Andy Andrews' book, The Final Summit, was an easy read and enjoyable. I have read several books by Andrews and have never felt like I wasted my time. The format of this book, although great for many stories, becomes boring and too predictable at times and reminded me too often of The Traveler's Gift. I thoroughly enjoyed that book, however, it was the first time I read Andy Andrews.
Don't get me wrong, I believe Andrews is a fantastic artist who uses historical figures well, and makes you want to learn more about them when your time with this book is done. He crafts stories in a way few others can, although it seems he is relying on the format from previous books to tell the stories. The story, in and of itself, is excellent and I do highly recommend it. I give it four out of five stars, even though I did find the format to become boring and predictable at times simply because of my experience with other books like this. I will give a little disclaimer here also, that I did read this book while under some time constraints, and I usually don't do that, I will usually put the book down and finish it at a later time. Of course, I also read this book on my Android mobile device, which is the first time I had done that also, which may have played a part in my impatience.
As far as the story itself, it's a delightful read, and a wonderful book to get lost in. I highly recommend reading it on a much bigger screen than I did, or preferably a good-ol' paper and ink book, instead of electronically.
This book was furnished by the through BookSneeze® in exchange for an honest review. All reviews are my own, and not influenced by this act.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Finding Our Way Again - A Review
I've been reading Finding Our Way Again: The Return of the Ancient Practices. There's a total of eight books in The Ancient Practices series, including this lead-off book by author, Brian McLaren. The latter seven books deal with everything from fixed-hour prayer, observation of the Sabbath, fasting and many other spiritual practices. Each book is authored by different writers, although most of them, if not all of them, are edited by Phyllis Tickle. Things I've read, make me believe the concept was hers, although I am unsure of any of the specifics. This book, meant to be a primer for the other individual practices gives the reader a great overview of the practices that will be dealt with in the follow-up books.
I personally have read many McLaren books, although not nearly all of them, and would consider myself a fan of most of his works. This one is no different, and I believe McLaren was a great choice for this kick-off book in the series. His words flow smoothly and freely about the different disciplines and he does a great job at introducing them. He includes enough detail to entice his readers to continue their journey, while at the same time leaving his readers wanting more.
While I have been curious about several of these disciplines, and even a practicer of some, I have rarely held more than a topical understanding of most. I really liked this book because it helped me have a better understanding of the history of these practices, while at the same time, learn plenty more about them. Enough, in fact, to make me want to read more of the books in this series, specifically on fixed-hour prayer, sabbath rest, and the spirtual journey.
All-in-all, McLaren challenges us, as is usual for the majority of his books that I've read, to look in the mirror to make sure we are truly living the life of a disciple, and not just adopting a set of beliefs. One of the things I like best about Mclaren's work is that he strives to make you question why you believe in something, so that it becomes a way of life, and not just another belief. Pick this book up, you will not be disappointed. If for nothing else than to learn the history of these spiritual practices and have a broader knowledge about them.
I personally have read many McLaren books, although not nearly all of them, and would consider myself a fan of most of his works. This one is no different, and I believe McLaren was a great choice for this kick-off book in the series. His words flow smoothly and freely about the different disciplines and he does a great job at introducing them. He includes enough detail to entice his readers to continue their journey, while at the same time leaving his readers wanting more.
While I have been curious about several of these disciplines, and even a practicer of some, I have rarely held more than a topical understanding of most. I really liked this book because it helped me have a better understanding of the history of these practices, while at the same time, learn plenty more about them. Enough, in fact, to make me want to read more of the books in this series, specifically on fixed-hour prayer, sabbath rest, and the spirtual journey.
All-in-all, McLaren challenges us, as is usual for the majority of his books that I've read, to look in the mirror to make sure we are truly living the life of a disciple, and not just adopting a set of beliefs. One of the things I like best about Mclaren's work is that he strives to make you question why you believe in something, so that it becomes a way of life, and not just another belief. Pick this book up, you will not be disappointed. If for nothing else than to learn the history of these spiritual practices and have a broader knowledge about them.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Living Life In The Zone by Rote/Pettigrew
I recently had the pleasure of reading through Living Life In The Zone by Kyle Rote Jr., and Dr. Joe Pettigrew. Living Life In The Zone bills itself as "A 40 -Day Spiritual Game Plan for Men". It's basically a 40-day devotional for men on how to live life in God's zone for your life.
Before I received the book, I wasn't sure what I would think about it because I knew that it was really sports focused, although I was very surprised with the content, the moving stories, the thought-inducing questions and overall, the takeway. This book really is about making you process through some of the basic tenets of what you believe and how you operate and trying to align those with God's plan for your life, instead of trying to create your own "zone" to play in.
Each day's devotion is divided into 7 parts. As you can imagine, the "Thought of the Day" is sort of the synopsis, or big thought for the day. "Coach's Corner" helps us to discover the relevance of God's word in our life while "Game Plan" talks to us about what God's word says about the particular topic of the day. After diving into God's word, there is the "Playmakers" section which are just stories of real men in the real world (generally well-known athletes, but not always). These are inspirational stories about their lives and careers that most people don't know, or have not heard. They really are moving stories that setup the next two sections.
"Time Out" asks questions for you to reflect on. I would suggest you have a notebook that you can keep handy, specifically for this devotional, and that you use it every day when you go through your devotion. I would say most devotions are about 10 to 20 minutes depending on how much effort you put into them.
The next section is "Today's Assignment", which challenges you to set a goal and to accomplish certain things from setting a quiet time with God every day to doing something for your spouse.
The part I really loved the most though was the final section "Home-Field Advantage". It simply asks you to write down your praises and concern that you would like to bring before God. I know that shouldn't be a huge issue, but in our busy, overcrowded days, it's easy to lose sight of the fact that we simply need to recognize our needs and take them to God, but also to praise Him for all His provision.
All in all, this book makes really great reading and in a devotional format, that doesn't even cause you to think twice about answering the questions and writing your prayer's and praises. I highly recommend this book, and I believe that women could get just as much out of it as men do, although a few questions may be gender specific, there are not many.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Monday, November 29, 2010
Help a Friend Win!
Hey all,
I was just wanting to ask for your help so that a friend could win a scholarship, click on the Vote link on the bottom left of the picture for me. It doesn't any information from you or anything like that, it just simply requires you to push the button.
Thanks,
Robert
I was just wanting to ask for your help so that a friend could win a scholarship, click on the Vote link on the bottom left of the picture for me. It doesn't any information from you or anything like that, it just simply requires you to push the button.
Thanks,
Robert
Thursday, September 16, 2010
The Only Road North - Erik Mirandette
I read a book last summer (2009) that I had semi-forgotten about. I recently ran across it again in a bookstore and just wanted to post a little review so that people could decide for themselves whether they wanted to read it or not.
The Only Road North chronicles a journey from Cape Town to Cairo with Erik Mirandette at the helm along with two friends and his brother. Erik was finishing up two years with a humanitarian organization in Morocco but wanted to pursue a dream of his to ride across the African continent on dirt bike. 9000 miles of dust and dirt, poverty and dreams, beauty and danger, and ultimately, living life to it's fullest. He knew this trek would be tough and full of surprises, but he knew that he wanted to live it and experience it with close friends and family.
I highly recommend this book. It is a great story of Erik's journey that brings with it lots of emotion, from sadness to gratefulness to awe. His story embodies the type of adventure that we all dream about, but seldom seek out. It reads quick and easy and for me, it was one of those books that you don't realize you've just read for four hours straight, because you can't put the book down. It's best to do so, because there are so many nuggets for living life more fully in this book. The book brings the African continent to life in a way that normally can only be experience and through this book we get to ride that dirt bike down the dusty, almost non-existent trails of Africa and through the bullet-filled streets of Tanzania. The author makes sure to highlight the "God moments" that kept them safe, or delayed them just enough to keep them from harm in the upcoming town.
Overall, this adventure-in-book-form, was a great investment of time. Although it was a break from reality, it was just as much a peak into a much bigger world where God still loves, protects, teaches and comforts. It was a refreshingly honest look at living life to the fullest and the dangers that brings, while reveling in the awe of Creation.
The Only Road North chronicles a journey from Cape Town to Cairo with Erik Mirandette at the helm along with two friends and his brother. Erik was finishing up two years with a humanitarian organization in Morocco but wanted to pursue a dream of his to ride across the African continent on dirt bike. 9000 miles of dust and dirt, poverty and dreams, beauty and danger, and ultimately, living life to it's fullest. He knew this trek would be tough and full of surprises, but he knew that he wanted to live it and experience it with close friends and family.
I highly recommend this book. It is a great story of Erik's journey that brings with it lots of emotion, from sadness to gratefulness to awe. His story embodies the type of adventure that we all dream about, but seldom seek out. It reads quick and easy and for me, it was one of those books that you don't realize you've just read for four hours straight, because you can't put the book down. It's best to do so, because there are so many nuggets for living life more fully in this book. The book brings the African continent to life in a way that normally can only be experience and through this book we get to ride that dirt bike down the dusty, almost non-existent trails of Africa and through the bullet-filled streets of Tanzania. The author makes sure to highlight the "God moments" that kept them safe, or delayed them just enough to keep them from harm in the upcoming town.
Overall, this adventure-in-book-form, was a great investment of time. Although it was a break from reality, it was just as much a peak into a much bigger world where God still loves, protects, teaches and comforts. It was a refreshingly honest look at living life to the fullest and the dangers that brings, while reveling in the awe of Creation.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Eating Triscuits in the Rain!
One of my favorite things to do when I was a child, maybe 7 or 8 years old, was to pull my dad's recliner out onto the covered porch while it was raining. I would sit in his recliner, eat triscuits and just watch the rain fall, taking in the smell and the feel and the sounds that rain brought with it.
I'm sitting on my patio again this morning in my patio chair instead of my dad's recliner. I have no triscuits, and my porch railing is blocking my view of the rain and the drops hitting the ground. I am enclosed on three sides so that limits the smell and the feel of the humid, wet air on my skin. I can however hear the wind and see it blow flags straight and cause the flag ropes to rattle against the flag poles. The overbearing sound I hear this morning though is of Dallas traffic. It's still somewhat peaceful between sounds of diesel trucks and speeding cars and honking horns. That time in between each passing vehicle.
My experience this morning, sitting outside on the patio with everything going on around me leads me to reflect on my life with Christ in a new way. You see, here lately, I feel like my life has been nothing but traffic, non-stop Dallas highway traffic. It has been by my own choosing, of course, so don't feel sorry for me, however, I am realizing that even in the situations I am in, I still have another choice besides running to a more peaceful place...I can choose to be at peace even in the chaotic traffic. I can choose to see and hear and feel God's presence around me. Right now, even though there is a lot of traffic, there may be 2 seconds in between vehicles, or like just a moment ago, there may be 20 or 30 seconds between vehicles. Either way, it's the time between the traffic that makes it easier to hear the rain and the wind. I think that's a lot like what it is with God. We have so much crap in our head and in our lives that we don't have that margin between vehicles. The margin is that time in-between one to-do, or thought, or task, or phone call, or email, or facebook, or distraction. Margin is the time in between your mind being busy and being able to focus on the blessings and will of God. Now, if you are in practice I believe you can have enough spiritual margin in your life so that you reflect constantly on God, even in the midst of all the traffic, but for those of us that are out of practice, experiencing God outside of the margin is not very easy. Heck, truth be told, experiencing God within the margin even feels taxing and even non-existent some time.
I best commune with God when I am purposeful with my time about getting together with him. Whether it be during lunch, or my drive home, or on my patio. Why don't I do it more often? Why don't I do it daily? I don't know...I suppose I let the traffic of life distract me. I suppose the real reason I don't do it more often is because I don't really want to do what I'm afraid God is going to tell me to do. Not fearful necessarily, but being lazy. Being obedient takes energy. It takes movement and focus and determination and drive. It takes courage!
I suppose by choosing not to listen, I'm also choosing not to be courageous. You know, I'm reading some stuff and listening to some things that are making me realize my life is not very engaging, but it's mostly because I am choosing not to engage it. I am choosing to get lost in reality in front of the TV, or in front of a movie. It's easier to hope for a change and daydream about change, than it is to enact change. My headline actually says it here on my blog: What the world needs is people who believe so much in another world that they cannot help but begin enacting it now. I want to be that person. I dream of being that person. I hope to become that person. Therefore, I must be courageous and actually take steps to bring that to reality. I'm still looking for me inciting incident though, and I'm not sure there HAS to be one of those, but I think it helps...well, I know it helps in my situation, but I also know that it shouldn't be required for change to take place. Change should take place because God directs it, and I desire to please my Father. So, Lord, I am choosing today, right now, to be obedient!
I'm sitting on my patio again this morning in my patio chair instead of my dad's recliner. I have no triscuits, and my porch railing is blocking my view of the rain and the drops hitting the ground. I am enclosed on three sides so that limits the smell and the feel of the humid, wet air on my skin. I can however hear the wind and see it blow flags straight and cause the flag ropes to rattle against the flag poles. The overbearing sound I hear this morning though is of Dallas traffic. It's still somewhat peaceful between sounds of diesel trucks and speeding cars and honking horns. That time in between each passing vehicle.
My experience this morning, sitting outside on the patio with everything going on around me leads me to reflect on my life with Christ in a new way. You see, here lately, I feel like my life has been nothing but traffic, non-stop Dallas highway traffic. It has been by my own choosing, of course, so don't feel sorry for me, however, I am realizing that even in the situations I am in, I still have another choice besides running to a more peaceful place...I can choose to be at peace even in the chaotic traffic. I can choose to see and hear and feel God's presence around me. Right now, even though there is a lot of traffic, there may be 2 seconds in between vehicles, or like just a moment ago, there may be 20 or 30 seconds between vehicles. Either way, it's the time between the traffic that makes it easier to hear the rain and the wind. I think that's a lot like what it is with God. We have so much crap in our head and in our lives that we don't have that margin between vehicles. The margin is that time in-between one to-do, or thought, or task, or phone call, or email, or facebook, or distraction. Margin is the time in between your mind being busy and being able to focus on the blessings and will of God. Now, if you are in practice I believe you can have enough spiritual margin in your life so that you reflect constantly on God, even in the midst of all the traffic, but for those of us that are out of practice, experiencing God outside of the margin is not very easy. Heck, truth be told, experiencing God within the margin even feels taxing and even non-existent some time.
I best commune with God when I am purposeful with my time about getting together with him. Whether it be during lunch, or my drive home, or on my patio. Why don't I do it more often? Why don't I do it daily? I don't know...I suppose I let the traffic of life distract me. I suppose the real reason I don't do it more often is because I don't really want to do what I'm afraid God is going to tell me to do. Not fearful necessarily, but being lazy. Being obedient takes energy. It takes movement and focus and determination and drive. It takes courage!
I suppose by choosing not to listen, I'm also choosing not to be courageous. You know, I'm reading some stuff and listening to some things that are making me realize my life is not very engaging, but it's mostly because I am choosing not to engage it. I am choosing to get lost in reality in front of the TV, or in front of a movie. It's easier to hope for a change and daydream about change, than it is to enact change. My headline actually says it here on my blog: What the world needs is people who believe so much in another world that they cannot help but begin enacting it now. I want to be that person. I dream of being that person. I hope to become that person. Therefore, I must be courageous and actually take steps to bring that to reality. I'm still looking for me inciting incident though, and I'm not sure there HAS to be one of those, but I think it helps...well, I know it helps in my situation, but I also know that it shouldn't be required for change to take place. Change should take place because God directs it, and I desire to please my Father. So, Lord, I am choosing today, right now, to be obedient!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Does anyone else experience it?
I mean, the feeling that you have gotten off of the path, somehow. It seems like I experience that feeling quite often. At least every couple of years. Possibly more. Do you experience that feeling? Sometimes I feel like I someone has distracted me JUST long enough to get me to miss that small fork in the road I was suppose to take. I just kept trucking right on passed it.
I'm tired of doubting my path with God/to God/etc. I just want to stay on purpose! Of course, I have to find it again before I can concentrate on that.
I'm tired of doubting my path with God/to God/etc. I just want to stay on purpose! Of course, I have to find it again before I can concentrate on that.
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