Falling Short of Heroic

Doug Fields' newest book -- 7 Ways to be Her Hero:  The One Your Wife has Been Waiting For -- is a good attempt to hammer home important points regarding what we, as men, must do in order to lead our wives (and ultimately our homes).  He spends the first couple of chapters as an introductory piece and lays out his overall approach, and he completes the thesis by establishing the 7 actions that men must take to become the hero their wives want.  While this book does have some value for open-minded men to glean, it has significant shortcomings as well.

The author writes with a tongue-in-cheek style and readily admits that choice.  At one point, he says that ultra-conservative folks should put the book down because they may be offended with some of his off-handed remarks.  I found that approach or admission rather strange because the author then alienates a potentially good sized audience.  In reading the book, I did not see anything offensive; however, the stylistic treatment seemed to cheapen them -- as if they were not as serious as he said in his introduction.  Yes, you can have fun with a book but that "fun" can take too much away from the topic if not balanced appropriately.  From my perspective, there is not a proper balance.

Perhaps my biggest gripe with the book is found in the middle portion of the book.  The author advises men to incorporate the "sandwich method" of sharing a real, authentic and relevant conversation about issues.  For those of you that do not know, the "sandwich method" is where you say something nice, slip in the issue, and then close with something nice.  I am aghast that he would ever suggest such an approach because that format is not real or authentic.  Knowing that men and women differ on conversation -- women seek to wage the entire campaign whereas men like the surgical strike method -- this suggestion seems to fit the men's perspective rather than being heroic (which IS the title of his book).  The better approach would be to utilize tools such as "Fierce Conversations" (Google Susan Scott) or "Crucial Conversations" (Google VitalSmarts) to truly be heroic for the woman that you love and want to lead.

The list of individuals providing "praise" for the book is impressive, but I just view the book as a meager effort.  Field's book pales in comparison to other stronger reads (such as Stu Weber's Tender Warriors which I highly recommend), and for that reason, I'm giving it an "okay" rating.  An "A" for effort is not sufficient, in my opinion, when such a topic is desperately needed in our modern culture.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLookBloggers.com review 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.”

History is Where "Here" Happened....

I normally provide reviews for Christian books being put forward by Christian publishers; however, I have broken away from that rut in this instance.  Given my educational background in history (BA and MA), I took the opportunity to read and review a book written by Andrew Carroll -- Here is Where:  Discovering America's Great Forgotten History.  If you are looking for a book filled with citations that relied upon primary sources, well, this is not the one for you.  If you are, however, looking for a pleasurable read where you will learn a great deal, then, by all means, grab this book and read it.

The author's intent was to find "forgotten history," and he defines that by people or events that do not have historical monuments for the particular events he covered.  He criss-crossed the nation in finding these events and would always attempt to get to the exact place where that history occurred.  Even if it was a vacant lot at the corner of a street or the remnants of a historical home that rested in poison ivy infested woods.  Along the way, he runs into some issues with the US military and FBI, but I will not spoil that for you by providing any more details.

At more than 400 pages, it does not feel that way when you read it.  The rationale is quite simple -- Carroll has a gift of written expression and he uses it deftly throughout the entire book.  You will discover how a prisoner created a "super gun" that would help win World War 2.  You see a rather odd way that the founders of the Mayo Clinic gain interest in medicine.  You hear about the irony of all ironies involving the Booth and Lincoln families.

He categorizes his discussions along major topics, but my favorite - by far - was the section on Burial Plots.  My interest comes from my own historical studies of wandering old cemeteries that dot the eastern part of North Carolina.  The way we treat our dead and remember them says a great deal about who we are in the present.  Forgetting them means that we miss the future that they helped craft.

Get this book.  Read this book.  Enjoy this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.  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 25:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Greatness in Leadership is....God-centered!

Three words:  a must read!!!!

Joseph Stowell's Redefining Leadership:  Character-driven Habits of Effective Leaders is a must read for any Christian currently in a leadership role or aspiring to have a leadership role.  While Stowell does operate from the perspective of shepherd leaders (i.e. pastors), but the principles and tenets are valuable for any Christian that serves as a leader.

I serve in a secular field, but his focus on God's Word makes it highly applicable to any situation.  The last few chapters of the book shift into the Sermon on the Mount -- specifically the Beatitudes.  He takes many of those Beatitudes and applies them to the leadership realm.  Some scholars would argue that he is reading into the text, but I would disagree with them.  If every Christian is to have these attitudes in our lives to show the world that Jesus lives in us, then they would absolutely apply to a leader.

The structure of book is logical and well-established:  (1) redefining priorities, (2) redefining our identity, and (3) redefining leadership.  In the first part of the book, Stowell clearly defines character-driven and outcome-driven leadership.  In doing so, he makes the Biblical case for the former because you lead as you are.  The second section challenges the modern notion of personal identity.  Unfortunately, leaders identify themselves based upon position, authority, or money.  Stowell says that we need to remember that our identity is in Christ and He is who we serve.  Finally, the author concludes with a laser-like focus on the specific identifiers of a character-driven leader.  He summarizes the entire book with a short-paraphrase of a well-known verse of Scripture:  "For me, to lead is Christ!"  Amen and amen!!!

What I love best about Stowell's work is his adamant stance on character-driven versus outcome-driven leaders.  Character-driven leaders do have success, but they define success differently.  Rather than building profit, Christ-centered leaders build people.  In order to accomplish that task, Christian leaders cannot adopt the leadership mores and values of the world and expect different results.  As Stowell says on page 26:  "running the kingdom by earthside standards is a contradiction of the very nature of the kingdom."  We, as Christians, do live in the world, but we operate on different principles (at least we should be...and a huge failure of Christian leaders today is that we are too similar to the world).

If you are a pastor, elder, or deacon looking for a quality training resource for new elders or deacons, this is a great manual for you because it is filled with Scripture.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLookBloggers.com review 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.”

Israeli One-State Solution -- Thought Provoking Book

The Israeli Solution by Caroline Glick exposes the flaws in global diplomacy related to the “resolution” of the territorial conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.  If you, as a reader, are interested in another viewpoint other than what you see regularly in contemporary news, then this book is a must read.  Why would I levy that claim?  Simply put, do not miss the final words in the tag line from the book:  “a one-state plan for peace in the Middle East.”  Glick adopts a pro-Israel position and hammers home her thesis throughout.

If you choose to tackle this book, I do want to throw out two specific cautions:  (1) Understand that this read is one that will challenge your notions of foreign diplomacy, force an evaluation of the news you watch, astound you with the even-handed manner at which American presidential flaws are revealed, and shock you and how the United States continues to fund Palestinians (which ends up funding terrorist acts against Israel); and (2) Understand that reading it will take time to work through these weighty matters; however, Glick does an amazing job at breaking this complex issue down into language that is simple to understand.

One of the strongest sections in her argument for the one-state solution is her debunking of what she calls the “demographic bomb.”  She cleverly references it as a “dud.”  She shows how the Palestinian demographic study was completely flawed through over-representation of actual Palestinians, inflated birth rates, and counting of people that simply do not exist.  These findings were not put forward by the Israeli government but were from an American-based group.  To put the inflationary figures in perspective, it would be akin to the U.S. Census Bureau saying that American had nearly 200 million more people than anticipated.

Unfortunately, these inaccurate numbers have been accepted by many in the Israeli government, Arab world, and in the US Department of State.  President Obama has relied upon those demographic numbers, despite the challenge, as his primary push for the two-state system.  The use of those falsified numbers compares Israel to South Africa and assumes that Jews could be outvoted in the near future.  As an interesting aside, the initial report forecast that Palestinians would outnumber Jews by 2005.  That did not occur, so the PLO shifted its date to 2010.  That did not occur, so it shifted to 2015.  It appears that will not occur either, so a new date of 2020 is expected.  Without a doubt, the credibility of the demographic numbers is being undercut by these constantly shifting dates AND due to internal Palestinian ministry data that conflicts with this report as well.

Although she will be vilified by many, Glick provided significant evidence in the Endnote section to bolster her arguments.  Yes, this is a totally one-sided and pro-Israeli position on the territorial and settlement disputes between Israel and Palestine; however, it is a position that must be stated.  If you examine media coverage on the disputes, then you could conclude that the press offers a totally one-sided position in favor of the Palestinians.  Balance must be achieved so that a true understanding of the situational complexities can be acknowledged. 

This has been an enlightening read that I can assure you will be controversial.  Regardless of what others think, study the current direction of American foreign policy and then compare it with the suggestions of this author.  When it comes to international engagement, American citizens often leave that up to the government because they are the “experts.”  If you wish to shape policy in the ballot booth, then you need to be able to ask the right questions based upon you beliefs.  Maybe this book will shift your thoughts on the Israeli-Palestinian situation and maybe it will not, but this is still worthy of your time.

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.  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 25:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Attitude and Altitude

John C. Maxwell has put forward a brand new book rather than simply updating earlier work, and I am quite a fan of this new book.  How High Will You Climb?  Determine your Success by Cultivating the Right Attitude returns back to his roots as a Christian.  Many of his leadership books espouse his theories or synthesize some other thoughts from other works.  While this book on attitude is a bit of that, much of his work is drawn from teachings of Scripture.  His final chapter – The God Above You – brings it all to conclusion and clearly states that we cannot do anything without Him.  Finally, Maxwell produces a leadership book that speaks at length about our desperate need for a right relation with the Righteous One who redeemed us through His Son.

As the title of the blog reveals, Maxwell argues that our attitude determines our altitude.  If we are positive and examine the world through the lens, then we see opportunities that can be worked through as we climb to the top.  On the other hand, if we examine the world through a negative lens, then we see obstacles that are insurmountable and we stop our efforts.  Page 7 summarizes this quite well:  “my attitude dictates my performance.”

To lay out his argument and present his case, the author has broken the book down into 4 major sections:  consideration of your attitude, construction of your attitude, crashing of your attitude, and changing of your attitude.  The first section is the theoretical foundation upon which all the other pieces are formed.  The second section specifically targets the materials that you need to create and maintain a positive attitude for success.  The third section lists and describes the internal and external fears or events that can destroy a positive attitude.  Finally, the fourth section, puts forward the manners whereby we have the opportunity to make change. 

Unfortunately, many folks are content with the obstacles and never change their attitude.  Why?  The answer is simple – personal comforts are just that…comfortable.  Rather than taking the risk to bring the necessary change, it is simply easier to sit back and do nothing.  Maxwell cites the ever-known “Murphy’s Law” but says it should be replaced with something he calls “Maxwell’s Law:”  nothing is as hard as it looks; everything is more rewarding than you expect; and if anything can go right, it will and at the best possible moment. 

What I appreciate about this book is that it can be read in two ways.  First, you can fly through it in a couple of hours like I did.  Second, you can go through this slowly by completing the “Attitude Application” sections at the end of the chapters.  I will be going back through this book slowly after I finish the study guide to Peter Drucker’s The Effective Executive.

If you have ever read any Maxwell book, you will find that he is highly quotable and makes the complex so simple.  This book is no different in that regard.  Should you buy it?  Yes, but ONLY IF you plan to follow its tenets.  Should you read it?  Yes.  Will it be helpful to you?  Yes. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLookBloggers.com review 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.”

Fatherhood: the Fortune or Fault of Families

Bad Dads of the Bible: 8 Mistakes Every Good Dad Can Avoid by Roland Warren is a much needed work in our modern culture.   The family unit instituted by God consists of a man and a woman working in a partnership for the benefit of the children.  Whenever that model is upset, the consequences are rather dire for the family and for society at large. 

Warren opens his book with a compelling introduction that runs the gambit – from those that did not have engaged fathers to those that largely do not have fathers in the home.  Warren, who is African American, cites a statistic on page 20 that is appalling – 1 of out of every 3 children nationally exist in homes without fathers (that figure is 3 out of 5 for the African American community).  He ties that statistic to the implications for society at large – increasing teen pregnancy, lower academic performance, increased crime, and persistent poverty. 

A bigger part of the problem that Warren barely grazed is the responsibility of the church.  Yes, he mentions that he went to churches and implored them to assist in these situations; but a bigger issue can be traced back at least one generation.  The church, by and large, has failed to teach and prepare young men to become fathers.  Thus, when those boys become adults, they may become a biological father but they do not lead as a godly man should.  It becomes easier for them to abdicate to the church their God-ordained responsibility in the home to teach their children the ways of God.  If they have not learned and practices Biblical wisdom, then how could they teach it?

Warren does highlight 8 men of Scripture that were not good fathers.  He shows their mistakes and utilizes an approach that I appreciate.  At the conclusion of each chapter, there is a time of Reflection (think on these things), Correction (change these things) and Connection (do these things).  It is a great way to ensure the chapter is applied rather that just read through hastily.  

The dads and their errors are summarized briefly below:

• ·         David – paralyzed by past mistakes
• ·         Laban – made children compete for his love
• ·         Jacob – ignored a sibling rivalry
• ·         Saul – made it difficult to be honored
• ·         Abraham –abandoned his child
• ·         Eli – failed to discipline his children
• ·        Manoah – failed to tame his child’s desires
• ·         Lot – led his family near temptation

He does conclude the book with some positive steps – the 6 things that must be done in order to be considered a good father.  These ideas are not earth-shattering or rocket science, but he does consider one that is often overlooked:  “good fathers reach out to the fatherless” (185).  The easy example is to think of the men that lost their lives in the Iraqi and Afghan wars.  Real men are needed to reach out to these children in order to help them through their difficult times.  There are tremendous needs across this country, and good fathers need to step up to help rather than ignoring the problem. 

If you know soon-to-be-dads, please get this book and have them read it.  I wish that I would have had this book 7 years ago before my oldest was born.  Clearly, I would have done some things differently. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLookBloggers.com review 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.”

Can You Afford Half an Hour?

Tommy Barnett has written another self-help book – just what we need in our world!  Yes, that was oozing with sarcasm; so, if you missed it, go back and reread that opening line.  The Power of Half an Hour is a simplistic book, and the author admits so in the introduction.  Yet, that simplicity is what attracted me to the book.  Far too often, humanity likes to over-complicate the things that are simply crystal clear.

If you choose to tackle this book, I do want to throw out two specific cautions:  (1) heed the advice of the author -- do not “race” through the book but take it one chapter a day for a month by jotting down thoughts; and (2) halt the tendency to move on immediately to the next self-help/leadership book.  Therein is part of our problem!  We move from one book or one fad or one practice to the next without mastering the previous one. 

Barnett’s idea that 30 minutes, if used correctly, can change your life is absolutely correct.  Whether we believe it or not, we are defined by our moments.  The private moments that hardly anyone can see are what shape our lives, character, success, and work.  What he espouses is obviously a Biblical principal:  Ephesians 5:16 says “Making the most of your time because the days are evil” (NASB).    He quotes a man named Harvey Mackay who said it quite well:  “Time is free, but it’s priceless.  You can’t own it, but you can use it.  You can’t keep it, but you can spend it.  Once you’ve lost it, you can never get it back.” (xii)

The book is organized into 30 chapters and is designed to be read inside of 30 minutes; so the author is reinforcing his own premise by design.  Each section has a “Half Hour Power Principle” and the last few pages of the book include a daily personal action plan.  Barnett has established a simple and useable format to assist any and all readers that wish to improve.  Everyone has 30 minutes a day that can be set aside for personal and spiritual development, so we do not have an excuse (unless we admit our laziness).

I encourage you to do what the author says in the “tag” line of the book’s title – take back your life thirty minutes at a time.  You can do it, but the question is:  will you do it?  Life is too short to drift aimlessly.  Take 30 minutes and set the direction with God’s help.

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.  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 25:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.