Parish Poet

Andy Stanley has written a nice book, but it is not a motivational book or really even a paradigm shifting book. In short, it is a good read, funny and insightful at points, but in the end there is no overarching feeling I have learned anything new.

What I took away from this book is that your direction determines your destiny, not your intentions. If I were a 5th grader that would be a profound statement, but I am not. We all know this already.

I found his chapter about being lost in Europe amusing, and it was a good metaphor for what he was talking about. I also found the story and the beginning of the book about his friend and the highway to be poingant, but they just dont advance his overall intentions for the book. At least I dont think they do. I am not sure because I am still trying to understand his intention for the book.

I was also turned off by the fact that in just about every chapter he uses his personal finances in some way to prove the point. I find that quite arrogant and unnecessary for the rest of us. I am glad he is debt free, I am planning to be there one day too. But today, I pay bills.