Saturday, October 23, 2010

Book Review : Living Life In The Zone: A 40-Day Spiritual Game Plan for Men by Kyle Rote Jr. and Dr Joe Pettigrew

Role and Pettigrew provide a sports based devotional for men with Living Life in the Zone: A 40-Day Spiritual Gameplan for Men
. Looking for a devotional that plays with the sports angle and combines with a daily Biblical reading and questions on how application? This may be a book to add to your reading plan for the year.

While not a sports fanatic, the book does provide questions on various areas of your life for improvement including improving yourself, your marriage, how you communicate with your children.

How many men put more emphasis on sports or even hobbies without considering the time they invest the same level of commitment to their family?



Disclosures:
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Book Review Blogger 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.”

This is the disclosure I use when I included an embedded affiliate link from Amazon or some other provider:
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. 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.”

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Book Review | Outlive Your Life : You Were Made to Make A Difference

Do you get so wrapped up in your life that you forget to take time to think about what impact you have on the world? In Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make A Difference Max Lucado asked us to think about how we can outlive our lives. For many of us including me, I don't think we spend much time reflecting on our legacy. Lucado uses the example of world hunger as one area where we may ask ourselves what we are doing to make a difference? This then would spill over into the example we are setting for our children and others we have a potential influence over.

I found this book to have me stop for a moment and think about what I am doing for others. Am I so wrapped up in my own troubles and stress that I forget to notice how others struggles pale what I am experiencing in my own life. Lucado's book is an easy read, I finished this on a recent plane ride, but the questions he places out there will keep you thinking long after.

What can will you start to do today to outlive your live?




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Book Review Blogger 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."

Book Review | Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear

Do you allow your life to be controlled by fear? Does fear limit your decisions and actions that you take? Max Lucado walks the reader through a few scenarios where we probably have begun to limit ourselves in Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear .

I found in this book that Lucado challenges us to think through why we are fearful in various situations. Why do we look to the worst case scenario and then limit our lives because of this thought process? Have we forgot that God is there with us and will guide us and lead us if we are open to Him. I need to stop the fearful thinking and look to what the end result may be. There is nothing wrong in considering the risks but I shouldn't allow this to limit my behavior.

Are you ready to live your life fearless?

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Book Review Blogger 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.”

Friday, June 18, 2010

Book Review | Delivering Happiness : A Path To Profits, Passion, and Purpose

Delivering Happiness is an easy flowing read written in a conversational style. Mr. Hsieh does inform the reader at the beginning of the book of his writing style. Delivering Happiness provides a view from the CEO of how he built Zappos and has created a unique corporate culture. One of delivering 'WOW' to the customer while encouraging a nurturing environment for the employees. From the stories, it would appear Mr. Hsieh is a work hard-play hard person and has found the balance between managing and leading a company. Interesting how the corporate culture continues to evolve as the company grows.

The Zappos Culture is defined by 10 core values:

1) Deliver WOW through service.
2) Embrace and drive change.
3) Create fun and a little weirdness.
4) Be adventurous, creative, and open-minded.
5) Pursue growth and learning.
6) Build open and honest relationships with communication.
7) Build a positive team and family spirit.
8) Do more with less.
9) Be passionate and determined.
10) Be humble.

Do you think that Zappos provides a realistic model for other companies to follow?

For more information on the book please check out: www.deliveringhappinessbook.com

Follow information on Twitter @dhbook

I received a few advance copies of Delivering Happiness and would like to give them away to those who post a response on this blog or my leadership blog. I will announce the winners on Monday, June 28, 2010.

Hsieh, T. (2010). Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose. New York: Hachette Book Group.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Also, I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.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.”

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Book Review: Plan B - What To Do When God Doesn't Show Up The Way You Thought He Would? By Pete Wilson

I just finished a new book by Pete Wilson, Plan B: What Do You Do When God Doesn't Show Up the Way You Thought He Would?
The book covers those times when the plan we think we are working takes a new path, and the old 'Plan B' has to come into play.

Funny that I read the book on a recent work trip to the east coast. I am not fond of flying and didn't need to read about how plans do not always go as you think they will. Fortunately, in this case all was well with the flight.

I found the book to be an easy read and Wilson uses examples from his personal life and stories from the Bible to show where many times a Plan B comes into play. How many times have we setup a situation only to have a new situation or event occur. The good part is that most of the time the end result still teaches us a lesson and even though we think God is not there, he was with a safety net.

Overall, Wilson provides a simple lesson and you may find the examples repeating themselves. The book is worth reading and I would give to a friend who may struggle with handling the Plan B's om their life.

Have you read this book? How do you handle life when Plan B shows shows up?

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Book Review Blogger 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.”

Friday, January 22, 2010

My money's on the pack of squirrels

The squirrels could win if they gang up and go low and high on the peacock.

I miss this

I love living in California but sometimes I miss the seasons we experienced living in Pasco, WA.