Tag: inspiration

Linx & Stuff

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The Bible says to rejoice with those who rejoice. A good friend of mine, Brian C. Jacobs, is getting to enjoy a dream of his. He recently published his first book: The Enigma Squad: The Case of the Old Man in the Mailbox. Brian dreams for this to be the first in an adventure series called The Enigma Squad.

Reading is important for children. It builds thought, imagination and learning. The Enigma Squad I hope builds and grows an audience. I’ve worked with Brian on a few creative projects. Brian excels at creativity and story telling.

To my friend, Brian: Congratulations & Dream big! As my boys grow older, I hope to one day by a box set of Enigma Squad books for my boys.

If you appreciate reading and know kids who enjoy adventure, check out the links below. What a better way to enjoy Christmas than to sit by the fire and read to your children.

http://enigmasquad.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Enigma-Squad-Case-Old-Mailbox/dp/0984165886/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1292005929&sr=1-1

http://www.facebook.com/enigmasquad

http://twitter.com/#!/BrianCJacobs

Book Review: The Land Between by Jeff Manion

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The Lang BetweenThe sub-title of the book says it all: Finding God in difficult transitions. Jeff Manion is not dealing with a hard day. The Land Between deals with gut wrenching periods of time. This book ranks as a must read. If you are in traveling in the land between, you’re crazy to ignore what Jeff is communicating. Strong words but true, and coming from a guy in such a transition.

The premise
Using Israel’s trek from Egypt to the promise land, Jeff uses lessons from Israel to help guide us in our own land between. The book handles the Bible passages with excellence. Often the Old Testament is moralized and man centered. Jeff brings out what these passages are really about: God at work preparing and refining His people. He describes God as the hero; not just for Israel but you and I as well. Throughout the book the choice is clear between trusting in God and the pit of complaining & bitterness.

Serious stories
Jeff’s places stories a the right spots like an expert chef using spices. They are brief, real, and at times very raw. (Challenging transitions are like that.) While at times he gives the result, there are times where he does not. Jeff’s own land between ends in blessings. In difficult periods, we need to remember that God does get us through. The stories shared bring reality to light. (Like wondering when the transition will be over.) He clearly articulates the dirty reality of hard times.

The book
The book reads easily and conversationally. I appreciate how the book handles Bible texts well, while not academic in their explanation. That skill is hard to find. The book is applicable in the sense of our relationship with God; the choices we are faced with, the emotions that will boil in us (they will boil) and the intimate involvement of God throughout. Jeff took roughly 200 pages would could be volumes. The Land Between is the perfect size, depth and readability for his intended audience; those of us in the land between.

The bottom line:
The last thing we want to hear is another book we should read when in difficult transitions. This is a book we should read. Why? 1) Israel made costly mistakes that can be avoided. 2) We need to remember that God is not merely with us, He is intimately at work in us. 3) It is not a lassie tale of hard times turned good. The Land Between lays out the road map for our hard journey. More than the insane details of our challenges, we must embrace God. The feeling I got after reading The Land Between was calm resolve. Not the emotion I expected.

There are not many books I’ve read were I have a wish to thank the author in person. Jeff, thank you for you for the map of the desert!

Why not Wednesday? The power of paper & pen

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There is something about being able to write and sketch that will never go away. Technology cannot replicate the sheer delight of pen on paper. My tool of preference is the Moleskin Cahier Journal, ruled & pocket-sized. Whatever you choose, you really need something.

Why Moleskin?
I’ve given some of these away, used many. They are a perfect repository for ideas, craziness, or that needed brainstorm. The following just did not work: computer, planner, journal, diary, notebook, sticky notes, portfolio, memo book or composition notebook. They were all too bulky. Size and the ability to be nearly invisible is essential.

Why Paper?
Paper is crash proof. About the only thing that can really destroy them is fire or a shredder. What’s even better, paper helps you be unplugged. To me, computer equals work. There is something about a blank yet confined space that allows one to just feel free to think, draw, sketch, or scribble.

Why Collect?
People do not always need to enjoy your moments of inspiration or epiphanies. They are enjoyable to look back upon when alone on a rainy Sunday afternoon. You never know when that idea will come about, or that plot outline written. People always want to leave the mark in some way, whether a cave drawing of a hunt or an insightful witticism by a friend. Ideas are important, they’re what makes us human.

The Bottom Line:
Have something that is easy to carry around with you to write ideas, inspirations, or whatever else you just need to write. Technology cannot replace pen & paper.

Link: Moleskin Cahier Journal