The Dream Giver

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I would encourage anyone to read this, and read it with an open mind. Maybe even take a break from reading it to stop and think - and pray - about what God is laying on your heart. You could easily read this entire book in one sitting and blow it off, but I would really encourage you to take some time with it and maybe even read it more than once at different times in your journey. Here in this book he expound it some more: to include dreams in the plan. We all have dreams when we were kids but those dreams are probably dead now. Maybe they are not practical. Maybe they don't make sense anymore. My dream when I was a kid is to be an agriculturist. Then later it was to become a teacher. Then to become a priest. However, my father's dream for me was to become a doctor so I took up Medical Technology (a popular pre-med course) but when I finished it, he did not have money to send me to a medical school so I worked and while working finished my second degree, business administration. Now, I am an Information Technology (I.T.) career in an electronics manufacturing company. Haha.

Part I caused me to reflect on what the Dream Giver shared with Nobody. Yes; it's true; the Lord has placed dreams in all of us. I don't want to get to the end of my life wondering if I could have done more with the dream the Lord gave me. In Chapter Twelve, he talks about the Dream that has not been surrendered to God, and the pitfalls that can bring; how "Your Dream will become your idol", and how that can "make people 'successful' but not fulfilled" (pg. 133) and further, to face the areas in our lives that need cleansing, where we may be making compromises and have "unfinished business". All in all there two ways to look at this work: one is to simply call it a materialistic capitistic ploy of dubious value to rib off unsuspecting and uncritical Christians and the second is to consider it a catalyst towards joining the Holy Spirit in working out your salvation in the areas of this world that have a special draw or attraction on you. A place you've dreamt about.The Dream Giver was published in 2003, but only made it into my hands on Christmas morning 2009. There must be something in the air, so to speak, with the simultaneous Christmas release of the movie Up in the Air. I saw the movie first, before reading this short book. Together they have reminded me to make sure I am following my own Big Dream. It’s time to begin the journey of your life. Let Bruce and Jessica Wilkinson help you find your dream and pursue it on a quest to discover the life you’ve always dreamed of. I highly recommend the Dream Giver to anyone who is tired of living the status quo and is wanting to step out and try something new in God's power and strength.

In Chapter Nine, "Living Past the Edge", Mr. Wikinson describes his fear of public speaking, and the steps he took to overcome it. I recently had the good fortune to be at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California, where Mr. Wilkinson spoke not only to the vast crowd in attendance, but to millions on televison, and he is a truly gifted speaker; it is hard to envision that at one time he had felt inadequate in front of an audience. With this book he will help you conquer your own fears, and get past the feeling of being Unworthy and Unable. This book is an allegory in the style of Pilgrim's Progress or Hinds Feet on High Places but it falls short in every area by comparison. The main reason it falls short is because the underlying principle is erroneous--it is all about living our dreams in the here and now or as Joel Osteen would say "Your best life now..." It might be a "nice story" but encouraging people to focus on their earthly dreams, ambitions and successes even with God in the picture is a recipe for disaster. Or, consider Mother Teressa. Was her dream to be surrounded by filth, death, and disease? I'd say that wasn't her dream, it was God's dream for her. The second part of the book, were Wilkinson simply explains what he means, and gives examples from his life, I enjoyed and found helpful. I think the man has incredible insight and has done much to advance the kingdom. I also think, perhaps incorrectly, that many people won't wrap all of scripture and logic around the teachings in this book and thus will produce the kinds of abuses that the detractors of this work are prone to point out. Maybe. People can be sort of ?dumb? and there's the rub. How do you write a simple teaching, one that people will read and understand, without going into a lengthy doctrinal dissertation of all the ?ifs ands and buts??Starting with a strong metaphorical narrative, this book brings the reader face-to-face with their deepest dreams and allows them to know that is where God has given them their direction for their lives. How many times have we heard that God directs us where we want to go the least? With this book Bruce Wilkinson gives us permission to do what we always knew was right; to follow our dreams because that is where God is leading us. If you are a person who has ever doubted your dreams and would like to have any sense of motivation towards your goals, then the Dream Giver is right for you. When I read this book I started to look at my goals, dreams, thoughts, etc. more clearly than I used to. As a believer in God, I found this book helping in a spiritual way. Throughout the book, Ordinary asks for signs of help and even asks for someone to reveal his dream. I've always counted on God to provide a dream for me and bless me with it when the time comes. After reading this book I started to deal with dreams and thoughts in a more... productive way. For me, all big plans, big dreams, big thoughts, etc. come from the Dream Giver, my Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. One warning thought. Do not mistake your dream as something that will only serve your own ends for as Bruce Wilkinson points out all too clearly, the dream that God gives us is one that serves God and others above ourselves. As the children's song so wisely teaches: Bestselling author Bruce Wilkinson shows how to identify and overcome the obstacles that keep millions from living the life they were created for. He begins with a compelling modern-day parable about Ordinary, who dares to leave the Land of Familiar to pursue his Big Dream. With the help of the Dream Giver, Ordinary begins the hardest and most rewarding journey of his life. Wilkinson gives readers practical, biblical keys to fulfilling their own dream, revealing that there's no limit to what God can accomplish when we choose to pursue the dreams He gives us for His honor. The story of Ordinary during part one of the book annoys me a little. It's a little too overt how proper names are also descriptions of each thing. At the same time, the author gets the point across. It doesn't bother me that the author quotes from that story and enlarges on the points he makes in the second half of the book. It's easy to comprehend.

I enjoyed reading Part II - The Journey To Your Big Dream. The Lord blessed me with wonderful opportunities throughout my life and some dreams have already come to pass. Do I have a Big dream yet not fulfilled? To be honest, I still don’t know.Book Genre: Business, Christian, Christianity, Faith, Inspirational, Leadership, Nonfiction, Personal Development, Religion, Self Help, Spirituality And it is right . There is more. The secret lies deep within your heart. It's trying to show you a life that can only happen when you chase your wildest dreams.