That’s what the butcher said when he backed into the meat grinder!
Ha, ha…but seriously. We’re into the second week of February and I’m about 3 books behind in my reading goal for 2010. But that’s okay…I just came across this helpful post on book reading techniques from Tim Elmore.
If you’re trying to be more efficient with your reading goals, check out his article here.
On a positive note, I’m on track to finish two books this week, so I should only be one week behind after that.
And I’m still open to swapping out some titles on my list if someone has a great book you want to pitch to me!
Over at Scott McKnight’s blog…Jesus Creed…I found a fabulous ‘liturgy of espresso’ by Billy Kangas. You can catch up with Billy via his blog here, or Twitter.
I have always considered coffee as a great metophor for many things spiritual, social, etc…but over at Billy’s blog…that consideration is cemented into a beautiful liturgy. Great stuff.
The cappuccino as a representation for the trinity makes a lot of sense to me. The cappuccino is technically 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, and 1/3 silky microfoam…blended artfully into one textured and delicious sip.
Properly brewed espresso has triune qualities as well. The heart, body, and crema (crema is the lighter reddish foam that floats on the surface) make up the “pulled” shot and when a glass is brewed, all three parts should be seen as three different layers. 
“While the making of a good espresso drink is a complicated process; enjoyment of a good espresso drink is one of life’s simple pleasures.”
And when the simple pleasure of artfully brewed coffee mixes with the sharing of conversation, story, and friendship…ahhh, an Edenic experience of hospitality ensues.
Although it wasn’t one of the books I was already reading in preparation for this first week of 2010, I quickly realized that it would be difficult to put down. While turning the page from 2009 to 2010, reading A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller has proven to be quite timely. You can hear a great introduction to the book by the author here.
The book is basically more of Don’s story (can I call him “Don?” it’s not like we get together occasionally at the Ugly Mug.) But in the process of telling his own story, he enlightens us with inspiring notions about what it means to LIVE a good story and be engaged in the process of transformation.
Another book I’m in the process of reading is The Art of Pilgrimage by Phil Cousineau. It is all about the process and purpose of pilgrimage, a concept which I have been sensitive to for years but very much awakened to more recently. As Miller shares stories about hiking in Peru, cycling across America, and kayaking into beautiful inlets my passion for incorporating travel, adventure, and ‘sacred’ geographical destinations into my own story has enlarged.
I would imagine that anyone could enjoy what Donald Miller is sharing in this book. But especially for those who find themselves bogged down by the mundaneness of their own stories…or searching for the “inciting incident” which might propel one into a better story or scene…A Million Miles is contemplatively energizing.
One of my goals for the upcoming year which I attempted a couple of years ago (not even coming close) was to read about a book a week for the year.
Here’s my list…we’ll see how it goes.
Book List for 2010
If you’re trying to be more efficient with your reading goals, check out his article here.
Recent Comments