The Dream Giver (Hardcover)

by Bruce Wilkinson (Author), Heather Kopp (Contributor) "Not long ago and not far away, a Nobody named Ordinary lived in the Land of Familiar..." (more)
Key Phrases: ordinary looked, long white feather, Dream Giver, Big Dream, Comfort Zone (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Like Richard Bach's 1970 classic, Jonathan Livingston Seagull, this little guide by the bestselling author of the Prayer of Jabez franchise is a story about pursuing one's dreams. But it aims to be a "practical and innovative guide to achieving your Big Dream" as well. The first part of Wilkinson's slender book is the fable of person searching for what's missing in his life. A "Nobody named Ordinary who lived in the Land of Familiar," he decides, finally, to pursue his higher calling; he encounters-and overcomes-many obstacles along the way. In the second part of the book, Wilkinson plays the role of a Dream Coach, counseling readers on how to achieve their own Big Dreams though facing their fears, enduring hardships, surrendering to God and realizing their full potential. Looking back to moments in the tale of Ordinary, Wilkinson reemphasizes and reiterates the lessons learned by his everyman, employing personal anecdotes, scripture and impassioned prose. The book speaks plainly of achieving lofty goals and overcoming conflict, and the message of the parable may touch the hearts of readers who need a spiritual push. But it may also strike some as overly simplistic, since the tone veers towards childish at times ("We've all seen how Bullies work. Remember, they react primarily because you have disturbed their Comfort Zone. They feel threatened. They feel losing something important-their security or routine, their assumptions about success. Maybe they feel that they're losing you"). That said, those who need warm, enthusiastic encouragement should find it here.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description
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.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Multnomah Books; 1st Edition edition (September 3, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159052201X
• ISBN-13: 978-1590522011
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (115 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,747 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the Journey towards the Dream, October 22, 2003

By	Alejandra Vernon "artist & illustrator" (Long Beach, California) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

Biblically based, with an emphasis on the lives of Moses, Joshua, and David, this slender volume is extremely helpful to those of us either pursuing the Big Dream, or those who have it in their hearts, but have not taken any action to fulfill their Destiny. It will be of particular value to those who might feel that they have lost their way in the WasteLand.
The first part of this book is in the form of a parable; it is as wise as it is charming, and is an almost Tolkienesque tale of Ordinary, who lived in the Land of Familiar, and who one day leaves his Usual Job, and his Comfort Zone, to persue his Dream. There are many trials and tribulations in his path, and Giants to slay (Giants like Moneyless), but his faith gets stronger, as he learns his lessons.

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.

In Chapter Twelve, he talks about the Dream that has not been surrendered to God, and the pitfalls that can bring; how "Your Dream will become your idol", and how that can "make people 'successful' but not fulfilled" (pg. 133) and further, to face the areas in our lives that need cleansing, where we may be making compromises and have "unfinished business".
In the final chapter, Mr. Wilkinson describes how his Dream has led him to South Africa, to help the millions of children who have lost their parents to AIDS, and it is an example of how once you have reached one Dream, it can lead to another, with God continually working through you. "You are meant to be a river of blessing, not a puddle drying in the sun".
The layout is lovely, with small but beautiful images by Steve Gardiner, good quality paper, and a readable font size. I found a lot in this book to inspire me and give me the tools and armor to slay another Giant, and perhaps you will too.

44 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Complex Issue Made Simple, January 12, 2004

By	Robert D. Ison "Helping You Find New Hope" (Marion, KY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The critical reviews for this book express that simplicity is a bad thing. The truth is that anyone can take a complex issue and make it sound complex. In The Dream Giver, the authors have taken a very complex, yet motivating aspect of life and they have made it very simple.

The story of Ordinary leaving Familiar is very simple. And it is true that you can see many of the illustrations before they are fully developed, but that is not a bad thing. I have been going through the process of reevaluating my dreams, goals, etc. and I had begun to think that the emotions I was experiencing were unique to me. However, this presentation reveals to me that the experience of spiritually chasing your dream is universal.

Specifically, I have been dealing with God's asking me to give Him my dreams and then receiving them back after He becomes more important to me than they are. Having read Ordinary's tale, I now understand so much more about the process of developing a Big Dream, inspired by the Dream Giver.

I recommend this book for mature Christians, new Christians, and even the discouraged unchurched. I think this book could be a great tool for evangelizing the unchurched because the descriptions of Ordinary's experiences will speak to them and confirm the reality of God's hand upon their lives.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Dream Giver, November 3, 2003

By	karen C (Providence, RI) - See all my reviews

If you loved the Prayer of Jabez, you're going to love The Dream Giver. Watch out best seller list! Once this book gains momentum, it will probably eclipse global sales of Jabez by a wide margin.
It's a rare book that can make each and every reader feel as if the author tailored every page for their enrichment.

One day afer reading this book I encouraged my immediate circle of friends & family to make The Dream Giver a top priority read. It's that good.