DISQUS

Anna · 2 years ago

Let me guess: Thee is an INFJ? Or close to it?

Jesse Gavin · 2 years ago

I just need to point out that is is post number 666 on your blog.

dlw · 2 years ago

Well, I've been torn up by anxiety, myself, a good deal while in seminary and haven't gotten terribly good grades. I don't feel anywhere as disciplined as I could be and as I think I was in the past.

I don't know if that helps. I hope blogging about it helped.

I would say that write the book now the way you would write your papers. Be nonchalant, but held accountable to do it regularly.

It doesn't have to be great, but I think it's pretty obvious from your significant blog-traffic(much more than mine) that there is a demand for the things you have to say and that shd help you get your book published and continue to expand your ministry.

dlw

markvans · 2 years ago

Anna: I'm more of an ENFP. What made you think that I was an INFJ...is that what you are?

Jesse: Thank you for bringing attention to my blog's damniversary!

dlw: Thank you for the encouragement. I need to attempt some sort of regular writing routine--I've been thinking about getting up a bit earlier and going somewhere from, say, 8 til 10 just for writing. But such a thing takes discipline. I wish I had a writing buddy.

Matt Wiebe · 2 years ago

My fear is that I’ll try–I’ll really try to put hard work into this book and I’ll fail.

I can so identify with this, that I almost had to do a double-take to make sure that I wasn't reading my own writing. And the coasting bit before it too.

The problem for coasters like us is that we've usually never failed, and we're scared to take on something big enough where that might be a possibility. I sure don't have conquering this figured out, but naming it and calling it out sure helps. I'm also trying to convince myself that it would be far worse to try and fail than not to try at all.

dlw · 2 years ago

pray for Ukraine.
http://sodsbrood.com/antimani/2007/04/12/decent...

Luke · 2 years ago

I rather like it when people do therapy through their blog. That's what my own blog is all about... :)

Anna · 2 years ago

Yep, I'm an INFJ now, though I tested in at an INFP when I first took the test 9 years ago. Odd, how personality can migrate a little as you get older. At least we are in the same camp. ;)

BTW, I was pretty much a slacker through my undergrad, too. I could have done a sparkling thesis, etc., but was satisfied with squeeking through. I've been struggling with what to publish on my blog, if I should have a blog at all, or just hermitized myself until I think I have something important to contribute.

Daniel · 2 years ago

Let me add a thought regarding whether the book should be done and if you know how to do it. Please forgive the hillbilly parable but I think it will translate.

I have three sets of rabbit cages. The first I built with someone else. They didn't really know what they were doing but they knew more than I so we built it and it works. I have had to make a few adjustments but it should work for many years in the future.

When I went to build the second set of three cages I attempted to repeat exactly what the other person had built with a few changes due to a few different specific needs. It turned out really bad. It has need a lot of fixing and will need some more this summer. Eventually it will work though not quite as long as the first.

Finally I took the skills I learned from the first two experiences. Ruffled around for some other ideas from books, magazines and added a dose of my own inspiration and set to work again. In everything I let myself be led by my own values as an small animal holder and anti-industrialist guide me. The last set of cages have only needed one small adjustment. They are holding up better than the others and fit better with my style of animal husbandry.

The first book may or may not be worthwhile. It may fail and need to go to the scrap heap. Not a fun thing to consider given all the work and personal investment. But you can only write the third book by going through the first two, suffering and all. Look at some of those seminary papers.... I'm guessing the last ones were better than the first... same concept.

So there is the discipline of writing... there is also the discipline of suffering, or the discipline of perseverance if you want a more positive image. You learned a lot through persevering through the church "re-boot" and are a better church leader because of it. Are you willing to become a better writer through persevering through this book?

peace
courage
joy,
Daniel (who is considering either starting his own book or trying to improve the soil of a nearby field... one could be as much a heartbreaking failure as the other or as wonderful success as the other)

John · 2 years ago

"And herein lies the dillema: how do I really know if the book rattling around in my skull is something important, or merely something that will make me feel important? "

I think the dilemna that you are facing will always be around. It will never go away and I think we all battle it in some way or another. The fact that you can recognize it and confront it shows that you are more disciplined than many others in our culture.

Great blog Mark. I read it daily. I often pray for or think of you guys as I drive through the West Bank, almost on a daily basis.