The first 1/2 of "The Dream Giver" starts out as a parable much like in the form of the Christian class "Pilgram's Progress". The second 1/2 closes with encouragements and practical applications to live out the dream that God has for you. This book is three masterpieces wrapped into one. Part one is the Parable of the Dream Giver, the story of a Nobody named Ordinary who leaves the Land of Familiar to pursue his Big Dream. We all have been born with a Big Dream, a gift from the Dream Giver. Often we lose sight of that Big Dream, or crumble under obstacles that seem insurmountable. The Dream Giver will help you identify where you have been, where you are today, and where you are headed. It will equip you for part three, which is beyond the covers of this book. Part three is where your personal adventure begins, as you take up your quill and pursue your own Big Dream for God's glory. If you are ready to begin your quest, then you are ready for the Dream Giver. And it is right . There is more. The secret lies deep within your heart. It's trying to show you a life that can only happen when you chase your wildest dreams. More people in the Christian community need to read Bonhoeffer I'd wager, but lets face it, it's hard work.

The point of the book is very simple. I wasn't looking for complicated, so I appreciate this. I like that it is clear that God can help us with our dreams. I like the emphasis on the importance of dreams as a way to help others. Bigger, better dreams are unselfish. The moment happens to all of us—the moment when we realize that we don't live in a world where everyone lives "happily ever after." When that happens, most of us stop chasing our dreams and instead begin trying to forget them. Deep down, though, we still hold on to the hope that just maybe the voice inside telling us "there is more to life than this" will turn out to be right. Welcome to a little story about a very big idea. This compelling modern-day parable tells the story of Ordinary, who dares to leave the Land of Familiar to pursue his Big Dream. Every day was pretty much the same for Ordinary. In the mornings he got up and went to his Usual Job. After work, he ate almost the same dinner he'd eaten the evening before. Then he sat in his recliner and watched the box that mesmerized most Nobodies on most nights. Then he had a surprising idea. Could it be that maybe the Dream Giver gave every Nobody a Dream, but only some embraced their dreams? And even fewer pursued them?

Day after day, Ordinary showed up at his Usual Job. But while he worked, he thought about his Dream. He thought about how wonderful it would be to do what he loved to do instead of just dreaming about it. There were some aspects that I found to be helpful...like surrendering your desires to God. But again, what does that look like...how do you do that? And if you are getting this book to maybe learn more about what your dream is (like I did)...you can forget about it. A whole chapter is dedicated to helping you figure out your dream. Spoiler alert: it did not help me figure out my dream! Time passed. Then one morning Ordinary woke up with these words echoing in his mind: What you're missing, you already have… Encouragement to obey and trust God instead of yourself and others and do not let fear keep you from pursuing your dream. If you are a person who has ever doubted your dreams and would like to have any sense of motivation towards your goals, then the Dream Giver is right for you. When I read this book I started to look at my goals, dreams, thoughts, etc. more clearly than I used to. As a believer in God, I found this book helping in a spiritual way. Throughout the book, Ordinary asks for signs of help and even asks for someone to reveal his dream. I've always counted on God to provide a dream for me and bless me with it when the time comes. After reading this book I started to deal with dreams and thoughts in a more... productive way. For me, all big plans, big dreams, big thoughts, etc. come from the Dream Giver, my Lord and savior, Jesus Christ.

Bestselling author Bruce Wilkinson shows how to identify and overcome the obstacles that keep millions from living the life they were created for. He begins with a compelling modern-day parable about Ordinary, who dares to leave the Land of Familiar to pursue his Big Dream. With the help of the Dream Giver, Ordinary begins the hardest and most rewarding journey of his life. Wilkinson gives readers practical, biblical keys to fulfilling their own dream, revealing that there's no limit to what God can accomplish when we choose to pursue the dreams He gives us for His honor. From the time I was in Junior High I have wondered what God has wanted me to do with my life. If only I had this book during those years. Maybe then I wouldn't have sought the answer in high-sounding Theology but by looking deep into my own dreams and desires. It’s time to begin the journey of your life. Let Bruce and Jessica Wilkinson help you find your dream and pursue it on a quest to discover the life you’ve always dreamed of.Then Ordinary did remember. He'd always had his Dream! It was what he'd always wanted to do, and what he'd always thought he'd be good at doing. His eyes filled with tears. "Father," he said, "I think I was born to do this."