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Book Review - To Own A Dragon by Donald Miller |
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Wednesday, 03 February 2010 |
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To Own a Dragon: Reflections On Growing Up Without A Father by Donald Miller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is going to go down as one of the most life changing books I will have read in 2009. I really enjoy Donald Miller's writing style. I really want to read more of his work. I don't believe that he has the greatest grasp on theology but God has taught him many things in regards to being "Fathered" by God and Donald does a great job of presenting it in this book. He uses fantastic analogies, great profound thoughts and very clear explanations. Donald has written the book from the standpoint of his own personal life. Most of the book is a personal testimony. It starts with a focus on the importance of having a father and what is lost in not having a healthy father relationship. From there he wrestles with overcoming this and gains some very good/mature insights like: Men who try to mentor us make mistakes. As such, they do not reflect God as a failure but reflect fallen humanity. In as much as they try to reach us they reflect God. Secondly, they do not owe it to us. They are not responsible to love us unconditionally - our fathers were. Anything they give us is a GIFT. As he continues Donald begins to talk about how God has fathered him and the lessons he has learned. I have generated a list of things from it that I wish to intentionally share with my sons and other young men. Family life IS interdependent It is healthy to understand the absolute necessity of every individual. Submission to Authority Be a man. There are no secrets - You are a man so be a man! Irresponsibility is not cute! We need to have a strategy. We need to be patient and persistent when life puts setbacks in front of our strategy. Integrity - What is your soul worth? Work is worship! Find your delight in life, learn and live. Our trust in God grows. I have bought this book for others and would highly recommend it to all men. I especially believe it would be good for any man who might be working with individuals who grew up without a father or with an unhealthy father relationship. View all my reviews >>
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