Book: "Three Feet from Gold" by Sharon L. Lechter & Greg S. Reid

If you read Think and Grow Rich, you'll enjoy this read, and if you haven't read Think and Grow Rich, you'll enjoy this read.

The authors have tied facts, real people, fiction and time tested principles of perseverance into a well done story about changed lives.

Those of us who don't know when to quit will love this book because it will fuel our fires, those who don't persevere so well can gain some insight.

In any event, the book reads well and has a great story line.

To that end.....

Book: "Life and Holiness" by Thomas Merton

Comptemplative? Absolutely.

Merton gives the reader plenty to ponder, to consider, and to agree or disagree with. I was most surprised with how much he related life and holiness to one's vocation.

Here are some key points I've taken away:

In progress....

Book: "The Preacher and The Presidents" by Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy

This-is-a-great-read. If you appreciate biographies and American history, you'll appreciate reading about Billy Graham and his relationship with Presidents Truman through George W.

I've read many other biographies and stories of these Presidents and this preacher, but Gibbs and Duffy have done an excellent work in bringing this important story to those that will take the time to read it.

Further evidence that Graham wasn't just a great leader, but a courageous follower. Here is more evidence that Graham truly wanted to bring the gospel to everyone he could, to disciple, to baptize, and to teach others to observe all that Jesus commanded.

Even in times of trouble, and mistakes.

What a great read!

Book: "Confessions" by Augustine

Non-Fiction/Biography/Confession - This is going to be a slow read for me; depth is foggy, if not mirky...but good to search such as this out.

As the slow read goes, I've posted on Twitter (@DannyLSmith ) some of Augustine's conversations with God. Those posting themselves have brought about a few good conversations and are great thoughts for ponderings.

Here are those postings (Tweets)..as of 10/3/2009:

I came to Carthage..as yet I had never been in love, longed to love, sought an object for my love, in love with love...

....my hunger was internal, deprived of inward food, that is of you yourself, my God

Hortensius' opinion was "philosophical study had no social utility & does not contribute to human happiness." @TomVMorris would disagree?

Any book which lacked His name, however well written or polished or true, could not entirely grip me....

I therefore decided to give attention to the holy scriptures and find out what they were like....

I found the Bible was composed in such a way that as beginners mature, it's meaning grows with them....Augustine

.....I disdained to be a little beginner ~ Augustine in Confessions

Augustine's "Confessions:" a prose-poem addressed to God, intended to be overheard by anxious and critical fellow-Christians

Choice of free will is the reason why we do wrong & suffer just judgement - a Plato theme heard in Ambrose's sermons

Augustine-the older I became, the more shameful it was I retained so much vanity..to think there was more than the eye normally perceives

Augustine-I made an effort to lift my mind's eye out of the abyss, but again plunged back. I tried several times, but again..again sank back

Augustine-...these reflections depressed me once more and suffocated me.....In this way I made an effort to discover other principles

Augustine -such questions revolved in my unhappy breast, weighed down by nagging anxieties of the fear of dying before I found the truth

Augustine practiced well the discipline of Proverbs 25:2 "....and the glory of kings is to search the matter out." and to that end!

Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Ecclesiastes

I've read a couple of other editions of Ancient Christian Commentary and again, I'm intrigued by what these Sages, church fathers (old guys) had to say about the scripure; more evidence that what we are experiencing today is not any different than men before us. A wise king once said something about "there is nothing new under the sun." ;-)

My notes are a bit different this time. As I read and pondered this book I posted some of what these old guys had to say on Twitter @DannyLSmith which in turn posts through to my Facebook account. It brought about a few interesting comments.

The quotes can be reviewed in their Tweet form at http://acc-ecclesiastes.blogspot.com/

Book: "Season of Life" by Jeffrey Marx

Another biography and another great story. Marx, adopted ball boy turned journalist retraces his roots and he finds a giant amoung men in the ex-pro lineman he lost track of some 18 years ago.

I'm not sure if Marx intended this story to be about his journey or Joe Ehrmann's, but it is about both and the ending wraps the entire book into the purpose.

Here are some Tweets I made @DannyLSmith while reading the book:

Be inclusive, not exclusive ~ Biff Poggi

Have empathy; feeling "with" someone, not feeling "for" someone ~ Biff Poggi

The guiding force behind being a Man Built For Others; "what can I do for you?" ~ Biff Poggi and Joe Ehrmann

Empathy: the single greatest trait of humanity that seperates us from other animals ~ Joe Ehrmann

If your dad was still alive, what questions would like to ask him? What conversations would you have? - @DannyLSmith - question I posed while reading the book

Some of the great tragedies happen when the decision "men built for themselves" is made ~ Biff Pioggi in "Season of Life" by Jeffrey Marx

When you have a cause, it should never be about trying to measure the so-called impact of what you are doing ~ Joe Ehrmann

When you start counting the impact your cause is having, it becomes 'you-centered' - Joe Ehrmann

An 'other-centered' cause is about connecting to others; for them. It's about making changes to help alleviate pain ~ Joe Ehrmann

Book: "First Family" by David Baldacci

A great read to escape into for a few hours. Baldacci brings the adventures of Michelle and Sean to the backwoods of Alabama while connecting to the streets of D.C. and no one does it better than this trio.

The story is about politics, history, racism, corruption, family, roots, hate and love.

Again, a great read.

Book: "Strength in What Remains" by Tracy Kidder

This is an extremly well written biography of Deogratias.

Kidder is to be commended for his connectivity to Deo's plight through genocide in two countries, life on the streets of New York, the pursuit of a medical career, and beyond (what an incredible journey).

Yet, as well as Kidder has connected to Deo, his life and the telling of the story, Deo's life itself is remarkable.

Deogratias, means "thanks be to God." His story is heartbreaking at the same time inspiring; simple survival while stretching the limits, grasping for existance while reaching for more.

Thanks be to God for Deogratias.

Thanks be to God period.

Book: "Alex Cross' Trial" by James Patterson and Richard Dilallo

While some reviewers of this book have been dissappointed, I find Alex Cross' Trial to be an excellent read - even if it is large font and quick chapters.

In addition to giving the Alex Cross reader/follower insight into his (Cross') personal history, the "Trail" gives a real feeling for what was going on in America at the turn of the 20th Century. A bit of research myself and I find that Patterson talks a great deal about his research into the book and the reason for writing it.

The setting is Washington DC and Southern Mississippi; Teddy Roosevelt is President and a key character in this not-so-fictional book. And any reader of American History knows that T. Roosevelt was politically motivated by almost everything he did - case in point is Franklin Roosevelt's wedding.

Patterson and Dilallo have touched heavily on the epitimy of man, and woman's, ability to ignore the well being of another human because it does not fit our purpose. More of that "what's-best-for-MY-family" syndrome. Not much had really changed from John Newton's time to the early 1900's, or for that matter since the time of Cain and Able to now.

A good read. An important storyline.

To that end....

Manuscript: "Everyone Communicates, Few Connect" by John Maxwell

This is going to be an interesting read. John Maxwell is writing a new book titled "Everyone Communicates, Few Connect" and is posting his manuscript, one chapter every other week or so, on the web for review and comments.

Now, about the book; what a great title! Personally, I can't imagine a better idea for a book in such a culture as we have today. Personally, I feel, much of the time, like a talking-head and have recognized for years that I communicate my head and fingers off, yet..... it's often to deaf ears, skipped emails, and other agendas.

Here are more comments I've had about the book and chapter 8 in particular http://focusandreflection.blogspot.com/search?q=maxwell

To that end.... http://johnmaxwellonleadership.com/

Book: "The Unlikely Disciple" by Kevin Roose

Great read. Assuming Roose is honest and trustworthy in his writing, I have to say the book, and Roose's intentions and determination, is just plain remarkable.

Kevin Roose, a college freshman, has been culturally bred, born, raised, and educated to be highly liberal democrat. He is studying journalism at Brown University and to the amazement, astonishment, and even fear of his family and many friends Roose decides to spend his a semester at one of the strictest, bible thumping, conservative, evangelical schools in the world. Roose is sincerely curious about how people can live such lives as those at Farwell's Liberty University and intends to write a book about it.

While one might not agree with some of his thinking and nor completely understand his feelings, you have to admire Roose for his honesty and deliverance. Roose's transparency is admirable and I agree with the jacket cover's statement about the book being thought-provoking, heartwarming, and respectful.

A great read no matter which side (Brown vs Liberty) you're on.

To that end....

Book: "Vanished" by Joseph Finder

Philosopher and fellow Twitterer Thomas V Morris (TomVMorris)recommended this book and author recently and a good recommendation it was.

Attacked outside a DC resturaunt, Roger Heller dissappears while his wife Lauren is almost killed. Their son calls his clandestine uncle Nick to help find his dad and the plot thickens and twists.

After thanking Tom for the recommendation I was tweeted a few days later by a NickHeller that "he trusted I would follow more of his exploits." The name, NickHeller, was familiar but I first assumed it was just some solicitation until later when I remembered that Nick Heller was the main character in Finder's book.

I then began following NickHeller on Twitter and what a great tie to the character Finder is building for his next book!

Book: Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture - Ecclesiastes

Excerpts

Page 190: Didymus - in one sense, though, the Spirit is the real author of this book.

Gregory of Nyssa - the book of Ecclesiastes must be understood spiritually and in light of other passages of scripture.

1:1 The name Ecclesiastes

Origen-Preacher / Didymus-Soloman / Jerome-the Church / Gregory of Nyssa-about the church and the one who leads it / Evagrius of Pontus-Christ the Author of True Knowledge

1:2 Vanity of Life

Evagrius of Pontus-for it is futile for medicine to sek a final cure, so it is useless to seek after knowledge of the Holy Trinty in the ideas of the present ages and worlds.

Jerome-If everything that God made is good, then how can everything be vanity?

Ambrose-Accordingly, let the person who wishes to be saved ascend above the world, let him seek the Word of God, let him flee from this world and depat the earth. For a man cannot comprehend that which exists and exists always, unless he has first fled from here.

Augustine-the reason why corporeal beauty is the lowest beauty is that it's parts cannot exist simultaneously.

1:3 Vanity of Human Labor

Augustine-So true life is be laid hold of, our investments are to be transferred to the place of true life, so that we may find there what we give here.

Book: "Fallen Founder: The Life of Aaron Burr," by Nancy Isenburg

Ms. Isenburg promises a totally new look at Aaron Burg with this biography. She claims that he has been railroaded through the halls of American history and intends to set the record straight.

Burr, the grandson of Jonathon Edwards, was indeed a spectical, if not committed to his cause; educated, patriot, womanizer, and crude. His father, a college president, and grandfather both died before Burr's 5th birthday and I'm sure would have been much more productive role models.

The author doesn't have much to say, possibly because of the lack of material, about Burr's upbringing and why he was so unprincipled. There was thought during this period of American history that common sense one would increase with education, and I supposed that depends upon one's definition of common sense.

8/30/2009: This being my 7 biography of this era, I'm finding myself trying to skip over the historical events. So, I'm reading it a few pages a week to insure that I allow Ms. Isenburg to get her point across.

As I read Burr's exploits, I do continue to wonder how much different he would have turned out if his father and grandfather had of been a bigger part of his life. Or the difference if he and Alexander Hamilton's paths had not of crossed as many times as they did! Having said that...what if his wife had not been taken from him so soon.

The author, unknowingly or not, shows that Mr. Burr was definitely influenced by certain people and events in his life.

Federalist Paper #10, by James Madison

Published in 1787 in a prominent newspaper Federalist Paper #10 was written by James Madison.

Madison, recruited by Alexander Hamilton and joined by John Jay to promote their political views.

The main purpose of this particular paper was to guard against "factions," or as we know them to be "special interest groups."

An interesting note is that James Madison was very much a part of factions in his college days and early in his career. Obviousy, he came to realize that such activity was self-serving and not good for the Union.

Yet, it seems that our constitution, for which the Papers were a foundation, did not fair as well as our Constitutional Constructors would have hoped. Hence, the Republican and Democratic special interest groups, err "parties."

Book: "Paths of Glory" by Jeffrey Archer

Awesome story, true, of a man and his calling. Yet, a man that followed his call and did not know the caller.

Did he reach the top? I want to believe he did. Otherwise, the picture would have been in his pocket.

Book: Glenn Beck's Common Sense, Inspired by Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine 1st penned Common Sense in January, 1776, and published as a 50 page pamphlet under a false name. This British citizen with only a basic education was shocked a what he had found in his two years in the Colonies and decided to do something about the oppression heaped upon the people by a government (England) out-of-control.

Glenn Beck now brings this to our attention with his own version of Common Sense: The Case Against An Out-of-Control Government.

A few excerpts

ix: If you believe that it's time to put principles above parties, character above campaign promises, and Common Sense above all - then I ask you to read this book, declare yourself a creative extremist, and then pass these words along to others who may agree with something else Martin Luther King, Jr., once said:

The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict."

Page 17: I seriously believe that no discussion or debate is un-American. I agree with the Founding Fathers that it is only on the battlefield of ides that the best ones can be recognized and ultimately prevail.

Page 106: DO NOT WAIT FOR OTHERS TO SAY AND DO THE THINGS YOU FEEL. The American Republic will not be seept into the dusbin of history if good men come forward now....Stand shoulder to shoulder and arm in arm unafraid. Listen, learn, and lead. Renew that promise first made during a hot summer in Philadelphia and mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.....I believe that is still true today. Great and powerful miracles are about to unfold before us....Once we dedicate ourselves to the new dawn and experience a restoration of our founding principles, we can be secure in the knowledge that future generations will enjoy the same liberties that we reserved for us.

Page 107: But until then, the sense that something just doesn't feel right will linger.

"....until an indipendence is declared, the Continent will feel itself like a man who continues putting off some unpleasant business from day to day, yet knows it must be done, hates to set about it, wishes it over, and is continually haunted with the thoughts of its necessity." Thomas Paine (and Glenn Beck's) last words of a call to action.

Those words find their roots in an idea that seems to have been all but abandoned....Common Sense.

Page 109: The 9.12 Project (9 Principles and 12 Values)

Visit http://www.the912project.com/ for more information

Book: Ludlum's "The Bourne Deception" by Eric Van Lustbader

Good book to just spend the day in, which is what I did. Author had an interesting "sub-agenda" with his
eesages about eastern religions and thoughts about truth and lies.

Page 128: "Human beings, it became clear to him, thrived on lies; they needed them in order to survive, be happy, even. Because the truth is often unpleasant, and people didn't care about that. Furthermore, it didn't suit many of them. They'd much rather lie to themselves, have those around them to lie to them to perserve the illusion of beauty. Realty wasn't pretty, that wasn't the truth.

Book: "Predictably Irrational" by Dan Ariely

This book might make my "top 5 read again and again" list.

It looks promising. http://www.predictablyirrational.com/

Book: Traitor to His Class by H. W. Brands

Book: God's Outrageous Claims by Lee Srobel

I'm struck by how easy Strobel is read. While having having read a couple of other of his books, this one has caused me to realize how much I enjoy his writing.

Strobel was a news reporter for years and I suppose that training has helped in his ability to make the story so enjoyable.

Page 111: Strobel tells of Newton's story of two angels given distinctly different duties yet neither felt the other was favored. Why? Because the joy was in being obidient to God.

There's the essence of the following God's will, His calling.

Page 182: Matthew 7:12, so in everything do unto others as you would have them do unto you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. ......if you want the Cliff Notes Summary of the Bible's entire teaching on relating to others, this outlandish and revolutionary statement is it.

Page 188: when we see people from God's perspective, all of a sudden we have the inspiration to treat them with the same dignity, respect, and honor that we desire for ourselves.

Page 191: Loving God is what enables us to love others.

Moses on Leadership

Gone Stale

I've been a bit stale over the past few months. Not much reading, but lot's of listening; scripture, sermons, songs, and a classic audio book or two.

But, maybe I'm coming out of it.

We'll see.

Book: "The Courageous Follwer": Dynamics..by Ira Chaleff (3)

Page 13: The Common Purpose and Core Values - Any organization is a triad consisting of leaders and followers joined in a common purpose. The purpose is the atomic glue that binds us. It gives meaning to our activities.

• Followers and leaders both orbit around the purpose; followers do not orbit around the leader.

Page 13: If the purpose is not clear and motivating, leaders and followers can only purse their perceived self-interest, not their common interest. The process of clarifying purpose can mobilize a group, heal painful rifts, and help the group steer through treacherous passages. It is a critical act of strong leadership and courageous followership.....Clarifying core values validates the purpose and determines how we will and how we won't pursue it.....A common purpose pursued with decent values is the heart of the healthy leader-follower relationship.

Page 13: The Paradox of Followership -We are responsible. Whether we lead or follow, we are responsible for our own actions and we share responsibility for the actions of those whom we can influence.

Page 14: Followers have great capacity to influence the relationship....Just as a leader is accountable for the actions and performance of followers, so followers are accountable for their leaders....If we amplify our leaders' strengths and modulate their weaknesses, we are the gem cutters of leadership, coaxing out its full brilliance. If we amplify our leaders' weaknesses, we may stress existing fracture lines in their characters and these fracture lines may become fatal flaws. Followers who are closest to a leader carry pivotal responsibility; they markedly shape the tone and outcomes of a leader's tenure.

Page 19: If we are to be effective partners with leaders, it is important to remember that as followers we possess our own power, quite apart from the reflected power of the leader.


Because of the importance of "Following" to the topic of Leadering and Succeeding-in-the-Box, I've chosen to write the excerpts on the book in multiple posts. The first posting can be read by clicking below while all others are at later date.

http://leadingwellbyreadingwell.blogspot.com/2009/05/book-courageous-follower-by-ira-chaleff.html

Book: "The Courageous Follower" by Ira Chaleff

I originally saw a review of this book on the following blog link - http://linked2leadership.com/2009/05/01/the-courage-to-follow/

While I find the subtitle a bit, Standing Up to Our Leaders, out of place, the review and my first glance at the book looks promising.

Here are the authors Five Dimensions of Courageous Followership:

1. The Courage to Serve

2. The Courage to Challenge

3. The Courage to Participate in Transformation

4. The Courage to Take Moral Action

5. The Courage to Listen to Followers

Update 8/01/2009 and 12/21/2009: The book is promising and I've posted some quotes from this book on my Succeeding-In-The-Box blog @ http://focusandreflection.blogspot.com/ .

Here are some take aways -

Page 2: It is difficult to appreciate the external pressures on leaders....If these pressures aren't managed well, with adriot help from followers, they can distort the leader's decision-making processes and interpersonal dynamics. Usually, the distortion will be in the direction of more authoritarian behavior and away from the partnering we desire.How does a follower effectively support a leader and relieve these pressures?How does a follwer become a "shaper" rather than simply an "implementer"?How does a follwer contribute to leadership development rather than become a critic of leadership failings?Most of us are leaders in some situations and followers in others. On one level we understand and fully accept this.Page 3: But on another level there seems to exist the deepest discomfort with the term "follower."....The sooner we move beyond these images and get comfortable with the idea of powerful followers supporting powerful leaders, the sooner we can fully develop and test models for dynamic, self-responsibile, synergistic relationships in our organizations.

Page 3: If we are to attain the empowerment we crave, we must accept responsibility for both our own roles ang the roles of our leaders...

There are three things we need to understand:

1. we must understand our own power and how to use it...the sources of our power, whom we serve, and what thools we have to carry forward the group's mission from our unique vantage point...


2. we must appreciate the value of leaders and cherish the critical contributions they make to our endeavors. We must understand the forces that chisel away at their creativity, good humor, and resolve. We must learn how to minimize these forces and crate a climate in which a leader's strengths are magnified, so a leader can better serve the common purpose....


3. we must understand the seductiveness and pitfalls of the power of leadership.

Page 5: The danger in the leader-follower relationship is the assumption that the leader's interpretation must dominate. If this assumption exists on the part of either the leader or the follower, they are both at risk. The leader's openness to.....and being challenged and learning from followers will drop precipitously. Followers will abandon their unique perspectives and healthy dissension, which are at the heart of the creative process and innovation.....I believe that courageous followers can and must be agents of change for such leaders.

Page 13: The Common Purpose and Core Values - Any organization is a triad consisting of leaders and followers joined in a common purpose. The purpose is the atomic glue that binds us. It gives meaning to our activities. Followers and leaders both orbit around the purpose; followers do not orbit around the leader.

Page 13: If the purpose is not clear and motivating, leaders and followers can only purse their perceived self-interest, not their common interest. The process of clarifying purpose can mobilize a group, heal painful rifts, and help the group steer through treacherous passages. It is a critical act of strong leadership and courageous followership.....Clarifying core values validates the purpose and determines how we will and how we won't pursue it.....A common purpose pursued with decent values is the heart of the healthy leader-follower relationship.

Page 13: The Paradox of Followership -We are responsible. Whether we lead or follow, we are responsible for our own actions and we share responsibility for the actions of those whom we can influence.

Page 14: Followers have great capacity to influence the relationship....Just as a leader is accountable for the actions and performance of followers, so followers are accountable for their leaders....If we amplify our leaders' strengths and modulate their weaknesses, we are the gem cutters of leadership, coaxing out its full brilliance. If we amplify our leaders' weaknesses, we may stress existing fracture lines in their characters and these fracture lines may become fatal flaws. Followers who are closest to a leader carry pivotal responsibility; they markedly shape the tone and outcomes of a leader's tenure.Page 19: If we are to be effective partners with leaders, it is important to remember that as followers we possess our own power, quite apart from the reflected power of the leader.

Page 15: Who Does A Follower Serve?....A follower shares a common purpose with a leader, believes in what the organization is trying to accomplish, wants both the leader and organization to succeed, and works inergetically to this end.Page 16: If serve also ourselves and not the leaders or the stakeholders, we are not followers but opportunist shiphoning off the energy of the group to serve our own agendas.

Page 35 - leaders want their staff to assume more responsibilty, initiate ideas, and take action of their own.....they don't want to be the only one leading.
http://focusandreflection.blogspot.com/2009/08/courageous-follower-taking-action.html

Page 39 - Challengin a specific leader on a specific subject may be healthy, but a pattern of challenging leaders on all subjects is not......A follower who is too subservient and eager to please authority cannot provide the balance a leader requires to use power well.....Clamming up when a leader interrupts us in a raised voice serves us and the leader poorly.

Page 40 to 41 - (see Quadrant chart) A follower operating from the first quadrant (high challenge/high support) gives vigorous support to a leader but is also willing to question the leader's behavior or policies. This individual could be said to be a true partner with the leader and displays many of the characteristics identified with courageous followership in this book.

Page 45 - A key to self-management is personal organization. A follower who is not well organized will too often be unprepared, miss deadlines, submit faulty work, or otherwise fail to meet the leader's expectations.

Page 45 to 46 - Self-management encompasses the nuts and bolts of effective leadership or followership. It is mundane. It is pedestrian. Yet self-managment is a critical skill and a courageous follower must be prepared to do the hard work involved in being personally well organized.....if we are not naturally strong is these areas we assume responsibility for improving our skills.

Page 47 - Management of our life and health are even more fundamental than management of our work if we are to be reliable team members and a source of support for our leaderes....We must do our jobs, not become our jobs.

Page 48 - Successful followers care passionately about their work and the people it serves.

Passion...springs from genuine connection to the common purpose.


Page 49 - Willingness to initiate action without being instructed to do so is a distinguishing characteristic of the courageous follwer. Courageous followers assume responsibility for events in their vicinity - whether it be a customer service complaint or an opportunity that, if seized, can produce a quantum leap forward for the organization.

Page 57 - If you bother leaders with too many matters will squander their energy; if you fail to bring things they need to know to their attention, you may blindside them, causing embarrassment, or calamity.

To that end.....

Book: "Sandy Koufax: A Lefty's Legacy" by Jane Leavy

The author, Jane Leavy, wanted to tell Koufax's story against the backdrop of American history and culture of the times and she did it well.

This was a very enjoyable read about a man committed to who he is and his cause. Ms. Leavy did a great job bringing out not only a bit of Koufax, but the culture of the times.

Good read.

Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: 1 Peter

Book: "The Truth Wars" by John MacArthur

MacArthur begins his Introduction with..."Who would have thought that people claiming to be Christians - even pastors - would attack the very notion of truth?"

He ends with... "As vital as it is for us to enlist in the Truth War and do battle for our faith, it is even more important to remember why we are fighting - not merely for the thrill of vanquishing some foe or winning some argument, but out of a genuine love for Christ, who is the living, breathing embodiment of all that we hold true and worth fighting for."

MacArthur doctrinally expects this battle, this war, to be fought and to ignore and not fight it is not what Jesus wants of His soldiers. He fully expects there to be false teachings taught by men and women who refuse to accept a real truth and MacArthur expects the believer to fight the good fight.

Where MacArthur differs from many, even most, is his desire and willingness to fight the war on truth....The Truth War.

My first encounter with Dr. MacArthur was with his book The Gospel According to Jesus where he was willing to take on some well established institutions in that Truth War. When MacArthur sees the truth being attacked, he brings the battle home to the offender, and he names names. He'll bring it into their backyard and will unashamedly go toe-to-toe.

I don't know if MacArthur battles first in a more private arena before bringing it out in such a public venue, but I would think so, I hope so. In any event, MacArthur engages again and the war is on again in Truth War's 200 plus pages.

The book is rich with history, stories, and scripture. I'll be writing excerpts from the book while also looking on the internet for any counters and rebuttles to his assertations. Any comments from me will be in italics.

Page ix - x: A recent issue of Christianity Today featured a cover article about the "Emerging Church.".......One dominant theme pervades the whole article: in the Emerging Church movement, truth (to whatever degree such a concept is even recognized) is assumed to be inherently hazy, indistinct, and uncertain - perhaps even ultimately unknowable.

Page x: McLaren is quoted in the Christianity Today article, saying at one point: "I don't think we've got the gospel right yet...I don't thing the liberals have it right. but I don't think we have it right either. None of us has arrived at orthodoxy. Elsewhere, McLaren likens the conventional notion of orthodoxy to claim that we "have the truth captured, stuffed, and mounted on the wall." He likewise caricatures systematic theology as an unconscious attempt to "have final orthodoxy nailed down, freeze-dried, and shrink-wrapped forever."

Page xi: The idea that the Christian message should be kept pliable and ambiguous seems especially attractive to young people who are in tune with the culture and in love with the spirit of the age and can't stand to have authoritative biblical truth applied with preceision as a corrective to workldy lifestyles, unholy minds and ungodly behavior. And the poison of this perspective is being increasingly injected into the ebangelical church body.

Page xi: But that is not authentic Christianity. Not knowing what you believe is by definition a kind of unbelief.......Refusing to achknowledge and defend the revealed truth of God....Advocating ambiguity......or otherwise diliberately clouding the truth is a sinful way of nurturing unbelief.

Page xi: Every true Christian should know and love the truth.....The clear implication is that a genuine love for the truth is built into saving faith. It is therefore one of the distinguishing qualities of every true believer.

5/17/09 - most everything about "Truth Wars" on the internet is about the war in Iraq or the war on drugs. One blog with this name had some good stuff, but the author is extremely stealth, which causes me to wonder what he's hiding. Googling "Truth Wars" brings up some 28 million hits.

5/22/09 - http://books.google.com/books?id=T6nt7lLz1gsC&dq=truth+war&source=gbs_summary_s&cad=0


to be continued....

Book: "The Top Ten Mistakes Salespeople Make and How to Avoid Them" by Tod Duncan

4/19/2009: I met Tod Duncan in 1993 at a seminar. Tod was a mortgage loan officer turned mortgage trainer, now aurthor, speaker, and coach and had a great impact on my life. I used his mastery program with a number of loan officers back in the mid and late '90s. Tod's testimony as practicing Christian has been inspiring.

Being a good sales organization is important to the restructuring of our business and vital to making a difference and making a profit.

It is with great anticipation that I begin this read.

To that end.........

Book: "Under God" by Toby Mac and Michael Tait

As I said in postings about a few other books, I've been reading American history biographies for a few years. This is an excellent addition to that list.

From the Introduction...

While our forefathers set forth the ideal of what this natin could become, it was immensley more difficult to carry out and ensure this ideal for all men and women. It is a profound task that continues to this very day.

When studying the founding of the United States, one thing that you can't help but encounter is the faith of our forefathers. Time and time again our forefathers recognized God's hand in the shaping of this nation. You will find Him mentioned repeatedly in their words and documents.

When we decided to embark upon creating this book, we decided to use King David from the Bible as our model. He as a man afer God's own heart, but he was also a murderer and adulterer. And though David repented of his errors, they haunted him the rest of his life. In the same way, our forefathers left wome things undone, and along the way our nation plunged into some dark traditions.

This book is a collection of short stories about our heritage. Each short story could have - and has had - entire books written about its subject. .......It is our hope that you enjoy reading these stories as much as we did discovering them.

Read Well..............

Book: "Facing Your Giants" by Max Lucado

I've not read any of Max Lucado's writings in 4 or 5 years and it was refreshing.

Lucado does an excellent job of telling about David, how he faced not just Goliath, but giants throughout his life, and he kept relying on God. This biography of David is woven in with stories of people like you and I and how we also can rely on God to nurture, guide, and shield us when we are facing our own giants.

Bravo Mr. Lucado.

Well done.

To that end....

Book: "Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: James, 1-2 Peter, 1-3 John, Jude"

5/17/2009: I'm some 15 weeks into my study on 1 Peter and reading these "old guys" during their time (100-800 or so) continues to be enjoyable. Their fresh perspective helps to keep me balanced as I read and listen through more recent sermons and commentaries about Peter and his letter.

4/11/2009: This slow read, coupled with numerous other readings and sermons on 1 Peter, has been by far the best study I've ever done on any book of the bible. What these old guys, these sages, have to say is incredible. And how fresh the letter was when they were commenting.


2/15/2009: For my original comments on these "Ancient Christian Commentaries on Scripture:" go to...Proberbs/Ecclesiastes/Solomon.

This read on 1 Peter is part of the study I'm doing with my church life group as we follow our Pastor, Brad Thomas, through his 16 weeks of sermons on the same - 1 Peter.

Reading what these old sages have to say about this letter is remarkable. It gives me an entirely new perspective on the words. Seriously, think about it...Ignatuis of Antioch was alive during the time Peter penned this letter and wrote several letters of his own while being taken to Rome to be martyred. And here are some of what he had to say about the scripture itself.

Or Justin Martyr and Polycarp who were born soon after the letters were written.

Over 90 of these sages.... words so fresh.

To that end...read well.

Book: "Twelve Ordinary Men" - Chapter on Peter, by John MacArthur

I orginally read this book back in 2005, but picked it up again in my study of 1 Peter.

Page 49-50: Submission is an indispensible character quality for leaders to cultivate. If they would teach people to submit, they must be examples of submission themselves. And sometimes a leader must submit even when there might seem to be very good arguments against sumbitting.

Peter learned the lesson well. Years later, in 1 Peter 2:13-18, he would write,

Therfore submit yoursleves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, wheter to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those whold do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men; as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God, Honor the king. Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.

Note: reading MacArthur's rendention of Peter's life has been a great addition to my study of his letter to God's elect.

To that end....

Book: "Pilgrims Progress" by John Bunyan

I've picked this book up before and attempted to read. The first time in 1995. I'm almost a third through it and think I might make it this time. There are some men, writers, sages I highly respect that read it numerous times throughout their life, even yearly and I'm determined to read it once before I die.

Of course, if I don't, it won't make that much of difference. Or will it? The writer of Hebrews did say "let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity..."


To that end...Read Well.

Book: The Five Most Important Questions You Will Ever Ask About Your Organization" by Peter Drucker with Collins/Kotler/Kouzes/Rodi/Rangan/Hesselbein

Book: The Five Most Important Questions You Will Ever Ask About Your Organization

By Peter Drucker, with Jim Collins, Philip Kotler, James Kouzes, Judith Rodi, V. Kasturi Rangan, and Frances Hesselbein

(Notes are from the AudioTech Book Summary)

Explore….the five simple, yet essential questions first posed by Peter F. Drucker, who is widely considered to be the world’s foremost pioneer of management theory. (In this issue column)

Analyze….your organization’s mission, which should be a short, sharply focused statement that tells everyone why you do what you do, not how you do it. (In this issue column)

Assess….who your target customers are, who and what influences them, what they value, how you can create satisfying experiences for them, and which customers you should stop serving. (In this issue column)

Determine….what specific results your organization should be striving to achieve, and where you should focus for future success. (In this issue column)

Develop….your organization’s plan, which must define the particular place you want to be as well as the budget and action steps that will enable you to get there. (In this issue column)

These five simple questions will help you to assess what you are doing, why you are doing it, and what you must do to improve the organizations performance. (page 1)

What is our mission?

Who is our customer?

What does our customer value?

What are our results?

What is our plan?

The questions then guide you through the process of assessing how well you are doing, ending with a measurable, results-focused strategic plan to further the mission and to achieve the organization’s goals, guided by the vision. (page 1)

The ultimate beneficiaries of this very simple process are the people or customers who are touched by your organization and by others like you who have made the courageous decision to look within yourselves and your organization, identify strengths and challenges, embrace change, foster innovation, respond to customer feedback, look beyond the organization for trends and opportunities, and demand measurable results. (page 2)

The danger is in acting on what you believe satisfies the customer. (page 2)

All the first-rate decision makers that Drucker observed had a very simple rule: If you reach consensus quickly on an important matter, don’t make the decision. A fast agreement means nobody has done the homework. The organization’s decisions are risky and important, and they should be controversial. (page 2)

Every organization needs a healthy atmosphere for dissent if it wishes to foster innovation and commitment. Open discussion uncovers what the objections are. (page 2)

Self-assessment should convert your mission and your knowledge into effective action – not next year, but tomorrow morning. (page 2)

Question 1: What is Our Mission? (page 3)

A mission cannot be impersonal. It has to have deep meaning, be something you believe in – something you know is right. A fundamental responsibility of leadership is to make sure that everybody knows the mission, understands it, and lives it. (page 3)

An effective mission statement is short and sharply focused. It should fit on a T-shirt. The mission says why you do what you do, not the means by which you do it. The mission is broad, yet directs you to do the right things now and into the future so that everyone in the organization can say, “What I am doing contributes to the goal.” It must be clear, and it must inspire everyone to say, “Yes, this is something I want to be remembered for.”

Demographics change. Needs change. You must search out the accomplished facts – things that have already happened – that present challenges and opportunities for the organization. Leadership has no choice but to anticipate the future and attempt to mold it. (page 3)

The question of mission has become even more important as our world becomes increasingly disruptive and turbulent. (page 3)

Every truly great organization strives to preserve the core mission, yet stimulate progress. The core mission remains fixed while operating practices, cultural norms, strategies, tactics, process, structures, and methods continually change in response to changing realities. It is the glue that holds an organization together as it expands, decentralizes, globalizes, and attains diversity. (page 4)

In fact, the great paradox of change is that the organizations that best adapt to a changing world first and foremost know what should not change. They havea fixed anchor of guiding principles around which they can more easily change everything else. They know the difference between what is truly sacred and what is not, between what should never change and what should always be open for change, and between “what we stand for” and “how we do things.” (page 4)

One cautionary note: Never subordinate the mission in order to make money. If there are opportunities that threaten the integrity of the organization, you must say no. Your mission provides guidance, not just about what to do, but equally about what not to do. (page 5)

Keep the first question – What is our mission? – in front of you throughout the self-assessment process. Step by step, you will analyze challenges and opportunities, identify your customers, learn what they value, and deliver your results. When it is time to develop the plan, you will take all that you have learned and revisit the mission to affirm or change it. (page 6)

…..start with the long range and then feed back and say, “what do we do today.” The ultimate test is not the beauty of the mission statement. The ultimate test is your performance. (page 6)

Book: "Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God" by J.I. Packer

My friend Nub Donaldson gave me this small, but incredibly powerful, 135 page paperback and I thank him for thinking of me.

Dr. Packer originally published Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God" in 1961. In the new release Mark Dever's Forward asks, "If God is in control, why should we do anything at all? Why should we work? Why should we pray? And especially, why should we evangelize?"

Why? Packer explains, very bluntly, fairly clear, a bit repetitive, but you won't have any doubt as to the author's intentions.

Here are some bullet points taken directly from the book;

Book: "Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Proverbs"

I first came acquainted with this book in 2005 while reading Christopher Hall's "Reading Scripture with the Church Fathers." Hall's book was assigned in Dave Moore's book club and included an interview between Moore did with Dr. Hall in which Hall talked about the editing involved in with the series "Reading Scripture....."

From the General Introduction (included in all volumes)... The Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture has as its goal the revitalization of Christian teaching based on classical Christian exegesis, the intensified study of Scripture by lay persons who wish to think with the early church about the canonical text, and the stimulation of Christian writers.

The time frame of these documents spans seven centuries......from the end of the New Testament to A.D. 750.

It seems that the older I become the more I'm drawn to what men before me have gone through. This has led me to reading about my country's founders, those who've fought for it's freedom, and now those who've defended the my faith. As yet have I found "nothing new under the sun" and that helps me in working out my salvation.

We live too much in today, this moment, and don't enough, if at all, realize what men and women have been thinking, and writing, and experiencing trials and triumphs since the beginning of time.

What Ambrose and Didymus and Bede and Augustine and all these old sages have to say about the scripture and life is so relevant to today's living.

It is going to be such a pleasure to see them in heaven.

God Bless and Read Well

Book: "American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House," by John Meacham

Draft.....

Sunne and Curtis (my daughter and son-in-law), gave me this for Christmas. They know I've been reading the past 5 years biographies on our founding fathers, presidents, and signers of the Declaration of Independence (only gotten through 8 or 9......probably won't live long enough to get them all!). This is part of the "old guy" reading I'm doing.

I'm disappointed that I'd not read about Andrew Jackson before.

Book: "Wordly Saints: The Puritans As They Really Were," by Leland Ryken

This book is on Dave Moore's Oxford Reading Tutorial. Special thanks to Dave.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The author, Professor Leland Ryken, states in Chapter 11 that his purpose, in part, for writing this book was:

1. to present the truth about what the Puritans thought and practiced and

2. he, Professor Ryken, was interested in what the Puritans can teach us.

I believe Ryken did a great job in laying out the good, bad, not-so-ugly, and the truth & beauty of who the Puritans were and what they've meant to today's culture. Providing, of course, that what he wrote is true, and if the number of pages of end notes and source material is any indication, then I assume it is, there is a wealth of information in these pages.

Anyone that believes in the priesthood of the laity will do good reading this book to understand how to not just believe but in how to practice such.

Professor Ryken accomplished his goal in writing the book.

Thanks Dave for the recommendation.

Book: "The Prodigal God," by Timothy Keller

This book was a Christmas gift from my friend Nolan.

If you thought you know all about the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:1-3, 11-32, well, so did I.

Dr. Keller gives an entirely new meaning to this story Jesus told. To help me with what I was reading, I went on line and listened to 3 lessons Dr. Keller taught January, 2008, on this same subject.

If Dr. Keller's goal in writing this book was to open the reader's heart, mind, and soul to the entire story Jesus was telling here in Luke 15, he accomplished that with me.

The most profound statement in the lesson I listened to, though quoted a bit different in the book, was...

"it's not sin that keeps people from fellowship with God, but their damnable good works." (see page 77 in book).

Thanks for the book Nolan. It's going in the re-read stack.

Update: 2/1/2009 - still pondering Keller's writing. Cathy and I had a great discussion about parts of it yesterday. She is reading the book and I had to ask her if there were any "notes to self" I had made in the margins were embarrassing? She claimed....not too bad! The book continues to be provocative in my thoughts.

Update: 2/28/2009 -To listen to sermons related to Tim Keller's book The Prodigal God, from the series The Fellowship of Grace, click below -

http://sermons.redeemer.com/store/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=32

Lincoln: "The Biography of a Writer" by Fred Kaplan

Some new things, for me, this author presented about Lincoln;

• Lincoln's use of God, the Bible, and Christianity
• According to this author's writing, Lincoln was not a Christian believer
• Lincoln's purposeful planning; short and long-term
• Lincoln spent a great deal of time on the legal circuit in order to be away from his wife. Lincoln met a lot of people during this time and develop a recognition that would not have probably happened otherwise. He was also able to speak before more groups and test his thoughts.
• Lincoln wrote out his thoughts and planned almost everything he said publically

The book had more about "non-writing" based upon its title, but it does cause me to think more about how much Lincoln wrote and maybe read more about that aspect of his life. Mr. Kaplan is a Lincoln scholar and has written much about the subject of Lincoln. I would have rather read a smaller and more intense book just about Lincoln's writing style and subject matters than to have had to sort through all the history also.

Mr. Kaplan probably has a tilt of some sort about other, and more recent Presidents, that I'll look into. I say this because in his comparison's of Lincoln to other Presidents he left a gaping hole about Ronald Reagan. I'll check my source and confirm, or not, and make a comment back here.

I've read 3 or 4 other books about Lincoln and this, by far, but none of the others had much, if any, about Lincoln's thoughts and beliefs about God. Mr. Kaplan stepped out and was willing to discuss, at least a bit, openly.

So, did Mr. Kaplan succeed in what he set out to accomplish by writing this book?

In my opinion....No; not according to the title.

Book: One Heartbeat Away by Mark Cahill

Book: "Adam" by Ted Dekker

Ok. I had to Google parts of this book to be sure it was fiction, it was that real. Dekker is a great storyteller.

But, don't read the book at night. And it helps to have other people around!!!!

Book: "Good to Great in God's Eyes" by Chip Ingram

I received this book after attending a Leaderboard session at DTS this past January in which Chip Ingram was the speaker.

My son, Austen, was also there and read the book soon after. He has asked me more than once since if I'd read it yet. Not until now and I can't believe such an inspirational book has been setting unread on my desk. This is the first of Mr. Ingram's books I've read, but after just reading the introduction, I'm sure it will not be the last.

I need inspiration from time-to-time and love it when it includes scripture. I also like "lists" and Mr. Ingram lays out 10 practices great Christians have in common. Practices...Christians...in common! Right up my alley.

Here are some of my notes from the Introduction:

• Jesus never rebuked his disciples for their longing to be great (Luke 22). He gave a completely new paradigm about what greatness is, but he didn't condemn their desire.
• Mediocrity is almost no one's ambition.
• After spending three years with Jesus, the disciples didn't seem to think it was prideful to want to honor God with lives of great faith and excellent work. When they argued about which was the greatest Jesus had to redefine greatness for them, yet he didn't tell them they were being unspiritual or arrogant because of their intense desire and ambition to be great.
• Jesus himself wasn't prone to mediocrity either; in a long prayer the night before his crucifixion, he said to the Father:I have brought you glory on earth do." (John 17:4)
• When God created humanity, he proclaimed us not just good, but "very good." (Gen 1:31)
• We exist for his glory; that kind of purpose isn't served well by mediocrity or even by settling for simply being good.
• Jesus' zeal for his Father's house consumed him. (John 2:17)

Some specific points Ingram makes about the practices/principles he lays out in the book;

• They are by no means required for salvation
• They will never earn us brownie points with God
• This is not a ten-step plan to gain God's favor
• They are, however, an opportunity to fulfill the highest and best purposes God has for our life.
• Like great athletes spending years practicing because they have to, they do it because they have a dream. Christians who dream of eternal impact in the kingdom of God, who envision crossing the finish line as one of God's great saints, are motivated to do whatever it takes to be used powerfully by God.

Chip Ingrams ends his introduction with the following...

"God invites you to be a world-changing, kingdom-shaping Christian. The desire to be great was planted in your heart by the one who made you. But desires remain only desires if ther's no follow-through, no plan to accomplish them...."

Thank you Mr. Ingram. Too many people want to down play the desire to be great, to be have a great attitude. I can tell this is going to be a Great book. Thank you for allowing God to use you in his glory.

12/4/2008: there is no doubt in my heart that the Holy Spirit was driving me to this book at this time. The first chapter lays out key areas for cultivating great thoughts and Ingram uses words like positive thoughts and gives the scriptures to support. This is a tough time in the mortgage industry and we've had extra set-backs due to trust I put in some people without proper accountability. As I said before, too many people, Christians included, want to play the whoa-is-me card. But my God is a Great God and has brought me through tough times before. I don't know what he has in store for me, but I'm positive that he is Great and I know practicing Christianity includes having positive thoughts.

Ingram's Think great thoughts about challenges included a reference to James 1:2-4

12/6/2008: this book is just plain Great. I called my son yesterday and thanked him for reminding me about the book a couple of times. This is a book that I'll read a few times because there are a lot of nuggets that no one can consume in one read-through.

Book: "Learning Theology with the Church Fathers" by Christopher A. Hall

Book: "Reagan's Disciple" by Lou Cannon and Carl M. Cannon

Book: Devine Justice by David Baldacci

Book: "Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper

This book was originally recommended to me by my pastor. Specifically, he recommended chapter 8 "Making Much of Christ 8 to 5." Hopefull he recommended it to solidify for him what we where discussing. Yet, quite possibly I did not to a good job clarifying my point of our discussion and the recommendation was a way to end the conversation. He was possibly wanting me to read the rest of the book and felt my pig-headedness was an adherence, but he knew I could not resist such a chapter title by this author.

This was in February of 2007 and I did read the chapter. Until almost the last paragraph, I was in near complete agreement and then Dr. Piper wrote, and I quote, "we should not assume that teachers and carpenters and......CPAs and doctors and.......should do their work in America. That very vocation may be better used in a country that is otherwise hard to get into, or a place where poverty makes access to the Gospel difficult. On this way the web of relationships created by our work is not only strategic but intentional."

Ouch. That says volumes to me; my job might not be as important to spreading the Gospel here as it would be in another country? I have to put a question mark because I'm a bit disappointed at Dr. Piper for saying such without a much better qualifying clarification.

This statement, taken in context by itself, and others that make such statements water down the importance of my job as a means of worship and ministry. With a few exceptions, any career or job that is heavenly minded is a ministry. Yet, any career or job not heavenly minded is not a ministry. As an accountant, or CEO, or janitor, or vocational minister is dependent upon one's ulitmate purpose for doing the job. Obviously, I've digressed somewhat into more personal viewpoints.

11/15/2008: Halfway through the book, I'm thoroughly enjoying the rest of it. Dr. Piper brings some good thoughts that I need to struggle through and get a grip on. The chapter on "The Goal of Life - Gladly Making Others Glad in God" was good to read. On page 103 he writes...

We cannot make anyone glad in God. "Joy in God is a fruit of the Holy Spirit" (Galatians 5:22). It is called the "the joy of the Holy Spirit" (I Thessalonians 1:6). It is the work of God: "May the God of hope fill you with all peace and joy" (Romans 15:13). It is effect of God's grace (2 Corinthians 8:1-2)......Nevertheless, even though joy in God is ultimately a fight of God, he uses means to bring people into the fullnes of it. Paul described his whole ministry as laboring for the joy of others. "Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy" (2 Corinthians 1:24).

This brings it home for me; my daily life. Right where I'm at in my sphere of influence and control. Struggling or not with the future, but not worrying about tomorrow, living my life for Christ today in the midst of LIFE. Embracing the struggles and not running from them; searching the matter out - seriously considering what God has in store for me in each event. Looking back over the past hours, days, and years and considering God's lessons.

This, I pray, is a life not wasted.

11/23/2008: Good book. Lot's to dig around in and work-out on in your head and heart. Though Dr. Piper has a bent towards foreign missions, I believe he does understand that not everyone is called to that field, but instead to be engaged where they find themselves.

Dr. Piper does a great job at laying some of the struggles we have with life and what causes it be wasteful, or not.

I pray that my best is not "sea shells" on show and tell day.

Book: Cross Country by James Patterson

Book: "On Becoming a Leader" by Warren Bennis

Mr. Bennis first published the book in 1989 and then as a paperback, with a new intro, in 1994. One of his more recent books (2003) has a similiar title and I intend to read soon, in part, to see if his views have changed.

I find Mr. Bennis' ideology rather liberal in nature and a bit objective. He does have a tendancy to "write with lists" and I like that. While he talks about leaders and leadership as one would have arrived at a point, or level, and having been crowned with the title (like a doctor or lawyer), I don't believe it is that black and white. In life, we are all influencing and leading. I see bad influencers every day, and they are leading.

So, having said that, I did enjoy the book and took lots of notes.

New Introduction

• A leader for the 21st century must 1. know that staying with the status quo is unacceptable, 2. create intellectual capital....you get the most out of people by empowering them, by supporting them, by getting out of their way, and 3. followers need from their leaders 3 basic qualities; 1. they want direction, 2. they want trust, and 3. they want hope.
• the trust factor will reign as the most pivotal factor of a leader's success
• using the metaphor of a tripod - leaders generate and sustain trust by 1. ambition, 2. competance, and 3. integrity - moral fabric
• for leaders and organizations to succeed, there are three basic ingredients; Ideas, Relationships, and Adventure
• Ideas are the basis change and intellectual capital
• Relationships have to do with outstanding people working in harmony and openness, where everyone feels empowered, where all members feel included and at the center of things, where they feel competent and significant.
• Adventure has to do with risk, with a bias toward action, with curiosity and courage.
• and the challenge of leadership is to create the social architecture where ideas, relationships, and adventure can flourish.

Introduction

• On Becoming a Leader is based on the assumption that leaders are people who are able to express themselves fully. By this I meand that they know who they are, what their strengths and weaknesses are, and how to fuly deploy their strengths and compensate for their weaknesses. They also know what they want, why they want it, andhow to communicate what they want to others, in order to gain their cooperation and support. Finally, they know how to achieve their goals.
• Becoming a leader isn't easy....but learning to lead is a lot easier than most of us think it is, because each of us contains the capacity for leadership.
• ...the process of becoming a leader is much the same as the process of becoming an integrated human geing.....life itself is the career.
• those I choose for this book were not only accomplished, but multitalented.....these leaders are by no means ordinary people....as diverse as they are in terms of backgrounds, age....they are in accord on two basic points; first, they all agree that leaders are made, not born, and made more by themselves than by any external means; second, they agree that no leader sets out to be a leader per se, but rather to express himself freely and fully. That is, leaders have no interest in proving themselves, but an abiding interest in expressing themselves. The difference is crucial, for it's the difference between being driven, as too many people are today, and leading, as too few people do.
• something else they have in common is that each of these individuals has continued to grow and develp throughout life.
• Because we are still questioning the assumptions, there are no theories. But the best information we have suggests that adults learn best when they take charge of their own learning.....taking charge of your life.
• We like to think that if someone has the right stuff, he or she will naturally rise to the top....but it isn't true.
• At bottom, becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming yourself. It's precisely that simple, and it's also that difficult.

Book: "Breakthrough Companies" by Keith R. McFarland

10/14/2008 This review is done in an outline format and is intended to be a learning document. My intent is to add to this review over the next few weeks and share with bullet points and highlights with employees of Alethes. I'll begin with a brief outline and then come back and input the author's highlights, followed by any other points I find of specific interest.

Comments made by me outside the author's text will be in italics.

Also, this will not be done front-to-back; I'll skip around and first bring to light what I like the most (in case I don't finish the whole outline!).

Introduction

Throwing the Dyno

Crowning the Company

Upping the Ante

Building Company Character

Navigating the Business Bermuda Triangle

Erecting Scaffolding

Enlisting Insultants

Graduating from Tough Times U

Building Breakthrough Capabilities

Afterword: Post-Breakthrough - Avoiding Breakdown

Note: I've finished the book, but haven't typed out my notes.

Book: "A Sacred Sorrow" by Michael Card

Book: Mr. China, by Tim Clissold

At the recommendation of Dave Moore, my coach, I ordered this book a while back. It's been in my stack of unreads for a few weeks and I picked it up while looking for something I could escape into for a few hours.

This was an almost bizarre adventure the author put himself through. An obviously well educated and intelligent man, Clissold had a passion that I'm sure he and those that knew him had to question from time-to-time.

While not exactly the type of book I 'escape into' it read incredibly well for a memoir. For a memoir, Clissold left some personal aspects out that would have made the book more meaningful....for me. Yet, the book was about China, and his infatuation for the country and the people, and his work there, not about his wife and family and how they played into the picture.

If it was there, I totally missed why the he went to China the first time, nor any reason other than desire the second, but then.....that's what "callings" are sometimes about and there's little argument that Clissold felt called to China.

There's one incident Clissold tells about that describes much of the book; Clissold was living in a boarding house and he let his visiting brother sleep on the floor. The next morning he was confronted by a very angry house manager who explained that letting the brother sleep on the floor was against the rules (unwritten). For years to come, Clissold continued to find many unwritten rules in China.

This was a decent read, though a bit more about his family and how they handled it would have made it more enjoyable. My take away thoughts, a week after reading Mr. China, are 1. Clissold following his passion, his call to China and 2. it would all work better if we knew the rule; what we were accountable to and for.

Dave has another client and a friend of mine Todd Barrett that does a great deal of business in China....I can't imagine. After reading Mr. China, I'll just say that I'm glad I'm in the mortgage business in the good old US or A; even with conditions and problems being what they are.

Book: The Joy of Fearing God by Jerry Bridges

Have you ever really thought about "fearing" God?

A few months ago a co-worker was bashing a former acquaintance, making fun of him actually, and it was really bothering me. After asking him why he felt it was ok to make fun of someone, I asked him if he, the co-worker, "feared God."

The co-worker's response was "well, I'm not sure that I fear God...because He's my friend." This brought on a discussion about our difference in views of God; his of friendship and mine of a "righteous" fear of God. The conversation ended with each of us sending the other scriptures to validate our viewpoints. Follow-up conversations, initiated by me, have not been reciprocated.

Yet, it has lead me to ask a few others about their view of God and I've been surprised at the laxness (is that a word) of many others' thoughts about fearing God. One friend though, Ted Leslie, mentioned the "joy" of fearing God and this book (awesome, huh?).

Jerry Bridges is the author of two other books that I've read more than once (The Discipline of Grace and The Pursuit of Holiness). I doubt this is anything short of a good and deep read.

9/23/2008: Bridges dares to insinuate that one doesn't trust God anymore than one fears Him! That's good.

10/19/2008: I'm a bit more than half through the book. The author, in chapter 8, makes suggestions for growing in the fear of God; 1. prayer, 2. exposure of our minds to the Word of God through hearing it taught and reading and studying it ourselves, 3. he recommended some good books that direct our thoughts toward God, and 4. he then encourages us to develop the habit of thinking great thoughts about God.

11/28/2008: Chapter 10..."The Fruit of the Tree."

Here are some of what I believe to be the more profound, or at least specific points the author makes -

• page 155 - A major characteristic of one who fears God is obedience to Him.


• page 156 - Scripture also draws a frequent connection between wickedness and the absence of fearing God.


• page 159 - The bible also draws a close connection between love to God and obedience. 1 John 5:3 reads, "This is love for God: to obey his commands." And Jesus said, "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me" (John 14:21).


• page 161 - To fear God by obeying Him means that we seek to follow all of His commands for us. We must not pick and choose or seek to reinterpret some of them....Too often we define sin in terms of those actions that may be least troublesome to us: drunkenness, dishonesty, sexual immorality, abortion....We see the sinfulness of society around us but not the sin in our own hearts: critical and judgemental attitudes, selfishness, gossip, back-biting, insisting on our own way, and seeking to manipulate or intimidate others.


• page 161 - The one place where Paul warns us not to grieve the Holy Spirit.....is in a section dealing with our speech and other interpersonal relationships (Ephesians 4:29)...."Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."


• page 162 - Immediately after that he says..."Do not grieve the Holy Spirit." We grieve the Holy Spirit not only with dishonesty or immorality, but also by our gossip, complaining, and sharp words.


• page 162 - If we express our fear of God by keeping all His decrees and commands as Moses said (Deut 6:2), then we must give attention to our interpersonal relationships. Consider, for example the following from Romans 12: Love sincerely (v9), Be devoted to one another in brotherly love (10), Honor others above yourself (10), Share with others in need (13), Practice hospitality (13), Bless those who persecute you (14), Rejoice with those who rejoice (15), Mourn with those who mourn (15), Live in harmony with one another (16), Do not be proud or conceited (16), Do not repay evil for evil (17), Seek to live at peace with everyone (18), Do not seek revenge (19), Overcome evil with good (21)


• page 162,3 - These words are not just moralisms from the pen of the apostle Paul; they are the words of God. IF we accept the authority of Scripture, then we must view every one of these relational actions as God's commands to be carried out in the fear of God. We honor one another above ourselves in the fear of the Lord. we practice hospitality in the fear of the Lord. We overcome evil with good in the fear of the Lord.


• page 165 - The statement "Love your neighbor as yourself" is only the last half of a sentence in its original occurrence in Scripture. The full sentence reads, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord" (Leviticus 19:18). Note that it's in the context of bearing a grudge or seeking revenge that we're told to love our neighbor as ourselves. This means love always forgives. "Since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another" (1 John 4:11)


• page 166 - So we both fear God and love Him by obeying His law. And we obey His law by loving others, by treating them as we want to be treated.


• page 167 - One of the most fundamental truths we must learn in Christian growth is that we are responsible, yet dependent. That is, we are responsible to obey God's commands, We are responsible for our sin. We cannot blame the devil or other people. We sin because we choose to sin. We do not obey because we choose not to obey. Yet at the same time we don not have the resources within ourselves to obey. We are completely dependent upon the Holy Spirit. Notice how this principle is taught by Paul in Philippians 2:12-13. "Therefor, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose."


• page 168 - It is an awesome thought to realize the extent of our responsibility before God and yet to be painfully aware that we don not have within ourselves the ability to carry out the least of His commandments. That's why Paul hastens to add those encouraging words of verse 13 "for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." Obedience to God is very much our responsibility - but a responsibility that must be carried out in utter dependence on the Holy Spirit.


• page 168 - Yet this dependence on the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential to fearing God by obeying Him.


• page 168 - Always Under the Gospel. We need to also keep in mind that our obedience is never the means of earning any merit or blessing from God....This is why we must learn to live under the gospel every day. The gospel is not just for unbelievers; it is for believers also, because we are still sinners. Every day we need the reassurance that all our sins are forgiven (Colossians 2:13) because Christ paid for them all on the cross.


• page 170 - Paul was no sluggard. He neither preached nor practiced "easy believism," the erroneous connetion that because we're saved by grace, Christian discipleship is merely optional (Phil 3:12-14). Paul pressed on; he strained forward......If you and I are to fear God by keeping His commandments, we also must learn to live by faith in Jesus Christ. Otherwise our obedience will degenerate into a works-righteousness, an.d our fear of God into a slavish fear. Only as we realize that we're "sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:26), and that God the Father accepts us through Christ, can we fear God in filial fear, the loving fear of a child toward his father.


• page 170 - Teaching our Children. Not only must we learn to fear God by keeping His commandments we must also teach our children to do likewise. We must not only teach them to obey; we must teach them to obey in the fear of the Lord; Deuteronomy 6:2 - "so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life."

2/1/2014: Picking the book back up this morning after going online and looking at my notes here, I'm curious as to what caused me to only include notes from Chapter 10.

11/24/2008: at this rate, I'll never finish. Too deep and too much good stuff to finish.

3/21/2009: Finishing this book has been a struggle for some reason. But I felt compelled and did finish a couple of weeks ago after a friend, Trent Egbert, talked about hearing Bridges teach 3 times over a four day period.

Did the author accomplish what he wanted to accomplish in this writing? For me he did; I have such a HUGE God; so powerful.

Another friend recently told me about how, in wanting to get closer to God, he prayed for a trial. A few months later he was diagnosed with Parkinson's. This friend's next comment was amazing -

"Danny, it's ok...it further proves that God answers prayers. This has been a blessing." 2/1/2014: I'm sorry to say that this friend ended up committing suicide 2 years later.

Now, I don't care who you are...that's a God to be feared. 2/1/2014: I almost erased this previous statement, but will leave.

3/21/2009: Did the author accomplish what he intended by writing this book? As I mentioned early on, Bridges dares to insinuate that one doesn't trust God anymore than one fears Him!

Yes, he accomplished his mission in writing this book..for me.

2/1/2014 - researching something for a friend, Gary Seal, I came back to this book for the first time in over 3 years. I have a lot of notes, underlines and journal entries in the book. I'm reminded of the purpose for writing in a book! Good to reflect, to ponder, to remember the journey, the previous struggles and how God brings us through. 2008-09 was a difficult period and I didn't realize at the time how important this read was to me.

7/24/2016 - my son, Austen, sent me a quote from his pastor this morning, "the problem with religion is that man fears man instead of man fearing God." I thought of 'the joy of fearing God' and came back to this post. That friend who committed suicide (above)....I'd forgotten I'd written about that. Do you fear God if you commit suicide? I expect not. The other friend/co-worker that considers God is friend....that should cause one to really think; is God our friend? What kind of friend? Jesus said in Joh 15 "you are My friends if you do what I command you." I quick word search for 'friend' on my Bible app shows 83 in the Old and 40 in the New Testament. There a few verses that at least eludes to God being our friend, but I know I need to be aware of the type of friend He is. I sure don't model what he says about friendship. Compared to Him, I'm too wishy-washy, too........too.......too a lot of things he is not. I don't want to confuse my friendly behaviors with Him as my friend.

1/11/2023 - I listened to an old Tim Keller sermon on “Knowing God.” I’ve heard it numbers time over there last 20 years. Keller emphasized fearing God is knowing Him. Maybe the other way around? I remembered this book, reread this post and it brought back a lot of memories. Things to pause and ponder, and not rush into the day. 

Book: "It's Not About the Coffee" by Howard Behar

Former Starbucks president Howard Behar says "Starbucks is not in the coffee business serving people. We are in the people business serving coffee."

Within 3 pages of beginning this book last night I found myself looking for a pen. Finding real deals is great and that's what I'm uncovering here. Mr. Behar has been in the trenches. Most company presidents spend their time in meetings, meetings, meetings...I know, I am one. Mr. Behar though, tried to visit as many stores each week as he could; many times 10.

This is where he learned the most about his business. This is where he was able to set and let his entrepenual thoughts take run wild and take hold. I had always assumed the President of Starbucks was one of the original owners, but not so. Mr. Behar was 44 years old and had 20 years in the retail furniture business when he came to Starbucks in 1989.

This is a great read and is puncuated with a bit of Mr. Behar's personal history as he shares the ten Leadership Principles he used to guide him through the years.

Here are some insights into his principles (just insigts, not the principles...you'll need to read the book to get those);

• Know who you are
• Know why you're here
• Develop trust in yourself
• Build trust
• Listen for the truth
• Own It
• Think like a person of action and act like a person of thought
• Trust = Truth = Accountability
• It's not rocket science, it's a lot harder
• Getting past the no book

Maybe, maybe, the most best quote in the book (I'm rereading it, again) is on page 100 and Mr. Behar is talking about truth and accountability. He quotes Harold Geneen, CEO of ITT:

"I believe it is an immutable law in business that words are words, explanations are explanations, promises are promises - put only performance is reality. Performance alone is the best measure of your confidence, competence, and courage. Only performance will give you the freedom to grow yourself."

Good reading,

Danny

Book: "The Gift of Work" by Bill Heatley

Dallas Williard starts this book off with a high expectation of what is to come in Mr. Heatley's The Gift of Work.

Dave Moore told me about the book and was intrigued by the name; I agree. What a gift work can be; what a gift work should be; what a gift work IS!

The typical person, me included, does not properly embrace the challenge of work and thus, we run from the stress of our work; we want our work to be easy. How many times have we said...just a day without problems.

As Gary Thomas might say, "what if work was more about making us holy instead of making us money and/or happy?"

Outline and details of The Gift of Work forthcoming.

Forward

Prologue: Work - What Was God Thinking?
1. Changing Our Minds About Work

2. Kindgom Living
3. Redefining Success
4. You Are Here: God as Our Reference Point
5. Not a Trivial Pursuit
6. Training as a Disciple of Christ
7. The Nucleus of Change

Appendix A:
How God Is in Business by Dallas Willard

Appendix B:
Unto This Last by John Ruskin

Appendix C: Bussiness - A profession by Louis D. Brandeis

Book: "Water From a Deep Well" by Gerald Sittser

5/05/2024

It’s been 16 years success I first picked up this book. Fifteen since I finished it. I’ve circled back to it a few times, though not as thoroughly and seriously as this time. Most of my library is in boxes, but not Water From a Deep Well. 

Coming into and through 2008 was like a lumbering train slowly speeding up and getting out of control. I knew there were problems but couldn’t get a good handle on what was happening. I really didn’t understand what really happened until a free years later when I watched the movie “The Big Short.” 

“Water From a Deep Well” was a divine influence. It gave me some structure I weren’t have had otherwise. There’s a great deal I hadn’t learned that this book gave me the beginnings of. I’m grateful for Dave Moore for recommending it, and Brian Henson for bringing it back to my attention. 

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My "important parts" of this book is extensive and what I've notated below is at most the tip-of-the-iceberg. This is a history book that lives today.

8/16/2008: the more a read this book, and Hall's ".....with the Church Fathers," the more I realize I have not begun to touch the surface. History gives so much to learn about those that have gone before us and their struggles, triumphs, and revelations. I continue to realize how little I've been taught, and how little I'm passing on.

8/24/2008: reminder that, unless noted otherwise, what is written below is quoted from the book. I don't understand some of what the context. Much of it, like the sacrements (and most of whole window chapter) is foriegn to the teaching I've had to date.

8/20/2008: I just wrote up the notes for the chapter on "Word: The Spirtuality of the Reformers." The summary Sittser gives on the Reformers treatment of the Word is really good.

9/19/2008: I haven't finished this.....yet. The past few weeks' events have brought this book to my thoughts many times; the importance of the sacraments, church..what is it?, worship services, the importance of scripture reading in a church service?, leadership, fearing God.

3/1/2009: This book led me back to thoughts I had while reading Christopher Hall's Reading Scripture with the Church Father's. I've since gone back and listened to an interview Dave Moore had with Hall, which led me to the series Ancient Christian Commentaries on Scripture. I've purchased two, Proverbs/Ecclesiates/Song of Soloman and James, 1-2 Peter/1-3 John/Jude - what great reads!

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From the book;

Introduction -
Page 18: Every generation of believers faces the risk of becoming a prisoner to its own myopic vision of the Christian faith, assuming that how it understands and practices faith is always the best. C.S. Lewis cited this problem as a reason for reading old books. "None of us," he wrote, "can fully escape this blindness, but we shall certainly increase it, and weaken our guard against it, if we read only modern books," for modern books (as well as the ideas and practices they convey) only tell us what we already know and thus reinforce our blind spots and prejudices.

Book: "Riven" by Jerry B. Jenkins

Awesome book. Mr. Jenkins is a great novelist and what a great message. I've thought about the book every day since I finished it 5 days ago. And that is not like me.

I read novels to normally just escape into something other than TV or a movie and when I finish, that's it; done. But not this book. It leaves a mark...so far.

8/9/2008 - Update: two weeks later, I'm still thinking about the characters and still recommending the book to others. Cathy has finished it and was a bit upset with the ending - it is sobering!

After a couple of weeks, as riveting as the role of Brady is, I'm probably drawn just as much, if not more, to the Chaplain and his struggles. Yet, saying that just now, what a great and glorious God we have. Now that's a role!

Mid-September, 2008: Jenkins' story-line and characters continues to be infecting!