Arrogant, selfish, and rude: David Sedaris’ Lets Discuss Diabetes with Owls is also honest, funny, and extremely well written. Sedaris has published a collection of anecdotes that describe the world as he sees it. The only connective tissue between the stories is the charming and off-putting wit that saturates each unique and compelling tale.

His pretentious attitude towards everything colors the narrative incomedic gold. This is a compilation of observational humor that is so well written it feels poetic.  Sedaris views the world with a completely different lens than I. Some chapters were difficult for me to read and more difficult to relate to.

I would recommend this book for its excellence in writing. I have read few authors who had the capacity to create such balanced and provocative short stories. I am less compelled by David’s view of the world and feel that he adds little more than a contrarian  view of how things ought to be. 

Unbroken tells the story of Louis Zamperini and his tragic adventure as a WWII bombardier and prisoner of war. A grand epoch of aerial warfare surrounds Louis and his companions as they wage war against axis powers. The strategic bombings of the early war broaden their scope to include entire cities as combatants become more desperate for victory. Islands in the South Pacific are reduced to smoldering ruble as the power of the allied air force makes it self known to the Japanese. Zamperini and his crew live in a world of constant danger until their plane is downed over the pacific. Their battle turns from the face of danger to the face of death as they struggle against the elements, the sadistic Japanese, and their own will to survive. The ultimate redemption of Louis is found in a surprising way as a powerful gospel changes his life forever.

Laura Hillenbrand has crafted an amazing story of survival. The characters and events of Unbroken are larger than life. Her commitment to the men behind the story is unwavering. Each chapter pulls you closer to the lives of each pilot, bombardier, and navigator. The book moves quickly and goes from bad to worse in a tale that is hard to believe. The strength of Louis Zamperini is powerful and his story is appropriately honored.

I would highly recommend reading this book. It is a story that spends much of its time in the prison camps of the violent and cruel Japanese. Hillenbrand does not spare her any audience any details surrounding the animalistic conditions endured by the prisoners of war. Many allied troops suffered to the point of death and the atrocities of the Japanese soldiers are described in full. If you are squeamish then this book is not for you. The author does not glorify or exploit the violent nature of Zamperini’s story but she does tell it in full. The amount of respect and appreciation I gained for our WWII veterans rose significantly. It was a great generation who made a great sacrifice for my freedom.

The Brain That Changes Itself challenges ideas surrounding localized brain function. Norman Doidge describes the brain as being plastic and able to make great shifts in utility. Stories of brain adaptation fill the pages and paint a complex picture of the most mysterious organ in the human body.

The book is filled with interesting anecdotes about brain trauma and survival. The plastic brain is central to each story and is relentless in proving the theories of Doidge. The idea of dynamic brain function, that you can train the brain to function differently, flies in the face of decades of work. But Doidge presents it in a way that seems obvious and straight forward.

I would not recommend reading this book. It was curious at first but quickly fell into repetition. Brain science interests me but this mono theme went on far too long. If the author was forming a different argument towards the end of the text it was lost on me.

Are you an anxious person? I can be. It is a result of my competitive and perfectionist natures.

Anxiety plays a big role in our lives today. One Google search will reveal a trove of articles and studies focusing on anxiety. It is a new reality for adolescents, professionals, and students. People point to our fast paced culture,  uncertainty, and high expectations as the source. But have you ever considered that the source of our anxiety is the lack of a clear self identity?

Now anxiety is the mark of spiritual insecurity. It is the fruit of unanswered questions.

-Thomas Merton, No Man is an Island

Thomas Merton attributes anxiety to spiritual insecurity, as the product of unanswered questions. The Bible speaks clearly towards the topic of anxiety and worry. We are instructed to bring the things that trouble us to God and allow him to care for us. We are to rest in his provision and live a life of love and self-discipline. This is the type of relationship we should have with our creator: to trust him with our stuff. Do you see yourself in this light? As one who can trust on God and give your worries to him. Or do you feel like you have to carry it yourself and bear the full weight of life on your shoulders. Dont try to do it alone, you will be crushed. Learn how to see yourself as being dependent on God’s support and give up some of your anxious thoughts to him. Life will be far more rewarding and your friends will want to hang out with you again.

Terms of Enlistment is a tale of war in the year 2108. The political scene of wear-torn earth and inhabited near-earth planets is compelling and creative. Kloos docent veer far from the sci-fi genre and it serves him well. The story is told in a modest way and moves quickly from scene to scene. More time is spent developing the world around Andrew Grayson than the protagonist himself. This results in a compelling world and makes for an interesting. Many themes of poverty, government oppression  and politics bristle under the surface of this tale. Kloos could have done more to explore these theme through the characters of his book but took the simple route instead. He succeeds by doing less things well than biting off more than he can chew.

I would recommend reading this book. It is full of action and adventure. What it lacks in character development and depth it makes up for in well scripted explosions and drama. Marko Kloos has two works published online in Amazon’s Bookstore. I intend to keep an eye on his portfolio and look forward to the next installment of Andrew Grayson’s adventures.

I joined a group from my church to play a game of ultimate frisbee. The co-ed teams divided and my side kicked off. One, two, three, rip! I tore my calf muscle. I couldn’t believe it, there was no way I could hurt myself. I have played sports my entire life, including college. Moreover, I have played rugby since I was sixteen and experienced many episodes of broken bones and stitches. On the rugby pitch, if your not bleeding then you are not trying. So what happened yesterday? I flexed my calf muscle and it decided to tear. I was not attempting an exceptional feat of athleticism; I was transitioning from a jog to a run. The truth is that I allowed myself to get out of shape and suffered an elite injury performing a novice task.

I was not doing this.

Leaders can get out of shape like athletes. Lack of practice, discipline and exercise make a leader unfit. When the time comes to flex an injury becomes much more likely. The real danger comes when leaders do not realize that they are out of practice. Their skills of moderating conflict, casting vision, or public speaking go unrehearsed and become a liability. Call it leadership atrophy: the loss of skills attributed to the lack of use.

What is something that you used to do well but haven’t done in a long time? Are you still great at that thing? I bet that you are competent but are you great? Is there an area of your leadership that you need to take out for a few laps? Being intentional about the type of leadership skills you use is an important part of self development. Like the saying goes, he who sows little rips his calf play frisbee.

This is a compelling read that opens the door to lots of self-evaluation. Each chapter left me with an interesting thought or question and drew me to hash ideas out on the dry erase board. It was great! Collins and Hansen make an effort to explain the research behind their conclusions and stress the extensiveness of their academic work. They coin the phrase “10Xer” to define those who have outperformed the competition by a multitude of ten. Each case study felt a bit cherry picked but convincingly proved the thesis of Great by Choice. Five unique identifiers differentiate great leaders and their approach towards success. They are discussed sequentially and convincingly one chapter at a time. The authors include an incredibly useful summary at the end of each chapter which would serve well for a group discussion time.

I would highly recommend reading this book. It was insightful, interesting, and provocative. This would be a great team read for any organization. Read it with the expectation to do some work afterwords; the ideas will challenge you and provide several concise calls to action!

I didn’t realize how much time I spent constantly checking multiple in-boxes. The casual glances down to my phone are an interruption to my day.  It requires a temporary, but full, disengagement with the world around me. A lot happens in a moment, especially when you have young kids at home. This may seem like an obvious conclusion to my week away but I felt much more present. I was there, in the moment, with my family the whole time. The trip felt more real and I got a measurable break from the demands of my professional life.

I want to spend more time away from my email. Part of me was free from the endless task of checking, processing, and responding to messages. It takes more out of me than I realized. I have to be more disciplined when I am home with my family. I have to ask you, what do you do? How do you disengage from your smart phone and spend more time being present with your family?

I didn’t want to stop reading this book. Each chapter introduced a new curiosity, challenge, or step forward. The characters act and react in dynamic ways as Pixar inches ever closer to the powerhouse that it is today. I found myself cheering for the company and feeling a sense of loss with each misstep or set back along the way. Steve Jobs occupied a lot of the chapters and seemed to be painted with a fair light.

I would recommend reading this book. It was great! The story moved quickly and included a series of unexpected and intriguing events. My favorite chapters were hosted at the beginning as the science of computer animation caught up with the dreams of a plucky animation team.   The latter chapters focused on the business end of things but held my attention none the less. It was fun, exciting, and totally worth the effort!

Let me break it to you: its time for a mentor.

The Art of Manliness ran a series on Jack London not too long ago (excellent blog, read it). The include a quote from a 1903 publication titled, Getting Into Print. London admonishes his readers to,

Study the tricks of the writers who have arrived. They have mastered the tools with which you are cutting your fingers. They are doing things, and their work bears the internal evidence of how it is done. Don’t wait for some good Samaritan to tell you, but dig it out for yourself. – Jack London

Let me offer you three reasons why you need to find a mentor:

1. It will keep you humble
2. It offers practical knowledge
3. It connects you to success

Finding a mentor will keep you humble. It is a pride-swallowing discipline that is rooted in the core premise that you cant do it yourself. Many people get hung up on their own pride and are crippled by growth inhibiting hubris. Those who submit themselves to the expertise of others are capable of learning.

Finding a mentor offers practical knowledge. You will learn things that relate to real life and apply the theories of your trade. Books and blogs are great sources of information, however, connecting with an experienced practitioner is a great source of knowledge. There is no substitute for doing it and qualified mentor knows how to get it done. 

Finding a mentor connects you to success. Choose a winner as your mentor and find yourself in the company of winners. We become like those who we spend time. Dont let your insecurities keep you from aiming high. Don’t let your jealousy keep you from aiming high. Embrace the humility principle and be stretched. Choosing a mentor who doesn’t challenge you will get your nowhere: this is a compromise that leads to failure. Associate with someone whom you respect for the what, how, and why of their work (see Simon Sinek). Consider process and product least you find yourself in the company of jerks.

There are many reasons why you need to find a mentor. I hope that these three ideas inspire you to consider how you are developing as a leader and as a professional. Every successful moment of my leadership journey has been wrought by the tutelage of others. Men and women invested into me when there wasn’t much there. They saw something worth while and I am indebted to them because of it. Most of my mentors were older than me but all of them were more experienced. Don’t let the age thing stop you. There is someone who can help you take a next step as a leader; don’t try to do it alone. Learn and teach within a network of like minded people: find your mentor today.

Wool was original written by Hugh Howey as a series of short stories. The Omnibus edition combines these episodes into one complete text. The story moves slowly at first but eventually adds layers of complexity and intrigue as the plot unfolds. The heroine, Juliette, is a compelling character who is driven to expose the truth and faces the ultimate penalty for her convictions.

I would recommend reading Wool. I thought that the book was going to be another post apocalyptic story of survival but was pleasantly surprised as I turned each page. Life in the silo felt familiar as a fan of the Fallout series. Howey does a great job, however, to bring a layer of complexity to the well trodden plot with is own unique and thoughtful contributions.

The book is well thought out and scripturally based. Each chapter builds logically and does a great job siting scripture to back up the arguments made by MacArthur. It is a book of theology. If you have not read this style before you will find The Lordship of Christ approachable and easy to read. Its ease of use does not lessen the academic depth or accuracy of the work.

I would recommend reading this book for anyone wanting to get a biblical grasp on who Jesus is according to scripture. It is not a fun or funny book. It is not a book that changed my life. It did, however, provide a biblically based, theologically sound image of Jesus Christ.

The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or advanced reading copy through BookSneeze®.

The ability to motivate others is a powerful tool. We see it every day as fans cheer for their favorite teams, citizens vote for their preferred politicians and as customers purchase their most trusted brands. But what makes specific teams, politicians, or brands desirable? Simon Sinek believes that inspiration and action are a result of those who Start With Why. His book, of the same name, describes the process by which leaders can motivate others toward action. The Golden Circle of what, how, and why help Sinek frame his discussion towards leadership in action. His philosophy of loyalty and compulsion touches on social and brain sciences. He prescribes a model of leadership from a personal and organizational point of view.

Start With Why is a fun book to read: it is compelling and provocative. I found myself pausing to evaluate my own systems and style of leadership chapter by chapter. The unfolding of Sinek’s theory is purposeful, if not a bit random. I felt like Sinek had discovered something truly meaningful and continued to attach it to a series of events which may have distracted from his main points. He pulls from historic, scientific, and commercial examples to make his point. I would have liked to hear less about Apple; Simon began to lose a bit of credibility when sounding like a forum fanboy at times.

I would recommend reading this book. It is excellent. I have purchased, and given away, nearly ten copies myself. It is a great work that compels the reader to action. Anyone invested into leadership of any kind must get their hands on this book. It is well worth the effort and will help you clarify the why of your own life. 

This book is written explicitly for pastors. It is a warning against hubris and reflects on the servant heart required to follow Jesus. It is clearly composed from a place of conviction. Parts of the text feel like a rant and that is what it is. Tripp is clear about his intent to write with conviction from his personal point of view. I often felt like he was speaking to a third party and not to me. This is not because I am felt exempt from the dangerous calling but because he had a specific type of person in mind who I was not.

I would recommend skimming this book. There were moments of true conviction. I paused on several occasions and took stock my my own approach to ministry. Tripp writes to all pastors but seems to have a type in mind. He references young theology gurus and seminary big shots throughut the text. His warnings become more narrowly focused on these types of individuals and lead me to mentally check out at times. The big idea is sound and worth evaluating.

The book is written through a series topical chapters and aims for every possible hot topic of cultural debate. The public education system, Islam, and atheism are diagnosed from Mohler’s Christian perspective. From chapter to chapter Mohler presents problems and possible solutions. This is also a patriotic book. The subject matter is generally focused on, as the subtitle suggests, the moral heart of America. The book is clearly a work of conviction but comes across a bit preachy. Mohler deals in absolutes and readers looking for more nuanced solutions to the issues presented will be disappointed.

I would not recommend reading this book. It was driven by a passionate motivation to redeem (American) culture. I would agree with Mohler on many points but the tones of alarm and righteousness do not resonate with me. If you are interested on matters of (American) culture and feel uninformed about the challenges facing the christian church in the twenty-first century than pick it up. If you want to start a relationship with your pegan neighbor then you might want to look elsewhere. 

This book was provided to me for review by the publisher through the Blogging for Books program of Water Brook Multnomah.

If you have ever read Patrick Lencioni before then you understand the appeal to his formula. The majority of the book tells a story of an individual who has to learn the principles of the matter at hand. Getting Naked is no different. A compelling tale walks the readers through each of the values which make up the getting naked philosophy. The story is compelling and surprisingly so. A business fable doesn’t sound like a great read but Lencioni has nailed the genre. The end of the book describes the process in simple terms and doesn’t take more time that it needs to express the ideas. It is short, sweet, and comprehensive in nature.

I would recommend reading this book: it is great. All of Lencioni’s books are quick reads and provoke throughout  I spent a lot of time contextualizing the ideas as they were presented and have found myself asking, am I doing this naked thing right (don’t ask yourself this question out loud)? Buy a few copies for you and your team; it is well worth the time.  

He is risen! Someone greeted me with this phrase a few years ago on Easter Sunday. I looked at them and replied, ya! The room got awkward for a second as we shook hands and went on our way. I had the sinking feeling like I did something wrong or had let this person down. For the record, “ya” is not the appropriate response to this sort of Easter greeting. I learned that the correct response is he is risen indeed! The (!) is important because you are supposed to be enthusiastic in your reply.

I grew up in the church and had avoided this bit of church culture into my mid-twenties. I considered myself fluent in church-speak but learned that day there was still much to learn. Today I am careful not to use to much insider lingo when talking about Jesus. There are many reasons for this but the main one is because I speak to kids. They have not yet acquired the theological vernacular which accompanies years of church life.

Two thoughts as you prepare to walk kids through the Easter story this week:

1. Avoid using theological terms when teaching kids.
2. Dont neglect to teach children the meaning of theological terms. 

You can accomplish these two ideas if you are intentional about it. Your first priority should be to teach the stories of the Bible. Read the Bible out loud to kids; read a translation that they can understand. The word of God is alive so do us all a favor and read the Bible like it is exciting! The plot is important so help kids connect the dots. Theological terms help kids put words the meaning behind the stories. Teaching a child the meaning of sanctification is important. Teaching a child the word sanctification is also important… once they understand the meaning.

I could go on abou this but I imagine that you get the point. It is not a chicken / egg dilema. Meaning should come before vocabulary. Here are three example phrases that you may take for granted… try not to lead with these on Easter Sunday.

• Resurrection – an easter staple but is meaningless to a young elementary student. Use a phrase like “comes back to life” instead.
• Conquer - as in conquered death. Tell kids that Jesus beat death, that he won!
• Sacrifice – dont leave this word hanging out there. If you are going for an Old Testament tie in (which you should) them unpack the idea of an animal sacrifice first.

There are many phrases we could reference here. Remember that these words are important for children to learn as they develop as Christians. But the meaning behind the words should take precedence in your teaching. Have a good easter and remember, he is risen indeed!

The book is instructional in nature but feels personal at the same time. They do a good job relaying ideas through formulas and stories in equal parts. Linear and relational thinkers will both find something to sink their teeth into throughout the chapters of this book. Few of the ideas feel revolutionary in their own right. However, the sequence presented has a great impact on the way I view potential conflict.

I would recommend reading this book. It is smart and has changed the way I approach difficult conversations. The authors did a good job connecting a series of ideas that I already had. I just hadn’t put them together in the same way! Do yourself a favor and grab a copy. I am sure that a crucial conversation will find you sooner than later!

Link here

People tend to love or hate the snow. Right now I am looking at one guy in shorts and a T-shirt. I am also looking at a lady adorned in a down jacket and snow boots. Seeing them stand next to each other illustrates my point: no one responds to the snow reasonably in Seattle. We dont know how to and you can’t blame us. We get snow once or twice a winter, and the snow tends to melt away during lunch break. We just dont have enough exposure to snow.

Back to the baristas small talk. I am hearing a lot of exasperated Puget-sounders saying things like, “I cant believe this, we are going to have to cancel X, and I can no longer go to Y.” Others respond by saying, “I love the snow, this is awesome, or I cant wait to get rear ended by someone from California!” They dont really say the third one but we all think it.

How do you respond to the unexpected? Do you delight in the break of routine or dread the loss of predictability? I cant wait to do doughnuts in an empty parking lot and throw snowballs with my daughter. You may respond differently and thats ok. Just dont rear end me on the road (still looking at you Cali drivers).

George R.R. Martin’s third installment of the Song of Fire and Ice series raises the stakes as various heirs to the Kingdom of Westeros clash over the iron throne.

The third book includes some of the greatest battle sequences of the series. It is full of action and intrigue as Martin boldly thins the ranks of main characters; nothing is sacred in the Song of Fire and Ice series. A Storm of Swords is written for a mature audience. Violence and language paint the landscape without distracting from the story. There is far less sex in this third book, but enough to be a distraction for those of us to don’t appreciate Martin’s attention to… detail. The complexity of the story is amazing and Martin’s ability to create so many vivid characters is incredible. His capacity for a character development is outstanding. The book can feel a bit slow at times and exists in a state of constant tension; you never feel at ease reading any of the series.

I would not recommend reading this book. It is amazingly well done but it is not appropriate. I understand the double standard that many readers apply regarding violence and sex. I recommend murder as often as I recommend adultery. But I recommend reading adultery far less often as I recommend reading murder. Yes, the Bible is full of both of these subjects but Martin’s work is far less edifying. There are many compelling stories that relate to leadership, faith, and personal transformation. You can get a lot out of A Storm of Swords but will deeply offend the morally inclined. 

I am learning to value presence over production; I am learning that who I am should take precedence over what I do.

Our lives lose meaning when driven by simple productivity.

Many of us confuse the relationship of presence and production. Who you are should drive what you do; not the other way around. You, as a leader, stay on task when you are driven by vision. When tasks and due dates begin to shape your calendar then you have lost your way. Your imagination has been captured in minutia and your vision will follow. You will create busy work for others and sap the life out of your organization.  The only sense of importance will be stolen from the tasks you complete and your field of vision will decrease with each passing day. You will become blind to your own purpose and fade away.

Our work is meaningful when we are driven by who we are.

The ability to self-identify is the first step of meaningful work. There is no task that can give your life meaning. A meaningful life creates meaningful tasks. Defining a series of virtues will give shape to your work. They are the foundational elements for your vision and the fuel for your leadership engine. Knowing what you value will help you determine what is, and is not, important. Saying yes and no become easy when you know who you are.

Change the way you work by focusing on your presence.

Reinforce who you are in meetings, in emails, and over the phone. Be wholly present with those around you. This is how you inspire and lead others. Few people admire your ability to complete a task list; heroes are not defined in this way. Visionaries are contagious people who spread their own set of values because they knew who they were and acted like it.

The Freeground station serves as a major trading hub in the outward regions of space. Based on the principles of independence and self determination, Freeground is a novelty throughout the galaxy.

Origins is part of the Spinward Fringe series by Randolph Lalonde. The Fringe universe plays host to a series of science fiction stories written by the author. Other works feature the Freeground station as well as the protagonist Jonas Valent. The book does well to stand on its own merit so dont worry about reading any of the other works first. Inside you will find nearly 375 pages of classic science fiction. The pace of the book is a bit slow and many of the action scenes feel a bit forced.

I would not recommend reading this book. Despite the vastness of the Spinward Frigne world and plot, the characters remained perilously flat. Every conversation and action taken by the heros and villains were predictable.  Nothing and no one fundamentally changed throughout the entire story. It is true to the genre of sci-fi and excludes the use of aliens or magical powers. For this I was grateful. Lalonde applied some great creativity describing the science of the future which was a highlight of the book. But the characters let the story down. Origins is a safe choice for science fiction but will let you down if you are looking for a good story. 

The Coldest Winter

Brady’s story of the coldest winter sets the stage for the complicated geo-political scenario of the war. His ability to write compelling politics falls short of his ability to recall the latter events of the war. Because of this, The Coldest Winter gets off to a slow start. The latter parts of the book deal less with the political events surrounding MacAurthur and more with the men on the ground. The scenes built around the fighting men of Korea are moving. It would have nice to capture the compelling back story behind communist interest in the region.

I would recommend you read a book abut the Korean War; I’m not sure that I would recommend this book. Thousands of men fought valiantly for freedom and their story should be told. I understand some of the current challenges being faced by the North and South Koreans better now. I know a part of their story and understand the tension that China walks in between North Korean politics and the rest of the free world. This is the only book I have read about the Korean War. Let me know if you have read others; I would love to continue my understanding of this significant event in American history.

Judah is an excellent communicator: fun, compelling, and clear. His writing style follows suit and is dripping with humor and personality. It is a fun read and moves quickly from idea to idea. The picture of Jesus presented by Judah is a simple one. He deals with many of the misconceptions regarding Jesus and Jesus followers. His describes the human and divine qualities of Christ. Each characteristic has a direct impact on the way Christians live and relate to the world around them. He doesn’t exchange theological terms and avoids academic currency all together. His humility and average Joe approach to Jesus is sincere if not a bit too pronounced. Judah goes out of his way to show how real he is. This is designed to reflect the average Christian life: not religious, culturally engaged, fun.

I would recommend reading this book. It is light hearted and moves quickly  You feel like you are listening to Judah move from idea to idea in a fluid conversation. The book is not deep. If you are looking for a theological treatise on the humanity and divinity of Christ you are barking up the wrong tree. You will read more references to popular culture than you will to Wesley or Calvin. It serves Smith’s point well: Jesus is far more than you think. This would be a great read for those who are trying to find ways to communicate Christ to a younger generation of X’s and Y’s.

The book is personal and familial in tone. Rob uses his own personal story of weight loss as an example throughout the book. He mixes a good combination of practical steps along side theories of change. Chapters like, Recognize That Change Never Stops, and Respond to What is True outline his philosophy towards internal and external components of change.

I would recommend reading this book. It is light hearted and straight foreword. I put it down feeling convicted and inspired about several areas of my life. If you are down for a bit of introspection and motivation then this is a perfect read for you.