gdp's Comments

Michael Hyatt Blog : What Is BP Doing Right?

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:42:45 +0000

I agree. We're not relying on BP, the huge corporation to clean up this mess, we're relying on Fred Lemond to get the job done. Personalizing it like this does add a better sense of accountability.

Michael Hyatt Blog : Forget Your Blog Stats and Just Write!

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:32:21 +0000

I can definitely relate -- the comments section can easily become a scoreboard of significance for your ideas. Like you said, I'll write a post that I think will blow the doors off the blogging world, and I get little to no reaction. It can be frustrating, but I like how you have chosen to deal with the distraction by removing it completely.

Michael Hyatt Blog : Forget Your Blog Stats and Just Write!

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:27:20 +0000

You hit the nail on the head. For me, blogging is the best way to bring a greater clarity to my thoughts, especially when I get pushback from readers and have to refine or reinforce my views on an issue. I came across a William Faulkner quote recently (it might have been one of the quotes in your sidebar, actually) that really illustrates how I am when it comes to writing: "I never know what I think about something until I read what I've written on it."

Michael Hyatt Blog : Rule #1: Don’t Publicly Criticize Your Boss

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:50:50 +0000

Rule #2: If you're the ranking general of an in-progress conflict, don't allow your press secretary to convince you that letting an anti-war, Rolling Stone reporter hang out with your inner circle for a month is a good publicity idea. What were they thinking? I agree with most of what you're saying, and I'm not particularly interested in defending the mess McChrystal has allowed himself to get into. However, I do think its important to be clear on the point that most of the harsh criticisms of the Obama administration were made public by others on McChrystal's staff, not by McChrystal himself. So much of the article is quoting advisers or "sources familiar with the meeting", that sort of thing. For leaders, this highlights the importance of aligning your private life with your public life. If you are one way in public and another with your inner circle, you run the risk of having both sides collide. The more you can minimize the discrepancy between the two, the better your chance at preserving your integrity.

Michael Hyatt Blog : Three Reasons You Can’t Afford That High Maintenance Client

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 23:31:34 +0000

Mr. Hyatt, sometimes I get the feeling that you pick your posts based on a hidden camera you have that films the exact circumstances that are occurring in my life. I'm not meaning to be narcissistic myself with that comment, I'm just amazed at how timely your posts can be in my life. This one hits close to home. I'm starting up a new business, and just three days ago I decided to put the axe to a partnership with a company that I was positive would be our saving grace. Well, just like you mentioned in your post, it turns out that they are looking to be a bit more persnickety than a small business startup has the time/energy/money to deal with. In this case, there might definitely be a better opportunity down the road, but I'm glad to have had the confirmation I needed from your post that nipping this in the bud is exactly what I need to be doing right now.

Michael Gray ~ Uncensored, but Spell-checked : Mormonism's Search for Acceptance

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 01:16:19 +0000

In order for the church -- which we both believe was instituted by Christ while he was on earth -- to have perverted the laws and teaching of Christ, they had to have been practicing them properly at some time. At what point do Mormons think that Christianity strayed off the path? And what historical evidence is there that early Christianity practices the faith as the LDS practice it today? I think my biggest red flag is that many of the religious practices of Mormonism (temple rites, baptism for the dead, etc.) never existed in Christianity, and many are expressly forbidden in the Bible. As far as proof of these practices is concerned, historical evidence is non-existent -- we must simply take Smith's word for it. That's difficult. And the idea that other religions are simply doctrines of man is not really the whole truth. Temple rituals actually show dramatizations that depict ministers of other religions as being beholden to, even directed by, Satan himself. In that very ritual, the practitioners of Mormonism stand in judgement of the hearts of leaders outside their faith.

Michael Gray ~ Uncensored, but Spell-checked : Mormonism's Search for Acceptance

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:25:40 +0000

The difference between us in this regard exists in the infallibility of Scripture. Christ, in our view, has come to earth and the fullness of truth is written in the Bible. This means that no man can come along and institute a "new direction" for the church unless it falls within the written boundaries set by the Bible. The challenge Mormons must face is how the church's past and present are not always in agreement. If Mormonism's living prophets through the years have been in disagreement, it must be the stance of the church that Christ himself is prone to changing his mind about the most significant issues regarding the church. Christianity has always had only one authoritative voice on the major doctrines of the church -- the Bible. Interestingly enough, you may be surprised to find that most Christians believe that each person who has accepted Christ essentially has the same ability as the LDS prophet -- to engage in direct, living communication with Christ.

Michael Gray ~ Uncensored, but Spell-checked : Mormonism's Search for Acceptance

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 23:59:35 +0000

I think the difficulty in this entire point is that you and I are talking about two completely different understandings of Christ. Not just slight differences (like those found among the various Protestant denominations), not even profound differences (like those that exist between Catholics and Protestants), we're talking about polar opposite views regarding the person of Christ and his origins. With that in mind, it makes sense that Christians (as they have been called for centuries) object to another religion taking for themselves the exact same designation, especially when the foundation for their beliefs is not even in the same ballpark. In order for Mormons to separate their faith from the faiths of all traditionally-named Christians, its important that the LDS church starts by giving its followers a separate designation. More to come...

Michael Hyatt Blog : Sleep and Your Productivity

Wed, 9 Jun 2010 13:57:59 +0000

Whoops, I replied using the wrong account. I also wanted to ask what plugin you use for your pull quotes. Am I crazy, or is that a new feature on your blog?

Michael Hyatt Blog : In Defense of Books

Wed, 12 May 2010 14:14:47 +0000

I completely agree. My third graders who are expected to read regularly fare far better than those whose parents don't make the same requirement. I'd be interested in knowing how old Dr. Carson was when he began reading two books a week. I'm also interested in your take on young readers' books like the uber-popular "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series. I see it mostly as entertainment-based reading that teaches kids that books that are not rife with funny pictures are not worth reading. Many of my colleagues say "whatever gets kids to read is fine by me." Have you seen those?

Michael Hyatt Blog : Two Postures Toward Change

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:10:50 +0000

Excellent post. Personally, I love to lean in to new challenges. What I tend to struggle with discouragement when those around me lean back. Public school funding in Arizona is in a horrible situation right now, and will be even more so going in to the next year. Obviously, educators are freaking out (read: leaning back with a vengeance). Because of many of the things I've read on this blog and in books on leadership, I'm really able to see this as an opportunity to do some powerful and unexpected things, and have come up with some significant and affordable ideas. I'm working really hard to encourage my school to lead the way in leaning in to the blue ski runs of public education. This post encouraged me to keep leaning. Thanks!

Michael Hyatt Blog : What Have You Got to Complain About?

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:05:48 +0000

I have seen this video many times, and each time I am shamed. Shamed because I have none of Patrick's limitations, but sometimes I still complain that, "if only I had __________, I could do so much more." Shamed because I sometimes see the limitations in people or circumstances instead of the opportunities to work with what's there, and achieve even greater victories. Shamed because I sometimes approach life with less joy and enthusiasm as this blind, crippled man. Thanks for the reminder that I really have no right to complain about the "abilities" that God has given me.

Michael Gray ~ Uncensored, but Spell-checked : Glenn Beck & Social Justice

Thu, 1 Apr 2010 14:22:05 +0000

Thanks for commenting. While we do share similar views on Mormonism (especially its history), I\\\'m not sure todays Mormons are quite so devious as to have Glenn Beck \\\"proselytize\\\" in this manner. The LDS church actually came out against his statement. Now that you mentioned it, I\\\'m interested in looking in to their charity work. They do spend a great deal of money on things like the mall, their conference center, and rebuilding Main Street, but I\\\'m not sure how much of their money makes it outside the church. I\\\'ll look into that. If you\\\'re interested, I have a good number of posts related to Mormonism -- I invite you to check them out.

Michael Gray ~ Uncensored, but Spell-checked : Terrorism is in My Blood

Sun, 28 Mar 2010 03:39:54 +0000

My information came from a blog post of a Hatch family historian (living in Panguitch, UT if I remember correctly) who is LDS himself. His website no longer exists as far as I can tell. I also remember reading some US government report/document that tied him to the event. It seems that you are correct in saying he was a scout who helped hunt down and eliminate three retreating members of the Baker/Fancher party. Whether or not he "pulled the trigger" is irrelevant because his involvement in the event is apparent. And the idea that he went through all the trouble to track them down only to plead with Chief Jackson for their lives seems far-fetched, especially in light of the actions of his fellow brethren. If he did indeed stand in opposition to the cold-blooded directive of the church leaders at the time, then I freely withdraw my criticism.

Michael Gray ~ Uncensored, but Spell-checked : Terrorism is in My Blood

Sun, 28 Mar 2010 01:56:57 +0000

I used the term "domestic terrorism" as a description of the act of killing a large group of innocent civilians (not government soldiers) on US soil. I could just as easily have used "domestic slaughter of innocents", but I don't personally see any significant difference between the two. I used the term "unprovoked" because the men, women, and children they murdered were not armed at the time of the attack and had not initiated any physical aggression whatsoever. And as for adding context, I didn\'t want to get into the LDS doctrine of blood atonement because, let's be honest, one could write a doctoral dissertation on that subject alone. In the end, I would never try to claim that the Mormons of Mountain Meadows are anything like the Mormons of today, and I certainly never claim that my short blog post is an in-depth, academic study of the event.

Michael Gray ~ Uncensored, but Spell-checked : This is What I Know

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 04:24:03 +0000

How sad. Well, if she ever gets into that situation again, please let her know that there are hundreds of thousands of people who would consider themselves blessed to raise and love on her next baby. In fact, please let me know directly. My wife and I are always willing to add another to our family. Thanks for commenting.

Michael Gray ~ Uncensored, but Spell-checked : Terrorism is in My Blood

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:01:27 +0000

Yergy, good to hear from you -- though I didn't think it would be on this post first! :) I think the actions of the body show strong evidence of the motivations of the heart. If I were making an historical judgment on the motivation of Mormons who attacked and killed the men of the party because they thought Buchanan had sent them to replace Young as governor, then I could see a strong degree of justification. It's the killing of unarmed men + women + most of the children that I find appalling, and in this case most telling when it comes to judging the state of their hearts. I basically agree with your final sentence and, in this case, I am prepared to be judged using the same judgment I exercise in my take on this horrible crime. Look forward to hearing more from you!

Michael Gray ~ Uncensored, but Spell-checked : Glenn Beck & Social Justice

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:07:13 +0000

I agree with you Jon. Did you happen to read Ebert's post and watch the videos included? MSNBC is so condescending, and one of their sources claims that Beck perverts the teachings of the Bible while touting the fact that their church embraces gay, lesbian, and transgendered clergy. Cognitive dissonance anyone?

Michael Hyatt Blog : 10 Reasons Why You Aren’t Done Yet

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:11:52 +0000

I identify most strongly with #6 and #7 -- perfectionism and the hesitancy to delegate. To me, the two go hand-in-hand because my quest for perfectionism causes me to think (falsely) that no one will be able to do it the way it needs to be done, so I'll just do it myself. I have recently begun to learn that I need to see my work in terms of "right" or "not-right" rather than looking through the lens of perfect. I'm also guilty of telling my wife, "I'll be there in a few minutes, hon." Boy, those minutes really fly by! :) My recent post Glenn Beck and Social Justice

Michael Hyatt Blog : The Third Ingredient of a Successful Blog

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:31:47 +0000

LOL! I'm guessing that your reaction is not a very good indication that I might have a chance at winning this contest. :)