Review of "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years"

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller

“Part of me wonders if our stories aren’t being stolen by the easy life.”

Donald Miller weaves an exposed heart through the pages of “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.” That exposure is what makes it real, honorable, and convicting.

Miller takes us on the journey that requires us to rethink our very own stories. What is your story? Are the things that are most important to you reflected in your story? What past experiences, future fears, or numbing everydayness creates your story? Where does God fit into your story?

Miller suggests our stories are stolen by the easy life. And this has been my story. About the same time I read this book, I was recovering from gall bladder surgery. The combination of surgery and this book has created the desire for a new story in my life to begin. A story that finds fulfillment in a God who loves me and desires me to do more than sit on a couch. A story that really shows what is important to me.

I have a warning about this book. Don’t read it if you want to stay living in your comfortable, stagnant world. Read it if you want a fresh way of looking at your life, the story it tells, and how God is in and through it. I’ve sent a copy to a friend this past week who’s story is being changed dramatically. I believe “A Million Miles” will inspire her, create beauty in a new story, and allow God to move in new ways.

Find your story in “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.”

In the End

Another great song by the guys of David Crowder*Band from their new release "Church Music."

Probably the best lyrics I've heard in quite a long time.

In the End (O Resplendent Light!)

In the end, when all of this is gone

And all that's living has moved on

The sun and moon will finally set

The wind will lay the seas to rest

In the end, in love our souls will rise

All the nations, all the sides

No fear in me for that dark place

For I will be in His embrace

In His shadow, there is peace

In His arms, there is rest

In His word, there is hope

In His hands, there is grace

In the end, no hurting

In the end, no more yearning

In the end, no suffering, no sadness or pain

In the end

'Til the end, when all of this is gone

And all that's living has moved on

The sun and moon will rise and set

The wind will bring the seas unrest

'Til the end, in love, our souls can rise

All the nations, all the sides

No fear in me for this dark place

For I am held in His embrace

'Til the end, there's hurting

'Til the end there's yearning

'Til the end there's suffering, here waiting

'Til the end

Our bodies die, but our souls will shine

Our bodies die, but our souls will rise

We were made to live forever

We were made to live forever

Eastern Hymn

The new David Crowder*Band album came out today. What a great cd that tells of the journey of love. Our love for God and His love for us.

Here's a few lines from "Eastern Hymn."

Bring us love

You, who are love

Bring us peace

You, who are peace

We need love

Oh, divine love

I am recommending you pick up the cd today. Or download it on itunes. You won't be sorry. You'll feel loved....and want to love back.

Listen to your body

I cannot tell you how many times people have said "listen to your body" this week. I am recovering (still) from a ridiculous surgery and hospital stay. (more on that later).

While being forced to listen to my body-which continues to say "rest" I thought of the fall.

It's officially Fall.

Officially by Amber's standards. By the rest of the world, that happens this Tuesday.

Here's how you know it's Fall:

1. Low 70 degree weather.

2. Being excited to wear one of the 30 sweatshirts that are in the closet.

3. Going to concerts that are indoors in more intimate venues rather at outdoor festivals with 20,000 people. (don't get me wrong, love the festivals too)

4. The itch to do something new, like join a new Bible Study, cut your hair, or get your gall bladder removed.

5. Halloween candy at Target. (Of which you can have none if you do one of the things in item number 4)

6. New CD's by great bands. (Skillet, Hawk Nelson, David Crowder, Needtobreathe, Switchfoot)

7. The end of concert rehab.

8. Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.

9. Warm drinks from Starbucks.

10. Leaves.

11. Sun roofs open through Oct.31st.

12. New school or work supplies. (got the new Sharpie retractable pen today)

13. Reading books that inspire the start of new stories for the fall.

I'm reading Donald Miller's new book and will blog about it soon. I'm savoring the book, only reading a little bit each day. It's a treat, and I'm gonna make it last. Let me just say that at first, I wasn't a fan, but it's speaking volumes into my life. Let's just say the buzz word for me this fall will be "story."

What reminds you of fall??