ChrisTrethewey.com

Andy Stanley - Principle of the Path

One of the books I am reading is Andy Stanley's book, The Principle of the Path.  (I am not sure if you are like me, but I have 5 different books that I am reading through right now. I should just pick one and finish it.)

Here is the essence of the entire book:

DIRECTION - not INTENTION - determines our DESTINATION.

He goes on to say . . .

The direction you are currently traveling - relationally, financially, spiritually, and the list goes on and on - will determine where you end up in each of those respective arenas.  This is true regardless of your goals, your dreams, your wishes, or your wants.  The principle of the path trumps all those things. Your current direction will determine your destination.  And like every principle, you can leverage this one to your advantage or ignore it to your disadvantage.  Just as there are paths that have led us to places we never intended to be, there are paths that lead us away from those places as well.

Here are some questions that I have been thinking through:

1. What direction do I think I am heading in . . .compared to the direction I really am heading in?
2. Do I confuse my "intentions" with "direction"? (easily done!)
3. What are the things in life that constanly compete to move my direction away from where I should be headed? (Take steps to get rid of them.)
4. What area(s) of life should I pay more attention to when it comes to it's direction?

What additional questions should we be asking ourselves? 


Andy goes on and quotes Anna Nalick,

Life's like an hourglass glued to the table.

Time is ticking . . .we never get more time . . .and the destination won't get closer if you don't start heading there now!!

Flickering Pixels

I started reading a book yesterday titled Flickering Pixels by Shane Hipps. Let me be transparent for a moment. I haven't read the entire book. I also can't say that I have totally grasped what I have read. (Never claimed to be an intelligent man.)  But . . .what I have read and what I have comprehended has challenged me in so many different ways!

Here are two thoughts that Shane throws out:

1. You can't change methods without changing your message - they're inseparable.

He goes on to quote Marshal McLuhan.

2. The content or message of any particular medium has about as much importance as the stenciling on the casing of an atomic bomb.

His simple (yet complex) point: The message and the method are the same. You can't separate the two. 

Let that soak in for several weeks . . .and then think about how you communicate to your audience.

Deadly Viper Character Assassins

Here is a new book out by Jud Wilhite (www.centralchristian.com) and Mike Foster (www.ethur.org) and you have to grab it - buy it - steal it - however - just get it.  Deadly Viper Character Assassins is raw - in your face - honest journey through the subject of Character.  It will kick your #$(*& in many different ways and make you aware of areas in your life that you need to pay attention to. It is a short read . . .took be all of a couple hours and is filled with pictures. Check out the website: www.deadlyviper.org for more information and resources.