What Difference Do It Make: A Review

// October 6th, 2009 // No Comments » // Books, Daily Life

I read this book without first reading Same Kind of Difference As Me (by the same authors). However, I still gained a lot of insights into life from the view of a homeless black man, a woman who befriended him, and her husband who had reservations about getting too close to homeless people. What Difference Do It Make? is a follow up to Same Kind of Difference As Me and it contains stories from people impacted by it and also a brief history of how the book came to be written.

The chapters are written by both Ron Hall and Denver Moore in their own words and from their hearts. Some of it is raw. The theme of forgiveness plays throughout. You’ll find letters and stories from people who were touched by the book and had a life changed as a result.

Another fascinating aspect of the story is how this book traveled through various circles of friends, impacting people in far away places. Book distribution can be somewhat random, and book publishers and distributors are always trying to figure it out.  But great books move about on their own by word of mouth and recommendations. This book is no exception.

Like to blog? Want to read some great books? Try Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Bloggers program.

Find Your Strongest Life: A review

// October 6th, 2009 // No Comments » // Books, Daily Life, Success

OK. So you are probably wondering what I’m doing reviewing a book for women. Well, I’m married to one. I’m also rearing two daughters. When I had the chance to review Find Your Strongest Life: What the Happiest and Most Successful Women Do Differently, through Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger program, I thought it would open me up to a world that is somewhat of a mystery to us guys. Boy was I right. I asked my wife to read it first and I was going to do an interview style post, but I found enough information in it to warrant a review myself.

Marcus Buckingham has worked with the Gallup organization for several decades and has gathered a plethora of information on women and the struggles they face with self worth, value, and their place in society today. One particular topic that I found most interesting is how two seemingly identical women (in terms of life story, age, education, etc) could end up with such different paths, one being rather happy and fulfilled while the other was “dying” at her job, significantly unfulfilled. Marcus shares several factors in each woman’s response to the choices they faced and how those choices, not bad choices on the outset, affected their sense of happiness and success.

The book also contains a section on living a strong life. He’s developed a test called the Strong Life Test for women. The test shows which are your strongest life roles, with a lead role and a supporting role. My wife took the test and I thought I would to since I’d be writing about it. It was interesting and surprisingly confirming to see the results.

The best part of this whole experience is that it got us talking again about things that up to now we thought were differences or weaknesses in ourselves and each other. Now we see them as just different strengths. So I would encourage women and men to take a look at this book and learn what you can from it. For guys, it just might help you understand your wife a little better.

Dred Scott’s Revenge by Judge Andrew Napolitano: A Review

// August 31st, 2009 // No Comments » // Books, Daily Life, History, People

It’s always a privilege to review a book as a Book Review Blogger for Thomas Nelson. I happen to love history, especially American history. I’ve heard Judge Nap on Fox News a lot and was intrigued to see this book as an option in the BRB selections. With our first black President in office, I thought this might help me understand a little better the dynamics of race in America and it’s history. This book did that and more.

Judge Nap takes us on a journey through a legal history of race in America. He has studied this thoroughly and his references are well documented. Beginning before the Revolutionary War and working right up to our present times, the Judge details the attempts to rid America of slavery, who was at the forefront, and the reasons why racism is still prevalent today.

The most troublesome section for me was frankly the role President Lincoln played. I’d always thought he was foremost the anti-slavery president. According to Judge Nap and his meticulous research, when it came right down to it, keeping the Nation together was more important than freeing ALL slaves. Want proof? Why did the emancipation proclamation not end slavery and racism? Lynchings and segregation existing right up until recently. Lincoln wasn’t the only one. The founders also realized that if slavery was abolished entirely, a UNITED states would not have been possible.

If there is one thing that saddens me most, it is how the black community has been used over and over again for political expediency. Many church leaders were the worst culprits in promoting racism. I urge you to read this book. It will surely open your eyes to a race that has been held down both legally and emotionally for 300 years on this continent. You will surely look at people of color differently and with a heart of compassion.

Mrs. Hawthorne’s secret stash

// May 12th, 2009 // No Comments » // Books, Daily Life, People

I subscribe to Dan Miller’s 48 Days newsletter.  It’s published weekly and provides encouragement to those working through career transition or improving on an existing path.  He’s written several great books on finding the job you love either for new employment or for those embarking on the challenging task of beginning a new business.

A recent newsletter had an interesting story about Nathaniel Hawthorne.  Several things struck me after reading it.  Here is the snippet.

Honey, I got Fired — Nathaniel Hawthorne went home to tell his wife that he had just been fired from his job. “Good,” she said. “Now you can write your book.” “What do we live on meanwhile?” Hawthorne asked. His wife opened a drawer filled with money. “I have always known that you are a man of genius,” she said. “So I saved a little each week, and now I have enough to last for a year.” Hawthorne used the time to write “The Scarlet Letter,” one of the great masterpieces of American literature.

First I noticed that he “failed” by getting fired.  At least that’s what most people think of when on the losing end of that dreaded event.  To Hawthorne it was a setback (failure).  Where will the money come from (failure).  How will I provide (failure).  Guys have a need to be providers.  Losing a job puts a major dent in that armor.  But read on… Second thing I noticed was that he had a wife that knew him well and planned for his success.  She saw his genius, perhaps even before he did.  With that, she put away money, knowing if given an opportunity to write, he would be successful.

Our wives play an important role in helping us guys see our genius.  But that too is a choice that must be made on both sides of the equation.  For the wife it means having patience and impeccable timing.  Knowing what to say and how to say it.  For a husband it means being willing to listen and accept that she may actually be right about a few things.  That’s a tough one for the male in the species.  But one thing is for sure… it’s risky either way.  But so worth it.

Mrs. Hawthorne knew the language of her husband. She knew just what he needed to hear. She didn’t focus on the negative.  In “The Noticer” (which I would get your hands on as soon as humanly possible), one of the chapters portrays a marriage gone bad and the communication disconnect that caused it.  Very simply, you need to understand your mate’s love language, that which speaks life into him or her. If only there were a Rosetta Stone for marriage, you ask.  It’s really not that tough once you know what the language is. Why would you learn German while planning a trip to France.  Doesn’t make much sense. Get The Noticer.  It will change your life.

Back to the job dilemma… Whether it’s losing a job or some other situation that may or may not come up suddenly, we each have the ability to choose how to respond.   Don’t give up.  Perhaps it’s time to try something different. Take your accumulated experiences and see where they may point you. If you are in that position of having been let go from a company or are considering a change, take a look at some of Dan’s offerings at the 48 Days Website (after you’ve read The Noticer).

Perspective - Simple Advice from a man named Jones

// April 27th, 2009 // No Comments » // Books, Daily Life

Ever had someone see something great in you and you laughed it off, fearful of being too prideful?  Or some destructive habit you enjoy and are too stubborn to let anyone stop you from continuing (it’s your life after all)?  It’s so hard to get outside of who we think we are to see us as we were meant to be.  It’s like the difference in how you view a cornfield maze depending on whether you are walking amidst the stalks or seeing it from a view high above after getting dropped out an airplane in a tandem skydive.  It’s all about perspective.  We are our own worst enemy when it comes to seeing things about us in the way they truly are.  In fact, without some outside perspective, I would say it’s impossible.  We scratch and claw for our own way, staying on a path to limited potential, and in the quiet we wonder if we matter.

Andy Andrews, in a remarkable way, tells a modern day parable about people.  People like you and me.  Broken, bruised, prone to giving up, occasionally questioning what life’s all about, and then seeing glimmers of hope.  In The Noticer, you’ll find at least one of the characters is you.  There were several well representing me.  You’ll also find yourself wishing you had a Jones to show you who you are.  To live out who you were made to be.  But I don’t want to give it away…

The writing style flows well and weaves well-developed characters into believable storylines.  My wife picked it up as soon as I put it down. I can always tell a great story when I find myself sharing the concepts I learned with others immediately after reading it.  This was one of those books.  A classic that will be shortlived on your nightstand, but will find its way back there soon enough as you find the need to read it again.  Because, after all… Sometimes, all a person needs is a little perspective.

Civics 101 - So you think you know your civics?

// January 12th, 2009 // No Comments » // Daily Life, History, Mind

This is a critical time to be smart. One area that concerns me is the apparent and seemingly intentional dumbing down of us citizens in our understanding of basic civics and civic responsibility.  Below I’ve gathered some questions to test your knowledge of basic civics? These are the kind of test questions that immigrants will see as part of the naturalization process. There are some in this country that think you’d be better off dumb and happy with a fat government handout.  I think being smart is better.  Tougher, but better.

1. How many Senators are there?

a. 100

b. 50

c. 435

d. 102

2. Whose rights are guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights?

a. everyone (citizens and noncitizens living in the United States)

b. registered voters

c. the president

d. natural-born citizens

3. Can the Constitution be changed?

a. yes

b. no

c. yes, but only by the president

d. yes, but only by the voters

4. What do the stripes on the flag represent?

a. the states in the Union

b. the articles of the Constitution

c. the Cabinet

d. the 13 original Colonies

5. Which of the following is not a constitutional requirement in order to become president?

a. The person must be at least 35 years old by the time he or she would serve.

b. The person must have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years.

c. The person must be a natural-born citizen of the U.S.

d. The person must have served as a governor.

6. How many justices comprise the Supreme Court?

a. ten

b. nine

c. three

d. thirteen

7. Why did the Pilgrims come to America?

a. to meet the Indians

b. to escape the Revolutionary War

c. to search for gold

d. to have religious freedom

8. What are the first ten amendments to the Constitution called?

a. the First Ten Amendments

b. the Preamble

c. the Articles of Confederation

d. the Bill of Rights

9. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

a. It freed the Indians.

b. It ended the Civil War.

c. It freed many slaves.

d. It ended World War II.

10. What is the maximum number of terms a president can serve?

a. two

b. three

c. four

d. There is no limit.

How’d you do?  Answers Tomorrow

Is this what we’ve become

// December 22nd, 2008 // No Comments » // Daily Life, Economy

Pretty much sums up what’s most important to people today.  Laziness and vanity. Get yours on Facebook today.

Snowy day in Tennessee

// December 12th, 2008 // No Comments » // Art, Beauty, Daily Life

Can’t Get to the Game - let Google take you

// October 22nd, 2008 // No Comments » // Daily Life, Maps, Sports, Technology, Travel

EarthSwoop can take you there with some really cool trips to each of the NFL stadiums.  The 3D realism is close to the real things.  No smell of beer or rowdy fans.  No live action.  No cheerleaders.  No bad calls.

Facebook and ShareThis

// October 1st, 2008 // No Comments » // Daily Life, Technology

I just reconnected with a good friend from college this past week on Facebook.  Tim and I used to play in a band together called “Skydiver” named shortly after we all went skydiving.  We caught up by phone this past week and it was like 20 years hadn’t just passed.  Our drummer was Mike Zimmerman, Tim’s cousin, who lives in Nashville now and plays with Tracy Byrd.  Just talked to him too.  Anyway, Tim tells me about this little company he’s founded called ShareThis.  ShareThis is one of the coolest new widgets out there because it allows you to do in one step what used to take several.  Now you can send a url directly from the page with a single click.  Already saving lots of time.  Oh, and did I mention Tim’s got the attention of some big players looking at what he’s doing.  Try ShareThis on your blog.  You’ll have the capability to track who has shared your stuff with some really cool analytics reports.  I highly recommend it to all the Watercooler Wednesday folks at Ethos.