Skip to main content

Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald




Ordering Your Private World is one of those books that would have been awesome to read about twenty years ago. I'm thankful that I read it now with its re-release. MacDonald has been a pastor for over 50 years. In the beginning of the book, he shares a time in which he was constantly moving from one thing to the next within his work. After arriving at a place in which he couldn't continue the pace, he realized that his private world needed some priority in his life.

Ordering Your Private World is basically of how MacDonald went about moving from the world directing his steps to his steps directed by God. Not that he wasn't seeking God's will before but there is a definite difference in the priorities of life when you are centering yourself in God's will on a regular basis and when you just do what others say you should be doing even if those others are fellow Christians.

This book systematically takes the reader through the ability to recognize if your inner life is in need of a tune-up (which we all are if we're honest) and what steps you can take. There is a great mixture of things that you can do alone as well as communal aspects of ordering your private world. One of my favorite chapters was on friends and how we can seek out Godly friendship and cultivate it. Another favorite was on Sabbath, something our family tries to practice.

Overall, it's a great read and a wonderful reminder that we need to take time to be with God if we want to be directed by God.

I received a free copy of this book from Handlebar Marketing for the purpose of the review. I'm never required to post positive reviews but I'm always thankful when I can.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Stories from the Kitchen: Taste and See

I celebrated my birthday last weekend. It was wonderful and the leftovers left me with a question or two. Find out what they are and how I'm currently answering them in this week's podcast. Stories from the Kitchen Season 2, Episode 2: Taste and See Notes from the episode: Taste and See by Margaret Feinberg Dad’s New York Cheesecake (from the back of a Philidelphia Cream Cheese package) 1 ⅞ cups graham cracker crumbs ¼ to ½ cup butter, melted 1 cup sugar, divided 2 lbs cream cheese (4 packs) 2 large eggs (lightly beaten) 1 tsp vanilla 2 tbsp cornstarch 1 cup sour cream Preheat oven to 450F Mix well graham crackers, 2 tbsp sugar, and enough butter that the mixture holds together. Reserve 2 tbsp for garnish. Press mixture onto bottom and sides of a greased 9-inch springform pan. Chill in the freezer while preparing the filling. Mix cream cheese and sugar until smooth and light. Beat in eggs, vanilla, and cornstarch until just blended. S

Tasty Tuesday: Roasted Broccoli

I ran across this recipe on Pinterest the other day that was labeled " The Best Broccoli Of Your Life. " I normally either steam our broccoli in the microwave or saute it with olive oil and red pepper flakes on the stove top. I decided this would be something to try. I did the salt, pepper and olive oil part of the recipe. I didn't have the majority of the other ingredients. In fact, all I had was a little bit of Parmesan  It was wonderful. Not the best broccoli of my life, but honestly, it was pretty close. And if I had the lemon juice and all that jazz, it may very well be the best. What have you been eating lately?

Together is a Beautiful Place by Bailey T. Hurley

  Have you ever wanted to be a better friend or been stumped by how to make your friendships more meaningful? If so, you might want to pick up a copy of Together is a Beautiful Place. Hurley does an excellent job of sharing ways to connect with people that you know and how to easily take your relationships from surface level to deep and meaningful parts of your life. One of my favorite parts of the book is when Hurley incorporates surveys and other data to give insight into relationship building. She shares that it takes 90 hours of social interaction to consider someone a friend. When you’re only seeing each other in passing, it will take much longer than when you carve out time to specifically be with people.  Overall, Together is a Beautiful Place is an encouraging and helpful read. Exactly what I needed as I continue to make friends in life.  I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for the purpose of review. I’m never required to say nice things about books but I’m always