Book Review: The Alchemist

This book was actually a gift to me for Christmas - it ended up being the best gift I got all Christmas! (P.S. I think books make some of the greatest gifts ever - especially when you write in the covers). Let me first refer you to another review by Ben Rath here - he loved this book as well!

This book is different from the ones I usually read - it's a fiction novel - but it changed my life. This is a top 5 all time book on my list and a new requirement for anyone who loves to read!

Here are some of my favorite takeaways:

• "It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting"

• "To realize ones destiny is a persons only real obligation"

• "He had to choose between something he was accustomed to - and something he wanted to do"

• "If you can concentrate always on the present - you'll be a happy man."

• "Someday - this morning will just be a memory"
  

• "The closer one gets to realizing his dream, the more difficult things become"

• "Another person was there - to help him toward his personal legend"

• "In pursuing your dreams - you might lose everything you've won"

• "Every second of the search is an encounter with God - when I was truly searching for my treasure, every day has been luminous, because I've known that every hour was a part of the dream that I would find it. When I've truly been searching for my treasure, I've discovered things along the way I would have never seen had I not had the courage to try things that seemed impossible for a shepherd to achieve."

• "When you are loved - you can do anything in creation"

I know a lot of you may not be able to get the context of these things - so GO OUT AND BUY THIS BOOK NOW!

Final Grade: A++++ Buy it Here

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The Best of 2008 (Part 4)

Highlights from 2008

Highlights:
1. Achieve breakfasts with PL
2. Running Revolution for 1 year with Sean and Zack
3. Laurelville Retreat with PL and 180 Youth
4. Seeing the Lion King – Broadway
5. Monthly breakfasts with Pastor Craig, Zack, Ben, Sean
6. The opportunity (turned down) to intern in Atlanta w/Catalyst
7. My Life – Parent Night – 3 amigos (Zack, Sean, and I)
8. David Crowder Band Concert
9. National Youth Ministry Conference in Cincinnati with Sean (Saw Tony Dungee speak)
10. ? and A with Zack and Sean at Revolution
11. On the Border Nights with the Boys
12. Resident Evil 4
13. Joel Osteen (Mr. Steidel taking my dad)
14. Sara coming to church for a few months
15. Spoke at Concord – 180 Youth
16. Wynne Lewis Conference
17. Pens making it to the Stanley Cup – lost to Detroit
18. Having breakfast with Pastor Kistler from MRBC (Middle school church)
19. Riley’s High School Graduation
20. Running Race for the Cure with the Bettencourts
21. Impartation Conference – Keith Moore
22. Starting to Blog/Twitter
23. Meeting Keith Moore
24. Healing Team Training
25. Lunch with Pastor John
26. Vacation in Canada with the Walczaks, Cory, Geisels
27. Spending a week with Nephew Michael
28. Getting an iPhone
29. Running the Great Race with PL
30. Siba Dinner with Laura when she got back from NYC
31. Going through I Timothy with PL
33. The Cadre Fall Retreat to Atlanta at Jeanne Mayo’s House
34. Light up Night in Station Square
35. Thanksgiving at the Mixters
36. Phone calls with Brad Cooper (Perry Nobles youth pastor)
37. Ryan Walczaks Wedding

Revolution Highlights:

• Pastor Nathan getting hired

• Fear Factor, Cedar Point, Silver Ring Thing, Third From First Concert, His Beloved/Geared events and Olympics, Lunch and a Movie: Prince Caspian and Madagascar 2, Pizza Eating Contest, Nerd Prom, Summer Scream Camp in Iowa (Camp in the Cornfield), 4th of July Party, Costume Party, Paintball, Turkey Bowl

• Series: Culture Wars, Say What, Only the Strong Survive, How to be Rich, On Your Own, The One, Story, My Revolution, Fear Factor, Going all the Way, Identity

19 North
• Roller Disco
• Broom Ball at 19 North
• Glade Run Halloween
• Video Scavenger Hunt
• Moving into the Main Sanctuary

Accomplishments:

• 1st year on staff at Victory Family Church
• Finishing my 2nd year of Bible School
• Running the Chicago Marathon
• Becoming a part of The Cadre – Jeanne Mayo’s Mentoring Program
• Leading my First Leadership Meeting – Taught on Teamwork
• Graduating from Robert Morris University
• Moving out of my House

That was 2008 for me - An unbelievable year - Really looking forward to 2009

What were some of your highlights and accomplishments?

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The Best of 2008 (Part 3)

The Top 3 Videos You Must Watch of '08

Beautiful_02- Single Guys Outtake from NewSpring Media on Vimeo.

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Merry Christmas Everyone!

I hope this is the best Christmas ever for you!!!

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The Best of 2008 (Part 2)

A Bunch of Random Bests of 2008

Top Revolution Videos:

1. The Revolution Staff Boy Band
2. Skipping School for the Ski Trip
3. Bubba Getting Fired
   

Top Categories on the Blog of 2008 According to You (Most Viewed):

1. Ask Anything Fridays
2. Dating
3. Sex

I'll make the assumption that if I blog on sex and dating - my views per day will sky rocket!

Top Blog Posts of 2008 According to You:

1. Fall Highlights
2. My Life Changing Trip to Atlanta
3. All About Me (Part 4) (Guess people love to hear about my weaknesses!)
   

Best Friends Blogs of 2008:

1. The Rath Faction
2. Zack Blairs
3. Pastor Larry Bettencourts
   

Top Blogs of 2008:

1. Perry Noble
   
2. Seth Godin
3. Swerve

Top Website of 2008:

1. Twitter
2. Google Reader
3. Hulu

Best Books (That I Read) in 2008:

1. Good to Great
2. Church Shift
   
3. Tribes

Top Movies of 2008:
1.) Seven Pounds
2.) The Dark Knight
3.) Prince Caspian

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Book Review: Wide Awake

This is definitely a must read book by Erwin McManus. Here are some of my key takeaways:

• If your dreams became the future of humanity - would the world be a better place?
• When God is at the core of our lives - He becomes the inspirer of our dreams
• You cannot even begin to live the dream that God has for you until you stop caring only about yourself
• The world cannot afford for you to choose an easy and average life
• You have no greater responsibility than to live the life that God created you to live
• Do you expect the world to be different because of your life?
  

• Your life is God's gift to you and to the world
• The question is not will someone lead the way in creating the future for humanity - the question is -will you be one of them?
• The dream and the future of so many across the world are dependent on the investment and compassion of those more fortunate
• Is it possible that no matter how big your dreams are, how expansive your imagination, how ambitious your goals, they pale in comparison to what you would begin to see for your life if you would invite God into your life conversation?
  

Final Grade: A Buy it Here!

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The Best of 2008 (Part 1)

The Best Lessons I've Learned in 2008

1. People need You when they Need You
2. Anyone can give money – it’s when you give your time that it makes a difference
3. It’s not and never will be Your Ministry – it’s Mine – so be obedient and work hard -God
4. Our first purpose above anything else is an intimate relationship with the Father
6. The Power of Forgiveness and Unconditional Love
7. People need consistent relationships in their lives – not entertainment
8. God is my confidence – I don’t need to compare
9. God cares more about me, than what I do for Him
10. The World isn’t watching me as closely as I think
11. The best minute I spend today – is the one I spend investing in people
12. Speaking is a very small part of ministry
13. Don’t bed led by Opportunities
14. The importance of time with yourself
15. What scriptures am I standing on for the things I’m believing God for?
16. If I want to be sensitive to God’s direction, I need to be sensitive to His direction
17. 2 qualities of a successful Christian life – 1.) Love God’s Word 2.) Love God’s word
18. Don’t put your pursuit of a mate over your pursuit of God
19. Your biggest attraction can be your biggest distraction
20. If I’m going to be willing to go, do, say anything God asks me to do, so will my future wife
21. What am I believing God for (My Ephesians 3:20’s list)
22. You can disqualify yourself from the call of God
23. The Significance of Saying – Sarcasm/Dirty Jokes
24. Always be leading something
25. People aren’t all where you are
26. My life is but a vapor!
27. People are going to summarize your life in one sentence – pick it now
28. In myself – I can do, say, know, and am nothing – in Him – I am everything
29. God thinks I can do anything!
30. Never put periods in your life, use commas
31. Always ask – am I able to sustain this?
32. The Best Question Ever is: In light of my past experiences, current circumstances, and future hopes and dreams, what is the wise thing to do?
33. Jesus is THEE Standard – Don’t let anything else or anybody else set a standard for you
34. God is my Source – not my job, friends, family, etc.
35. The Power of being Diligent
36. The downside of being sarcastic – to be taken seriously – you must be serious!
37. Who I marry isn’t only about me – it’s about all the people I’m going to reach with my wife!
38. Getting in the Word for Information vs. Intimacy

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