Look Beyond

Transformation Project 2 - Exploring The World of Books

"The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them." ~Mark Twain

I have been an avid reader for most of my adult life.  In my early twenties I read a lot of books on business, economics, management principles, and had a steady stream of news periodicals coming to the house.  A couple of the boxes that we continue to move with us from place to place are packed full of dozens and dozens of issues of Time and Newsweek from the 1990's.

In the late 90's and early 00's - the ascending years toward a life of ministry - I devoured books about  spiritual formation, theology, church leadership, pastoring, and church growth.  While pastoring,  I had a steady stream of books crossing my desk, adorning my study, and accompanying me to bed, all written to help me become a better pastor.

After leaving the pastorate, I began reading spiritual books of a different sort.  These were books about church history and the contemplatives & mystics of antiquity.  These blended with books about current cultural issues and the accelerating collapse of the evangelical empire here in America.

Recently my reading has shifted somewhat.  For the past six months or so I've been reading books about the history of America, the virtues and values of the founding father's, the decline of the American empire resulting from our abandonment of those virtues and values, the rise of socialism, and the devastation that always accompanies such an emergence.

Books have been faithful companions through the changing seasons of my life.  They have accompanied me on journeys that other people would not take with me.  Without the company of books over the years, I would have a much smaller view of the world and an anemic understanding of life.

All of this brings me to our next Transformation Project.

TRANSFORMATION PROJECT 2 - EXPLORING THE WORLD OF BOOKS

If you are not a reader, take a few moments to think about some of the things that are of the greatest interest to you in your current season of life.  Do a keyword search on Amazon.com.  Choose a book, order it, and read it.  As you do, share with us through comments what you're reading, what you're learning, and the impact it is having upon you.

If you are a reader, think about a genre or topic in which you've never spent time reading before.  Do the same as above.  Broaden your horizons, deepen your intellectual wellness, and share with us the things you're learning.

Transformation Project 1 - Intentional Awareness

I mentioned in an earlier writing that I would frequently post, what I am calling, "Transformation Projects" here on Beyond What You See.  I don't think there is an honest person among us who wouldn't join us in saying, "There are some things about me that I want to change."  I also think that there is a large percentage of us (perhaps most of us) who spend a lifetime being conscious of those areas in which we are in need of transformation, but never actually experience the realization of that transformation.

The reality of personal transformation is that it requires intentionality.  None of us will ever wake up some morning and find ourselves magically transformed into what we've always hoped we could become.  Those who do experience significant transformation in their lives are the ones who take the intentional steps necessary to bring about that change.

There are many areas of transformation that I long for in my own life.  One that comes immediately to mind is the transformation into a socially aware and genuinely compassionate person.  I have become quite jaded and cynical over the last few years, but readily recognize that this is not a state of heart in which I wish to remain.  I want to live my life with eyes wide open to the pain and suffering around me, and as long as I have the resources to do so, be moved with genuine compassion to meet that need to the best of my ability.

This past week I took time to visit three different non-profit organizations here in our city.  I wrote about the first one in my post, America's Second Harvest.  Wednesday afternoon I spent a couple of hours touring and visiting with the director and board members of our local chapter of Girls, Inc., which is a national organization teaching at-risk girls about abstinence, care of their body, job skills, basic household skills, computer skills, and more.  On Thursday afternoon I spent a couple of hours visiting with the director and board president of our local chapter of the Boys & Girls Club, which is another national organization focusing on academic excellence, social wellness, and physical fitness.  Each of these three visits was a dramatic eye-opener to the social brokenness around me.  If you are looking for a way to "do good," any of these three organizations would be a worthy recipient of your generosity.

All of this brings me to our first "Transformation Project," into which I want to invite you to participate and then share your experiences with us through comments to this post.

TRANSFORMATION PROJECT 1 - INTENTIONAL AWARENESS

Participation Time Frame: 30 Days

Spend a few moments thinking about the one social issue which is of the greatest interest to you.  What do you see in your community that you would change if you had the power to do so?  What stirs your heart?  Do a little asking around and find one organization that is working to address that social issue.  Sometime within the next 30 days make an appointment to meet with the director to learn about what they do.  Spend some time talking with him or her.  Tour the operation.  Speak to some of the beneficiaries if possible.  And before leaving, ask the director what their greatest need is.

After you've completed the project, come back here and leave a comment sharing your experience with us, that we too may learn about needs and solutions in towns and cities beyond our own.