Wednesday, January 05, 2011

What are you reading, Robin Hartman?

I chose to read Living Life on Purpose because I got it for free at a publisher's booth at the American Theological Library Association conference this summer.

I think it's great so far. I appreciate that it's a collection of essays so I can put it down and come back to it later without losing momentum. And I like the topic. It's about how to understand God's calling. Right now I'm reading an essay that gives a generational perspective on how the call to ministry (or, in his day, preaching) has evolved into a more New Testament doctrine of the priesthood of all believers.

Living Life on Purpose made me feel affirmed in my work. I feel like I am called to do what I am doing. I'm not just a librarian with Christian convictions, applying Christian ethics and principles in my profession. I am called to library leadership because of the skills God has gifted me with. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand God's calling for their lives.

I am interested in information organization and management, library trends, and how technology affects communication and culture. I mostly read professional literature, but I also like to read books that help me to slow down and think about the purpose of life and priorities.

Next on my list to read is David Timms' recent book, Sacred Waiting: Waiting on God in a World that Waits for Nothing.

Robin Hartman has worked at Hope since 1994. She has been the Director of the Library since 2006 and was also the Yearbook faculty advisor for four years in the 1990s. She is an alum (1981), married to an alum (Gene Hartman, 1980) and mom of a student, Emma Hartman.

Living Life on Purpose: The Joy of Discovering and Following God's Call, edited by Maxie D. Dunham and Steve G. W. Moor. (Franklin, TN: Providence House Publishers, c2005.)

Available from Providence House Publishers, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

1 comment:

Robin H said...

By the way, I finished the book and donated it to the library. Check it out! Go to the http://library.hiu.edu and look it up.