Quote from Forum Archives on June 29, 2008, 3:39 pm

Posted by: hopechestnews <hopechestnews@...>

Dear friends,

 

I don't have time to write for more than a few minutes, but I wanted to call your attention to an excellent new book for young people which I picked up in our church bookstore today to give a friend as a high school graduation present.  I read a large chunk of it this afternoon, and want to commend it to you for any Christian teen in your life as an encouragement to make the most of these years.

 

Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations by Alex & Brett Harris   

(If you click on the link in the above line, you can find links to read the table of contents and sample pages.) 

 

The back cover reads, "Most people don't expect you to understand what we're going to tell you in this book.  And even if you understand, they don't expect you to care.  And even if you care, they don't expect you to do anything about it.  And even if you do something about it, they don't expect it to last.  WE DO."

 

Here is what the Christian Book Distributors web site blurb says:

The next generation stands on the brink of "Rebelution". With over 14 million hits to their website www.TheRebelution.com, Alex and Brett Harris are leading the charge in a growing movement of Christian young people who are rebelling against the low expectations of their culture by choosing to "do hard things" for the glory of God.

Written when they were 18 years old, Do Hard Things is the Harris twins' revolutionary message in its purest and most compelling form, giving readers a tangible glimpse of what is possible for teens who actively resist cultural lies that limit their potential.

Combating the idea of adolescence as a vacation from responsibility, the authors weave together biblical insights, history, and modern examples to redefine the teen years as the launching pad of life and map a clear trajectory for long-term fulfillment and eternal impact.

Written by teens for teens, Do Hard Things is packed with humorous personal anecdotes, practical examples, and stories of real-life rebelutionaries in action. This rallying cry from the heart of revolution already in progress challenges the next generation to lay claim to a brighter future, starting today.

256 pages, hardcover.   

Some of you may recognize Alex and Brett as either the twin sons of home school pioneer Gregg Harris who wrote The Christian Home School and spoke around the country -- or as the younger brothers of the even now more famous Josh Harris, who spearheaded the New Attitude conferences and wrote I Kissed Dating Goodbye, Boy Meets Girl and other books.  Those are all good books -- but Alex and Brett are superb authors in their own right, and are not content to ride on the coattails of parents and siblings! 

I bought this book for a friend... but on the way home my husband Thad quickly told me to buy one for us, too!  I'll be more than happy to comply with that request!

Blessings,

Virginia Knowles

www.VirginiaKnowles.com and www.VirginiaKnowles.blogspot.com

P.S. Before I hit the send button, this book reminds me of two poems by one of my favorite poets, Edgar Guest.  They are ones I read to my middle school English class the years we study American literature.  (And if you haven't taken the chance to watch it yet, you might wish to watch my video clip about using literature to reach the heart.  You can find it on my blog at: "Academic Education for a Deeper Heart" Video.)

It Couldn’t Be Done

by Edgar A. Guest

 

Somebody said that it couldn’t be done,

But he with a chuckle replied

That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one

Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.

So he buckled right in with a trace of a grin

On his face.  If he worried he hid it.

He started to sing as he tackled the thing

That couldn’t be done, and he did it.

 

The Things That Haven’t Been Done Before

by Edgar Guest

 

The things that haven’t been done before,

  Those are the things to try;

Columbus dreamed of an unknown shore

  At the rim of the far-flung sky,

And his heart was bold and his faith was strong

  As he ventured in dangers new,

And he paid no heed to the jeering throng

  Or the fears of the doubting crew.

 

The many will follow the beaten track

With guideposts on the way.

They live and have lived for ages back

With a chart for every day.

Someone has told them it’s safe to go

On the road he has traveled o’er,

And all that they ever strive to know

  Are the things that were known before.

 

A few strike out, without map or chart,

  Where never a man has been,

From the beaten paths they draw apart

  To see what no man has seen.

There are deeds they hunger alone to do;

  Though battered and bruised and sore,

They blaze the path for the many, who

  Do nothing not done before.

 

The things that haven’t been done before

  Are the tasks worthwhile today;

Are you one of the flock that follows, or

  Are you one that shall lead the way?

Are you one of the timid souls that quail

  At the jeers of a doubting crew,

Or dare you, whether you win or fail, 

Strike out for a goal that's new?

 

 

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