Comments on: The mysteries of power… http://www.ourfathersworld.org/2009/01/15/the-mysteries-of-power/ A Conversation about God, His Creation and Our Role in Creation Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:34:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Ed http://www.ourfathersworld.org/2009/01/15/the-mysteries-of-power/comment-page-1/#comment-14 Ed Fri, 16 Jan 2009 01:50:18 +0000 http://www.ourfathersworld.org/?p=52#comment-14 Fred, I think the issue is formal vs. informal power. As unpopular as he has been, President Bush has retained all of the formal power vested in the presidency. A former president has no formal power - but may have (or develop) great informal power. Jimmy Carter is probably a unique example of an unpopular president who developed greater power in his post-Presidency than he had during his time in office. We all know people with great formal power - they must be obeyed - but no informal power, and others whom we have no obligation to follow or obey but to whom we give deference and for whom we would do almost anything. Fred, I think the issue is formal vs. informal power. As unpopular as he has been, President Bush has retained all of the formal power vested in the presidency. A former president has no formal power – but may have (or develop) great informal power. Jimmy Carter is probably a unique example of an unpopular president who developed greater power in his post-Presidency than he had during his time in office. We all know people with great formal power – they must be obeyed – but no informal power, and others whom we have no obligation to follow or obey but to whom we give deference and for whom we would do almost anything.

]]> By: fgluck http://www.ourfathersworld.org/2009/01/15/the-mysteries-of-power/comment-page-1/#comment-13 fgluck Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:39:08 +0000 http://www.ourfathersworld.org/?p=52#comment-13 Do those who are leaving really "loose" power or are they simply "relocated"? I offer as evidence past Presidents Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter. If the definition of power is "the ability to do your will" (and that seems to me to be a good definition), I maintain that these past Presidents still have extraordinary power. Power is less of the "position" and more of who you know, how to work the channels and what resources you have. We think of it as a "transfer" of power, but perhaps it is better thought of as a "shift of power" -- and thank God, in the USA, it is a smooth process, more evidence of God's blessings. It reminds us that are are called to pray for our leaders. I would assume that that would include all leaders -- past and present -- who still have influence over us. We should pray for the condition of their hearts because what is in one's heart, truly influences one's actions... whether you are a "high and mighty" or simply occupy a cubicles. Do those who are leaving really “loose” power or are they simply “relocated”?

I offer as evidence past Presidents Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter. If the definition of power is “the ability to do your will” (and that seems to me to be a good definition), I maintain that these past Presidents still have extraordinary power.

Power is less of the “position” and more of who you know, how to work the channels and what resources you have.

We think of it as a “transfer” of power, but perhaps it is better thought of as a “shift of power” — and thank God, in the USA, it is a smooth process, more evidence of God’s blessings.

It reminds us that are are called to pray for our leaders. I would assume that that would include all leaders — past and present — who still have influence over us. We should pray for the condition of their hearts because what is in one’s heart, truly influences one’s actions… whether you are a “high and mighty” or simply occupy a cubicles.

]]> By: tcanny http://www.ourfathersworld.org/2009/01/15/the-mysteries-of-power/comment-page-1/#comment-10 tcanny Thu, 15 Jan 2009 16:31:13 +0000 http://www.ourfathersworld.org/?p=52#comment-10 <i>I Corinthians 1:26-29</i> Quite possibly my most favorite Bible passage. I saw a similar dynamic while in the Army. Commanders changed every 12 - 18 months and could make you feel motivated or de-motivated depending on their "charisma" or "leadership" but you still did your job along with the rest of the grunts in the division, brigade, battalion, company, etc. Which is where things really got done. I Corinthians 1:26-29
Quite possibly my most favorite Bible passage.

I saw a similar dynamic while in the Army. Commanders changed every 12 – 18 months and could make you feel motivated or de-motivated depending on their “charisma” or “leadership” but you still did your job along with the rest of the grunts in the division, brigade, battalion, company, etc. Which is where things really got done.

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