⏱️ You can choose easy or happy

I. Doing whatever makes you happy won’t actually make you happy. Why? Because what makes you happy in the moment is often not what will make you happy in the long term.

Sleeping late every day may make you happy. Eating a full sleeve of Oreos may make you happy. Sitting on the beach may make you happy. Not having to work may make you happy.

The problem is, these things only make you happy in the short term. Do them every day, and you’ll soon not feel very purposeful or happy.

Doing hard things makes people happy.

Having a good marriage. Parenting children. Working on a skill (even when you’d rather watch TV). Pursuing a long-term project.

In the moment, you may not want to put effort into these things. Yet they are the very things that bring meaning, purpose, and fulfillment.

Focus on doing something hard. Then you’ll be happy.

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II. In many scenarios, what you want to learn from reading a book, watching a video, or listening to a podcast can only be learned by doing.

Some knowledge can only be learned by doing. You have to attempt what you fear.

You cannot become a great chef by reading a cookbook. You cannot take great photos only by watching a photographer work.

You’ll never truly learn without action.

I. James Clear on the rules of success:

“The rules:

(1) know precisely what you want,

(2) determine the cost of what it will take to get it,

(3) don’t bargain over the price.”

II. J.I. Packer on if you are a good theologian:

“Every time we mention God, we become theologians, and the only question is whether we are going to be good ones or bad ones. Christians are called to think great thoughts of God, to know Him in truth, and to live in light of that knowledge.”

The Four by Peter J. Leithart

A look at the four biblical Gospels, the themes and threads in each book, and how they demonstrate Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament.

This book follows the same style as A House For My Name (the previous book I reviewed), which traced the major themes of Old Testament books and stories.

The first section deals with the time between the writing of Malachi (the final Old Testament book written) and the time of Jesus, a period of roughly 425 years. Understanding Israel's historical developments during this time really sheds light on what’s happening in the Gospels (and was my favorite part of the book).

It’s helpful to have some familiarity with the Gospels, but it’s not as confusing as A House For My Name would be if you were unfamiliar with the Old Testament.

At times, the book can be a little dry and information-heavy. However, I think the average Christian would be really encouraged, and even blown away, by just how much is going on in the Gospels if they haven’t read much about their composition before.

It might not be the easiest read, not because it's hard to understand, but because it has an academic feel in how it’s written. But if you can get through that, you’ll be glad you read it.

7.5/10

P.S. The most valuable thing about your siblings…