Upside-Down Leadership by Taylor Field

I received this book as an uncorrected, unformatted digital proof, so some of what I say here, will probably be reflective of that format, and I’ll assume many of the issues I came across due to grammatical, typographical, and clarity concerns have been resolved. Unfortunately, the nature of publishing these days proves that assumption inaccurate but still, I’ll offer the benefit of the doubt and try to overlook that aspect of the book.

Now, onto the content itself… Upside-Down Leadership attempts to apply the counter-cultural teachings of Jesus to leadership principles. There are a number of quotable points throughout the book that I highlighted in my Kindle and the overarching thesis is hard to argue with from a Christian perspective. The truth of the matter is that Jesus did teach a different method, ultimately a different perspective on life. Success in God’s Kingdom means something entirely different than success in this world.

Field’s principles do read as counterintuitive, especially against the backdrop of most modern leadership guidelines. For instance, “Think inside the box” and “Get off the cutting edge,” two concepts that run full in the face of conventional wisdom. In a world that praises constant motion, continuous grasping for the next rung, and the endless search for the “next big thing,” Field encourages us to stand still, take a deep breathe, and be content with what we have. All of which, I agree with, but these principles only make sense in the context of eternity.

Overall, I largely agree with the book’s thesis, though I will caution, it’s presented more conceptually than practically. And, at least my version took some significant concentration to bridge the gaps where editing was absent (at times, it felt as though I was reading the book upside down), so I imagine some of that remains. It’s still a good book to read and ponder.

peace… love… bdg…

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The Charlatan’s Boy by Jonathan Rogers

The cover touts this book as a blend of Mark Twain and CS Lewis. The Mark Twain part is easy to recognize in the colloquial voice that guides readers through the tale. Actually, “guide” may not be the best term – grips may work better. Readers are immediately transported to the life and times of the “Wild Man of Feechiefen Swamp” as the first person narrative unfolds.

The CS Lewis part takes a bit of time to recognize. However, the story is absolutely engaging and insightful, offering depth from the simplest point of view. Readers will feel compassion for the main character and will find the end truly rewarding. Unfortunately, we’re left waiting for the overdue sequel continuing the story. Regardless, this is an enjoyable story for young and old.

peace… love… bdg…

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The Book of Man by William Bennett

There was a commercial on TV when I was younger featuring Charles Barkley and the tagline, “I am not a role model.” It was a rather groundbreaking and controversial message for the time – and imagine, it was an ad for sneakers – but what really came to light was a general abducation of responsibility for public figures. No longer did they have to try to be worthy of emulation or practice positive behavior. They weren’t role models anymore – at least, not all of them – but moreso, they weren’t heroes.

Now, with my own two boys, I’m even more sensitive towards this need. Boys need examples of men to look up to. Men of courage and integrity, who do what’s right, regardless of the cost. And there are only so many Tim Tebows in the world (one, actually).

Bennett recognizes this shortfall as well and has put together this extensive volume chock full of character profiles, literary passages, poetry, Scripture, and essays all providing examples and evidence of good, manly behavior in all aspects of life. The Book of Man offers ample material to share with the next generation and exemplify how to maintain proper perspectives and priorities as we navigate life at work and at play, in our families and our country and pretty much everywhere in between. I’m going to enjoy sharing these entries with my boys for years to come.

peace… love… bdg…

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Proverbs Reconstructed by Gus Dallas

Growing up, I went through my Bible with a set of colored pencils and, specifically for Proverbs, I underlined or highlighted the passages based on a set of high-level topics to which I thought the text applied. Red was for love, Green was for money, and those are the only two I remember off the top of my head. If nothing else, it made for a very colorful book of Proverbs. With all that practical advice packed into one book, how else are you supposed to find what you’re looking for?

Well, now there’s this book, which extracts every (presumably – I didn’t add them all up) verse from Proverbs and groups them by thematic category for quick reference. It’s somewhere between a concordance and Bartlett’s Familiar Quotes. Most of the topics offer examples of good and bad usage and, fittingly, I can see the good and bad arguments about this approach. On the positive side, I can quickly share all the Proverbs about bears with my son (it’s his favorite animal). However, pulling the verses out like this removes all context and reduces the powerful advice offered by this book to a series of organized soundbytes.

I think it has a place and I’ll enjoy it for the positives.

peace… love… bdg…

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Pershing: Commander of the Great War by John Perry

It’s been a little while since I read a biography and I had intended to keep a steady flow of them going as I continue my reading cycle. Be that as it may, I was happy to pick up with The Generals series as I’ve yet to be disappointed by any of these books. This one centers on one of the two SIX-star Generals in the history of our nation: General Pershing. Who? exactly. You don’t hear much about him, but in reading this biography, it’s hard not to respect and admire the man who lead the efforts to defeat the first German stranglehold on Europe and the world.

He clearly wasn’t a perfect man – he certainly had his flaws, but he also left behind a legacy (and blueprint) for effective leadership. A blueprint I’ll call the Fs of Leadership (because I gave into the allure of alliteration).
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All Pro Dad by Mark Merrill

I’ve been a dad now for about a decade. What more is there to know? Well, first, there’s knowing that it’s a never-ending process, akin to climbing a mountain to catch a glimpse of the peak.

In All Pro Dad, Merrill, a former NFL player and founder of Family First, uses his initials to provide an alliterative plan of action for fatherhood with the goal of becoming a hero to your kids. His seven Ms outline a life reflective of God’s values and one that will improve your impact on others, specifically your wife and children, and shore up a lasting legacy. This is a book filled with practical advice for intentional living and yet another reminder to properly balance your life’s priorities and invest in your family moreso than your work, or hobbies, or other things that will fade away.

Merrill offers this gameplan sprinkles with insights from leaders in business and sports who have discovered the importance of seeking the right things first. The book walks you through the theoretical steps of discovering your identity, purpose, and goals and then offers a few applications for each of the seven Ms in the appendix.

Fatherhood is a responsibility like none other. The impact you have on your children – for good or for bad – cannot be overemphasized. This book offers a pretty sound framework to help develop your personal parenting style, but more importantly, it begins the discussion, both internally and with your family.

peace… love… bdg…

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When Work and Family Collide by Andy Stanley

If I’m honest, I’ll admit that I cheated both work and family to read this book…

I listen to Andy Stanley’s leadership podcast as well as the “Best of North Point” podcast and one of them recently featured the topic contained within the pages of this very book. And since I work for a company that strongly emphasizes (at least in word if not deed) the importance of a proper “work/life balance,” it really struck me as quite relevant and intriguing. I mean, I’ve heard what the corporate world has to say on the matter and I – like most of us – know what I would like to believe I practice, but what does the Bible have to say about it?

Stanley, who’s quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, covers the topic of priorities and maintaining a healthy focus on work and family by providing examples from Daniel and offering practical advice. It’s clear from the statistics on family life that this is a problem plaguing the masses and one that needs to be addressed more openly. The book is convicting without being accusatory and offers suggestions without being overbearing. It’s also a pretty quick read, partly because – if you’re at all like me – you’ll be captivated and engaged from cover to cover. (If you don’t believe me, get started with a sneak peek now). Very worthwhile investment.

peace… love… bdg…

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Empty Promises by Pete Wilson

One of the most annoying things in life is when someone or something doesn’t live up to expectations. Too many times, I’ve purchased some new technology that promises to make life easier, but ends up costing endless hours in configuration or troubleshooting. Such is life in reality. Pete Wilson offers this poignant reminder that regardless of what we look to for acceptance and love – whether accolades, looks, religion, or even other people – anything this world has to offer won’t fill that proverbial God-shaped hole that aches to be filled.

Empty Promises examines many of the most common substitutes that can quickly become idols in our lives, distracting us from our natural inclination to worship God and find our purpose in Him. Wilson writes with a casual tone that makes reading enjoyable and conversational. The book is full of practical advice for identifying some of the issues we struggle with as well as some steps to take in addressing them. As someone who’s inclined to miss the point from time to time, it’s nice to have things spelled out clearly and honestly.

peace… love… bdg…

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The Voice New Testament

There is definitely no shortage of Bible versions on the market. You have the traditional versions, such as the King James (KJV), New King James (NKJV), New International (NIV), etc., more modern editions, like English Standard (ESV), New American Standard (NASB), Today’s New International (TNIV), etc., and then many versions that have striven to present the Gospel in a more accessible, maype even “hip” fashion (e.g. Amplified Bible, The Way, The Message, Contemporary English Version (CEV), etc.).

In the vein of the latter efforts – where the goal is to draw out the narrative aspect of the Gospel (and, perhaps “trick” people into reading the Bible) comes The Voice. The Voice stems from the efforts of the Ecclesia Bible Society, headed by Chris Seay, and features contributions from over 40 authors, scholars, editors, and others. There’s a bit of a buzz surrounding this release and, as with any new version, the reviews range.

I’m not going to get into the specifics and dissect any of the passages – I’ll leave that to others – but I will say that I enjoy the format and layout of The Voice. It reads pretty easily and presents the text in an entertaining way. I particularly like the script format used throughout the text as well as the inline, pop-up notes which add clarification. All that being said, my conscience is clear in reading this because I understand that this is an interpretation of the Bible and, whether it was intended to be or not, it isn’t a replacement of the Bible versions I use for study.

peace… love… bdg…

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Moments of Truth – John MacArthur

It’s a good idea to routinely – every day, even – dive into Scripture and meditate on what God has to teach us. It’s amazing how often truths declared in the Bible apply directly to life’s greatest “mysteries.” As someone who’s enjoyed reading John MacArthur’s thoughts on the Bible and life in general (and as one who has something of a collection of daily devotionals), I jumped at the chance to get a combination of the two. And it hasn’t disappointed. This book is a nice collection of easy-to-digest snippets from MacArthur’s writings that help set the tone for each day and provide encouragement to delve deeper into studying God’s Word. I still miss days now and again, but don’t we all?

peace… love… bdg…

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