THE NOTICER by Andy Andrews

The Noticer is a GREAT book!
The character after whom the book is named - the Noticer - is a man named Jones, an otherworldly type of guy who shows up in people's lives with more knowledge than he should have about them. Even as they worry that this very old man who is a total stranger to them has their personal, intimate information, they find themselves drawn to him strongly. Everyone who meets the old man is eager to hear more of the words of wisdom he offers - wisdom that helps them make drastic changes in their lives just when they knew no hope was left. In the words of Jones himself: “I notice things about situations and people that produce perspective. That’s what most folks lack—perspective—a broader view. So I give them that broader view . . . and it allows them to regroup, take a breath, and begin their lives again.”

Andy Andrews, the author of The Noticer, also wrote The Traveler's Gift; I enjoyed The Noticer so much that I'm definitely planning to get his previous book!

The Noticer reminds me of a book by Jake Colsen called So You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore, another book very worth reading. They both seem too simplistic in a way at first; they explain what seems obvious to apparently not-too-bright characters in the story. However, it's actually quite effective - upset people are people who need a new perspective on their situation and the man Jones in The Noticer makes it easy to accept. What seems at times obvious isn't necessarily so obvious when you think about it a little deeper and continue to consider it in light of one's own (as the reader) life situations.

Once again, this is a very worthwhile book in my opinion. You can take a look for yourself here:
The Noticer by Andy Andrews at brb.thomasnelson.com.

More Laughs!

Another John Ortberg book, IF YOU WANT TO WALK ON WATER, YOU'VE GOT TO GET OUT OF THE BOAT, it's one I've seen around for a while and finally bought. I truly enjoy his humor!

God called Moses: Go to Pharaoh--the most powerful man on earth. Tell him to let his labor force leave without compensation to worship a god he doesn't believe in. Then convince a timid, stiff-necked people to run away into the desert. That's your calling.
And Moses said: Here am I. Send Aaron.

Intended For Growth

Once again, I'm pretty sure the Bible was written for the most part by men given a message by the spirit of I AM, then wrote more that felt like obvious common sense according to what they knew and understood. I'm not sure it all makes sense here and now...different culture, different geography, different time, different understanding. That's why we need the principles and not necessarily the specifics; however, one problem with that is that many of the specifics still produce the intended results when combined with the spirit in us. If the Israelites couldn't manage to understand the principles and live them even after YHWH showed them how it would all look specifically in every situation, why do we think we can extract principles without them? It must have all been to show us we were never going to "get it" without His spirit in us, transformed into what we were intended to be but whined about. Really, it's a lot easier to just live without bothering to grow in any way.