Your Role, and Realizing Your Dreams Mike Bonem Roger Patterson Brief Summary: The core of the book is in the three paradoxes. A second chair leader is a “subordinate-leader.” They have a wide perspective (the organization as a whole), while also maintaining a deep perspective relative to […]