I recently read a book that has given me much to think about. It is called The Dream Giver, by Bruce Wilkinson (of The Prayer of Jabez fame).
The Dream Giver is actually two books in one. The first portion is a modern-day parable that tells the story of Ordinary, one who dares to leave the Land of Familiar in order to pursue his Big Dream.
The second half discusses the meaning of the parable, opening our eyes to the Big Dream within each of us. Everyone, and I mean everyone, has a Big Dream. Some of us have supressed it and some of us don't believe it can ever happen. But the truth is that your Big Dream gives you a target to aim for, and it reveals much about your purpose in this lifetime. Once you latch onto this concept, it can open up new ways of seeing yourself as a child of God.
The Dream Giver is a quick and easy read. I highly recommend it as a source of encouragement and as a way to help you discover what your Big Dream is! Once you discover your Big Dream, you may never look at your life the same again.
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
July 13, 2004 01:54 PM
I haven't read a book in ages, that I couldn't put down. Dreamgiver is and was that book! I was speechless, exhausted, enlighted, especially in seeing the similarities to what the Lord expects of us. I want to buy so many books for my friends and foes. The book comes alive, its fruit, its sound, it breathes, it is tasty. God's is brilliantly display between the lines.
Thank Mr. Wilkinson!
January 30, 2005 12:54 PM
Someone gave me the book because I seemed like the kind of person who had 'a big dream'. I am sure this book will inspire some people to go after their dreams, which I strongly prefer to call goals, but for me it wasn't something I needed.
The book talks about getting out of your comfort level. The fact is, I never HAD a comfort level. I was always so busy messing around with my dreams that I missed out on normal things, foundational things and certainly comfort entirely. I'm now the kind of parent who encourages my children to pursue stability and comfort and ignore their 'dreams' and I try not to go overboard chasing rainbows. When I was younger, they called these things grandoise illusions, now they are dreams that you're supposed to follow. I am an extreme example and I hope that what I'm saying here doesn't discourage anyone as that is not my intent. It's just that as a person nearing the age of 50, I basically have nothing because I was always encouraged to 'go after the big dream'. The truth is, and it doesn't matter here what that dream was, I wasn't really very good at what I was trying to do but instead of coming to terms with that I just kept pushing myself until now I feel like it was stupid.
The only advice I have is that you make sure that you are really good at what you want to go do instead of just wanting to do it so bad that you ignore whether you are really good at it. In things like art or creative things, this is very subjective so it's really tough to know whether you are even close to being in it. I know for instance someone who has always wanted to be a singer, but most of the people who hear him sing think they are really bad. This person is under such an illusion that they won't accept this and they are wasting their life on this idea of being a singer. I also know an 'actor' who has pursued that to the point that their entire family is suffering and the fact is, they really can't act very well. I have nearly ruined my life the same way. All I'm saying is: count the cost to your comfort. In my mind, comfort DOES come first. This book seems to support the idea that life is this big stuggle to 'do' something that pops into your head and won't leave. I don't agree with that. I think life sucks when you are constantly uncomfortable and then totally fail and have nothing left. I know that supporters of this movement will say that I had the wrong attitude or left something out or wasn't encouraged along the way - and hey, I'm not trying to discourage anyone, but I think if you have the drive to get where you're going you're going to do it anyway. This just seems like another book to drive people into areas away from comfort and responsible living. Just to be fair, I will read it again and see if I can be convinced otherwise. I have a son now who is thinking this way and it's very scary and also very expensive. I would have much rather had a stable career and something to show for it.
March 14, 2005 04:50 PM
Thank you for your voice of reason, Craig. I guess the book is okay if you are an airhead who thinks every "big dream" is worth ruining relationships over in your quest. If you are easily led by an author who pulls motivational speaking out of his rectum to attain his big dream of making a living out of writing crap, you'll be a changed person after reading it. Congratulations. Would you tell your child to slay his entire graduating class if it meant his "big dream" would be fulfilled? I think Mr. Wilkinson should have made a reference to delusional thinkers in his book. I mean ... the government puts, "This plastic bag can cause harm to chidren if put over their heads," doesn't it?
March 30, 2005 12:23 AM
Thank's to God who's giving me a dream. Thank's to Mr.Wilkinson for his book. This book gives me new way to understand this life does mean. Maybe i can say that this book has the same story like alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I can't say which is better between your book and Mr.Paulo Coelho's book. But there is no book has the same idea like your book in this world. God Bless You.
March 30, 2005 12:23 AM
Thank's to God who's giving me a dream. Thank's to Mr.Wilkinson for his book. This book gives me new way to understand this life does mean. Maybe i can say that this book has the same story like alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I can't say which is better between your book and Mr.Paulo Coelho's book. But there is no book has the same idea like your book in this world. God Bless You.
June 30, 2008 11:48 AM
I realize that I'm 4 years late in adding to these comments, but I stumbled onto this web page doing a little research on The Dream Giver. I recently read the book for a spiritual bool club and found it very encouraging. We live in a world where people associate success and big dreams with materialistic views vs. spiritual fulfillment and following God. I found this book to be honest in it's conversation about obsticals we face as we embrace our dreams. Following God's plan for your life is never easy, but it is rewarding. All who have relationship with God should be bold in their steps as He leads them. True "Dreamers" understand that it takes great sacrafice to reap great reward. (And the best part is that, if done faithfully, it is all to the glory of God!)
I encourage everyone who engages in conversation around this topic to reconize who is friend and who is foe on your journey. Do not hate your enemies. Just say a prayer for them and their purpose and move on without letting them discourage you. Some people have tried to reach their dreams and failed. They will be cynical. But please, keep your faith. Faith is key to true success. Only when you stop believing have you failed. We shouldn't fear big dreams... Our God is who He claims to be. He can make our dreams come true according to his good purpose!
August 16, 2008 05:02 PM
Wilkinson does a great job of exposing new age ideas to people in his book. Just what scripture backs up his book? What scripture can confirm the premise of his book? Maybe when taken out of context...