The Boy Loves Books

As I mentioned in a post a while back, Isaiah loves to read. In fact, he loves to read so much that he has many of his books mostly memorized. For instance, The Great Dog Wash (which came out of a cereal box) is one we've read several times lately, and I no longer read this book to him, he reads it to me. Granted, it's not that long and it does rhyme, but still...


Another one his favorites right now is the Read Aloud Bible Stories book, which I have to say, is pretty cool. The stories are well summarized, easy to understand, and have good illustrations.

We currently have volume 4 (above), so if anyone is wondering what Isaiah might enjoy for Christmas, I would guess volumes 1-3 (available on Amazon). In fact, since Isaiah does have many of his books memorized, we are in need of restocking his library, so feel free to pass along any of your favorites as well.

A Tale of Two Donalds

Today started as any other Monday would start at our house. Early.

I don't know if I had a case of the Mondays or just a lot on my mind, but I felt a little bit in a funk this morning. I was ready to spend some time in peace and quiet at the Wesley House, as well as get some tasks accomplished today. I was not expecting to have an adventure.

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One of the people I follow on twitter is Donald Miller. He wrote Blue Like Jazz several years ago and it was a pretty big hit in the Christian-verse. I've read it a couple of times myself, and I always thought it was a fun, thought provoking, and faith challenging read. Anyway, I follow him on twitter and I've been reading his blog quite a bit, too. He's been talking about his new book more and more, and upon reading some samples on the blog, I began to get pretty excited about it. I was even more excited when he announced that a promotion for the book would be hiding manuscripts all over the country for people to find - from hints and directions via twitter (and facebook).

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This morning I'm leaving Wesley's treasurer's office on campus and Corrie texts me, "Donald miller is hiding one in memphis today." Immediately I call her and ask, "Do you want to go?" She says, "Sure!" After a little more discussion we realize that taking the boys on this venture might be too hard, so my sweet, loving, and beautiful wife lets me go to Memphis to look for this manuscript. I traded in my blah of a Monday for a Quixotic adventure.

As I head out of Oxford, I realize that I could be driving to Memphis for nothing. It takes an hour and fifteen minutes to get there and what if the location is sent while I'm driving. I try not to think of that, and I just keep driving. I've already called my friend Michael who lives in Memphis; we're going to eat lunch together if nothing else, and since he lives there, he might be able to help me find it quickly.

As I drive I receive a text that says the location will go out around noon. Perfect. I'm due to arrive in Memphis around 11:30am. That gives me thirty minutes to find a place to station myself and also familiarize myself with the surroundings. Michael suggests a place just off I-240 on Union Avenue, close to the interstate but also just east of downtown. I find a spot in the McDonald's parking lot, and I wait.

...and I wait.

...and I wait.

Noon comes....and goes.

...and I wait.

...and I wait.

Finally, at 12:54pm, the location is sent, and I'm off. I need to get to

Marlowe's, a BBQ and ribs place just down from Graceland. AH. Of course! Graceland is an iconic place to hide something in

Memphis. Why didn't I think of that?

My station close to the interstate pays off since I have to head south 7-8 miles to get to the Graceland part of town (thanks Michael!). Corrie is feeding me directions over the phone. The race is on!

As I exit off the interstate, I realize I'm only 2.5 miles from Marlowe's and only 10 minutes has passed; I think to myself, "I might actually get this thing!"

I cruise by Graceland. I go through what seems like 20 stop lights (it was probably 5 of them). Then I see it. Marlowe's Ribs and Restaurant. Complete with, not one, but two pink cadillac limos in the parking lot. (Just call and they'll pick you up and bring you to the restaurant!)

I pull in, get out of the car, and walk in to the restaurant. There aren't very many people around. Could I be first? I look around for a book, package, anything that looks out of place, but I don't see anything.

There's a gift shop to the left. I walk in there looking expectantly. Nothing. An older gentleman walks in to the gift shop and goes behind the counter. I walk up and ask, "Do you know anything about a book that's hidden here?"

He responds, "I sure do." He reaches down behind him and picks up a bulky manilla envelope and says, "I'm supposed to give this to the first person who shows up." And he hands it to me!

YES! I found the book. I call Corrie - she is ecstatic. I call Michael - he laughs out loud. (Then says he'll meet me for lunch there at Marlowe's.)

I had gone out to the car to make those calls, and on my way back in to the restaurant, three other searchers are coming out. They congratulate me and then we talk for several minutes about ourselves, Donald Miller, etc. Turns out they're all musicians of some kind (one is even the violinist for Skillet - whoa!), and they were camping out on twitter today, too.

On the cover of the manuscript is a letter written by Donald Miller

extending his congratulations. He explains that this copy is numbered and signed, and that he hopes I will enjoy the read. Then he states,

"I'd love the opportunity to talk with you more, which is why I'm including my cell phone number, ***-***-****. I'd be most grateful if you didn't share this number with all your friends, but please do give me a call. I would love to "meet" you over the phone, learn more about you, and get your feedback on whether you think this book is any good. I look forward to hearing from you soon."

So, if you'll excuse me, I have some reading to do, and a phone call to make.

Blue Like Play Dough

The more I talk to other dads, the more I realize that my experiences as a dad are not that unique. What I feel, whether that be pride or frustration, is common to those who live with small children. My feelings were affirmed even more when I read Blue Like Play Dough by Tricia Goyer.

This book is written primarily for moms. The recommendations in the front cover are all by women, and the way the book is promoted obviously has a female audience in mind. So, when I began to read it I thought that I would not really enjoy it that much. I'm a guy afterall. But I was wrong. Though every story is from a mom's point of view, I believe the book touches on issues and feelings any parent must deal with - when to let go, the tension between personal time and making sure enough time is spent with the kids, how to talk to your kids about hard topics, and making decisions with family in mind and not just with you in mind.

The most refreshing part of this book is its honesty. Goyer's story is raw and hard to swallow, but she presents it with vulnerability, sensitivity, and even humor. She is a reminder that just because we are parents does not mean we have it all figured out. All we can do is trust God to continue to shape us in to what he wants us to be - like play dough in the hands of a child.

*The biggest weakness of the book is its title. Many will see it and instantly think it is a play off of Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller - well, it is. But the two books could not be any more different. I was quick to judge this book by its cover, but I will also be quick to recommend it because it proved me completely wrong.

Read. This. Book.

I don't usually recommend books I've read for my seminary classes, but I just finished a book I think everyone should read. It's not a distinctly Christian book (meaning you probably won't find it in LifeWay or Family Christian), but it is about Christianity...or rather the power of living our faith faithfully.

Same Kind of Different as Me is a the story of a sharecropper turned homeless man and a wealthy Texas art dealer whose lives intertwine at a homeless shelter in Fort Worth. If I tell you much more, I'll ruin the story.

But I will tell you that this is more than a story. There are complex issues addressed in this book, issues of wealth and poverty, issues of race, and issues of faith. Though it reads pretty easy, it is not for the faint of heart.