27Dec 07
A Challenge
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An end of the year challenge is in full motion for our family. What is involved? Motivational speaker Charlie “Tremendous” Jones once said something like this, “The only difference between who you are today and the person you will be in five years will come from the books you read and the people you associate with.”
With a desire to see us grow in our understanding of what is true discipleship, Dad issued a book to each of us children. They range in topics from manners to America to Christianity to stories and more. We are learning that a disciple is 
a disciplined learner and that a discipler is one who applies the truth he is taught and passes it on to others (2 Timothy 2:2). Reading through a book can often leave little effect if one fails to have a focus. Our focus is centered on discovering insights into discipling.
The Scriptures say, “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished (Proverbs 22:3).” Dad sees the evil running rampant across the world and knows that without a discipleship mindset centered on making Christ known, we have little hope for survival.
On January 1st we will come together to review the insights and discoveries. I appreciate Dad’s leadership and am in great anticipation for what is in store.
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2:2
That looks like some really good reading material! I don’t think I’ve read any of them so I’ll look forward to hearing some good book reports from y’all in the near future!
This will definitely be a wonderful way to discover the content and summary of many books in a short time. And thank you for the encouragement Robert – we’ll have to work on those reports!
Oh! I would love to see a summary of the reports you give on these books. Posting them sounds like a fabulous idea to me!
I even have one of those. Maybe I will have to put it “in the que” to quote my husband! 
I echo what you say about Dad Josh. Hopefully we’ll finish the books in time.
[...] kitchen quieted down and with milkshakes in hand, everyone gathered together to share insights on books Dad had given us to read. Dad then proceeded to lay out a broad vision for the year. He exhorted us to prayerfully consider [...]