Thursday, November 14, 2024

Rising to the Call, by Os Guinness



The importance of "calling" is a timeless idea that's been central to people of faith for generations. 

In a world that often measures success by titles, promotions, and material gain, Guinness reminds us that there's a deeper, more meaningful way to live. For him, calling isn't just about finding a job or building a career; it's about understanding why you're here, who you're meant to serve, and what you're ultimately called to contribute to the world.

Guinness draws a clear line between two kinds of calling. First, there's our primary calling—to follow God, to let faith be the foundation that guides our choices and shapes our lives. 

Our secondary callings are, well, secondary — the roles we take on in our work, family, and communities. Guinness insists that the real purpose in life comes from this primary calling. Everything else, he says, should flow from that, not the other way around.

The book is full of insights that cut through the noise of modern culture, where the pace and pressure to succeed often drown out the quieter voice calling us to a life of real substance. Guinness speaks to those of us who feel that something vital has been lost in the hurry and hustle of modern life. He challenges readers to remember what really matters and to live with integrity and a sense of duty, as our parents and grandparents might have urged.

Rising to the Call is a call to action that resonates deeply with those who understand that true success isn't just about reaching the top; it's about staying true to who you are and what you're meant to do. It's a book for anyone looking to reconnect with values that last, reminding us that answering the call on our lives is about leaving a legacy of faith, service, and purpose. Guinness taps into that older, enduring wisdom—a reminder that real fulfillment comes not from what we get, but from what we give back, as we respond to a higher purpose.

Wednesday, August 7, 2024

Monday, July 22, 2024

Monday, July 8, 2024

Wednesday, July 3, 2024

Sunday, April 7, 2024

The Gift of Thorns, by A. J. Swoboda



I heard about this book on James Bryan Smith's "Things Above podcast."
Smith claimed he emptied a highlighter while reading the book. 

I emptied two. 

Something's changed inside me. Lots to reflect on, and a few reread to come. 

Saturday, December 30, 2023

Carrying these three over to 2024.

These three I'm carrying into 2024. So much in each of these. 

I've started Divine Conspiracy a few times the past 20 years and have never finished. I'm slowly going through it again, reading Willard's Theology as I go, along with a Willard Dictionary. 

As to "A Different Way," it's been a slow read the past 4 months. 

Hall, Willard, Richard Foster, Steve Macchia and James Bryan Smith are cut from the same cloth. 




Thursday, October 26, 2023

The Inner Game of Tennis, W. Timothy Gallwey



Gallwey emphasizes the mental and emotional aspects of performance, what he appropriately calls the “inner game.”

In the end, “The Inner Game of Tennis” offers a philosophy for self-improvement that extends beyond the tennis court. 

Saturday, August 12, 2023

Class: The Priority & Practice of Soul Care, led by Steve Macchia, LTI

Sobering and insightful. My awareness on this matter is much higher than before the class. I'm even aware of the growth I've had in recent years surrounding my soul. It's so good to realize I've done a better job of taking care of my sour, my heart that my self-talk had been telling me. 


Getting Naked, by Patrick Lencioni

This is my second time through this really good read. The first time 10-12 years ago. 

I'm praying and pondering the rest of my years and this book came to mind. 


Sunday, July 16, 2023

Death Can Only Make Me Better: Remembering Tim Keller (1950–2023) | Desiring God

" Courage, on the one hand, is not looking at yourself and banishing fear. No, it's just letting the fears play their role, and not letting the fears play too much of a role by looking away from yourself. "Okay," you say, "but then to what?" It's even in the text I just read. It was defiance, not hope. Hope." - Tim Keller

https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/death-can-only-make-me-better-remembering-tim-keller-1950-2023

Saturday, June 10, 2023

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

God Walk, by Mark Buchanan



2nd and 3rd time through. This listen (some reading) has become a regular companion on my walks, and contemplation afterwards.