A Narrative for the New Year

It seems like everyone makes new years resoultions. It also seems like they are seldom kept or if they are, we sure dont hear a lot about it in December. Hmmmmm.

Lets add another layer. Narritive in many ways, drives who we are. Recently there has been lots of talk about story and how life is lived in story but i like to think more about a living narritive. Stories come and go, can be dismissed, mytholigized or even demonized. A narritive guides story. It is a path or part of a bigger world view. A living narrative is set in motion yet open for the characters influence in a destiny yet to be written.

Back to new years resolutions. In the past i've endeavored to set and accomplish some new years goals. Sadly, i have limited my new year narritive the last few years to a do and dont list i call new years resolutions. More of a task list really. One i create in December keep in January and forget in February. In restrospect i feel like the brunt of Stewart Smaleys pithy coloqualism...."I am a human being not a human doing." http://youtu.be/OcdIQRCoc10

So this year i want to live in the narritive. One of passion, excitement, people, conflict and triumph. I wanna be in Gods narritive for mankind not only lose weight. I wanna go all the way. I want to live for Him, through Him and in Him. I want to do life with others living vibrantly in the narritive. I want to help other live beyond goals into life, beyond slavery into freedom, beyond mundane to awesomeness.

The narrative of the kingdom is not trivial, temporal or trite but it is life to the freakin fullest. I want to risk, grow, leap, excel, achieve and inspire those around me. I want to be part of His plan and part of the game.

Off the sidelines and into the headlines.

Drop mic, walk off stage........

Top 5 Reads of 2013

Top 5 Reads of 2013

Charles "Tremendous" Jones said, "Tomorrow you will be the same person as you are today with the exception of the books you read and the people you meet."

2013 was a good year for reading for me. There are several still on my shelf that didn't make the 2013 cut but will be good early 2014s.

I have a theory about what makes the best book the best book... When the book we are reading fits the place in life we are. As i look at the books i read this year and know how much they impacted me and then to consider their topics i can kind of see what was going on in a macro sense. Kinda cool.

5. The Speed of Trust - Another win from the Covey franchise. This book make one point; simple,crystal  clear, deep and so profound..... Trust is a currency that helps relationships and organizations better and function quicker. This simple and under-stated thought is emphasized in a way that made me say, ahhhh, now i get it.
4. David and Goliath - Gladwell opens the book by telling the ubiquitous story.....like its never been told before; and it only gets better. The master story teller, the inturcolater of inturcolation unpacks the saga of underdogs in sports, politics and education.  If you like MG you will love this.
3. Delivering Happiness - Biographies are inspirational reads. Biographies about successful people and organizations are even better. Tony Hsieh's tale of personal growth and personally growing a billion dollar company are very inspiring. What makes it interesting is the unique way Hsieh thinks and leads his organization. Great take aways include his love and use of corporate culture, leading from his gut and his willingness to put it all on the line for his beliefs.
2. Leading on Empty - If i read this book last it probably would have been #1.  This book became a manual of sorts, i referenced it in coaching and leading pastoral retreats. The first 2/3 of this were pure gold as far as personal replenishment and restoration, it is some of the best stuff around. It reads as a personal journal from a recovering stress addict (a very intelligent, Godly, wise one).
1. Every Good Endeavor - the best of the best. I wanted to read a Keller book because i am slow to the Tim Keller party and because the content. The subject of work as worship, God in the workplace or chaplains in the marketplace is very exciting. Keller weaves a narrative of work as a central part of the human experience. He intertwines worship, theology, politics, self worth and culture in the package called work or as Keller would put it, Every Good Endeavor.

Honorable Mention
Replenish - great thoughts of personal renewal, refreshing and re thinking replenishment for pastors.
Love Works - great thoughts on love and culture from the CEO of Herschion.
Bold Leadership - great thoughts on chaplains and spiritual leaders in the workplace through the stories of the people making it happen.

Misc
Tribal Influence - Ron Viette let me read a pre release of his book, cant wait til everyone gets their hands on this.
Inferno - I needed a fiction read, Dan Brown, thriller, say no more.
China Study - diet, habit, health, one of the reasons I'm a wanna be vegan.