reading what i want

For the past two and a half weeks I have been on a break from the Ed.D. Program at George Fox University. I find myself happily sandwiched between fall classes (Organizational Change & Decision Making and Foundational Perspectives on Ethics & Diversity) and those starting just over a week from now (Quanitiative Research Methods and Advancing the Organization: Fundraising). The challenge of tackling Miroslav Volf has passed and the anxiety of entering a doctoral level statistics course has yet to set in.

As with most school breaks, the thing I enjoy most is the lack of academic demands on my time. I feel as if I am granted a brief window to catch up on life, resume friendships that have gone untended, clean my house, and read whatever I want. The challenge for me is trying to fit it all in, especially the reading. There are so many books to read, good books. I have shelves of books that I haven't yet read, and the stores are chalk full of others that call out to me whenever I walk by.

And so, with the start of this break I made a conscious decision to read diligently (of which a positive side-effect has been that I've watched a lot less television). Again, my challenge is selecting what to read, or more specifically what to finish. Finally, months later finish Ruthless Trust by Brennan Manning? How about Peter Hessler's Oracle Bones: A Journey Between China's Past and Present a book that I started before going to China in July (photos coming if I can get iPhoto to export correctly)? The Servant by James Hunter? The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman? And just when I thought I had enough options to choose from - one of my classmates, Heather, gave me Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything as a Christmas gift. I must say the title really piques my inquisitive side.

In the end, although reading bits and pieces of several of these, so far, I went back to a book that I first read about six years ago as part of a men's ministry program at Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley. The book is Point Man: How a Man Can Lead His Family by Steve Farrar. I'm not married, nor am I engaged, and I don't have any children. But I hope and pray that all of that is in my future. And if and when those dreams become reality, I want to be ready for the responsibility that comes along with the titles of husband and father.

Point Man does a relatively good job of laying out the need for husbands and fathers to step up to the plate in leading their families. He outlines the Biblical role and responsibility of a husband as a leader, while making crystal clear that this leadership is not to be abused. Men are called to lead their family as a servant, as one seeking the best for those they are leading. Our model is the sacrificial love of Christ.

The book includes some kitschy humor and several silly stories, but the overall point of the book is driven home quite well. I really recommend the book to men that seek to lead their families well, particularly from a Christian worldview.    

"lights please"

And with that, Linus begins his annual reminder of the meaning of Christmas. Many of us have watched A Charlie Brown Christmas for decades. It's a classic, and for some its one of the best parts of the holidays. And yet even in light of the truth that Brother Linus preaches, we continually find ways to make Christmas something else.



Despite our best efforts to take the focus off it's true meaning, that's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Merry Christmas.

work in progress

It has been months, 9 months to be exact, since my last post. I've started writing several, but as of yet, they just aren't ready. Watch for more soon. I have a three week break from school, and vacation time from work. So, I've got a little time to do the things I really enjoy - like writing.

In the mean time, I felt like it was time to update the blog visually and technically. I've already made the switch to a three-column blog format(!), and have started to change the look. In the next few days, there will be some additional changes including the header, new color scheme, and much more.


As for the promised posts on Ruthless Trust by Brennan Manning, those will show up eventually. I'm currently in the midst of four other books that I want to finish over the break.

Thanks for the encouragement during the stretch when I've been off the grid, and for checking back to see if I've written anything new.

Merry Christmas!

alone and unknown

Every so often I get the feeling that I am, as the title of this post would indicate, alone and unknown. Or perhaps more accurately, unknown and alone.

In these instances, I am overcome by the feeling that very few, if any, know the real me - with all my baggage, issues, and flaws. The result is a palpable sense of being alone.

We all have an innate desire for intimacy, to be known. And yet it is often our own protectionist efforts that keep this desire from being realized. We are so preoccupied with guarding our hearts that we refuse to let down our facades so that others might see and know what is real and true.

And so we end up feeling alone and unknown...like I did tonight.