But on his way to work, Ordinary realized he had a problem. His Big Dream was too big for a Nobody like Ordinary. He would be embarrassed to tell anyone. Even Best Friend would probably laugh. 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.

I enjoyed reading Part II - The Journey To Your Big Dream. The Lord blessed me with wonderful opportunities throughout my life and some dreams have already come to pass. Do I have a Big dream yet not fulfilled? To be honest, I still don’t know. One evening after work, Ordinary went to his Parents' to watch the box. But their box was broken, so the house was very quiet. It was even more quiet because his Mother was out shopping at Familiar Foods. 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."The "Dream Giver" is clearly God. We Dreamers are obviously "Ordinary." Other helpful truths are found in this book. I like the questions the author asks to help discover individual dreams. They got me thinking. 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. Through this parable, Wilkinson walks us through the stages of living that Big Dream: embracing the Dream, leaving our Comfort Zone to pursue it, meeting discouraging Bullies along the way, entering a Wasteland of delays and disappointment that test our faith, finding Sanctuary where we solidify the purpose of our Big Dream, warring with Giants for the Dream Giver's honor, and finally thriving in the Land of Promise. The Dream Giver was published in 2003, but only made it into my hands on Christmas morning 2009. There must be something in the air, so to speak, with the simultaneous Christmas release of the movie Up in the Air. I saw the movie first, before reading this short book. Together they have reminded me to make sure I am following my own Big Dream.

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. Best Friend looked surprised, but he didn't laugh. "That's very…big," he said. "But if I were you, I wouldn't talk about this Dream of yours too much. Nobodies around here might take you for a fool."Dr. Wilkinson is helping to change the face of Christianity with his unique way of reaching America.”—JOE GIBBS, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing and former head coach of the Washington Redskins 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. This is a powerful book and message intended to shine a light and empower readers to let go of the comfortable “familiars” in their life and move towards achieving their dreams - dreams give to us by our Dream Giver, God.

I have just read as much of The Prayer of Jabez as I could stand. Reflecting, I realised that it wasn't my first encounter with this author. I read The Dream Giver whilst serving on-board a missionary ship. A friend highly recommended it so I found it in the ship library. I remember being disappointed and thinking it reminded me of the Christian hedonism principle espoused by John Piper which I don't have much time for. I’m gifting my copy to my brother in hopes this helps motivate him to recognize a dream and work towards it. The movie is about people losing their jobs, and being encouraged to use job loss as momentum and opportunity to pursue long forgotten dreams. The book's character, "Ordinary", starts from a place of discomfort, with the "small nagging feeling that something big was missing". The movie and the book each show the sacrifices involved in following a dream, and the persistence required. Best Friend looked concerned. "You know as well as I do that Nobodies who pursue their Dreams leave Familiar," he said. "They set off like fools into the Unknown, in search of a place where—"I’ve accomplished dreams, but at this moment in my life feel deflated, unmotivated, uninspired. I have work to do to realize a new dream, God’s dream for me. Of course I wished a flame was lit ablaze for me while reading this, but I’m sure a spark has developed and just needs time to simmer and grow.

It's time to begin the journey of your life. May your heart sing as you embrace everything God has lovingly planted there." Wilkinson's book, The Dream Giver, is deserving of a 5 star rating, because he reaches in and identifies the fears of people who are in their "comfort zone". Everyone in search of a dream will find comfort and guidance in this book, which holds the key to discovering all that reader is meant to do and be, with their God given dreams and talents. The reader is being challenged to search out his dream and to soul search some of life's difficult questions. In reacting with such enthusiasm and thirst with the book, I soon became confused as to Wilkinson's parables. I also became angry at the end of the book when he shared his personal story. Although his strengths did emerge, as well as his insights in achieving one's dream. I soon realized that the journey itself is what prepares one to succeed not to be afraid but embrace it! He rushed to get dressed, his Big Dream beating brightly in his chest. He couldn't wait to get to his Usual Job and tell Best Friend the news. In Chapter Nine, "Living Past the Edge", Mr. Wikinson describes his fear of public speaking, and the steps he took to overcome it. I recently had the good fortune to be at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California, where Mr. Wilkinson spoke not only to the vast crowd in attendance, but to millions on televison, and he is a truly gifted speaker; it is hard to envision that at one time he had felt inadequate in front of an audience. With this book he will help you conquer your own fears, and get past the feeling of being Unworthy and Unable. This book, Dream Giver, The is the second book by Bruce Wilkinson (born 1940) who is the author of the popular book, The Prayer of Jabez Devotional: Breaking Through to the Blessed Life (3 stars). That prayer is based on the passage from the Holy Bible (1Chronicles 4:9-10) that goes like this: Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that you would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from the evil one." And God granted his request.Wilkinson basically expounded on this prayer to encourage his readers to outlines his or her life and what he wants to do and raise that plan to God so it will be blessed by God.

Success!

Wouldn't it be essential to know the source of my dream prior to pouring everything into it. What if a person spends their whole life climbing a ladder only to find that it was leaning against the wrong wall? The little feeling grew. And even though Nobodies in Familiar didn't generally expect the unexpected, Ordinary began to wish for it. I frequently give gift copies to those that we do mentoring for because it certainly has the potential to impact those who are ready for the questions and thoughts it will bring up in the reader.