Related to visual or fine art.
OKAY…cool thing today! Here’s my book for free, including a Table of Contents. (It’s available for a limited time, and you can pass it along.)
Set aside 20 minutes for this keynote speech that will inoculate you from many disappointments, and give you great wisdom for your calling in creative endeavors.
This photo is a of a “Little Free Library”. Cool idea, huh? Not sure what could be more adorable, aside from a baby or a kitten, or a baby with a kitten.
The power of Story is potent and universal. We’ve all been changed by stories, and they often bring meaning and pleasure to life.
In my ebook, I talk about the 4 themes of God’s Grand Story. It’s not limited to just the Gospel Story, but rather 4 Big Ideas that root our experiences, create hope, add meaning, and reveal the nature of Creator and Redeemer God:
• Creation
• Fall
• Redemption
• Consummation
This idea of Story and the human experience is something I’ve been chewing on for a few months, so my ears perk up a bit when something ties in well.
The STORY conference in Chicago this September is one of those things. It’s especially designed for creators, communicators, and lovers of Story.
I’ll be writing an essay for the STORY Conference attendees Notebook on the topic and beautiful recent phenomenon of Little Free Libraries. Have you heard of them? Hundreds are popping up around the United States and are now in at least 20 other countries. Each small book holder (a mini library, like you see in the photo) can be registered at the website and found through its GPS coordinates. “Take a Book. Leave a Book.” many of them say. The originator of the first one puts it like this: “Libraries big or small we support them all!”
I just spoke with Todd Bol, and I’m writing the Wikipedia entry for this organization, and I’ll be sharing his perspective and the amazing story of this movement in upcoming posts.
Find out more about the Little Free Library movement, and consider constructing one of your own, joining the LFL staff (they need help desperately), or donating to Pay it Forward for a community without library resources, or a neighborhood near you.
To me, the whole this is an example of goodness and generosity within that reflects the grace and redemptive nature of the One who made us.
What a great project to do with your kids, over the summer too, to promote literacy, generosity, and a stronger community!
What are some stories that changed you?
Click to read my article at the Burnside Writer’s Collective.
Question of the Day: Do You Enjoy Jazz….Why or Why not?
The whole collection of 5 Volumes is here on KINDLE.
(For a brief description click the volume number)
Volume 1: What is the Soul? & What is Soul Care?
Volume 2: Identity and Belonging
Volume 3: The 8 Paths of Learning
Volume 4: Slumps, Burnout, and Frustration
Volume 5: God’s Grand Story (I saved the best for last)
Enter the proverbial vehicle analogy:
When a car runs out of gas it doesn’t mean the car is abnormal, it just means that it needs the maintenance of being filled up regularly. Your “soul tank” empties out too. This Series gives you what you need to be a healthy and joyful message-bearer.
Here’s a video introduction to Volume 5, with a whimsical homage to author and influencer, Donald Miller.
If you have any problems with ordering, let me know!
I’ve saved the best volumes for last. If you liked the others, you’ll be the happiest May 10th. If you haven’t read the others, you’re in for a treat, and soon.
Here’s more about Volumes 4 & 5:
VOLUME 4: Slumps, Burnouts, and Frustration
This details the instigators, root causes, and symptoms of our 3 big foes as Creators and Communicators. Some symptoms are so insidious or camouflaged that you haven’t noticed them. You’ll be surprised. An audible gasp is a distinct possibility.
You’ll be challenged. You’ll be shown how to take a special kind of inventory that’ll take the teeth out of these monsters that stand like obstacles to our calling and abundant life.
Beyond that, we’ll cover jump start action steps to keep you encouraged and progressing. It’s like sucking down pure Oxygen. mmm!
VOLUME 5: God’s Grand Story
This is the piéce de résistance for Creators and Communicators.
Risking some scorn among zealous Donald Miller’s devotees, I ask readers to look beyond our individual micro-stories.
We’ll uncover the Meta-Narrative of God’s Grand Story witnessed in the whole council of God, the stories therein, and within our unique life experiences. Here God, not us, is the Star….and in every scene.
(Note: I too loved Blue Like Jazz and other non Religious Christian Spirituality stuff Don’s written, just like everyone else. But I’ve sense a change with Miller’s approach. I’m not convinced that life-mapping strategies, tracking software, and yearlong Storyline memberships get to the marrow of what it is to be human.)
Absorbing the 4 themes explained in Volume 5 gives much-needed perspective, comfort, encouragement, and hope to meet our needs better than formulas ever can.
Note that the 4 adjectives in bold harken to the 4 themes, but do not yet reveal them! A blatant gambit to arouse you. Please, I have to let this thirst build, okay? Listen to me. You’ll love this volume.
The Launch Pad of Vol. 5:
To those of you who’ve combed 500+ page theological tomes, it follows the canonical-liguistic theological approach with one crucial amendment.
To those of you who have not trudged through the tedious works of scholar theologians…most of you…I unpack some heady academic treatise material into snappy language and keen usability that even Sarah Palin could understand and apply, before she shoots her morning Elk. You bet ‘cha!
Any questions? What are you curious about? Let me know.
Buy it at AMAZON for KINDLE. (There will be some days that you can get it for free. Nov 12&13 are the first days for that)
