Interview: Major Doug Burr
Original Publication - JAC #53, February 2008 – March 2008
JAC: What is your idea of perfect happiness?
DB: I have many ideas of happiness, but since the word
"perfect," is used, I can only offer: Living and worshiping in
God's presence.
Psalm 65:4 Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live
in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your
house, of your
holy temple.
JAC: What is your greatest fear?
DB: Entering heaven and finding my eternal "place" of worship
is near the back of the room and not right next to Jesus.
{shudder}
JAC: What living person do you most admire?
DB: Stephen Court. I don't know anyone more committed to God's
mission than he. His unwavering, untiring dedication to
getting people saved and growing them into committed, active,
radical Soldiers is an undying example to me and those who
have the privilege of knowing him.
JAC: With which historical figure do you most identify?
DB: Samuel Logan Brengle.
JAC: What is the trait you deplore most in others?
DB: Laziness.
JAC: What is your greatest extravagance?
DB: Chocolate. Any kind!
JAC: What is your favourite journey?
DB: Home!
JAC: What do you consider the most over-rated virtue?
DB: Assuming virtue as "a trait valued as being good" (not
necessarily the traditional Christian virtues), Frankness. Way
too many people think they are being virtuous when they speak
what they are honestly feeling at the moment. Sometimes it is
best to not speak at all- especially if you have nothing
helpful to say. I can't count how many times I have seen
others hurt by the terrible things someone speaks all in the
name of being frank.
JAC: What talent would you most like to have?
DB: I'd like to be able to play the piano to the point where I
could just play jazz without music, making it up as I went
along.
JAC: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would
it be?
DB: I would like to be more outgoing and love being with
people more.
JAC: What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
DB: Hell. And I mean the real place. I can't imagine being in
a place where there is no hope.
JAC: What is your most treasured possession?
DB: While I feel possessions are important to my identity (my
personality), I don't really own anything that I specifically
treasure above something else. Perhaps I could say a wall
painting reproduction of the Monitor and the Merrimac, or just
as easily say the toy Batmobile on my desk. Wait- my computer?
No, surely my armadillo collection. Maybe the personal Bible
of a respected soldier given to me by his family after he
passed away…
JAC: What is your most marked characteristic?
DB: Deep thinker.
JAC: Who are your favourite writers?
DB: Watchman Nee, Samuel Logan Brengle, C. Peter Wagner.
JAC: Who is your favourite hero of fiction?
DB: Luke Skywalker, who thought he was a "nobody," but was
much more. He overcame the call of the "dark side" and held
out faith for the redemption of his family. He became a strong
foundation for other's future.
JAC: Who are your heroes in real life?
DB: Rob Dolby, Danielle Strickland, missionaries.
JAC: What is your motto?
DB: Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that
it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done
through God. - John 3:21
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