a light in the Darkness shines...

This morning at 3:30 am, after having just retreated to the bed room at about 1:00 am; we were woke up by Mandy's mom. Her dad was not doing well at all. We called the EMS and they came and took him to the Hospital, where he is still.
All of my kids decided to wake up at that time (around 3:55 as the EMS was pulling away). So after putting them to bed again, and checking on Mandy, I went to check on them again. They were wide awake but being quite and good.
I went in and brought all 3 of them up to the bed with me and we talked.
I reminded them of my Grandmother who passed away from Cancer last year. We talked about how she was in Heaven because she loved Jesus.
Gavin asked "Why did Jesus walk on water?"...
"Because he is Jesus and can do really amazing things."
"Why did Peter sink?"
"Because he didn't Trust Jesus. Just like how Mommy and Daddy made it through when Grandma Holloway died because we Trusted Jesus that he would take care of her because she Loved Jesus"
So they sat there... I finally looked over at Gavin who had a very serious look on his face and he said "Daddy, I want to go to heaven when I die."
So I told him to tell Jesus he Loved him and wants to live for Him.
And in his own precious words he did!
I then hugged him and cried abit then looked over at Dakotah and asked her if she wanted to do that to and she did in her own words as well!
It was such a precious moment that I will not forget.
Nov. 7th at 4 am 2009.

A light in the darkness shines...

Master Leaders by George Barna

Everyone’s dream is to find a MENTOR. Someone who is better/ smarter than they in their chosen field or profession and to learn from them.

So now imagine with me an opportunity to sit and listen to 30 of the best business professionals share their tips and dig into the nit and gritty of what each of them are saying.

Master Leaders is one such book. It is written as if it is a conversation of round tables with 30 different leaders getting together and talking about their areas of expertise and sharing how they all agree on the keys. In the typical informative and easy to read style that George Barna is known for.

This book speaks to the following topics:
Unexpected Discoveries
Defining and Evaluating Real Leadership
Vision and Values
Creating Culture
Developing Leaders
Hiring the Right People
Leading Well
Earning and Maintaining Trust
Confrontation and Conflict
Character
Following
Team Building
Faith and Morals
Power
Criticism and Pressure
Skills and Discipline

This is a book that I truly enjoyed reading and will be something that I will go back to often to reference while in business.

Thanks to Tyndale Publishing for giving me the opportunity to check this book out!
I recommend that if you are in a position of Leadership; go check this out at your local Family Christian Stores.

Finding Purpose Byond our Pain by Meier and Henderson

“Finding Purpose in the Pain”

“I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born,” says the Lord. – Isaiah 66:9 NCV…

Those words start the introduction to this book. It was without thinking that I brought this book with me this week. On Monday I took off from our Southern Maryland home to drive 12 hours to my in-laws in Indiana. It wasn’t for a vacation or rest that we came, but to visit my father-in-law. July 29th, 2009 he was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. After numerous tests etc... we found that it was a stage 4 cancer. Within just a few months it had spread completely to his Liver as well. We are now sitting in the living room of their house and I am watching him holding my youngest son. I didn’t know how much this book would be a comfort for me.

This book seeks to help you learn through the pain, not just the pain of short term such as exams, or child birth, but even into the long term of death and loss.

In the intro the purpose of this book is summed up as follows… “Pain-free living is impossible this side of heaven. We will never find a magic pill to prevent suffering or sorrow.
What if, instead of chasing after a pain-free life, we realized that pain is not the enemy? In fact, pain can be our ally if we allow it to lead us away from danger and toward the healing power of Christ.”

The book then goes through many different avenues of pain: Injustice, Rejection, Loneliness, Loss, Discipline, Failure and Death.

Pain is a way of life. On key of this is support. If you are someone who is dealing with hurt, depression etc… LOVE THEM! If you personally are suffering depression or lost, look to GOD! This book helps to see you and lead you to him.

The best way to sum up this book is in the verse used in the Introduction:
“Be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.” I Peter 1:6 NLT

Thanks to Thomas nelson for giving me this book to read. It couldn’t have been at a more important time.
http://thomasnelson.insidethecover.com/widget/?isbn=9780785229223

The Noticer by Andy Andrews!

My favorite teacher throughout college was a History teacher who made less focal the dates, and more focal the STORY of history. I began to love this class. Each week we would have 1 day that was dedicated to the conspiracy theories that were surrounding the topics we were discussing.

Jesus also felt the call to tell truths in story. His parables told truths that hit people where they were and helped changed them.

There was a book that many of my friends, colleges had read and stated ‘you must read this’… the expectations were set high to a point I was afraid to be let down.

It was with these expectations that I started reading the Noticer by Andy Andrews. After reading the book almost completely in one afternoon I knew that the reviews were RIGHT!

This book takes truths that will help you live your life such as 4 key ways that we express and feel Loved, and then tells them in a story that makes it sink in deeper than a how to book.

It is like a professor stated in reviewing why Tolkien and Lewis did so well at creating a world said “You have to create a world that, even when unbelievable, becomes real.”
Jones is the main character in this book. Not Mr. Jones, just Jones. This man comes into the lives of people he meets at critical times and speaks truth, truths that give them perspective on how they live.

I would love to go into more detail and say all the things that I loved about this book, but I do not want to ruin it for you… Let me just say, BUY THIS BOOK! You must read it. You won’t be disappointed!

I would rate this as one of the most influential books I have read and one that I would buy for EVERYONE I know. It's just that good!

Visit http://www.thenoticerproject.com for more information about "The Noticer Project."

Growing With Purpose by Jon Walker and Rick Warren

It's not often that you come across a Devotional that is quick, simple in its writing, yet complex in its subjects. This devotional by Jon Walker takes numerous principles and in a 1 min. read hits you where you are at almost every day.
I found myself wanting to read his insight as a book of promises vs. a daily devotional.
The other item that I found enjoyable about this, is it is not a 'guilt' devotional.
Now that is a term I use for the DAILY devotionals that have days and even dates on each read. When life hits and you miss a day or 2, or a week, you begin to feel guilted into reading or catching up until finally you just give up.
This devotional has nothing but subject headings!
You can read it as a daily devotional, a study, a topical study, etc...
I highly recommend this to anyone in search of a easy devotional that you will GROW with in a simple yet purposeful manner!

Living With Confidence in a Chaotic World by Dr. David Jeremiah

David Jeremiah, author of What in the World is Going On is back with a second book. Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World is written as a follow up. In the first mentioned title he addressed 10 scriptural prophecies of the end times. Now he writes from the tone of the opening of the Lord of the Rings “the world has changed, that which once was is no more…” so now what…

This book is written in a very readable manner which brings these thoughts all down to earth. We do live in a chaotic time. How many people do you know who are worried? Struggling with their finances? Lost their jobs? Worried about where the money for food will come? Will we lose our house? You name it. This books simple chapter titles look to the WORD and the promises we are told in scripture.

These chapters are: Stay Calm, Stay Compassionate (my favorite!), Stay Constructive, Stay Challenged, Stay Connected, Stay Centered, Stay Confident, Stay consistent, Stay Committed, and Stay Convinced.

This book has been a very good read. Not a fun one but a light to help you through a tough time. It is the truth you need to hear that helps you through the difficulties!

SO if you have thought or heard someone asking these questions:
How can we weather this storm with a calm heart?
What does it truly mean to “wait on the Lord”
What is Jesus saying to our chaotic world today?
How on earth did we get in this mess?
Then you need to read this book!

Scripture is always the key and this book uses just that!

Is Google Making Us Stupid? - The Atlantic (July/August 2008)

Read this article as it has been something I have been thinking about lately.
Great example on Leno tonight: Harvard College Grad, English Major, couldn't give the names of "Count of Monte (Cristo)" or even "Tom (Sawyer)"...
Far cry from the days when the enterance exam you had to pass meant you had to be able to read and right in Latin, English and sometimes even another language...
Is Google Making Us Stupid? - The Atlantic (July/August 2008)

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Find Your Strongest Life by Marcus Buckingham

Had an opportunity to preview another book that I actually liked… okay back story: I saw a book on Leadership and Business which are 2 items that I have dealt in for many years and I enjoy reading the new titles and learning more about how to continue to develop this. What I failed to notice was the Subtitle. The Book is Find your Strongest Life by Marcus Buckingham. I knew the Author from his other titles First, Break all the Rules and Now Discover Your Strengths.

But as I said I missed the subtitle which is What the happiest and Most Successful WOMEN do differently. YEAH… guess attention to details needs some help. So anyways, I read the book. At first thinking that this would just be a typical business book written for women that I wouldn’t really get; but you know what? I actually did get it and enjoyed it.

The major premise of the first Part of the book stems from a conference with Oprah.com that the Author took part in. The found numerous issues that Women in leadership and the workplace are facing.

Then the Second part of this book talks about how to Learn to Live Your Strongest Life. Such as what does it feel like? How is it lived?

Then Finally is Strong Life Tactics. These last chapters take many of the top questions asked and give some suggestions on how to come to a better and stronger life from them.

In the book is a test that is given to find your Lead Role and Supporting role. It broke these down into 9 key areas: Advisor, Caretaker, Creator, Equalizer, Influencer, Motivator, Pioneer, Teacher, and Weaver. It gives you the test on-line that tells you your 2 and then gives you better understanding of how you think in order to help you find your Strongest Moments in Life.

I took the test… I had to laugh at some of the questions as it was clearly designed for women but even so…

My Lead Role was Advisor:
You begin by asking:
'What is the best thing to do?'

Your thrill comes from knowing that you are the person others turn to for the answer. You don’t necessarily want to be the person who actually makes the changes happen. Rather, what excites you is being valued by others for your insight and your judgment.

Your best quality:
Your ability to find a solution

Always:
Search for data to support your advice

Be careful you:
Don’t get frustrated by other people’s failings

Your smartest career move:
Any job where you’re paid to be opinionated

Then my Supporting Role was Influencer:

You begin by asking:
'How can I move you to act?'

In virtually every situation, your eye goes to the outcome.

Your best quality:
Your ability to outwit others

Always:
Keep your eye on the specific outcome you want

Be careful you:
Don’t waste your time with people who can’t make things happen

Your smartest career move:
Any job where you’re paid to persuade others to act

Honestly this is where my heart, and career have been for some time.

I would highly recommend this book. It is filled with great advise and readable and illustrative examples that help you to best understand what will help fulfill you in your leadership and life.

Now remember, this is a business book. The key to making us JOYFUL is our faith in Christ as Christians, not in our success. But this book understands that dynamic.
Go check it out on September 29th, 2009 when it releases at your local Family Christian Stores.

Killing Cockroaches

Received this video from a store Manager... It FITS so much of the time. Great stuff!

Information age?? I THINK NOT!

So we live in a society where:
- You can search the internet for EVERYTHING
-Immediately get a dictionary, thesarus etc..
-Watch movies
-See documents from ages long past
-See photos and stream video from across the globe

Yet what is the down fall... WE FORGET. But how can we forget when we can find it all?
This past year on Bethovan's birthday it was found in the very museum in his honor, a piece of music that had not been heard for over 200 years.
Or today, a video showing the real Anne Frank watching the girl next door getting married.

How about the 100's of species that were thought to be extinct that have been found recently. Or even the new species found.

Do we really know it all?
I live near DC now and everytime I walk by the 'Castle' (Smithsonian Castle) I think my dream would be to walk the halls of this castle and see all the long forgotten relics. The items deemed not important enough to be on display.

Life can be just like that Castle. We have our 'smithsonians' for people. We put the celbrities, the musicians etc.. in the museums. But the ordinary folks are put to the side. Then there are those who feel less than ordinary. They see themselves as relics hidden in the halls of a storage unit never to be seen or missed.