Summer Reading: Ordering Your Private World

(If you can’t see the video review, click over to the Marry Blogger to watch!)

Title:

Ordering Your Private World and When Men Think Private Thoughts

Author:

Gordon MacDonald

The Big Picture:

I read ‘Ordering Your Private World’ several years ago, and enjoyed its message. It was a good refresher read for me this time around. ‘When Men Think Private Thoughts’ is a book written for men, but as the author suggests, it might be a good read for women who are trying to gain better insight into men and the things that they grapple with in their inner lives.

What is great about these books:

Macdonald writes in a way that is very easy to read – the books might be “older”, but they are still solid.

If you are looking for a way to connect with God and haven’t tried journaling – Macdonald sets out a great model of reflection and writing that has been the basis of my journaling for a long time in OYPW.

When Men Think Private Thoughts goes into all sorts of places – sexuality, fatherhood, husbands and wives, money, character, Work, Leaving a Legacy

Other related reads you might enjoy:

Who You Are When No One’s Looking- Bill Hybels

Simple Marriage – Dr. Corey Allan

Renewing Your Spiritual Passion - Gordon MacDonald

What can we apply to our lives right away:

*Men want a sense of belonging, to be valued and to be seen as competent. These 3 things are influenced by our upbringing and our relationships.

*Men need to name and acknowledge their feelings and deal with them appropriately. Many times, we don’t do it very well.  A quick script for for acknowledging your feelings: “I am (name the feeling) and here is why: _____”

*Are you a called person –relying on God for direction and then obeying that direction? Or, are you a driven person –relying on yourself to make things happen, then asking God to bless them on the backside?

*Real, authentic male to male friendships are difficult, but necessary. With all the obstacles potentially standing in the way of finding and developing friendships (because we have to seek people out, then take time to develop the relationship) many men find it easier to just rely on their wife to be their sole friend in life.

*Challenge to men: …before we listen to a man’s appraisal of his marriage (or any other relationships), better make room for a second opinion. Perhaps his wife’s? What a man’s wife becomes over the years as a result of marrying him. Has she been challenged to keep herself fresh-spirited? Is she motivated to radiate a love for life and people? Is her mind a fountain of ideas, and is any gather of people improved because of her presence? Is she a woman of deep soul, more pleasing to God, because of the man she married? – Gordon MacDonald

The Big Wrap up:

Read Ordering Your Private World if you want to focus on your inner life and help feel, and be more in tune with God.

Read When Men Think Private Thoughts to help inspire you to be a better man, or learn more about the great man you married!

Tagged as: godron macdonald, journaling, ordering your private world, quiet time, time with god