Tuesday, September 29, 2009

A Thousand Miles by Don Miller

A Thousand Miles is a funny and entertaining read. It’s tempting to call it a “beach read” because the vocabulary and writing don’t take much effort to follow or process – they kind of roll over you like a lazy Destin Gulf wave. But this is anything but a meaningless beach read because Don has a way of speaking to you in a gentle but commanding way that doesn’t leave much room to hide.

Like all great books, Don has a gift for taking simple truths and putting them in a personal context that makes the reader say: “what’s he’s saying about himself sure applies to me” or “he’s talking about me.” I love the idea that we are each writing our own story, and our job is to create a character that is worth emulating. It’s not a “you need to follow these rules” book but it’s very practical in terms of the lessons that one comes away with.

The great thing about Don’s writing is that he doesn’t preach, even when the temptation must be great. There is such a simple honesty about his writing – you feel like you would instantly feel comfortable with him when you met him one to one no matter what your background or ideology. I had never read anything Don has written before – now I’m absolutely intrigued to read his other books and tap into his prior wisdom.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

"Fearless" speaks truth

This little book deserves a permanent place on my bedside table or on the table next to your favorite reading chair because it is full of simple truths. Not a lot of surprises, just page after page of those prophetic nuggets of wisdom that most of us “know” but seem to have forgotten or just can’t bring to bear as a strategy for living. Mr. Lucado reminds us of the obvious, we can’t simultaneously be: afraid and happy, afraid and loving, afraid and giving, or afraid and content. And if we trust in God and follow Christ’s example and teachings, we can control or diminish our fears enough to be all of those attributes we pray for and want in our lives. Additionally, his practical strategies are ones that can help us all manage life's natural fears and anxieties.

The prose are elegant. The message is clear. The biblical foundation and scholarship are compelling. Mr. Lucado’s little book conveys an opportunity to transform our lives.