Undeniable, by Cameron Hanes

Great book to listen to on some long treks. I've listened to some of his podcasts and guest interviews and knew he was a 68 years old serious ultramarathoner, but didn't know his accomplishments as an elite backcountry bow hunter. That's some real man stuff!!

While holding a full-time job for 25 years, he trained intensively, and built his brand. 

Cameron's Foundational Principles

Discipline beats motivation. Daily, repeatable habits create high performance.

Effort compounds. The small, unglamorous tasks done every day build mastery.

Obsession is a virtue. Becoming great requires a willingness to pursue a calling with unusual intensity.

Suffering produces strength. Hardship, pain, and failure forge mental toughness and character.

Purpose fuels endurance. Knowing why you push yourself sustains the grind long after excitement fades.

Consistency creates credibility. Being reliable, steady, and always improving earns respect and opportunities.

Hanes' slogan is KEEP HAMMERING

Finish Line Leadership, by Dave Kraft

"What would you like me to talk about?" Dave asked.

Dave Kraft, author and executive coach, spoke at an event I co-hosted recently and that's the question he asked me regarding his upcoming talk.

My response was "chapter 1, of Finish Line Leadership."

In Chapter 1, The One Foundation for Everything, Kraft establishes the foundational truth that Christian leadership must be rooted in Christ alone. He frames leadership as a race, not a short sprint, but a ultramarathon that demands endurance, character, and dependence on Jesus. 

He argues that many leaders stumble not because of lack of skill or vision, but because their foundation is built on achievement, role, or performance rather than on the person and presence of Christ. Kraft challenges his readers to examine where their identity and power come from: are they leading out of their gifts, accolades, or position, or out of a sustained relationship with Jesus? 

He emphasizes that everything else (purpose, passion, priorities, values, execution) rests on this foundation. Without it, the rest of the journey becomes vulnerable to drift, burnout, or collapse. The chapter closes with reflective questions inviting leaders to assess the solidity of their foundation.

At the end of each chapter, Dave gives three questions for reflection, discussion, and application. 

The foundation of real leadership is Jesus applied. He, Jesus, gives us so many commands throughout his word. Dallas Willard felt we should have green lettering to go with the red lettering in our Bibles. 

Green, for Go and Do. 

To that end…..

Thank you Jesus for your word. I pray I receive that word, apply that word, and transformed by the knowledge and application.

Just So Something, by Kevin DeYoung

In his book Just Do Something Kevin DeYoung challenges the hesitation that often masquerades as holiness. Many believers pray endlessly for signs and certainty, waiting for God to reveal a detailed plan before taking a step. DeYoung insists that while prayer is vital, it is not a substitute for obedience or responsibility. God's will, he reminds us, is not a hidden code to be cracked but a revealed calling to live faithfully within His Word.

A revealed calling to live

Prayer, then, is meant to align the heart with God's purposes, not to delay faithful action. When we pray for wisdom, as James 1:5 commands, God grants discernment to act in ways consistent with Scripture. DeYoung writes, "Pray hard, then take a risk." Faith is proven in motion; when we trust that if we are seeking first the kingdom of God, our steps will be ordered even if we cannot see the full path. Proverbs and Psalms talks about how we make plans, God establishes our steps. 

Pray hard and take a risk

This perspective liberates me from the fear of making the "wrong" decision. The focus shifts from "What should I do?" to "Who am I becoming?" As DeYoung puts it, we should pray less for God to show us the right job or spouse and more to become the kind of person who honors Him in every decision.

Become the right kind of person

In truth, prayer and action belong together. We pray to stay dependent, and we act to stay obedient. When our hearts are yielded to God's will, our movement becomes worship, and in moving, we discover His faithful guidance along the way.

Prayer and action belong together

DeYoung debunks the 'looking for God's will pattern I hear a lot about. Don't get me wrong, praying without ceasing is a command we're called to live in, but I get the idea DeYoung has dealt with a lot of people setting around looking for God's will before moving 

Discovery isn't waiting and praying. 

As a coach once told me in a difficult time; keep moving.

https://open.substack.com/pub/dannylsmith/p/doing-and-praying?r=i9yfz&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

Danny Smith

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