A Few Books And Some Musings About Them

I’ve ben thinking mostly about two of my goals: the one about going above and beyond for people I love and the one about finding (or returning to) my spiritual roots. I’ve been reading a lot as of late (per my goal) and I wanted to share some of the things I’ve been reading with you all and what it’s told me about me.

THE BIBLE

First of all, I’ve been reading parts of the book of 1 Peter in the Bible, specifically the parts about doing what it is God made you good at:

1 Peter Chapter 4

10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies.

Every time I get a new job I think, “This could be a really great way to help people! I’m excited!”, and every time it ends up falling flat. Maybe it’s because I’m doing it for the wrong reasons? Should I be trying to figure out how to do all this through God, and if so does it mean I should be doing it through a church? If not, how do I do God’s work outside of a church group?

Thinking about this has greatly influenced my choice of majors: Psychology and Social Work. That gives me opportunities to go almost anywhere armed with the knowledge of how people work and how to help them. Is it enough?

TO OWN A DRAGON - Donald Miller

This is the first book I ever read that I felt the author knew exactly who I was, how I felt and what it all meant. I actually purchased this book many many years ago on the recommendation of a friend, and never actually read it. Now I wish I had, because I think hearing these things earlier would have changed the way I view myself. More on this later, I feel this book needs to be at least an entire post’s worth of discussion.

THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES - Gary Chapmen

I’ve been trying to remember how to let the people I love know that I love them, so I pulled out the book that first thought me how love works. This book is actually written for marriages, but I think the concepts can be applied to any relationship. Again, a lot more on this book to follow as I work my way through it.