I Samuel 2:1 is often considered the prayer or praise song of Hannah. She begged the Lord for a child and made a vow with the Lord - give me a son and I will leave him at the tabernacle to serve You the remainder of his life. God honored that prayer and Hannah's opening phrase is interesting: "I smile at my enemies because I rejoice in your salvation." Say what? How does that apply?
Culturally, a barren Hebrew woman was considered cursed of the Lord. In ancient times, if a husband had a wife that did not bear him children, he often married another wife. Hannah's husband did likewise and his second wife bore him many children (including sons). While Elkanah, Hannah's husband loved her more, the second wife berated Hannah frequently. At every turn, she maliciously reminded Hannah that she has sons while Hannah had none. These attacks hurt Hannah and drove her to find comfort in the Lord.
Hannah's reflection on the situation provides us a wonderful example to follow -- when berated by our enemies. Turn to God who will comfort you. Her words are valuable in that they reveal a needed perspective. Rather than focusing on the difficulty, we should be seeing the Savior. Anything that happens to us has been approved by the Sovereign God of the Universe to produce something better in us. However, we can choose to allow those events to make us bitter. Hannah did not do so because she ran to God.
When hurt by enemies, offer a smile. Jesus, much later, in the New Testament commands us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48). Loving our enemies is something so outrageous that it will attract the attention of others. They, in turn, will want to know why or how we can do so; and that opens the door to share our faith. The typical response - hating your enemies - is expected of the world, and leaders thrive in the extraordinary.
Be a leader. Be a Christian example. Smile at your enemies and, in doing so, share the love of Jesus.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
He's Alive....Are You?
Luke 20 contains the last ditch effort of the Jewish religious leaders to ensnare Christ with a series of questions. The Sadducees step up to the plate and throw Christ a curve-ball. This religious sect did not believe in the resurrection, but their opening allowed for the possibility of a resurrection. Christ masterfully answers their inquiry and they admit that "Teacher, you have spoken well" (v39). They have been soundly defeated in this debate.
As you ponder the thoughts, a short phrase exists that got me to thinking -- "For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him" (v38). A few weeks ago, we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ meaning that we have no fear in death. He has conquered it for us leaving us only one option -- TO LIVE!! That thought has raced through my mind for several weeks and, now, I see this phrase in Luke 20.
Are you alive? That question presupposes life in Him; and if that assumption is founded, are you living daily? The world is filled with events and circumstances that can sap the life out of people; however, that deduction is a personal choice. We, by our actions, allow other things to diminish the life that we can live for Him. A deacon at a past church always said: "Don't let nobody steal your joy." He embraced the concept of living for Jesus because Christ gives us life.
Tough times comes. Hardships abound. Trials and temptations are just around the corner. Remember, He's alive and so are you. Live!! While it may be raining now, close your eyes and remember the sunshine and warmth it provides. Live for Him daily and nothing can rain on your parade.
As you ponder the thoughts, a short phrase exists that got me to thinking -- "For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him" (v38). A few weeks ago, we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ meaning that we have no fear in death. He has conquered it for us leaving us only one option -- TO LIVE!! That thought has raced through my mind for several weeks and, now, I see this phrase in Luke 20.
Are you alive? That question presupposes life in Him; and if that assumption is founded, are you living daily? The world is filled with events and circumstances that can sap the life out of people; however, that deduction is a personal choice. We, by our actions, allow other things to diminish the life that we can live for Him. A deacon at a past church always said: "Don't let nobody steal your joy." He embraced the concept of living for Jesus because Christ gives us life.
Tough times comes. Hardships abound. Trials and temptations are just around the corner. Remember, He's alive and so are you. Live!! While it may be raining now, close your eyes and remember the sunshine and warmth it provides. Live for Him daily and nothing can rain on your parade.
A Talent Plus Person...
Beyond Talent, by John C. Maxwell, continues the long line of leadership books written by the internationally recognized expert. The book was originally released in 2007; however, it has been updated and re-released in 2011. If you have ever read Maxwell, then you immediately know the type, style, and format of this book. He has the ability to make complexity rather simple.
The thesis of Beyond Talent remains as valuable today as it was several years ago. Extraordinary results do not merely originate from a talented individual because we all know people that possess tremendous talent that did not produce as predicted. Talent is an asset, but it is not the most important one. As Maxwell clearly states on page 7: “The key choices you make – apart from the natural talent you already have – will set you apart from others who have talent alone.” In other words, hard work earns success and relying upon anything else will result in underperformance.
I must confess that, at the time of this review, I have not yet finished the entire book. The rationale is rather simplistic in that any reader must go through this manuscript slowly but deeply. Each chapter concludes with a series of questions that take mere words or ideas from the page and force a reader to wrestle with the content. The questions, in a sense, are the formulation of a personal action plan to remove personal dependence on talent. I highly suggest that you open a free account with Evernote so that you can access your comments from any computer or via a smart-phone. In doing so, date your comments because this allows you to read through Beyond Talent in the future and see whether or not you have made progress.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
The thesis of Beyond Talent remains as valuable today as it was several years ago. Extraordinary results do not merely originate from a talented individual because we all know people that possess tremendous talent that did not produce as predicted. Talent is an asset, but it is not the most important one. As Maxwell clearly states on page 7: “The key choices you make – apart from the natural talent you already have – will set you apart from others who have talent alone.” In other words, hard work earns success and relying upon anything else will result in underperformance.
I must confess that, at the time of this review, I have not yet finished the entire book. The rationale is rather simplistic in that any reader must go through this manuscript slowly but deeply. Each chapter concludes with a series of questions that take mere words or ideas from the page and force a reader to wrestle with the content. The questions, in a sense, are the formulation of a personal action plan to remove personal dependence on talent. I highly suggest that you open a free account with Evernote so that you can access your comments from any computer or via a smart-phone. In doing so, date your comments because this allows you to read through Beyond Talent in the future and see whether or not you have made progress.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com
Sunday, April 10, 2011
The Final Summit
In the book The Final Summit, Andy Andrews explores several possible answers to the following question: “what does humanity need to do, individually and collectively, to restore itself to the pathway toward a successful civilization?” Several strong responses are utilized along the way until they arrive at the correct answer. Ultimately, each reader must decide if that is the true and correct answer as I can think of at least one that supersedes the answer provided by the protagonist – David Ponder.
The book contains an extensive amount of leadership nuggets, but there are some issues that must be overlooked to find that value: (1) a quirky storyline using a sarcastic archangel, (2) blatant universalistic theology, (3) over-reaching historic praise, and (4) loose artistic interpretation (i.e. swearing and smoking in heaven). Despite these distractions, the book encapsulated a wealth of one-liners that can be used by leaders to improve themselves and their people.
The list below contains a few of the great statements on leadership: (1) page 103 – “I gain a great deal of wisdom by simply remaining silent;” (2) page 156 – “can you make yourself do something you don’t particularly want to do in order to get a result you would like to have;” and (3) page 176 – “if you want to test a person’s character, give him power.” Many more of these great statements are peppered throughout the manuscript.
The unforeseen power of the book is beyond the final pages. Andrews has created a study guide for the book that, when reading it a second time, will help you focus on the most pertinent principles. Further, his website has an unlock link that will allow you to access additional resources for a deeper understanding.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
The book contains an extensive amount of leadership nuggets, but there are some issues that must be overlooked to find that value: (1) a quirky storyline using a sarcastic archangel, (2) blatant universalistic theology, (3) over-reaching historic praise, and (4) loose artistic interpretation (i.e. swearing and smoking in heaven). Despite these distractions, the book encapsulated a wealth of one-liners that can be used by leaders to improve themselves and their people.
The list below contains a few of the great statements on leadership: (1) page 103 – “I gain a great deal of wisdom by simply remaining silent;” (2) page 156 – “can you make yourself do something you don’t particularly want to do in order to get a result you would like to have;” and (3) page 176 – “if you want to test a person’s character, give him power.” Many more of these great statements are peppered throughout the manuscript.
The unforeseen power of the book is beyond the final pages. Andrews has created a study guide for the book that, when reading it a second time, will help you focus on the most pertinent principles. Further, his website has an unlock link that will allow you to access additional resources for a deeper understanding.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com
Friday, March 18, 2011
Doing Virtuous Business: A Review
Theodore Roosevelt Malloch, a professor at Yale University, provides a cogent defense of capitalist society in his recent book Doing Virtuous Business. While the intent of manuscript focuses upon the incorporation of faith-based practices into corporations, he demonstrates clearly the worthlessness of socialist critiques of modern capitalism. Malloch does concede that examples of perverse business practices exist, yet he changes the argument into one where left-wing critiques are forced to understand their contributions to these shortcomings.
Malloch focuses upon spiritual capital, which he defines on page 60: “the long-term investment of trust that is contained in a religious faith, and which enables people freely to elicit the best in each other, however menial the task.” He described numerous examples of organizations that are founding upon religious principles and demonstrates their profitability. His underlying assumption stated that faith-based practices produce better profits and satisfaction for all involved.
He correctly states that “we are works in progress, and God has a purpose in it all” (xiv); however, I left this book with a fear. That fear is based upon an omission by the author because he never addressed an implication. Instead of driving home that faith acts as a personal change agent, he left impression that anyone with any belief in any higher power will attain profit by having faith. By remaining silent on the issue, Malloch inadvertently sides with historians like Paul E. Johnson who state that religion is little more than social control (see his work A Shopkeeper’s Millennium). After all, if faith is just a tool that can produce corporate profit and philanthropic drive or control the behaviors of the masses, then faith is of little, eternal value. While the author does have a short chapter (only 13 pages) devote to answering some questions, he needed more time on the issues mentioned above to fully explain away the concern.
The book is structured logically in an easy-to-follow manner. He begins through a discussion of spiritual capital but refuses to define it until much later in the work. He moves through the classical assumptions – both Greek and Roman – of virtue and highlights why he selected the specific virtues in the book. The next two chapters discuss “hard” (leadership, courage, patience, perseverance, discipline) and “soft” (justice, forgiveness, compassion, humility, gratitude) virtues in significant detail with specific, corporate examples provided for each. In my opinion, the strength of the work rests in these sections and Appendix 1 where he restates the virtue and summarizes the examples.
Assuredly, this work advances content that should reach the hands of every corporate CEO. However, I caution readers to avoid viewing these pages as a get-rich-quick scheme. Faith must change the heart before it can change the life. Even then, Jesus Christ beckons us to choose whom to serve – God or money – because no man can serve two masters.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Malloch focuses upon spiritual capital, which he defines on page 60: “the long-term investment of trust that is contained in a religious faith, and which enables people freely to elicit the best in each other, however menial the task.” He described numerous examples of organizations that are founding upon religious principles and demonstrates their profitability. His underlying assumption stated that faith-based practices produce better profits and satisfaction for all involved.
He correctly states that “we are works in progress, and God has a purpose in it all” (xiv); however, I left this book with a fear. That fear is based upon an omission by the author because he never addressed an implication. Instead of driving home that faith acts as a personal change agent, he left impression that anyone with any belief in any higher power will attain profit by having faith. By remaining silent on the issue, Malloch inadvertently sides with historians like Paul E. Johnson who state that religion is little more than social control (see his work A Shopkeeper’s Millennium). After all, if faith is just a tool that can produce corporate profit and philanthropic drive or control the behaviors of the masses, then faith is of little, eternal value. While the author does have a short chapter (only 13 pages) devote to answering some questions, he needed more time on the issues mentioned above to fully explain away the concern.
The book is structured logically in an easy-to-follow manner. He begins through a discussion of spiritual capital but refuses to define it until much later in the work. He moves through the classical assumptions – both Greek and Roman – of virtue and highlights why he selected the specific virtues in the book. The next two chapters discuss “hard” (leadership, courage, patience, perseverance, discipline) and “soft” (justice, forgiveness, compassion, humility, gratitude) virtues in significant detail with specific, corporate examples provided for each. In my opinion, the strength of the work rests in these sections and Appendix 1 where he restates the virtue and summarizes the examples.
Assuredly, this work advances content that should reach the hands of every corporate CEO. However, I caution readers to avoid viewing these pages as a get-rich-quick scheme. Faith must change the heart before it can change the life. Even then, Jesus Christ beckons us to choose whom to serve – God or money – because no man can serve two masters.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
The Truth....
It is amazing that you read passages over and over but completely miss things. I guess our lives are so busy that we must force ourselves to "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). In this fast-paced world of so many gadgets, it truly is hard to be still and think; yet, those times of personal and spiritual reflection are invaluable.
On my drive home this evening, I was pondering two verses from Matthew 21. Verse 26 and verse 45 contain a similar phrase: "they feared the multitude." In this first instance, the religious rulers demanded an answer from Christ, but He told them to answer Him first. They chose not to answer because He forced them to make a choice -- admit who sent John the Baptist (God), which would destroy their "religious authority," or call John the Baptist a mere man, which would rile the people against them because they perceived him to be a prophet. They chose the neutral position of not saying anything.
The second instant is rather similar because they were angry at Jesus. Again, Christ confronted them with truth, but, instead of changing, they hoped to end this Jesus issue once and for all. They did nothing because they feared the people's view of Jesus as a great prophet.
In both of these vignettes, the religious rulers -- those that were to set the tone for the entire nation -- chose error over truth. They had opportunities to recognize Jesus as God and follow Him, but they held on to personal pride and prestige instead of humbling themselves before the truth.
I had never thought about these passages in that manner until this afternoon, and then I thought about my life's routine. This application fits both the physical, social, and spiritual worlds that we inhabit. We want to preserve what we know as a comfortable or secure life, and that often means remaining silent when we should not. The old adage that "silence means assent" applies perfectly here. Do we or do we not value the truth? If we value the truth, then it should be spoken at every opportunity. Yes, revealing of truth needs to be done with love and in tactful manners; however, not speaking the truth is perpetuating error.
Do you love the truth? If so, do you live truthfully? That last question is the penetrating one for me. I pray that God will challenge my heart and mind to speak the truth when the opportunities are presented to me.
On my drive home this evening, I was pondering two verses from Matthew 21. Verse 26 and verse 45 contain a similar phrase: "they feared the multitude." In this first instance, the religious rulers demanded an answer from Christ, but He told them to answer Him first. They chose not to answer because He forced them to make a choice -- admit who sent John the Baptist (God), which would destroy their "religious authority," or call John the Baptist a mere man, which would rile the people against them because they perceived him to be a prophet. They chose the neutral position of not saying anything.
The second instant is rather similar because they were angry at Jesus. Again, Christ confronted them with truth, but, instead of changing, they hoped to end this Jesus issue once and for all. They did nothing because they feared the people's view of Jesus as a great prophet.
In both of these vignettes, the religious rulers -- those that were to set the tone for the entire nation -- chose error over truth. They had opportunities to recognize Jesus as God and follow Him, but they held on to personal pride and prestige instead of humbling themselves before the truth.
I had never thought about these passages in that manner until this afternoon, and then I thought about my life's routine. This application fits both the physical, social, and spiritual worlds that we inhabit. We want to preserve what we know as a comfortable or secure life, and that often means remaining silent when we should not. The old adage that "silence means assent" applies perfectly here. Do we or do we not value the truth? If we value the truth, then it should be spoken at every opportunity. Yes, revealing of truth needs to be done with love and in tactful manners; however, not speaking the truth is perpetuating error.
Do you love the truth? If so, do you live truthfully? That last question is the penetrating one for me. I pray that God will challenge my heart and mind to speak the truth when the opportunities are presented to me.
Friday, February 4, 2011
The Sacred Journey
The Unknown. A Journey. Discovery. Those short phrases can be used to describe a pilgrimage, but they are also personal thoughts as I perused a copy of Charles Foster’s The Sacred Journey (Thomas Nelson, 2010). Not quite knowing what to expect, I encountered a thought-provoking manual that I read in two sittings over a single afternoon. Foster, showing his passion, switches easily between hilarity, humility, honesty, and the holy.
The beauty of Foster’s book rests within the integrity of the author. He, from the beginning, states that he will anger some while appeasing others. He offers an apology at the beginning and end yet remains true to his central thesis. He traces the historical origins of pilgrimages and then describes the key elements of that journey. He continues with personal experiences, suggestions, and an answer to those that are totally opposed to any type of pilgrimage. His conclusion is powerful in that he deals with a passionate objection to pilgrimages and, in turn, reveals how that life is really an example of a pilgrimage.
Foster peppers the book with irreverent one-liners that, taken at face value, I vehemently oppose; yet, I am certain that these statements contain a deeper meaning that I have obviously missed. Those statements are part of the work’s appeal in that I will have to return to the manuscript to seek the deeper meaning. I would love nothing more than to converse about these one-liners with the author while on a pilgrimage through Scotland or Ireland.
While Foster clearly states his rationale and provides Biblical support for his analysis, I struggle with the overt simplicity of his Cain (settler) versus Abel (nomad) foundation. I wonder if too much is being read into the text; yet, regardless, the author presents a novel approach to the same old story.
The further development of this motif contains my largest critique of the work. Whereas the book asserts that God is a nomad or wanderer at heart and wants us to do likewise, Foster does not fully explain, then, why God gave His chosen people – the Hebrews – a homeland. Further, God used Gideon, one of the Hebrew judges, to expel the Midianite hordes who were a Bedouin people.
Even without closing this final loophole, Foster has written an account that I will turn to again. I do not agree with all of his conclusions, but that disagreement and self-examination is part of the journey too.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
The beauty of Foster’s book rests within the integrity of the author. He, from the beginning, states that he will anger some while appeasing others. He offers an apology at the beginning and end yet remains true to his central thesis. He traces the historical origins of pilgrimages and then describes the key elements of that journey. He continues with personal experiences, suggestions, and an answer to those that are totally opposed to any type of pilgrimage. His conclusion is powerful in that he deals with a passionate objection to pilgrimages and, in turn, reveals how that life is really an example of a pilgrimage.
Foster peppers the book with irreverent one-liners that, taken at face value, I vehemently oppose; yet, I am certain that these statements contain a deeper meaning that I have obviously missed. Those statements are part of the work’s appeal in that I will have to return to the manuscript to seek the deeper meaning. I would love nothing more than to converse about these one-liners with the author while on a pilgrimage through Scotland or Ireland.
While Foster clearly states his rationale and provides Biblical support for his analysis, I struggle with the overt simplicity of his Cain (settler) versus Abel (nomad) foundation. I wonder if too much is being read into the text; yet, regardless, the author presents a novel approach to the same old story.
The further development of this motif contains my largest critique of the work. Whereas the book asserts that God is a nomad or wanderer at heart and wants us to do likewise, Foster does not fully explain, then, why God gave His chosen people – the Hebrews – a homeland. Further, God used Gideon, one of the Hebrew judges, to expel the Midianite hordes who were a Bedouin people.
Even without closing this final loophole, Foster has written an account that I will turn to again. I do not agree with all of his conclusions, but that disagreement and self-examination is part of the journey too.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com
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