A Question To Ponder: A Life Lived With Faith

February 5, 2010 By Mike Leave a Comment

In the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan his college professor asked him “Is there anything you are doing in your life, right now, that truly requires faith?” And Francis was a bit stumped. And so was I.

After reading that question I set the book down and reviewed my life and I admit the answer was “no, or I don’t think”.

I mean there are a lot of things that I rely on God for but I’m not sure if there was anything I actually said “I can’t do this on my own and need your help Lord.”

And I don’t want this to seem like I don’t rely on God for anything. I know he leads my life but I was just stumped trying to figure this question out. It may help if you understood how I interpreted the question. “Mike, is there anything in your life your doing that you couldn’t do on your own?”

I don’t know.

In 2009 Lisa and I stepped out and did something that required faith. And I’ll be honest it has been rough, real rough. In those valleys we’ve been going through are when we surrender (or need to surrender) it to God. Easier said than done, right?

I struggle with that. With the “surrender” part. I like to call the shots, but I’m realizing there are certain things that I just need to trust in God on, and that scares me.

A popular quoted Bible verse is John 16:33. We love to quote the part “In this world you will have trouble.” But sometimes we forget to add the next sentence “But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

And I read the “take heart” as “fear not”.

I know there are going to be more rough patches ahead. How rough? I don’t know. But, I’m relying on God for those. So, Lord, please help me recognize when I need you and help me surrender my life over to you.

So, your turn, is there anything in YOUR life that requires faith?

Filed Under Books, Faith, Parenting

10 Books on my 2010 Reading List

January 6, 2010 By Mike Leave a Comment

First off this is not a resolution list. It’s just 10 books I’m gonna read this year…or at least give them a try. I’m not afraid to put a book down and move on to the next one.

In no particular order.

  • The Pursuit of God (A.W.Tozer) – I’ve wanted to read this author for a while. My dad recommended Divine Conquest but the library didn’t have that one. Guess I’ll have to find that one elsewhere.
  • Forgotten God (Francis Chan) – I was really challenged by Francis’ first book Crazy Love. Hoping this one does the same.
  • Made to Stick (Chip Heath and Dan Heath) – I just finished this book in December but I think this is one I’m going to need to read every year. Probably pick this up again in June.
  • The Bible -  Nuff said. Probably going to stick in the New Testament this year.
  • Slide:ology (Nancy Duarte) – I flipped through this one a few months back. This one I need to buy and keep on the shelf.
  • The Witching Hour (Ann Rice) – I promised a buddy of mine I’d read this book. Hopefully it’s not too scary for me.
  • Free Ebooks (TBD) – I’m sure I’ll read 5 – 8 ebooks on business and marketing. Just throwing these on the list to motivate myself to do so.
  • TBD
  • TBD
  • TBD

Well, there is my list. As you see I added a couple TBDs. Those are for you to recommend books to me. Got any?

Filed Under Books, Publishing

Sony eReader Review

December 25, 2009 By Mike 1 Comment

I’ve been slow to the electronic book market. Well, I guess most of us have seeing as ebooks count for less than 4% of the overall book market (according to AAP).

But, for Christmas I got an ereader, inparticluar Sony’s Digital Reader Pocket Edition – Silver (PRS300SC).

My first impressions:

  • It’s small
    This device has a 5″ display. That’s small. Maybe I was expecting something a little bigger, but it’s small and I’ll get used to that.
  • Easy to read
    The device reads pretty easily. Page down to finish a page, page right to turn. Easy, right?
  • There are lots of free books out there to download
    The Pike’s Peak Library system rocks! They are tons of ebooks to download…for FREE! Being able to download native PDF’s to read is also pretty sweet.
  • Traditional books aren’t going anywhere
    The ereader is great. But, I still prefer a book…book. You know, a book you can pick up, read, put a book mark in, set by your bed for later. Books. The ereader is great for holding multiple books at once, but I don’t think my love for traditional books will go away.

Overall I like my new ereader. It will take some time to adjust to, but I think I’m going to like it. Hey, having 100s of books at your beckon call is pretty sweet, right?

Filed Under Books, Publishing, Technology