Watch Out World Cup!

It was a banner morning for the soccer playing Knights, Cami and Griffin.  Their team, the Blueberries (they have sky blue jerseys) engaged in a ferocious match against the pea-green team.  Over the past three weeks, Griffin has contributed a goal each game, and Cami has come close to scoring a couple of times but has been unsuccessful thus far.  Well, today that all changed.  Cami got on the board early when she kicked off from midfield and went unchallenged straight down the field to score a goal.  It was the first of her career and she wasn't really sure how to act.  She eventually gave her coach a low ten.  She scored again soon after, and the Blueberries, led by Cami, were winning when the first shift change occured.  Griffin ran out on the field, and after initially misfiring a few times (those darn angles; geometry SUCKS!!!) he put his fourth of the season in.  Score: Knights 3, Pea-Green 1 (or so).  In the second half, Cami continued the onslaught, scoring her third goal of the game.  Not to be outdone, Griffin scored again, as both he and Cami were on the field together for the first time this season.  They were taken out (in order to show mercy on pea-green I guess), and their goal total remained at five.  I now need to teach them the proper way to celebrate a soccer goal: the airplane (arms out to the side, running around like a fool, swaying back and forth); the belly slide (self-explanatory); the Brandi Chastain (take off your shirt, run, slide on your knees, lean back and scream at the sky); and the fall-down-and-act-like-you've-been-attacked-flop (the French way of playing soccer).  I voted Griffin Man of the Match and Cami Woman of the Match.  Now if only I could find a sponsor for them, or some kids channel stupid enough to want to make a show about our lives.

Book Review - Beyond Talent by John C. Maxwell

First, Beyond Talent is a new paperback edition of John Maxwell's book Talent is not enough.  I was not aware of that when I got this book.

I have read several of Maxwell's previous books, and enjoyed them all.  Beyond Talent was no different.  In it, Maxwell states that talent is God-given and does not guarantee success; there are lots of talented, unsuccessful people.  What makes the difference is what you do with that talent.  To this end, he lists thirteen choices that can be made to maximize talent:
            1.  Belief lifts your talent.
            2.  Passion energizes your talent.
            3.  Initiative activates your talent.
            4.  Focus directs your talent.
            5.  Preparation positions your talent.
            6.  Practice sharpens your talent.
            7.  Perseverance sustains your talent.
            8.  Courage tests your talent.
            9.  Teachability expands your talent.
            10. Character protects your talent.
            11. Relationships influence your talent.
            12. Responsibility strengthens your talent.
            13. Teamwork multiplies your talent.

Each of these thirteen choices is given it's own chapter.  Each chapter begins with an anecdote proving the choice.  Then Maxwell breaks the choice down into steps.  There are also many inspirational quotes and sayings contained in each chapter.  Each chapter ends with application exercises.

In short, this is an excellent book about how to take talent to the next level, and why those talented people you know never really reached their potential.  I would highly recommend this to anyone in a leadership position, or who hopes to be in a leadership position someday.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review - Max on Life by Max Lucado

Max Lucado's latest book, Max on Life, is typical Max Lucado.  That's a good thing.  Lucado writes with a straightforward, easy to understand style.  He is great at taking scripture and ideas and transforming them into something that makes complete sense.  I've read numerous books by him over the last twenty years and have enjoyed them all.  Max on Life is no different.  What is different is the approach.  Lucado has taken questions he's been asked (through conversations, letters, email, etc.) which spurred ideas, and he's done his level best to answer those questions, basing everything in scripture.

The book is divided into seven main sections: Hope, Hurt, Help, Him/Her, Home, Haves/Have-Nots, and Hereafter.  Each section has anywhere from around 20-30 questions.  Each answer is 1-2 pages.  As I read through the book, I noticed that some of the questions were things I wondered, while others I currently had a pretty good fix on.  All are presented with Lucado's easy-going style, with lots of scripture and anecdotes to support his ideas.

Because of the structure of the book, I found it easiest to read four or five of the questions/answers at a time.  I don't think the book lends itself to the typical read-through during long sessions of reading.  It should be absorbed in small doses, allowing the reader to think about both the question and the answer.

I'm sure this will be another best seller for Max Lucado, and deservedly so.  He has delivered another thought-provoking book aimed at helping people draw closer to God as they move along their Christian walk.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review - Daddy Dates by Greg Wright

As Greg Wright, father of four girls, realized his oldest was approaching her teen years, he wondered what he could do to help them make solid, wise decisions.  His solution?  Daddy Dates.  He began taking his daughters on dates.  He theorized that when he wanted to show their mother how much he loved her and how interested he was in her, he pursued her and was creative as well.  He decided to try it out with his girls.  He resolved to call them on the phone, and ask them out on a Daddy Date (one at a time).  He paid careful attention to what they were interested in, then told them exactly what to expect on the date.  Wearing a suit, he came to the door to pick them up, then escorted them to the car and opened the door for them.  He explained to each of them what they should expect when they began dating, and told them how men should treat women, modeling it to them.  He also made sure to talk, asking open-ended questions and carefully listening to the answers.  Doing this often over the last nine years, he has developed amazing relationships with his daughters, built on trust and respect.

Wright is extremely easy to read and understand, and he presents many different situations he has been in with his girls.  His Special Thirteenth Birthday Daddy Date is pure genius!  This book was a quick read, but full of practical advice and ideas.  The appendix at the end includes a personality test for help in understanding your daughter(s), and fifteen of his best Daddy Dates.  As the father of two daughters, this book has immediate application value to me.  One of my greatest fears is that somehow I'll fail my daughters and they'll fall into horrible circumstances because of my lack of guidance; Daddy Dates is full of ideas on how to make sure that doesn't happen (or to at least reduce the chances).  Thanks Greg.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review - Average Joe by Troy Meeder

Average Joe, by Troy Meeder, is about subtitled God's Extraordinary Calling to Ordinary Men.  I'd say the subtitle is half right.  The first half of the book gives multiple examples of men Meeder refers to as "average Joes", guys who aren't famous, etc.  Each example includes characteristics they have that all men can/should have.  For example, the chapter titled "The Soldier" references courage and sacrifice, doing what needs to be done.  I really enjoyed reading about these ordinary men who showed godly values and characteristics.  The second half of the book contains more anecdotes, but it seems to focus in more on living a godly life than the first half, which showed regular guys having an impact on the lives of others.  Each chapter also has references to men in the Bible who also demonstrate each of the characteristics.  It was a quick read, and the information was presented in a very casual, easy to read manner, although there were a few instances it seemed to switch to a more "preachy" approach.  The final section has a study guide that would be great for facilitating a discussion in a men's group or for an individual to go a bit deeper into the book's message.

Overall, I enjoyed this book.  I feel like I was entertained, informed, and challenged by Meeder's ideas and thoughts.  I would recommend this book to men of any age, particularly men's groups who are looking for a book to study.

I received this book from the publisher as part of WaterBrook Multnomah's Blogging for Books review program.

Book Review - The Final Summit by Andy Andrews

The Final Summit is a sequel of sorts to the book The Traveler's Gift.  I have not read this book, but found that is was not necessary to understand The Final Summit.  Andy Andrews has created a parable of sorts, addressing the issue of how Christians, and people in general, can "save humanity".  The main character, David Ponder, has learned the Seven Decisions (during The Traveler's Gift), and now he is an old man nearing the end of his life.  As he contemplates life without his wife, who recently passed away, he is visited by the archangel Gabriel and told he is to join a summit of all the Travelers throughout history.  There task is simple: answer one question with a two-word answer.  The question is "What does humanity need to do, individually and collectively, to restore itself to the pathway toward successful civilization?"  David and his fellow Travelers, including Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, and King David, have five opportunities to answer the question correctly, or humanity's time will run out.

I found the story fast moving and interesting.  The historical characters were integrated into the story well, and I found that I learned some interesting facts about some of them.  One in particular, Eric Erickson, has a story almost too amazing to believe.  In fact, I googled him after reading his tale, and found it too be true.

The ideas presented were fairly simple to understand, but seem to be lacking in modern society.  However, the ultimate answer to the question was not quite the earth-shattering solution I expected.

The references to Christianity and God run throughout the novel, but act more as an anchor for the reasons each of the characters feels the way they do, or makes the choices they make, than as a means of "preaching" the message of Christ.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and thought it was entertaining. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy an inspirational and encouraging message.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Busy Week - Visit from an Old Friend

This past week was extremely busy at our house.  Trisha picked up an extra shift, Lexi and I had school on Saturday (the second of four due to snow make-up), Cami and Griffin had soccer practice, an art show at their pre-school, and their first soccer game.  We were all worn out by Saturday night.  Griffin scored a goal in his first game this year, which is half as much as he scored all last season.  Cami did well in her first ever game, as well.

My favorite part of the week was Thursday night.  My old friend and former roommate, Randy Ohler, was in town and came over to visit.  It was a fun evening of rehashing old times and catching up on what's been going on in our lives recently.  The kids treated Randy like a rock star, and made name tags for themselves so he would be sure and know their names.  It was fun watching him tease them and play with them; he made several funny comments to Lexi, and when she didn't get them, she just kept right on talking like he hadn't said anything.  I really enjoyed getting the chance to visit with him; it's been way too long since we've been in the same room together, and our communication has been infrequent.  I hope to do a better job of that going forward.  At the end of the night, Trisha made the comment that getting together with college roommates, no matter how often you've been able to get together, is very comforting or comfortable (those might not be the exact words she used, though).  What she meant is that those people were with us during a formative time in our lives, and they know us for who we are, warts and all.  And if they are still our friends in spite of all that, then they are someone we can count on for true friendship and love.  I totally agree.  There's something about the friendships that form during college (late nights, road trips, study sessions, early morning workouts, personal highs and lows, and relationship woes and successes), that is hard to create later on in life.

Thanks for stopping by Randy.  I miss hang out with you all the time.

Spring Break

Last week was spring break, and it felt a long time coming.  We didn't do much at all, just hung around home for the most part, which was wonderful.  Lexi's birthday was on Thursday, the 31st; we went out to lunch with Nana and then bowling. Lexi had one friend and Aunt Dianna come along (she gets to have a sleepover in a couple of weeks, because her friends were out of town).  Trisha and I each took Lexi out on a "date" to spend some one-on-one time with her.  Other than that, I read a bunch, watched tv (NCAA Tournament - Go Butler!), and got some much needed rest.  We have two months to go until summer, with three Saturdays thrown in for good measure.  In addition, Trisha is picking up a few extra shifts and Cami and Griffin start soccer this weekend.