It’s been a little while since I’ve done a book review.  Not because I haven’t been reading.  Just because nothing has wowed me enough to tell you about it.

Well, the drought is over.

I finally finished Jim Collins new book “How the Mighty Fall” and LOVED IT!

There’s no question I’m a Jim Collins fan.  I believe “Good to Great” is the defining business book of our generation.  “Right seat on the bus”, “hedgehog”, “flywheel”… all terms that have become part of our universal vocabulary as leaders.  But honestly I wasn’t sure what to expect from “How the Mighty Fall”.  I was definitely intrigued by the concept but frankly wondered if Jim had a another great book in him.

What I love about this book is that Jim wrestles with a fear that leaders of any organization wrestle with “what if we fail?”  As a church leader, I can’t help but watch the dying churches all over America and wonder “how did they get there?” No church sets out to reach hundreds of people, have a thriving, growing ministry and then one day find themselves rapidly declining and struggling to pay the bills.

Let me clarify.  There are differences between businesses and churches and I’m not suggesting that “How the Mighty Fall” is the antidote for struggling churches.  What I am saying is that reading Jim’s observations and analysis of businesses that have fallen provides a framework from which to ask questions and seek direction.  In fact, one of the chapters of the book could have easily been called “pride goes before destruction” (Proverbs 16:18).  It wasn’t difficult to find some Biblical themes running through this one in regard to the lack of character, integrity and wisdom of the leaders of companies that had fallen.

Here are a few quotes from the book that got me thinking:

“Every institution is vulnerable, no matter how great.  No matter how much you’ve achieved, no matter how far you’ve gone, no matter how much power you’ve garnered, you are vulnerable to decline.”

“While no leader can single-handedly build an enduring great company, the wrong leader vested with power can almost single-handedly bring a company down.”

“The signature of mediocrity is not an unwillingness to change.  The signature of mediocrity is chronic inconsistency.”

“When you abandon hope, you should begin preparing for the end.”

Have you read the book?  What would you add?

Direction – not intention – determines our destination.

That’s the simplicity of Andy Stanley‘s “The Principle of the Path”.  In his book, Andy explains why this simple principle has such a profound impact on every area of our lives.  He shares how each decision we make affects our destination.  Whether a failed relationship, an unmet dream, or unrealized goal there was likely a step/a decision that you made that took you down a path that led you to that destination.  By sharing personal examples, Biblical stories and practical application, Andy brings this principle to life.  He’s also careful to acknowledge that some destinations are out of our reach and beyond our control, and yet the decisions we make in these moments still impact our destination.

I love this book and I hate this book at the same time.  I love this book because it’s logical.  It makes sense.  It makes me feel like I do have some control over my life and it challenges me to be wise about the paths that I choose.  I hate this book because it forces me to realize that my choices have consequences and no matter what my intentions are, my direction, not my intentions determines my destination.

In a day and age where society has taught us to blame everyone else for why life hasn’t turned out the way we wanted to, Andy Stanley gives you a good kick-in-the-pants to take personal responsibility for how your decisions affect your destination.  Be warned! You will wrestle some emotions and morn some unmet dreams as you read this book, but in the end you will close the backcover encouraged and empowered to make some decisions that impact your direction and ultimately your destination.

The subtitle of this book really sums it up quite well: “Sometimes, all a person needs is a little perspective.”  Perspective is the power of this story.  In The Noticer Andy Andrews retells his own dramatic story of gaining life-changing perspective from a little old man named “Jones”.  Jones, a self-proclaimed “noticer” weaves his way into the lives of people from all walks of life and challenges them to consider their perspective.  The imprint that Jones leaves on these lives, including Andy’s, is nothing less than remarkable and inspirational.

This is going to sound like a really big statement but I believe The Noticer is one of those rare books that has the power to start a movement that could change our generation.  In our fast-paced, ego-centric,  on-demand society we need more than ever to see things, especially people, with fresh perspective.  As Jones says in the book “a grateful perspective brings happiness and abundance into a person’s life”.  This book reminds us of just how valuable our days are and how much more meaningful everyday is if we choose to look at it differently.

“While it is true that most people never see or understand the difference they make, or sometimes only imagine their actions having a tiny effect, every single action a person takes has far-reaching consequences.”

Every single action a person takes has far-reaching consequences. These are some powerful words… and if we take them seriously and apply them to our lives, there is no end to the impact we could have on the people around us.

This is the kind of stuff that Andy gets you thinking about in The Noticer.  By sharing Jones’ story of how he counseled, coached and questioned others into seeing life from a different perspective, you can’t help but shift your own perspective… “to regroup, take a breath, and begin your life again”.

My suggestion: Buy it, read it, gift it to a friend, and then read it again.

The Noticer releases tomorrow, April 28th.  Go check out more here!

I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I finally read this book.  I skimmed it when it came out… kind of an appropriate nod to the author who happens to attend Cross Point.  Heck, I even consider Matthew and his wife Jessica friends, but unfortunately I let the busyness of this fall keep me from making reading this book a priority.  (Sorry Matthew!)

I missed out!

Once I picked it up and committed to it, I couldn’t put it down.  I found glimpses of myself in Matthew’s stories of growing up in a Fundamental Baptist Church.  I identified too well with the stories and characters.  I chucked at the fact that had we grown up in that church together, Matthew and I would have been arch rivals in Sword Drills and I would have condemned him for sleeping in church while I took good notes of the sermon.

If you haven’t already, you really need to go check this book out.  If you grew up in a conservative, traditional church environment, you’ll revisit some old memories with fresh eyes and if you didn’t grow up in that environment… well, you’ll just have a good laugh at those of us who did!

If you’ve read it, tell us what you thought!

By the way, what’s on your reading list for 2009?

I love to read!

Unfortunately, finding dedicated time to read is one of my greatest challenges these days.   Any time that I can sneak away with a book is a treasure for me.

Here’s what I’ve been reading:

Just finished Seth’s latest.  I love his writing… his perspective… his candor, but I loved Tribes because of it’s focus on leadership.

I’m currently reading Bill Hybels newest book Axiom.  Great short leadership proverbs!

And in fiction, I’m finally reading The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.  Loving this one as well!

What are you reading right now?

One of my rules for reading is that I won’t read anything that hasn’t been recommended to me, so send me your recommendations!

Rebecca St. James recently released her new book Pure – a 90-Day Devotional for the Mind, the Body & the Spirit.

I was excited to share this book with you because unlike some books that I might review or endorse, I know this precious, Godly women personally and I can assure you that this book is an overflow of her heart and passion to live a pure, God-honoring life.

During my days at ForeFront Records, I had the privilege to work on the marketing and sales promotion of Rebecca’s music.  Additionally I traveled to various cities with her assisting with promotional events and concerts.  Those trips to more were less like work and more like journeys with a friend.

While purity, especially sexual purity,  has been a subject that Rebecca has long been known for I love that this book speaks to purity of heart affecting mind, body and spirit.  This devotional is broken into 90 quick, short, daily reads which make it possible to stick to a 90-day reading commitment.  Rebecca makes good use of personal stories that make you feel a part of the journey with her.  Each devotional begins with a scripture reference followed by a “reflection” section where Rebecca shares personal stories and application.  The “Living it Out” section asks questions and gives suggestions for application of the subject for the day.

If I missed anything in this book, it would be additional space for responding to the “Living it Out” suggestions.  This could easily be a devotional journal.  I would suggest using a journal alongside it as you study to help you reflect and apply.

This book would be a great Christmas gift for the young women in your life.  Put it on your Christmas lists or go buy it HERE!

BONUS – I’m giving a copy away.  Respond in the comments and I’ll enter your name into the drawing!