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Mind Blasters - INSTANT DOWNLOADThe Ultimate Collection of Mind blowing English Mind Magic Tricks Some of the World's Top Mentalist's Tip Their Mitt! A Whopping 195 pages! Over 40 Contributors! 55 Sensational Routines! Illustrated with Photographs & Graphics TECHNICAL INFORMATION TYPE: PDF E Book Instant Download (3. 62MB) DELIVERY: Electronic Instant download(worldwide) DIFFICULTY: Full Range from 2 8 out of 10 FILE SHARING TRACKING PROTECTION: Embedded Customer ID Number. Full

The Ultimate Collection of Mind-blowing English Mind Magic Tricks

Some of the World's Top Mentalist's Tip Their Mitt!

 

A Whopping 195 pages!- Over 40 Contributors! - 55 Sensational Routines!

Illustrated with Photographs & Graphics

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

TYPE: PDF E-Book Instant Download (3.62MB)

DELIVERY: Electronic/Instant download(worldwide)

DIFFICULTY: Full Range from 2-8 out of 10

FILE SHARING TRACKING/PROTECTION: Embedded Customer ID Number.


Full Table of Contents

 

Marc Paul

AAA Serial Number Divination: Marc divines the serial number on a borrowed bank note - ANY time - ANYwhere - without ANY preparation. New to Marc's AAA series - never before released!

Shuffle Challenge Too: A hands-off miracle! You show a deck of cards to be all different. These you then shuffle and then set in front of the spectator. You do not touch them until the end of the effect. The spectator is asked to think of a number between 1 and 52, this number is a free choice and is never revealed to you. While the spectator is concentrating on their number you make an open, verbal prediction of a playing card, let's say the Five of Clubs. The spectator now shuffles the cards and then they deal down to their secret number. When they turn over the card that they randomly arrived at it is the Five of Clubs.

John Archer

Back to the Future: Spectator thinks of a card in an invisible deck. You remove that very card from an envelope that has been on the table from the start. No card index used, but you'd swear that John had to have used one - it's that clean. Or you might just ‘swear'!

Wayne Dobson

Fluke: A red and a blue deck are introduced, both cased. The red deck is given to a spectator. You ask this person to THINK of any number from 1 to 52 and then name it. They might say 27. You remove the blue deck from its case and spread the cards face up on the table. One face down card is seen in the middle. This proves to be the Four of Spades. Turning back to the person with the red deck, you ask which number they thought of earlier - he replies 27. He now removes red deck and counts down to the 27th card. Miracle of miracles... the 27th card is ALSO the Four of Spades!

Stephen Tucker

58 to 1: Someone thinks of one of the 58 locations, and ... you reveal it!

ACAARN: Any Card At A Revealed Number!

Paul Hallas

Still Battling Along: An alphabet deck is placed on the table and then two packets of cards are shown, one containing female names and one containing male names. Four people give single digit numbers and each is used to count down to a letter card. The selected name is now revealed, and the alphabet letters arrived at from the counting are turned over to show that they spell out the selected name!

Christopher Williams

Ungaffed Entourage: Gordon Bean's amazing Entourage is made even more amazing as Christopher dispenses with the gaffs.

Predictext: You send a prediction to any spectator's mobile phone and then prove your prediction to be 100% accurate!.

Abracadaver

Con-Flatulation: You ask three spectators to name any Animal, Vegetable and Mineral. You have predicted the outcome on a card in your wallet. Easy method.

Les Johnson

Remote Viewing Magic: You divine the content of a freely chosen picture using remote viewing.

Harold Cataquet

The Knight's Tour: If you've ever wanted to perform the classic Knight's Tour and found the prospect daunting-then this new approach from Harold Cataquet is your answer.

Seeing & Believing: The performer writes down a prediction, and tables it. A note is borrowed, and the note is shown to have the same serial number as the prediction. The note is returned to the original owner, but the serial number has changed. The prediction that the performer made is now blank.

 

Andy Nicholls

Borderline Location: Andy Nichols exploits a flaw to create something flawless!

Out of the Ordinary: A spectator predicts the colour of cards as they are removed from the deck. A prediction placed aside at the start of the trick details how many the spectator got correct and lists the incorrect guesses.

Shiv Duggal

A Good Year: Using a deck of cards, choices made by a spectator are shown to have been predetermined!

Frequency: You appear to memorize a deck of cards...even if your memory is like a sieve!

James Ward

What's in a Word? Perform miracles with a deck of 50 words!

Sentimental Journey: James' excellent take on the Chris Carter/Doc Eason "Anniversary Waltz."

Stephen Jones

1812: Force any large number...simple as that!

Titanic: Two spectators each think of a card...you find them!

Russell Hall

The Blackwood ESP test: This one from Russell could have beaten the James Randi $1m Challenge!

Roni Shachnaey

The Inquisition: Bizarre Magick with a gripping script.

Lewis Jones

Concord: Any Card at Any Number! Anyone shuffles the deck. One spectator picks out any card, by freely cutting the deck herself. A second spectator, with the deck in his own hands, deals out any number of cards himself. Bingo.

Scott Creasey

The Eternal Triangle: Scott Creasy (creator of the incredible BIP Book) has created a powerful and engaging prediction using the Major Arcana from a Tarot pack. Perfect for walk-around.

Barry Cooper

Are you a "real" mentalist? / The ABC of ESP: Two thought-provoking essays from Barry Cooper.

Al Smith

Tryangle: A spectator thinks of any World Champion Snooker Player. The magician divines the name.

Friendly Persuasion: Is the persuading done by a combination of verbal and physical cues - body language - and perhaps a hint of regular Extra Sensory Perception?... Nuances so subtle that they are not suspected or detected. Or perhaps not. It could be just a trick.

Roger Curzon

The Devil Rides Out: The face of the Devil visibly changes into a randomly selected number in a very visual and stunning a manner.

Andrew Brown

The Living & the Dead: With 8 portrait cards and total freedom of choice, it would seem impossible for you to have predicted the outcome...but you have.

The Clairvoyant Card: a red-backed card found in the deck matches a spectator's selection. Easy - powerful - no sleights.

Anthony Brahams

Cabin Book Test: Uses an ungaffed book and can be presented either as a prediction, or a mind reading experiment.

Dominic Twose

Drawing Close: A drawing duplication using an old gambler's dodge.

Justin Higham

Double Minded: Two spectators each think of a card ... you read their minds and find them!

Mike Hopley

Two-Person Book Test: Without saying a word at any time, your assistant is able to divine a word that a spectator is thinking of. You repeat this several time. Finally, as a variation and to round off the experiment, your assistant asks the spectator to concentrate silently on the final digit of the page number. This, too, is successfully divined.

A Card in Motion: First you read a spectator's mind, and then you cause her chosen card to travel...

Roger Ferriby

The Ghost of the Ferry Boat Inn: A strange story culminates in the revelation of a name that only the spectator could know.

Todd Landman

My Ching: A spectator chooses 8 cards from a pack of 64 I-Ching cards. But the outcome is already sealed in an envelope that has been in full view from the outset.

David Britland

Fooler's Gold - T. A. Waters: David Britland explains a wonderful routine & a lesson in scripting from the late T. A. Waters that was originally destined to be included in a series for the BBC called The Mind of Dr. Frost.

Walt Lees

Ring Master: A small bag is displayed from the opening of which dangle several pieces of rope. You explain that tied to the end of one is a valuable gold ring. The others have nothing attached. Several members of the audience are allowed to pull out the ropes until only one remains. Whoever gets the ring can keep it. In true Just Chance style, nobody wins the ring. You remove the final rope and show the ring hanging from the end. You untie it and invite a spectator to feel inside the bag. A small card is discovered bearing the message: "The Ring always stays with its Master!"

Andi Gladwin

Mentalist's Luncheon: Taking an old principle, Andi has hit on a new peek device that is failsafe and ever-so-easy to use!.

Chris Hare

Crab: This a great and unexpected prediction effect that can be performed for any size of audience.

Chris Wardle

.PS.: Three random spectators-three chairs-5 coloured balloons and a deck of ESP cards all add up to an entertaining and baffling triple prediction.

James Brown

Dark: While your eyes are completely covered by a spectator you are able to name freely chosen cards. Then to top it off you cause a card to change into a free selection whilst it is held by the spectator. Remember, your eyes are securely covered throughout.

Caught 3 Times: Using their imagination, three spectators cause their selected cards to appear one at a time between two face up Queens whilst they are holding the cards.

Olly Crofton

Three Thoughts: A Freudian Opening, A Three-phase card trick and A Mad Explanation from the creative mind of Olly Crofton.

Paul Gordon

Twin Peeks: The ultimate Peek Deck. Paul tips this previously marketed effect that has fooled a lot of knowledgeable people.

Thought Stealer Rethought: A spectator merely thinks of a card. he then spells its name by dealing a card for each letter and is amazed to find the very card he is thinking of!

Steve Cook

Balls 2: You place a cup on the table and cover the opening with a piece of card. Three invisible coloured balls are tipped from the cup and placed in line on the table. The spectator is offered a free choice of any ball; the other two are eliminated. You then cause the spectator's selection to materialise, and then likewise with the other two balls which were discarded.

Barefaced! You display a packet of blank cards and the spectator takes one and writes any word or number on it while you look away. The designated card is turned face down and cut into the packet. You remove a ‘special card' from your pocket and write something on this card, which is placed in full view. Under these ‘test conditions', the spectator's card is removed from the centre of the packet and his written thought is seen to match yours.

Stephen MacRow

Brain Fry! You and a spectator both think of a card. The spectator looks through a shuffled deck and removes the card which they believe you are thinking of. The spectator's card is placed next to your card on the table. You now reveal the card you are thinking of. It is shown to be the same card that the spectator placed on the table. You then reads the mind of the spectator to discover which card they are thinking of and this is also shown to be correct.

Mark Elsdon

Bottle Capped: Thirty or so beer bottle caps are shown to all bear different logos. They are then turned logo side downwards and mixed. A spectator selects one - it might bear a Budweiser logo. Congratulating the spectator on his excellent taste, you bring an open, full bottle of Bud out of your coat and enjoys a drink!

Best Telephone Trick: One of a group of people decides on any object, person or place - real or fictional - and phones a random number from any telephone directory. The person who answers the phone (who genuinely is the stranger listed in the directory,) immediately tells them what they are thinking of. No mobile phones are used, nor codes, or gimmicks.

Brainwave-2: Two spectators each name any random playing card. You spread a blue backed deck revealing the two freely named cards are face up. Not only that-but they have RED backs"

John Holt

Absolutely Positive: You remove a prediction from your pocket. A spectator is given three imaginary coins to place on the table. In their imagination, one coin is selected. The spectator, again using their imagination decides whether the coin is heads side up or tails-they might think heads. All this is done without the spectator saying a word. You draw attention to the prediction. The spectator opens it to reveal a blank piece of paper. The magician draws the spectator to the other contents of his pocket on the table-one coin, and it is heads side up-matching their imaginary choices exactly!

Doug Segal

I'm Sorry I Haven't a Cluedo: Using the props from the classic game of Cluedo, you succesfully predict the murderer, weapon and place. This is a great audience-participation routine.

David Penn

Drawing Duplication - A Video Bonus! Link to an on-line video presentation by David Penn in which he describes in great detail his excellent Drawing Duplication method.

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4.0 ★★★★★
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Verified Purchase
K Edward
Boise, US
★★★★★ 5
Excellent glimpse into Christ's model for leadership
Format: Paperback
This book is on a required reading list for ministerial licensing in my state. I found it a refreshing look into real Christian leadership (seemingly free from methods and techniques encouraged by the world). I say 'refreshing' because so many leadership books send out a 'drill sergeant' message that 'You need to toughen up for leadership. It isn't a cake-walk... You do a lot alone, etc. etc.' That may be true, but it can almost be discouraging/ disheartening for those interested in learning about leadership. NOT SO with this book. The author is a humble man of God who only desires to walk closer with Him. He (author) approaches leadership from a Divine angle; that is, he doesn't see leadership as the exercise of power and authority for its own sake. He sees leadership as that quality one gets from simply walking with Christ in close fellowship, to the point of being what he calls 'a mystic'. He encourages us to take those quiet walks with God; get to know His heart, and only then... be qualified to lead others with a servant's heart. He encourages us to be transparent and not to seek to do this alone (contrary to the messages this world sends us). To do this he shares engaging stories from his own life - stories of tough lessons he had to learn about becoming a Christian leader. God taught him through these life experiences more accurately what it means to be a leader, and I found myself identifying with him. I found this book on leadership to be a great encouragement to just walk closely with God - and that's what it's all about!
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Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2006
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Brad
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
Follow Jesus, Not the World
Format: Paperback
Henri Nouwen calls on Christian leaders--including himself-- to resist, as Jesus resisted, the temptations to be relevant, spectacular, and powerful. Instead, "...the Christian leader of the future is called to be completely irrelevant and and to stand in this world with nothing to offer but his or her own vulnerable self. That is the way Jesus came to reveal God's love." Further: "We keep forgetting that we are being sent out two-by-two. We cannot bring good news on our own. We are called to proclaim the Gospel together, in community." And: "The temptation of power is greatest when intimacy is a threat. Much Christian leadership is exercised by people who do not know how to develop healthy, intimate relationships and have opted for power and control instead. Many Christian empire builders have been people unable to give and receive love." I hope these excerpts give you a flavor of what's inside this extraordinary book, which I thought was truly profound even in its simplicity. Nouwen speaks from the heart because he speaks from experience. He walked away from a high profile clerical career to follow Jesus in the most authentic way he could. His is a story worth hearing and imitating.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2006
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Lavid
Draper, US
★★★★★ 5
Un libro que debes leer!
Format: Paperback
El tema del liderazgo cristiano es vital dentro de la Iglesia. La lectura del libro In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership, hace un aporte significativo a mi entendimiento teológico acerca del liderazgo. Como líderes podemos edificar o destruir vidas; ayudar a otros a que avancen o frenarlos en su jornada de fe; servir de inspiración o dejar huellas de dolor en la vida de otras personas; mostrarles el camino a otros o perdernos en el camino. El autor hace una pregunta que creo que es muy oportuna y puntual en nuestra vida: ¿Qué decisiones has estado tomando últimamente y cómo son un reflejo de cómo percibes el futuro? Ciertamente no había reflexionado en ello. Cada día tomamos decisiones desde el momento en que abrimos los ojos, si ya me levanto, qué voy a desayunar, qué ropa me voy a poner, etc. Pero no había analizado si mis decisiones diarias me están acercando a lo que Dios tiene para mí o si me tienen estancada en mi pasado. Una de las cosas que ha llamado mi atención en la lectura de este libro es que el autor dice que llegó a un punto en su vida donde comenzó a sentir una terrible amenaza interna y se cuestionó si el hacerse ya mayor en edad lo había acercado más a Jesús. Quiero detenerme aquí, porque una líder que ha influenciado mi vida es mi madre. Ella ya tiene 83 años, y continuamente me repite: -Hija, tengo que estar muy cerca de Jesús, ya casi llega mi hora y quiero poder encontrarme con Él cara a cara. Puede uno entrar a su cuarto y la hallarás en su sillón con su Biblia abierta y orando o cantando alabanzas a Dios. Ella se preocupa por guardar su relación con Jesús. ¿Alguna vez, como líderes, estamos preocupados por si estamos muy cerca de Dios? ¿O es que quizás nuestro liderazgo nos hace presuponer que sí lo estamos? Estamos tan ocupados en la viña del Señor que se nos olvida ocuparnos del Señor de la viña. El autor reconoce que en esa etapa de su vida ya no oraba con pasión, sino que lo hacía bastante mal, se había aislado de las personas y se dio cuenta de que su alma estaba en peligro. Vino a mi mente Mateo 16:26 (NTV) “¿Y qué beneficio obtienes si ganas el mundo entero pero pierdes tu propia alma? ¿Hay algo que valga más que tu alma?” O como Pablo les dice a la Iglesia en Corinto: “no sea que habiendo predicado a otros, yo mismo sea descalificado.” 1 Corintios 9: 27 (b) Creo que si reflexiono teológicamente me debería preguntar: ¿Tengo la seguridad de lo que vale mi alma? ¿Podré yo quedar descalificada ante Dios en algún área de mi vida? ¿Está mi alma en peligro? Henri J.M Nouwen desmenuza la tentación de Jesús y nos muestra tres tentaciones que como líderes y ministros enfrentamos frecuentemente. La primera a la que se refiere es la Tentación de ser Relevante y su base es cuando el diablo le pide a Jesús que convierta las piedras en pan. Hoy hay muchos que quieren ser “relevantes a toda costa”, aunque eso signifique ir más allá de nuestros principios y cambiar por completo el Evangelio. Cada vez que escucho a un predicador diciendo que “pacte” con cierta cantidad de dinero para recibir un milagro, me indigno en gran manera porque algo que Jesús ofreció gratuitamente al pagar con Su sangre, ahora los “grandes predicadores de estos tiempos” lo han convertido en negocio. ¿Estaremos provocando que Jesús voltee nuestras vidas como hizo con las mesas de los cambistas del templo? Se nos olvida que Jesús es quien tiene que ser relevante para el mundo y que tenemos que reflejar la luz de Cristo. Hoy vivimos pendientes de cuántos seguidores tenemos en las redes sociales, cuántos likes tienen nuestras publicaciones. Por eso decía al principio, que podemos perdernos en el camino. Nouwen se inquietó de que su ineficaz oración y la tiranía de lo urgente lo estuviera empujando a reprimir al Espíritu Santo. David sabía lo que significaba andar sin el Espíritu Santo como compañero, por eso clamó en el Salmo 51: 11 “No me eches de delante de ti, Y no quites de mí tu santo Espíritu” Coincido con el autor cuando expresa que los líderes del futuro serán aquellos que se atrevan a reclamar su irrelevancia en el mundo contemporáneo como una vocación divina que les permita entrar en una profunda solidaridad con la angustia que subyace a todo el brillo del éxito y traer la luz de Jesús allí. El autor nos hace reflexionar en la pregunta que Jesús le hace a Pedro. ¿Me amas más que estos? No le preguntó acerca cuánta gente lo conocía, a cuántos había impactado. La pregunta era relacional: ¿me amas a mí? Por lo tanto la pregunta para nosotros sería, ¿estoy enamorada de Jesús? Nouwen declara que el líder del futuro es uno que conoce el corazón de Dios. Cuando no estamos ligados al corazón de Dios porque nos falta esa intimidad con Él, somos más propensos a que el anhelo por la fama, por ser exitosos, se apodere de nosotros y nos desenfoque de nuestro llamado. Conocer el corazón de Jesús y amarlo son lo mismo. Cuando vivimos en el mundo con ese conocimiento del corazón de Jesús, no podemos hacer más que traer sanidad, reconciliación, nueva vida y esperanza donde quiera que vayamos. Seguido a la pregunta tan desafiante, viene una tarea importantísima: apacienta mis ovejas. Mi corazón se estremeció, pues a pesar de conocer este relato y haberlo predicado varias veces, esta vez el enfoque del autor me hizo reflexionar en que muchas veces se nos olvida que hemos sido llamados a apacentar las ovejas, que tenemos una responsabilidad pero por tratar de ser relevantes no la estamos cumpliendo a cabalidad. El autor aborda ahora el tema de la oración contemplativa como una disciplina importante para el cristiano. La oración contemplativa profundiza en nosotros el conocimiento de que ya somos libres, que ya hemos encontrado un lugar para morar, que ya pertenecemos a Dios, a pesar de que todo y todos los que nos rodean siguen sugiriendo lo contrario. Nouwen lanza una pregunta que es confrontante: ¿Son los líderes cristianos del futuro verdaderamente hombres y mujeres de Dios, personas con un ardiente deseo de morar en la presencia de Dios, escuchar la voz de Dios, mirar la belleza de Dios, tocar la Palabra encarnada de Dios y saborear plenamente la bondad infinita de Dios? Aunque está mirando hacia los líderes del futuro, mi preocupación es también por nosotros, los líderes actuales. Si no vivimos una vida de oración no vamos a poder enseñarle a los líderes del futuro cómo avivar ese deseo ardiente de permanecer en la presencia de Dios. Anoche en el servicio de oración de la iglesia, yo les hablé acerca de cuando Dios decide poner fin a Sodoma. Dios se pregunta: ¿Encubriré yo a Abraham lo que voy a hacer, habiendo de ser Abraham una nación grande y fuerte, y habiendo de ser benditas en él todas las naciones de la tierra? Pienso entonces: ¿qué nivel de intimidad tenía Abraham con Dios que éste no quiere encubrirle sus planes? La respuesta la da el mismo Dios: “Porque yo sé que mandará a sus hijos y a su casa después de sí, que guarden el camino de Jehová, haciendo justicia y juicio, para que haga venir Jehová sobre Abraham lo que ha hablado acerca de él.” Dios sabía que Abraham iba a preparar a su descendencia como líderes del futuro. La oración es llamada “la cenicienta” de la iglesia. Para muchos no es relevante; sin embargo, es lo que alimenta nuestra alma y define quiénes somos en Dios. Para vivir de pie delante de los demás, debo vivir de rodillas delante de Dios. La segunda tentación es la de ser espectacular. Hoy la mayoría de los cristianos quieren ser parte de los ministerios de la iglesia que son más visibles: alabanza, predicar detrás de un púlpito, ministerio de danza. Pocos prefieren estar en el grupo de intercesión, o en los servidores, o ser de los que limpian el templo. El mismo Nouwen dice que actuamos como si la visibilidad y la notoriedad fueran los criterios principales del valor de lo que estamos haciendo. La popularidad ha reemplazado lamentablemente la verdadera esencia del ministerio. Somos especialistas en dar shows domingueros, no en adorar a Dios los domingos. Somos especialistas en luces que impresionan en los stages de las iglesias, pero no somos luz que alumbra en medio del pecado. Somos especialistas en buscar las mejores voces para que canten en nuestro servicio, pero no en que nuestra voz produzca cambios en otros. La propuesta de Nouwen para tratar esta tentación es la confesión y el perdón. Los líderes y ministros deben ser personas siempre dispuestas a confesar su propia fragilidad y pedir perdón a aquellos a quienes ministran. Debemos ser capaces de rendir cuentas. Creo que esto es algo en lo que Wesley enfatizó y que debemos retomar. Hace unos años, para la tesis de graduación, mi esposo Daniel propuso como tema para la misma la rendición de cuentas. Esto causó revuelo en la Facultad, debido a que ellos decían que ese era un tema pasado de moda, que porqué tenemos que decirles a otros nuestras debilidades y nuestras faltas. ¿Qué tanta basura hay en mi vida que tengo temor a que sea expuesta? ¿Será porque dejo de ser relevante y espectacular ante otros? La tentación de ser poderoso es la tercera tentación que menciona Nouwen, y él considera que esta es la tentación más seductora. Ciertamente he visto a gente cambiar drásticamente cuando se les ha sido dada autoridad. El autor considera que a pesar de nuestra experiencia que el poder no nos da la sensación de seguridad que deseo, sino que revela nuestras propias debilidades y limitaciones, seguimos haciéndonos creer que más poder eventualmente satisfará nuestras necesidades. El texto que usa el autor en esta parte es uno de mis textos preferidos en la Biblia, Filipenses 2: 5-8, y me encanta la versión The Message: “Piensen en ustedes como Cristo Jesús pensó de sí mismo. Tenía el mismo estatus que Dios, pero no pensaba tanto en sí mismo que tenía que aferrarse a las ventajas de ese estado sin importar qué. De ningún modo. Cuando llegó el momento, dejó a un lado los privilegios de la deidad y asumió el estatus de esclavo, ¡se convirtió en humano! Habiéndose hecho humano, se mantuvo humano. Fue un proceso increíblemente humillante. No reclamó privilegios especiales. En cambio, vivió una vida desinteresada y obediente y luego murió una muerte desinteresada y obediente, y el peor tipo de muerte, una crucifixión.” Cristo renunció a todo, pero nosotros lo queremos conservar todo. El autor resalta el hecho de que gran parte del liderazgo cristiano es ejercido por personas que no saben cómo desarrollarse sanamente, sin habilidades relacionales y que han optado por el poder y el control en su lugar. Muchos constructores de imperios cristianos han sido personas incapaces de dar y recibir amor. Por eso es tan importante la disciplina de reflexionar teológicamente. Porque creo que ninguno de nosotros está eximido de enfrentar y de caer en estas tentaciones, así que debemos estar constantemente reflexionando en nuestro liderazgo y en la influencia que estamos teniendo en las personas que nos rodean. El verdadero liderazgo espiritual, según Nouwen, es uno en el que “el poder se abandona constantemente en favor del amor”. ¿Qué tanto estoy dispuesto a ceder por amor a Dios y a mi prójimo? Mis preguntas al terminar este maravillo libro son: ¿Cómo Dios ve mi liderazgo? ¿Cómo veo mi liderazgo? ¿Cómo otros ven mi liderazgo? ¿He permitido que alguna de estas tentaciones venza y gobierne mi vida?
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Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2020
R
Verified Purchase
Rick Watts
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 4
Great Book for Church Leaders
Format: Paperback
In this book, Nouwen describes what he believes the key characteristics of a Christian leader are. These characteristics are guided by two stories for the Gospels: the story of Jesus' temptation in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11) and the story of Peter's call to be a shepherd (John 21:15-19). These characteristics are being prayerful rather than relevant, ministerial rather than popular, and being led rather than being a leader. Nouwen first explains that the temptation of today's ministers is to be relevant. Nouwen says that Jesus also had this same temptation. When Jesus was tempted by the devil in the desert, the first temptation was to turn stones into bread. With so many people in the world dieing of starvation, we all wish at times that we had the power to turn stones into bread. However, when Jesus was asked to perform the relevant behavior of changing stones into bread, he stuck to his mission to proclaim the Word and said, "One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). Rather than trying to be relevant to the world, a Christian leader should use Jesus as the source of their words, advice and guidance. It is through the discipline of contemplative prayer that Christian leaders can do that. It is not enough for Christian leaders to be moral people, well trained, eager to help their fellow humans, and able to respond creatively to the burning issues of their time. Christian leaders must truly be men and women of God, people with an ardent desire to dwell in God's presence, to listen to God's voice, to look at God's beauty, to touch God's incarnate Word, and to taste fully God's infinite goodness. The second temptation Nouwen says Christian leaders must avoid is the temptation to be spectacular. This was also Jesus' second temptation in the desert. "Throw yourself from the parapet of the temple and let the angels catch you and carry you in their arms" (Matthew 4:6). Jesus would not do it. He refused to be a stunt man to prove that he had something worthwhile to say. In stead Jesus said "Don't put the Lord your God to the test." Nouwen says that in today's church, individualism among ministers and priests is prevalent. Many do not have many skills to be proud of, but they still frequently feel that, if they have anything at all to show, it is something they must do solo. However, Nouwen says that ministry is not done solo, but in pairs. In Mark 6:7 Jesus sent the discipline out two by two to conquer evil. We cannot preach the Gospel on our own, we are called to share the Gospel together, in community. Nouwen goes on to say that ministry is also mutual. Jesus said, "I am the god shepherd. I know by own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for my sheep" (John 10:14-15). Ministers have gotten the idea that good leadership means keeping a safe distance form those we lead. However, when the members of a community cannot truly know and love their shepherd, shepherding just becomes a subtle way to exercise power over others. Nouwen says that the only way to for us to over come this temptation is confession and forgiveness. This does not mean that ministers should bring their own sins into the pulpit. It means that ministers are called to minister with their whole being, including their wounded selves. The third temptation today's Christian leaders must overcome is the temptation of power. When the devil said to Jesus "All this I will give you if you will bow down and worship me." Jesus replied "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only" (Matthew 4:9-10). Others say that having power - provided it is used in the service of God and your fellow human beings - is a good thing. Nouwen says that it was this rationalization that caused crusades, inquisitions, and the enslavement of Indians. He says it seems easier to be God than to love God, and easier to control people than to love people. Nouwen says that a common misconception among Christian leaders is that the older and more mature you get then more capable you become as a leader. However, John 21:18 says, "I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Nouwen says that the most important quality of Christian leadership is not a leadership of power and control, but a leadership of powerlessness and humility. Powerlessness and humility in the spiritual life refer to people who are so deeply in love with Jesus that they are ready to follow him wherever he guides them, always trusting that, with him, they will find life and fine it abundantly. Nouwen says that the way to discern where we are being led by Jesus is through theological reflection. Theological reflection is thinking with the mind of Christ. The Christian leaders of the future have to be theologians, persons who know the heart of God and are trained - through prayer, study, and careful analysis - to manifest the divine event of God's saving work in the midst of the many seemingly random events of their time.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2010
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Victoria
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 5
Not just for leaders
Format: Paperback
Even though this book is geared towards Catholic leaders and I’m not in a management/leadership role, I found the discussion of the temptation of fame, power, and relevance so applicable. It cut to my core. I think we all wrestle with those temptations in some way or another. Definitely one to read again and again!
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Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2023

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