Where have I been?

As evidenced from the lack of new posts, it’s quite apparent that I have taken a hiatus from this blog. However, I see value in resuming the disciplines I had several years ago when blogging about the books I was reading led me to put my thoughts into words on a regular basis.

The past two summers have proven very memorable with international travels to six countries in Europe and a touch of Asia (several ports of call in Turkey were on the Asian part of the country). I explored medieval walled cities on islands in the Aegean Sea, sailed into a volcanic caldera with picturesque whitewashed stone villas with blue-domed roofs clinging to the cliffs, toured the ancient ruins of Ephesus and Corinth, climbed the Acropolis in Athens, walked the streets of Rome, stood in the shadow of St. Peter and St. Paul at the Vatican, rekindled relationships with second- and third-cousins living abroad, swam in pristine lakes in Scandinavia, had train mishaps and adventures across the midsection of Sweden, got myself lost on a 3-turned-10-mile run in Amsterdam at midnight, nearly was left behind in Norway because I again ran a large loop away from the ship right before “All aboard” was called, stood head-in-the-clouds in the midst of a downpour on top of Pulpit Rock which juts out two thousand feet above one of the world’s deepest fjords,  and witnessed the majesty of God’s creation in the Flåm valley amidst towering snowmelt waterfalls and lush greenery and quaint villages.

Recently I came across a book online at work that caught my eye: The Story of Rich: A Financial Fable of Wealth and Reason During Uncertain Times. In this book, author J.D. Joyce has created a story that creates analogies from many of the different activities that have kept me busy since I moved away from the blog—including topics such as traveling, cultivating natural beauty, serving the church and community, seeking counsel, estate planning, watching professional sports, and training for a marathon. However, as I made my way through the chapters and made connections to my own life, I realized that perhaps I haven’t seen the forest for the trees because I’ve allowed my focus to shift on what’s right in front of me instead of thinking about the bigger picture.

In this story, which is a fictional account of a business owner named Rich fresh off of selling his company and entering retirement, the main character has encounters with people who offer him advice through their own experiences and how their choices affected their bottom line in the retirement years. While retirement for me is a long ways off, there are still valuable lessons to be learned by avoiding the mistakes other people have made and by making wise choices for the long-term that will put me on the right path. I was able to put to good use right away one of those lessons that came from the marathon chapter as I ran the Chicago Marathon last week. The point was that just as successful runners spend much time in preparation and know how to establish a consistent pacing strategy so they have enough energy to complete the race, so too planning and pacing come into play in investments. It’s true—in my first marathon I started out much too fast to maintain that pace for 26.2 miles and by mile 14 I had to take walking breaks, but last week when I ran the Chicago Marathon I set out on a manageable pace and was able to shave over a minute per mile off my previous time when I ran without a good strategy! I can only imagine that the same is true for the world of finances.

I found this book easy to read and relate to, given the wide variety of life situations Rich and his family encountered. There were also good explanations on stock market trends and the various types of investment mechanisms available today. After reading this book, I feel more prepared to go out and make wise decisions how I approach the use of money in these uncertain times.

Twelve Unlikely Heroes

All throughout history, select individuals are remembered as heroes for what they did in their lifetime. Some people are born into greatness, such as a prince inheriting his father’s kingdom; other times a person rises up from relative insignificance to stand in the gap. Literature abounds with stories of heroism, and the Bible is no exception. John McArthur, in his latest book, “Twelve Unlikely Heroes,” introduces us to several of the most unexpected candidates in Scripture for this distinction.

So, who are these unexpected heroes, and what makes them special? Enoch walked with God for 300 years, showing that God doesn’t limit based on age. Joseph endured betrayal and false accusations before leaving prison for the palace, showing that God’s ways are higher than man’s ways. Miriam played a key role in assisting her brother lead the nation of Israel out from bondage, showing that God uses women as well as men. Gideon and Samson showed that God can work with or without the benefit of human strength. Jonathan understood that David would become king and was loyal to the end, setting the bar high for friendship. Jonah was a unique case, but he showed that even being a knucklehead doesn’t faze God—His purposes will be accomplished no matter what. Esther was an orphan girl living in a foreign land yet was hand-selected to become queen, showing that God looks after His children. John the Baptist announced the coming of the Messiah after 400 years of silence, showing that God does not forget His promises. James was skeptical of his half-brother, Jesus, but later believed and became the leader of the church in Jerusalem. Mark and Onesimus were living proof that being a coward or a runaway in the past does not preclude one’s ability to be useful in the present, as they both ministered effectively to Peter and Paul after being restored.

Using his knowledge of Biblical history and customs, Pastor John McArthur paints a very real portrait of each of the heroes we meet. The characters’ virtues as well as their mistakes are discussed in ways that apply easily to the reader. This book is a very good supplement to Bible reading, and I especially enjoyed reading the background of Jonathan’s story as I was already studying it in my personal devotions. Throughout the pages of the book, the real Hero behind the victories and successes becomes apparent. When it’s all said and done, what a joy it is to know that anyone can be used by God!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of “Twelve Unlikely Heroes” through Book Sneeze, in exchange for my honest review.

Walking With Bilbo

In crafting the epic tales of the adventures in Middle Earth, JRR Tolkien did a masterful job in creating a mythical world when he wrote “The Hobbit” and the “Lord of the Rings” series. Though fictional, the stories of hobbits and dwarves, elves and men, dragons and goblins and trolls, compel the reader to take note of the characters and their characteristics and join in on the journey, as it were. Some fans of the series go so far as to call themselves “Tolkien junkies”, and one of them has written a new book looking at lessons gleaned from “The Hobbit.”

Sarah Arthur, author of “Walking With Frodo,” has followed up her first devotional book with a sequel (or should it be considered a prequel, as is the case with “The Hobbit” compared to the “LOTR” series?) aptly called “Walking With Bilbo.” At any rate, we discover 22 key lessons from Bilbo’s journey with Gandalf and the dwarves that apply to the Christian journey. The author makes it clear that JRR Tolkien did not intend for his stories to be 100% allegorical, however, there are striking connections that can be made.

Knowledge of the classic work is not entirely necessary, as quotes are brought in and further expounded upon. Rounding out each chapter are discussion questions and a list of related Scripture verses. I found this supplement most enlightening, as the passages from Genesis to Revelation confirm the themes drawn out from the book. One such parallelism is that of being chosen and selected. In the original story, Bilbo did not ask to go on the journey with the dwarves—Gandalf specifically chose him because he saw qualities deep within Bilbo that would be developed on the journey and effectively change the course of history through the success or failure of the mission. The same was true for Jesus selecting His 12 disciples, and is true today for all Christians. The calling to follow Jesus is there—do we have the faith to go on the journey?

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of “Walking With Bilbo” through the Tyndale Blog Network, in exchange for my honest review.

The River

It’s not often I come across a book highly recommended by both Andy Andrews and John C. Maxwell—authors I have learned a great deal from—so when I see that they mutually agree that a certain book will transform the reader’s perspective on life, I take note! Having finished reading The River by Michael Neale about a week ago, I concur with their predictions that this book would have an impact on me. Already I’ve seen that where I previously was more or less complacent I am now pursuing positive change. I am further developing God-given talents through music, meeting and interacting with new people, and taking big next steps in securing a more satisfying job. Is all this due to reading one little book? I’m not sure, but let me tell you about it.

Gabriel Clarke lived his childhood scared of The River and anything to do with water. Perhaps that’s because of the memory of a day he could not get out of his mind—the day he last saw his father, who saved the life of a kayaker at the expense of his own life. Young Gabriel was mad, “Wasn’t I more important than that reckless kayaker? Didn’t he deserve what was coming?” These thoughts plagued him and caused him to live in a shell for most of his childhood. His heart slowly changed over time, and one day Gabriel decided to accept a friend’s invitation to go on a rafting trip in Colorado—on the same river he and his dad had loved many years ago. It was there that he realized he was made for The River. It didn’t take much to convince him that his dead-end job of cleaning the Five and Dime store back in Kansas should not and could not hold him back from fulfilling his destiny at The River. Throughout his experiences that summer interacting with The River and the people who were also called to The River, Gabriel became a new man—a man who took hold of not who he was, but who he was destined to become.

While I enjoyed this novel at face value due to the gripping story that kept me up late at night and wishing my lunch break were longer, there is another level to this novel. In the narrative, the author stays away from most religiosity in the story, but when viewed as an allegory comparing The River to God and His ways, a lot of spiritual insight can be found. In fact, during the month leading up to the world-wide release of his book, Michael co-hosted a four-part sermon series at his church in Florida about the deeper meaning of what The River is. He reveals that “The River [God] is shaping everything in its path.” “The River [God] is alive and is moving all over the world.” “The world will not be the same because of [God] The River.” “When we’re with The River [God], we know it’s where we’re meant to be.” Gabriel truly found his life when he encountered The River. The same can ring true for you; just get in…all the way in!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of “The River” through Book Sneeze, in exchange for my honest review.

Rudy—My Story

To get myself back in the practice of reading, I decided to pick a story that I could really get in to…one that I knew I would have a hard time putting it down. What better type of book than one about sports—particularly one about football?! The book I just read is more than the story of a kid who played football for one of the greatest collegiate teams ever, but about the determination that brought him to the point of getting to take the field…for all of 27 seconds in the final game of his senior season! The story is none other than Rudy Reuttiger, the dreamer who found a way into Notre Dame and whose hard work carried him to a place where people told him he would never get to go.

Daniel “Rudy” Reuttiger was one of 14 kids growing up in an industrial town outside Chicago in the 1950s. Nothing came easy for him, but Rudy was not a quitter. Despite his undiagnosed dyslexia, Rudy graduated from high school, completed a tour of duty in the Navy, and worked several jobs back at the power plant. His deep desire, however, was to attend Notre Dame and play on the football team. Through the help of key individuals and the determination to do his best, Rudy was able to fulfill his dreams. The book could have ended as he was carried off the field on his teammates’ shoulders (as it does in the movie version), but the real Rudy has more to tell. In “Rudy—My Story,” he talks about how the same persistence that was the backbone in his early life was essential years later in getting the blockbuster movie created. It’s actually quite remarkable that the film actually did get off the ground, considering how many obstacles had to be cleared away.

If you’re looking for a motivational read that inspires you to dream big and have faith that your dreams can happen, Rudy is proof positive that it doesn’t matter how many times you get knocked down, but how many times you get back up.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of “Rudy—My Story” through Book Sneeze, in exchange for my honest review.

The Founders' Key

In the span of time since I last posted on this blog, I have hiked the mountains of Colorado, crossed the Golden Gate Bridge in California, traveled through the Indiana farmlands, enjoyed the serenity of Michigan lakes, and returned to the hustle and bustle of the Washington, D.C. metro area — my birthplace. Through the array of places I was able to visit, I can see why Katharine Lee Bates penned the poem “America, the Beautiful.” Reflecting on the lyrics of our national hymn, I am reminded that America is not just beautiful for her mountains, waters, and countrysides, but for the heroes who gave their lives to their country for the cause of liberty and justice. As such, it is of essence that we not neglect our foundings but consider the elements involved in the establishment of the United States of America. It is in returning to our nation’s birthing that we can discover how truly blessed is our nation to have the beginnings we had and how far we’ve come since then (not necessarily all in a good way).

With 2012 being a critical election year in the direction our country will be heading, my interest in our country’s founding documents has piqued. In the book, “The Founders’ Key,” author Dr. Larry Arnn (president of Hillsdale College) explains that the connection between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution is both relevant and as necessary for proper government today as it was when the founding fathers instituted the democracy. Between the two documents, we have inspired beauty in the freedom-heralding Declaration of Independence and commanding guidelines in the regulation-setting Constitution. Modern policies have made efforts to divorce the one from the other, upholding the Declaration but ignoring the Constitution. Through real-life examples, the author expressed the ongoing shift towards liberalism as legislators have redefined key elements in the Constitution.

Besides writing a commentary on the Declaration and Constitution and where our country could be headed should we continue to separate ourselves from the original purposes our founding fathers had when creating the governmental system, the author of this book includes a section for further reading at the back highlighting five of the Federalist Papers written by James Madison as well as the complete texts of the Declaration and Constitution. I found this section very helpful for easy cross-referencing the source document to compare phraseology on a particular subject. Overall, I am quite impressed with this book. It was a bit heavy reading to get through at times and took me longer than I would have liked to complete. However, the content is vital to getting our country back on track. Get out there on election day and do your civil duty and VOTE for the candidates who will best uphold the principles this country was founded on!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of “The Founders’ Key” through Book Sneeze, in exchange for my honest review.

Then Sings My Soul

What do you do when you have a bad day…complain about the unfairness of life, tell your sob story to anyone in shouting distance, or maybe just crawl under the covers and hope things turn out better the next morning? How about turning to God and focusing on His amazing love and the grace that is greater than our sin? He has redeemed us and given us all we have needed day by day as we acknowledge our dependence in Christ alone. God will take care of you in times like these, and as we know His eye is on the sparrow, joy can fill our inmost heart today as He leads us to higher ground. Come, we that love the Lord, to join in a song of praising the mighty fortress that is our God.

In the previous paragraph, perhaps you picked up on some familiar phrases that came straight from several hymns of the faith. These hymns (and others like them) lift up the soul, provide strength to the weak, and cultivate joy in the believer’s heart. In the latest book I read, Then Sings My Soul, Vol. 3, author Robert Morgan highlights many of the hymns that form our rich heritage and gives the background on the writing of the hymn. Covered in the book are ancient hymns sung by the early Christians to modern ones written by current hymnwriters, with a few stops along the way. This is the third book in the trilogy, so not all the traditional hymns are covered in this installment.

I really appreciated the author’s thoughts and views on hymns. Hymns are a way of turning our focus outward and upward for what God has done for us. Hymns are eloquent expressions of our beliefs, and many are prayers that we sing to God. In addition to being used in corporate worship, they should be read, committed to memory, meditated on, played, prayed, leaned on, quoted, and passed on to the next generation. It is important to dig into the wealth of wisdom the generations before us have left us through the richness of the hymns of the faith. Along with the cloud of witnesses, let us here and now proclaim, “How great Thou art!”

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of Then Sings My Soul, Vol. 3 through Book Sneeze, in exchange for my honest review.

Babylon's Falling

Several months ago I had the opportunity to take a trip to Israel with a group of my friends and coworkers. It was relatively easy—hop on a plane to fly across the ocean, go through customs, and start touring the sites in the comfort of a brand-new Mercedes bus (also known as “chariot” in those parts). Excellent food was prepared for us at every stop, and our lodging was in the nicest area hotels. Communication with folks back home was possible through free wifi access or even the occasional cell phone call, thanks to international roaming. But that’s not how traveling to Jerusalem has always been. Jerusalem is situated in a mountainous region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea, meaning travel in the old days before the modern inventions of planes, trains, and automobiles, was a long and arduous undertaking. Extra measures would have to be taken to ensure all needed supplies were brought along, because there were no Wal-Marts back then. Travel would take days, weeks, or even months depending on how far one was going on foot. A book I just finished reading brings to light what life might have been like in that part of the world at the time of the Babylonian conquest during the time of Daniel and his three friends.

In the beginning pages of Babylon's Falling, we are introduced to four Israelite young men as they are beginning the exile out of Jerusalem after being captured by the Babylonian army. The historical novel continues through Daniel’s and his three friends’ ascent into places of prominence in the Chaldean court of wise men as they honor God in their daily living even though they have been placed in a heathen king’s palace. The author uses the first six chapters of the Book of Daniel as inspiration for the events that take place in these men’s lives, but also takes some liberties to suggest why Daniel was not present when Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach), and Azariah (Abednego) were thrown into the fiery furnace.

I’ve discovered that historical fiction is a great way to stir up interest in past cultures, geography, and events that shaped the history of the world. I found myself riveted to the plot of this fictional work even though I knew the Bible-inspired stories. The dialogue and conversation between the characters brings out the fact that these Bible heroes were in fact human and had important choices to make how they lived their lives given their circumstances. Throughout his service in the foreign land, Daniel regularly sought the Lord his God in prayer three times a day. Because of his willingness to be used of God—whether in the countryside or in the courts of kings—he was able to provide service as a provincial governor and a counselor to at least four kings. May we be like Daniel who said, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to Whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding” (Daniel 2:20-21).

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of Babylon's Falling through Book Sneeze, in exchange for my honest review.

The Book of Man

For the past several months, my dad and I have been part of a fellowship of men at church who have been meeting every week to build each other up in our manhood journeys. This program called Men’s Fraternity has facilitated times of talking about our past, discussing struggles and successes, praying for current situations, and looking to affect the future with positive change. All in all it has helped each one of us to see a larger picture of God’s design for us as men and leaders. In addition to listening to the lectures from Robert Lewis, I’ve supplemented the study by reading through an anthology of quotes and literature entitled “The Book of Man: Readings on the Path to Manhood” compiled by William J. Bennett.

This hefty volume is divided into six main sections: man in war, man at work, man in play / sports / leisure, man in the polis, man with woman and children, and man in prayer and reflection. Each section is nearly 100 pages of biographical sketches, speeches, poems, or excerpts of classic literature showcasing the type of courage a real man must have—courage to stand up and fight for what he believes. As I read through the book, I was struck with the relevance of its passages—several of them I had just come across earlier that week, whether it was brought up in the pastor’s sermon, Men’s Fraternity, or another book I was reading.

One aspect I appreciate about this book is that every selection was meant to teach a different attribute of manhood. I can learn as valuable a lesson from a soldier as I can from an ancient philosopher as I can from a basketball coach as I can from a president. Nobody here claims to be a perfect example or to have all the answers—and for answers, the best place to go is the Bible—but still, each one is valuable for “in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14b).

I am very pleased to have this book on my shelf from here on out. I can see myself coming back to this book again and again as I continue on my quest for authentic manhood.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of The Book of Man through Book Sneeze, in exchange for my honest review.

The 17 Essential Qualities Of A Team Player

Exercise…with it come strength and growth; without it come laziness and stagnation. Exercising the body is important to maintaining a good physical well-being, and likewise it is also important to regularly exercise the mind. For me, this has taken the form of reading good books and looking for ways to apply in my life what I am reading.

I recently started a new job and was delighted to discover that I now have access to hundreds (if not thousands) of digitized books thanks to the company’s partnership with Books 24x7. In between checking e-mails and waiting for clearance to work on the team’s projects, I’ve had plenty of time to spend perusing the wealth of information contained within the windows of my web browser.

First on the list of gems I’ve uncovered is John Maxwell’s exposition on the 17 Essential Qualities Of A Team Player: Becoming the Kind of Person Every Team Wants. For each quality, Maxwell brings in thought-provoking quotes, engaging stories, practical advice, and probing questions to cause the reader to get a handle on each quality and begin the process of continuous personal growth in his life. I’m a fan of all things practical, and this book is full of first-rate observations from a man who has proven himself in the very areas he is writing about. For this reason alone it is a worthy use of time as his advice comes from experience. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who interacts with other people—and who doesn’t? As you read, you’ll be challenged to be adaptable, collaborative, committed, communicative, competent, dependable, disciplined, enlarging, enthusiastic, intentional, mission-conscious, prepared, relational, self-improving, selfless, solution-oriented, and tenacious—qualities that will take you far and will help your team achieve new levels of success.

What’s holding you back from being a better team player? The best way to improve is just to work on it—get out there and exercise your mind!

Through My Eyes

In my humble opinion, the best person ever to play the game of college football was Tim Tebow. I say this not because he won a lot of games or led his team to the national championship or because he set all sorts of records, I say this because of the person he was and is off the field. Being in the limelight can cause many people of lesser character to stumble, but Tim was able to use the platform he had earned through his athletics as a springboard for sharing his faith. Tim not just talked the talk, he lived it every day from being faithful in his backyard chores to being an example on the foreign mission fields. In his recent memoir, Through My Eyes, Tim explains why he is the way he is, and what (or more specifically, Who) has brought him to where he is right now, a starting quarterback in the NFL.

Tim's story begins before he was born, when his parents specifically asked God for another son to raise as a preacher. God answered by sending along Timmy, but not without much difficulty in the pregnancy. In fact, doctors recommended an abortion to save his mother's life, thinking there was no way both would survive. However, God's plan was much different than the doctors', and God delivered both mother and baby in a hospital room in the Philippines where his parents were missionaries. Their incredible story has been heard nationally through a Super Bowl ad that Focus on the Family sponsored.

After such a beginning to life, the Tebows knew Tim would be a special boy. He grew up strong and healthy and was always competing with his four older brothers and sisters. I'll not recount all the stories he told in this book about his growing up years—that's what the book is there for, so you'll have to go read it yourself. Many of them are quite humorous! As the book progresses and he moves from high school into college, he takes us inside his helmet to show what he was seeing and what he was thinking in the big games and major events he participated in. One of the biggest things that happened to Tim was being selected as a Heisman trophy finalist three years in a row. Tim was the youngest Heisman trophy winner when he won in 2007. This says a lot about his determination and commitment to being the best he could be.

It's not often that I prefer reading about sports than watching it happen in front of me on the TV, but with this book the commercial breaks were never long enough! I think I ended up missing most of the weekend's games due to being enthralled in this story. Well done, Tim Tebow, and all the best as you continue your legacy in the NFL while honoring your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Doing Virtuous Business

As a follow-up on the theme of living courageously, I’ve been studying some ways to practice the message in my daily living. It is important to live courageously with the family at home, but it is equally important—if not more vital—to do so in the workplace. It is within the realm of enterprise that most people spend a significant portion of their waking hours holding a job and conducting business. It is the habit of some people to spend more time at work than they do with their families. The ideas shared below come from my recent reading of the book, Doing Virtuous Business: the Remarkable Success of Spiritual Enterprise, by Theodore Roosevelt Malloch.

Contained within the pages of this book are treasure troves of wisdom focusing on the benefits of spiritual capital in doing business. In each chapter, different companies are analyzed to find out what made them as successful as they are or to identify where the business went wrong and brought disaster upon itself. This book does much more than simply state the need for business ethics—it spells out the benefits for virtues such as faith, hope, and charity and what can happen to businesses (or people) who lack the qualities that invoke trust from others. Other characteristics that must be cultivated are leadership, courage, patience, perseverance, discipline, as well as the softer virtues of justice, forgiveness, compassion, humility, and gratitude.

I would recommend this book to everyone who interacts with other people in their line of work (which would be just about everybody). There’s a saying, “those who don’t learn from history are destined to repeat it.” Reading this book will help the reader learn from the CEOs who made wise choices and avoid the mistakes of those who went down the wrong path. In the back of the book is a lengthy appendix of businesses who have done the right thing, including the likes of Chick-Fil-A, IBM, Habitat for Humanity, Wal-Mart, and others. After reading this book, I’m more likely to give my business to a company that possesses and practices the spiritual capital discussed in the pages of this book. I think you will too, after you give it a read.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of Doing Virtuous Business through Book Sneeze, in exchange for my honest review.

Courageous

Dad and I have had some great father/son time this weekend—and the weekend is really just getting started! Due to a Christian educator’s convention happening in Detroit, it was just the two of us at home for a while. After a nice meal eating out, we spent some time last night going through his old memorabilia—stuff he saved from his childhood. I got to read letters and postcards his father wrote and enter a little bit into the relationship they shared in my dad’s early years. My grandfather died before I was born, so these kinds of memories are the only tangible things I have of him. He was a pastor and his love and care for his flock was evident through the letters left behind.

Our father/son time continued today through watching the new film “Courageous” together. What a film! Sherwood Pictures has done it again in creating a poignant illustration of a timeless message that fatherhood must be taken seriously. There will come moments of putting one’s life on the line, tragedies requiring going to God for grace to get through, situations for making tough decisions to stand up for convictions, and the time to own up to past failures and shoulder the responsibility. Honor begins in the home, and this is where a lifelong impact on a child’s life is formed. I’ll not give away the plot any further, but the film is riveting and is packed with both action and emotion.

What does God have to say about being courageous? “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9, ESV). That’s pretty clear isn’t it? Go live courageously!

Surviving Your Serengeti

This summer has been unmatched in terms of personal traveling and places visited than any other short period of time I can remember. Let's see, I swam in the Atlantic Ocean, drove all over the Eastern-Midwestern states, scaled one of the Rocky Mountains, cruised up and down the Pacific Coast, biked around some northern lakes, and saw the great city of New York from the sky. I saw firsthand such a variety of beauty and majesty! If I could specify one thing that I learned through my peripatetic prowess, it would be that all creation sings its Creator's song.

Now that I've returned from my travels, it's been time to settle back into life at home and line up work. One of the books I just completed reading was written with those goals in mind: to help the individual master seven skills for business and life. Enter "Surviving Your Serengeti" by Stefan Swanepoel.

This book is a fictional story about a few folks who travel to Africa for a vacation but through their encounters in the Serengeti return ready to reshape their business and lives back home. On their African adventure, they encounter seven different animals—all who exhibit a unique survival trait. Wildebeests must endure as they make the annual journey of 1000+ miles around the Serengeti in search of good food and water. Lions must be strategic in working together in order to eat. Crocodiles must be enterprising when opportunity comes their way. Cheetahs have to be efficient in knowing what to pursue in order to get the best results. Giraffes are graceful and are respected out there in the savannah (this correlates to professionalism). The Mongooses take risks and reap the rewards of wise maneuvers. Elephants communicate and pass on important information to the others in their herd, especially the young ones.

For anyone who likes a simple storyline with a little science lesson thrown in, this is great. It's a quick read and a fun one too. I enjoyed the author's ability to correlate the animals' strengths into easy-to-grasp self-help statements. Perhaps this book should come along with you on your next adventure!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of Surviving Your Serengeti through Book Sneeze, in exchange for my honest review.

George Washington Carver

Today for my lunch, I enjoyed two delicious peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. In fact, I’ve been going through the peanut butter so fast recently my family had to stock up on several jars of peanut butter from the grocery store tonight! There are so many varieties out there: regular, natural, organic…each coming in creamy or chunky options. Some people I know only go for the Peter Pan brand, others pick JIF, or maybe they just go for whatever’s the cheapest on the shelf. However, a few decades ago the food that has become a staple in today’s kitchen cupboard had not been created yet. True, the components for the food were all there, as God is the creator of all things, but no one had taken the time to ask Him how to separate the peanut until George Washington Carver came on the scene in the 1880s with a very important issue to resolve.

I focus on the way our lives have been affected today by this man, George Washington Carver, as I just finished reading a book from the Christian Encounters series that gave me an up-close glance at his life. Born a slave and orphaned at an early age, George grew up in his master’s home and took an interest in plants at a very young age. Though his body was physically weak all throughout life, he applied himself to whatever he was doing and did whatever he could to further his education. The majority of his life was spent working at Tuskegee Institute, a school founded to train black people in the South to learn a trade and make a living using their hands. Carver invested many years teaching the students agriculture and groundbreaking farming techniques. Carver loved working in his laboratory, because there he was able to go to God and make incredible discoveries on the crops that were growing well in the South. Carver had a special relationship with the Creator, and his creativity flowed out of his communion with God.

The book was very well written and approached Carver’s life in a respectful way. As a black man living in the South not long after slavery was banned, he endured a lot of racial prejudice and injustice throughout his life. The author made sure to include enough examples of Carver’s circumstances, experiences, and personal reflections. I found the pages full of information, easy to read, and worthy of my time. After studying this man’s life, I am very grateful for his self-sacrificing efforts to transform a field of potential into a world of prosperity. His life stands as a legacy of hope to all people that beauty can rise out of ashes and that much can be learned from God’s creation.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of George Washington Carver through Book Sneeze, in exchange for my honest review.

Seeing God in the details

Each new day is a gift from God. It’s up to us to determine how we will use the gift. Today was one of those days that caused me to realize just how blessed I am to be where I am and to be doing what I am doing.

I’m currently in a very unique stage of life right now. Last month marked the first time I’ve lived at my parent’s home for an extended period of time since I finished high school and became involved in a Christian ministry nine years ago. I had a lot of responsibilities and felt my involvement was making a difference, the friends I had there were great, and I formed many happy memories there. In fact, I’d say this past year was the best year of my life, hands down. However, I chose to move on from all that and come home, not knowing exactly what I would be doing next but knowing that God wanted to bring our family together again.

While I’ve been home, I’ve been able to connect with my parents on a level that hasn’t been there when I just popped in for a few weeks over seasonal breaks and holidays. Dad and I have had time to be together, just the two of us going out for ice cream or going out to a ball game. The other day, we dug out one of his old storage trunks and started going through his childhood coin collections that his dad got him started on. Mom has been busy with teaching, but we’ve still had time for bonding through special outings like bike rides or even the simple things like helping out in the kitchen. One of the things we’ve done together is sing in the church choir. We got there early for practice one time, and as we were conversing with one of the other choir members, he found out I am still looking for employment. The next day he called me up and asked if I would like to work with him and his assistant on some home-improvement projects he had lined up for the week. Out of the blue God provided work for me to do, and it came because I was willing to honor my parents!

Working for a professional handy-man, I’ve picked up on a lot of techniques and skills that should serve me well down the road. Attention to detail is key! At this point, he’s had work for me to do every day since first asking me to join him a few weeks ago, with the exception for today (the forecast called for rain, so his outdoor projects were put on hold). However, this gave me time at home to fix a few things around the house and time during business hours to take my résumé and go do some PR for myself around town. Dad went with me to the various places and even treated me to an ice cream cone while we were downtown Midland. I don’t know what will come of these job-search efforts, but it is encouraging to know that God has a plan for my life, and it is a good plan—one that even I could not dream up.

That brings be back to today. The forecast (like I mentioned earlier) called for rain, and the rain started to fall shortly after we were done with dinner. It was so beautiful out, though, with the setting sun dropping behind the clouds, we decided that our family bike ride was not going to be rained out this evening! On our ride, the sky lit up with the orange glow of the sunset, the clouds reflected a warm, pink glow, and God painted a huge rainbow overhead. As I was crossing over a pedestrian bridge in the park where the creek meets the river, a beautiful blue heron was taking flight above the water, and just down the way, two fat blue jays happily hopped about after a nice meal. After the bike ride, we all gathered on the porch and had a time for family devotions, learning from Dr. Guthrie’s lessons on sheep. The day wasn’t over though until I had played the hymns on the piano that have been on my heart lately. Dad sat and listened for a while as I played, and in the middle of the music, Mom paid me the highest compliment ever just for being me. I am so grateful to be living these days at home with my family and having a chance to support each other in various ways that can’t easily be done from a distance. God knows.

A Place Called Blessing

I'll admit, I'm not one who heads straight to the fiction section in the library, but after reading the latest novel by Dr. John Trent, I just might frequent that section more often. When I picked up A Place Called Blessing, I could hardly put it down. In the book, the narrator retells his story of growing up in a foster care system, being separated from his brothers, being able to reconnect with them for a while only to blow it a little while later and get all of them sent off to a children's home still at a young age. Our friend Josh coped by learning to trust no one after going through feelings of rejection and living with the label of being undesirable. His story is one of overcoming loneliness and a past filled with hurt as two individuals invest into his life and show him that there is more to life than living for oneself.

Through the models of the characters portrayed in this little novel, I’ve been blessed by all the ways of encouragement, wisdom, and generosity each person exemplified to one another and motivated to do similarly to others. This is a wonderful book and deserves to be on everybody’s reading list.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of A Place Called Blessing through Book Sneeze, in exchange for my honest review.

Washington: A Legacy of Leadership

A few weeks ago we celebrated the 235th anniversary of our country's independence. In our nation’s existence, perhaps no one particular man has had such a vital part in shaping our country than George Washington. He is referred to as the “first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” Having recently traveled out to the state bearing his name, I decided it best to brush up on some George Washington history. The book I decided to read is titled, Washington: A Legacy of Leadership, from the new series on the American Generals.

As a volume focusing on his military career, this book started with his first military missions and focused on his key part in shaping the country through heading up the Continental Army and the path that brought him to the point of leading the new nation as her first President. I learned a lot about what went into the rigors of warfare at the time—much hardship and sacrifice definitely were required of all men. Through it all, Washington's integrity and resolve made him the man for each of the responsibilities given him. Even while a young soldier, Washington was a man of principle and self-control and one who trusted in the providence of God. He was a flawed man, but due to his willingness to be used by God, he fulfilled his purpose in life and set the foundation for a strong nation. Through the stories and accounts the author was able to bring to the table of Washington and his men, I have a greater appreciation not just for the man but also for my country.


Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of Washington: A Legacy of Leadership through Book Sneeze, in exchange for my honest review.

Facing Your Giants

I recently came across a study on courage by Max Lucado. Taken from David’s example of meeting Goliath head-on (or head-off, as the case may be), the title of the work is “Facing Your Giants.” In this study, Lucado identifies practical ways that we too can go out and face our giants.

As a precursor to the whole situation, young David was willing to be used of God, even if it was to be out in the fields tending the sheep—a job none of his older brothers wanted to do. While there, the groundwork was laid for David to be courageous by protecting the flock from lions, bears, and other predators. When it came time for action on the big stage, David already had the perspective which views God as bigger than anything else that is out to get him—whether it be a hungry bear or a blasphemous giant. The theme that Lucado brings out is “focus on God, giants tumble…focus on giants, you stumble.”

This book served as a good reminder to me that no matter the struggle I may be facing, like David I ought to look to the past an recount God's faithfulness, make prayer a priority, and be persistent with the passions God has given me. There have been situations recently that seem impossible—and no doubt there will be more around the corner—but these principles of godly courage hold true. I would highly recommend this book (or audiobook) to anyone who has a giant or two standing in the path before him—go face your giant!

Duty. Honor. Country.

The annals of history have much to teach us if we are only willing to stop a moment and study the pages that contain stories of battles valiantly fought, lessons vividly learned , and lives victoriously lived.  One exceptionally vibrant portion in these chronicles takes us through the turn of the century (19^th-20^th, that is), through World Wars I & II, and into the post-war recovery. We’d be hard-pressed to find a man as influential as Douglas MacArthur was in the events all across the globe that took place during this pivotal time in our world. Here is a man who took his US Military Academy motto seriously and gave it wings, “Duty. Honor. Country.”

I just finished reading a biography on his life by Mitchell Yockelson entitled, MacArthur: America’s General, part of a new series on America’s generals. This book drew me right in as I found out about his childhood being raised in a military family (his father, Arthur MacArthur rose to the rank of general and also earned the Army’s highest recognition, the Medal of Honor), his dealing with the deaths of both his brothers at relatively young ages, going through West Point, his love for sports (and involvement in the 1928 US Olympic Committee), and his foreign deployments in the Pacific as a commissioned Army officer. The author was able to bring in a few quotes of the general’s to give authenticity to the stories and descriptions of life as it was for Douglas. I would have enjoyed reading even more quotations or excerpts from his speeches, as he was a prolific communicator.

One adage that shaped Douglas’s outlook on life was passed down to him from his grandfather: “You must also be a gentleman and scholar, and above all else, honorable.” This Douglas took to heart and earned top honors in Military Academy and graduated first in his class at West Point. He was rewarded with many key positions throughout his lifetime, many of which had never come to anyone younger. He was called upon to lead troops into battle, strategize tactical maneuvers for the entire Pacific fleet, bring social and political reform to broken and needy countries in the Far East, and advise many Presidents on military affairs. MacArthur was not afraid to stand his ground against anybody—even when his direct authority, the President, gave specific orders. This eventually led to his being relieved of military duty after 52 years in the service. He came home to a hero’s welcome.

Statue of General Douglas MacArthur in front of the MacArthur Memorial.

This week my travels brought me to the Norfolk, Virginia area where the city has a huge memorial dedicated to the general’s lifetime of service to his country. I had the privilege of spending an afternoon there seeing the memorabilia firsthand, reading further about life during the wars for him and his men, and hearing clips from many of his famous speeches. It was a moving experience to see how one life lived with passion for his duty, conviction to be honorable, and love for Country was able to affect the course of history—even my history.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of MacArthur: America’s General through Book Sneeze, in exchange for my honest review.