A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller

Have you ever watched a movie or read a book that left you with the feeling that you triumphed with the hero? Every good story has it’s ups and downs but in the end it’s all about the poor schmuck that you walked with during this point in their life. Do you have a good story? I thought I did. Sure, it’s a little boring at times but it works. Donald Miller caused me to ask some pretty hard questions about the path my life is taking. He made me wonder about how different things would be if I had a story that would captivate an audience. No, it’s not about getting attention from people, it’s about living the amazing tale that God  built for me. If other people want to enjoy the ride with me then they are welcome to come along. With artists like Big Daddy Weave writing songs like “What life would be like”  and authors like Donald Miller talking about “editing ” your life I think there’s a message from God to step out of our mediocrity and live a life that is not only a lot more fulfilling but God honoring. How can you edit your life for the better? Start praying for God to give you direction and read this book!

Max Lucado’s “Fearless”

I’ve been a fan of Max Lucado’s books for a while now, so when I had the chance to read and review his newest one I jumped at it. You don’t realize how many different emotions are connected to fear. This book has helped me see where my fear was and rail against it. Lucado is right on time with some terrific encouragements for out lives today.

They’re talking layoffs at work, slowdowns in the economy, flareups

in the Middle East, turnovers at headquarters, downturns in the

housing market, upswings in global warming, breakouts of al Qaeda

cells. Some demented dictator is collecting nuclear warheads the way

others collect fine wines. A strain of swine flu is crossing the border.

The plague of our day, terrorism, begins with the word terror. News

programs disgorge enough hand-wringing information to warrant an

advisory: “Caution: this news report is best viewed in the confines of an

underground vault in Iceland.”

It’s everywhere, this uncertainty of what is going to happen with the world around us, and more importantly, with us. Our enemy knows that fear and uncertainty can cause us to stop trusting God with everything and start trying to do things on our own. We cannot handle this on our own.

“What if faith, not fear, was your default reaction to threats?”

Instead of making a run on the bank or screaming at our neighbors at town hall meetings about health care, we should focus on God’s will for our lives. If we could only remember that God has everything under control then I think we can live the life we imagine, the life that is meant for us by the One that created us, a life without fear!

She Still Calls Me Daddy by Robert Wolgemuth

I have always wanted to have a daughter, they are the “Apple” of their Daddy’s eyes, and I can’t wait until God blesses me with the chance to raise my own.

I just finished reading my next book to be reviewed from Thomas Nelson Publishing.  I chose Robert Wolgemuth’s book She Still Calls Me Daddy by Robert Wolgemuth because the list of books from which I could choose was short: I had read many of the choices available. 

I’m always grateful for the opportunity to receive free books, but I wasn’t expecting much from this one. Primarily because I don’t have a daughter getting married. But I am, in a way, a counselor; so figured it would have something to offer.

It did. 

This is a gem of a book.  The author really lets you peer into his life and what it’s been like for him to gain a son-in-law, while loosening his grip on a daughter. Wolgemuth is quick to share many of the ways he blew it.

Lots of engaging anecdotes fill this book.  Stories of how mom had to learn to love something else.  She had to let go of her daughters and develop new hobbies and activities.  Stories of dad and how he embarrassed his daughter by taking charge of the wedding rehearsal, or tried to take control of where a picture hung in his daughter’s new home. 

The book is a guide of sorts for the process of launching our children into a world that includes spouses.  Through story, Wolgemuth engages the reader as he shows how he made his way into new territory – being the dad of a grown, married woman who has made someone else her priority.

I’m glad I chose this book.  It was a fun easy read and I feel a little better prepared for the day I walk my daughter down the aisle.

The Cookies- read each picture from left to right

Between Wyomings by Ken Mansfield

I just read Between Wyomings by Ken Mansfield, and I thought it was pretty good despite the fact that sometimes I had to force my way through.

Recounting his three month tour with his wife in their van (affectionately named Moses), Mansfield recounts, reflects,  and relives his years in the music industry.

Describing his writing style as a ‘christian on acid’, his statements are wildly imaginative pegging the mindset of the entertainment industry as we all imagine it to be, somewhat disorganized but wondrously creative at the same time.

He does write with a certain flare at describing things. I could vividly see the scenes he was recounting and I always enjoy a book that I feel like I am in.

Mansfield recalls his life and moments with many of the entertainment industries most famous icons, those who have shaped history, such as:  Beach Boys, the Beatles, Dolly Parton (who my wife loves), Waylon Jennings, Glen Campbell, Roy Orbison, Andy Williams, Don Ho, and Willie Nelson.

Especially interesting to me were his discussions with God as he searched to make sense of his life.  This is the essence of his testimony as it is for all of us. Describing God, Mansfield writes:

“Oddly enough, I think the big reason I love Him so much is because He doesn’t always knock before He enters. He loves to just storm into my deepest parts and start turning over tables, clearing spaces, and setting things free.”

Just like He did in the temple….and our bodies….

This is a very interesting and illuminating book, written with great honesty and humor. As you finish this book, you may find yourself grabbing your iPod, loading it up with a history of your life in ‘music’ and beginning a reflective story of your own.

Always

I walk around every day waiting and preparing myself to be in the presence of God once again, a process that used to make alot of since to me.  However, after a very intense conversation with my Godsend(My Wife) I stand corrected. She pointed out to me that God is, will be, and has always been there.  I must admit that it floored me to hear something that in my intelligence I had overlooked for several years. It shattered my conception of time and place when it comes to God and His place in my day-to-day life. God has always been there.  Always been there!!!!!!!!!!!! Let that sink in before you read any further. If God has always been there than I have been seriously waisting His time preparing  to come into a place that I have been in since the day that I was concieved. That’s  heavy.

How patient and understanding is My God.

Live every moment as if God were right there with you………………because He is.

My mind, heart, and voice are not on the same page.

Have you ever had one of those days where nothing you say helps anybody. The mere thought of your mouth opening seems to send the world into chaos. I have had one of those days. My mind is focused on not getting yelled at while I’m at work. My heart is focused on last night’s church service and what a blessing it was. My voice, being unattached from both my mind and heart has been on autopilot. That’s a very dangerous situation to be in. I’m reminded of a song. “Let my words be few” by Philips,Craig, and Dean. I know it has nothing to do with what I’m saying but I often feel like if I’m just quiet enough then the world would be a better place. That’s a funny thing for a person called to be one of God’s witnesses here on Earth to say, but that is exactly how I feel.