Do you ever hit the "next blog" button on these Google blogs? It can take you anywhere. I've found that only about half of the time the blog is in English. And many blogs are indecipherable. They seem to be half-formed thoughts; something akin to the plots of dreams. Some make no sense and show no potential for ever making any sense. Others are tightly controlled sales blogs that look like they're tended to hourly. They offer stuffed dolls, clothing lines, or innovative products for parents. Every once in a while you stumble across something vile. There's a"flag blog" button for these blogs; we police ourselves in this interesting mental world revealed by the blogosphere.
Still, there are trends. If you click "next blog" twenty times you will consistently pick up on three things:
1) People want to express themselves.
2) People want to be understood on their terms.
3) People want to connect well.
These are important for anyone working with people to understand.
OK, I'll bite. You lost me.
ReplyDeleteWhat does that mean?
Things like blogs, facebook, twitter, etc. show what people long for. For example, if I want to talk to a Pre-Christian person about Jesus, it will do me well to remember that this person most likely wants to 1) express himself or herself, 2) be understood on his or her own terms, and 3) connect well with others. Jesus was very good at this. I always marvel that a carpenter used so many farming illustrations. He was talking to people in a way that showed he listened to them first, as opposed to talking at them. I find this fascinating, but it could just be a weird interest of mine as a communicator.
ReplyDeleteAh! Thank you.
ReplyDeletePastor, you listen well. It is a great thing to be attached to something worthwhile, God's word and a man who desires to do His will.
Thanks, Andrew. Your prayers and encouragement keep me going!
ReplyDelete