LoveDoes

Written by cycleguy on July 2nd, 2012

I AM GOING TO BE VERY UP FRONT AND HONEST WITH YOU (what other way is there to be):

There are very few books I would recommend so highly that I would go out and buy extra copies for my two daughters (oops give away) and a young man I once mentored (whom I mentioned the book to this past weekend).  I am THAT sold on this book.  Okay…with that honesty and endorsement out of the way, let me tell you why I say that.

If you are reading my blog for the first time or do not know me very well, I am what you might consider an old fogie.  I’m so old the spell check wants to tell me fogie is spelled wrong.  🙂  What does it know?  Like many who read this book, they cannot fathom someone as old as me.  Okay, so I am still 4 months away from 60.  I say that because very little of the newer stuff turns my crank.   I no longer feel like I have to have 3-point sermons, but I still preach with an outline and points.

But in my estimation this book sets a bar for the younger generation that I personally believe will be one to strive for and will not be reached easily.  I am talking about writing.  I am mostly talking about living.  Like many of you, I tire quickly of those who spout off scream out platitudes of what a life in Christ is like, but then have little in the way of application.  Even less in the way of example. Bob doesn’t do that.  I also DO NOT have ADD or ADHD or any of the other alphabets, but I bore easily when reading a book that does not catch my attention.  My library is littered with partially read books.   🙂  But Love Does is not one of them.   Bob captured me in his Introduction about his office  being on Tom Sawyer Island (how unique is that?) and kept me hooked until the last page.  What really caught me was this:

Living a life fully engaged and full of whimsy and the kind of things that love does is something most people plan to do, but along the way just kind of forget.  Their dreams become one of those ‘we’ll go there next time’ deferrals.  The sad thing is, for many there is not ‘next time’ because passing on the chance to cross over is an overall attitude toward life rather than a single decision.  They need a change of attitude, not more opportunities.

Bob spends the rest of his book talking about a life fully engaged and full of whimsy (his word).   There is no way I can adequately convey to you the depth of this simple book in one short post, but I plan to whet your appetite to buy it with a series of posts over the next week or so that will hopefully spur your thoughts and creative juices to consider a life of whimsy.

Here is your thought to think about today:  If you were to describe your life from 1 (low)-10 (high), how would you describe your life right now in engagement and whimsy? Do you feel like you have “settled for” or do you still live a life of adventure?  

 

32 Comments so far ↓

  1. Daniel says:

    Thanks for the recommendation. I will add it to my list. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate my life as a 3. I don’t say this for attention or pity or even an encouraging word. Perhaps it is best given as a warning. Do not let life pass you by when you have a chance to grab hold and go for the ride. More importantly, make sure that what goals you devote your time toward are really what you want. Blessings.

  2. My boss dis my review the other day. He told me that I am alway work minded with a playful attitude. That’s as good as I got.

  3. Eileen says:

    I’m about half way through with the book, Bill. LOVING IT TOO!!

  4. Craig says:

    reminds me of the carpe diem proclamation of Dead Poets Society. Living in pursuit of our God given desires instead of putting them off. I’d have to rank myself at a 4 or so – I need to loosen up a lot and just live. thanks for the book recommendation – always looking for a good read!

  5. Susan says:

    I went over to Amazon and checked out the previews. Wow. I’ll put it on my list.

    A year ago, I probably would have rated my life at about -3. I’d been struggling for years to keep up with what I thought I was supposed to be doing.I went along lickety-split until I hit a brick wall. Then I sat there wondering what had gone wrong, and why God was so angry with me that He chastised me that way. Whenever
    things seemed to be better, I’d hit that wall and ended up walking around in a daze for days.

    Finally, not too many weeks ago in fact, the light bulb came on. I spent those years striving in my own strength, my own “wisdom,” my own will to do what I imagined Jesus wanted me to do. I was trying to please Jesus when all Jesus wanted me to do was to get out of the way and let Him live through me.

    I’d say my life hovers somewhere between 6 and 8 at this point. Not because life is all going well because it just ain’t so – and won’t be as long as I am alive. It’s because I am learning to not dam up His Living Water that He wants to flow out from Him through me into the world. The adventures have already begun.

    • cycleguy says:

      Sad isn’t how many of us live lives of quiet desperation? We live lives focused on what we “have” to do instead of what God wants to do in and through us. Soooo glad you found out and are now living your life in freedom. 😛

  6. God definitely has been insistent with me in staying “whimsy.” We’re moving in a month to help with our third church plant. Not easy, but it definitely keeps life interesting. 🙂

    I look forward to reading the rest of this series and hearing more about this book. Sounds like a winner!

    • cycleguy says:

      i saw that you are going to be the worship leader at NLC. That is so cool that you and your wife are willing to do that. Hopefully will do it justice.

  7. At almost 69 I can say my life is very good, maybe a 9 on the scale. But I think that is because we old fogies have learned to live life to it’s fullest where the younger generation has not yet. When we let God be our guide and counselor we will always have a challenging engaging life.

    Walk daily with God at your side!

    Ed

    • cycleguy says:

      I would say that most old fogies have learned that, and if they haven’t they are miserable. 🙂 I want to go out celebrating.

  8. Jason says:

    My life is a -2.

  9. tcavey says:

    I actually won a copy of this book! I hope to begin reading it soon (have a few others to finish first).

    Thanks for the endorsement, now I’m even more eager to read it!

  10. floyd says:

    I can’t keep up with you! I haven’t finished “Unfinished Love.” I am curious, I might just have to put this in the ever growing stack of “to read” books on my desk…

    • cycleguy says:

      Keep in mind that you work full-time in a job and what little time you have left is sub-divided. My job as a pastor allows me to read more. But I still like recommending books. 😉

  11. lindaM says:

    Hi Bill,
    I think people who have the most opportunity to be whimsical are the older generation who are retired or those people who are working part-time.
    On the other hand, there is time in our day or in our week when we can be whimsical. We do have some choice in our day, for some people though, this choice is limited. I’m thinking of a working mom who has to get home after work and take care of household business and the family.

    I think we can be whimsical in other smaller ways though. On Sunday night I gave someone a ride home after church. I didn’t plan on this or know that I was going to be doing this when I went to church.

    Perhaps people have too many of their minutes of life planned. Unplanned for occurances then become annoying to these people. To change their plans doesn’t seem like a good idea, it would disrupt the flow of things.

    I like the idea of being whimsical but I also know that there isn’t alot of work product. I’m not sure if I live my life being whimsical or if I live my life with not alot of productive planning. There is something to be said for both I believe.

    Talk to you later.

    • cycleguy says:

      not sure what you mean by “work product” Linda. I would just say that sometimes people have become so full of work product that we have lost the whimsy in our lives.

  12. Jim F says:

    Life is probably a 7 or 8 at this point – been through some high’s and low’s in recent weeks but the reality is that it is just life and it is all what is done with the life I have.

    I will have to check the book out – love me a good book!

    Thanks Bill!

  13. Sounds like a good one, Bill. Right up my alley. I want real application, not just theories and constructs! Thanks for the recommendation.

  14. Jan says:

    Goodness Edwin, you said it! You literally took those words out of my mouth! 🙂 When you turn 80, then you will be an old fogie Bill….I can happily, whole heartedly say that my life is at a 9 right now. Since God has opened my eyes & I’ve learned that I’m here to make Him happy, He’s not up there to make ME happy, I have a whole new outlook on my life. I am living whimsically & and a life of God adventures. Great post!

  15. Jan says:

    P.S. My list is getting longer Bill, you are a fast reader!

  16. Tom says:

    Just catching up and you have indeed whet my appetite. I do not live with enough whimsy and look forward to reading the book and living with more adventure and whimsy! Thanks Bill for sharing!