Ordering Your Private World

This is a great book. I wish that I would have read it 20 years ago.

This book is like a textbook for those who want more organization in their lives. Unless you have a perfect memory, you'll definitely want to read this book multiple times: once to get the gist, then taking notes on successive readings, giving consideration to life application. I plan to undertake a fourth reading using the included study guide.As the author warns, this book approaches the task of "ordering your private world" from an entirely Christian perspective. So this book will probably not be the cup of tea for the person who doesn't share the Christian worldview. But for those who do, it is invaluable. This book treats life issues I don't hear discussed much in Christian circles -- not because they're taboo necessarily, but perhaps because they just don't occur to us. But once you start reading, you'll say "I needed to hear this!" The book covers five "sectors" that need to be addressed to bring one's life into order: motivation, use of time, wisdom and knowledge, spiritual strength, and restoration.MacDonald's advice is absolutely practical, never overbearingly spiritual, although he gives many biblical examples. He makes clear that his own life was not always organized, and acknowledges that some of his methods are simply what worked for him -- others may differ (although personally I can't recall any points where I disagreed).In a nutshell: this is a must-read for anyone who has ever struggled with any disorder and disorganization in their life.

McDonald's book is one I reread every January. It puts me back on the track of ordering my life again after the chaos of the holidays. If you have a tendency to procrastinate, to overload your calendar, or you easily lose sight of how to structure your time, this book will be the greatest gift (if you take the time to read it) you ever give yourself. One of the more profound things McDonald addresses in his book is being honest enough to say you can't be all things to all people. In fact, he cites examples in the Bible to say that it should never be our goal. "Called people know exactly who they are not," McDonald says. There is freedom in those words for the person who thinks he or she must do everything. He uses John the Baptist as an example. When John is asked in Scripture who he is, he says he is not Christ. McDonald says, "Knowing who he was not was the beginning of knowing who he was." John knew the role of his life and ministry and because of it, was able to do his job of acting as "forerunner to Christ." Through a chapter by chapter study guide at the back of the book written by Leslie H. Stobbe, the reader can examine his or her life by answering questions. In many ways, I found the study guide's questions sent me on a journal experience as I read the scriptures suggested. The study guide is gentle, yet you can go as indepth as you want to. What I also like about McDonald's advice is that he truly gives examples of how to order your world. How to order your office, create files, etc. that really will simplify your life. He doesn't pulpitize the reader, rather he provides examples from his own life where he failed too and how he was able to change.Buy this book and change your life. This will not be a book you put on your shelf or bury in your nightstand drawer. This will be a book that you will underline in, write in, and use as a resource to keep you on the track of succeeding in organizing your private world.

ORDERING YOUR PRIVATE WORLD By Gordon Macdonald Reviewed by Lindsay WoodsIn this book, Gordon Macdonald looks at an aspect of our lives that is commonly overlooked, often with devastating results. He speaks of an area of our life apart from the external. If we think of our public life being filled with work, relationships and different achievements, them we might think of our private world a where we spend time with God and become spiritually refreshed.Gordon likens it to a bridge on a ship, where we assess our life for signs of impending crisis, or burnout. Where we access all information, on our current state. Our motivations, relationships, spirit, and calendar are all checked.He discusses the danger of unchecked motivation. One of the things he looks at is the person who is driven to achieve their goals, how to recognize them, and the things that suffer in their pursuit. He uses a case study to illustrate the point, detailing an individual who's aims were wealth, and prestige - external things. A person with no use for internal qualities like wisdom. The results being that he was receiving counsel to save his marriage.Gordon looks at the contrast between driven people and called people. The latter recognizing that they are stewards of the life that God has given them, and that any position that they have is from God therefore they needn't strive to achieve or equally to maintain.Our usage of Time is examined. Criteria for evaluating effective time usage, and guidelines for improving productivity. Symptoms like broken deadlines, dislike of work and self, and lack of intimacy with God point to poor time organization. Time is a gift from God, that must be used carefully. Gordon suggests that it must be budgeted much like money, and for the most part the budget adhered to. We must learn to do the most important things, not necesarily the most urgent. We should spend most of our time doing what we are best at.We need to at training our minds, in both knowledge and wisdom. Our minds should be sharp, going beyond accumulation of information, but working with that information in order to be able to answer to hard question that people face. We do this by listening, reading and studying.Gordon also looks at the importance of hearing from God, and the necessity of time spent in silence to be able to. He suggest keeping of a journal as a means of expression to God, keeping track of progress and answered prayer.He finishes by looking at restoration and the need for a Sabbath rest. This is differentiated form leisure. Leisure is the pursuit of interests, past times, whereas rest is actively getting spirit refreshed. Having a set aside with plenty of time for prayer, reading, walks, etc.I found this book held my interest. I particularly wanted to learn about ordering my time, as I don't seem to have much surplus. The section of the book dealing with this was very useful in suggesting the idea of