alexschwindt.com

a million miles in a thousand years review

This isn't going to be an objective review.  I tried writing that, but I just can't do it.  To write a critique of Donald Miller's writing would sort of be like critiquing myself, my life and my generation.  Not that I, or anyone else in my generation for that matter, can write as well as Donald Miller.  We can't.  But Miller is doing more than simply writing books or collections of essays.  In many ways Miller is writing the story of my generation, and every time I read a new book of his I'm reminded just how much he's writing about me. 

There are a few artists who come along every decade or so who do more than make pretty pictures, entertaining blockbusters or top 40 hits.  They are artists compelled to create work that will tell the world something about who we are as human beings, that will explain for future generations what it was like to be alive and engaged in this unique moment in time.  They are the voices of their generation.  John Mayer is one such artist.  Donal Miller is another. 

a different kind of leadership

"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.  It is not this way among you"

- Jesus (Matthew 20:25-26a)

I'm not sure if I'm lucky or blessed (or both) but the books I've been reading over the last several months have been uniformally great.  I know I've written this before, but it feels incredible when you read about something that you've been thinking and dreaming of for years.  "Organic Leadership" by Neil Cole is one of those dancing-around-the-coffeeshop-great books that a friend recommended to me last month. 

One of the most deeply held dreams I've had for years is to see the the local expression of the body of Christ led the way it was in the book of Acts, rather than by a hierarchy.  Trying to share this with most of my friends and colleges always seems to end the same way: "Well Alex, that sounds really great, but it will never work in the 'real world.'"  After enough of those conversations you can start to become discouraged.

Enter an author like Cole (and Allen and Hirsche and Stetzer) . . .

really? bartenders?

Yeah, really.  "Why The Church Needs More Bartenders" is one of my favorite books I've read in the past few years.  It's written by one of my best friends in the world, Dan Hinz, and this guy can tell some great stories.  When he first gave me the manuscript I read the whole thing in one sitting, which my normally short attention span will not allow. 

If you follow this blog (I know, I need to write more), you know that I don't recommend something unless I really believe in it.  In this case, I believed in it so much I volunteered to design the cover for him.  Really, I was thrilled to get to do it.  I love this book, and getting to be a part of the world experiencing it in my own tiny way was a thrill. 

Ok, now you need to click here and head over to Amazon and buy a copy.  Go ahead.  I'll be here when you get back. 

(if you're in my family, then you already know what you're getting for Christmas)