My Reading List from 2011 – So Many Books – So Little Time

  By Jon Stallings | January 2, 2012 - 4:00 am | Book Review, Faith, Leadership Leave a comment

It is hard to believe that during my early years I did not enjoy reading very much. But now it is a passion. My only regret from 2011 is that I did not allow enough time to review some of the great books that I have already read. So many books, so little time. Oh well 2012 is a new year right?

Photo Courtesy muffin9101985 - Creative Commons

Here is a simple listing of the books I read last year. Secondary categories will be listed in the brackets after the author. *Marks books I recommend.

NOTE: I am NOT an affiliate marketer. I have not been paid, nor will I receive payment for this list.

Faith:

Disciples of Nations: Continuous Mission Until He Comes by John L. Amstutz

Transformational Church: Creating a new Scorecard for Congregations* by Ed Stetzer and Thom Rainer

Think Orange: Imagine the Impact when Church and Family Collide by Regie Joiner

Forgotten God: Reversing our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit* by Francis Chan

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God* by Francis Chan

Living Life Boldly by Ted Roberts

360 Degree Preaching by Michael J. Quicke (read my review)

Radical: Taking Back your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt

The Pastor: A Memoir* by Eugene Peterson

Conversations on Preaching by Michael Dudit (read my review)

Penetrating the Darkness: Discovering the Power of the Cross Against Unseen Evil* by Jack Hayford & Rebecca Hayford Bauer

Leadership and Personal Growth:

The Mentor Leader: Secrets to Building People and Teams Win Consistently* by Tony Dungy [FAITH]

Uncommon: Finding your Path to Significance* by Tony Dungy [FAITH]

Linchpin: Are you Indispensable?* by Seth Godin

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress Free Productivity* by David Allen

History:

We Were Soldiers Once… and Young: Ia Drang – The Battle that changed the War in Vietnam by Harold G. Moore and Joseph L. Galloway

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln* by Doris Kearns Goodwin [LEADERSHIP] (read my review)

The Americans at D-Day: The American Experience at the Normandy Invasion by John C. McManus (read my review)

Decision Points by George W. Bush [Leadership] (Review)

Valley Forge: George Washington and the Crucible of Victory by Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen (Historical Fiction)

If you are an avid reader I would love to connect on Library Thing and / or Shelfari

 

What great books did you read in 2011? What is on your list for 2012?

First Christmas > The Word became flesh

  By Jon Stallings | December 13, 2011 - 4:00 am | Faith Leave a comment

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. – John 1:14

Until just recently, I never really thought about this passage as relating to Christmas. But think about it for a moment. A God who is so madly passionately in love with us, sent His son to live up close and personal here on earth. Christmas is so much more than the celebration of the birth of a cute little baby. So much more!

Photo Courtesy Patrick Sweeney (Creative Commons)

The book of Genesis talks about God coming and walking in the cool of the day with Adam and Eve. We were created to have a very close relationship with our creator. When Adam and Eve sinned, our relationship was broken and no longer could mankind get up close to God. Throughout the Old Testament the Priest had to represent the people before God. The people could not go themselves.

Here is the incredible thought. God wanted so badly to restore our relationship with Him, He sent His own son to live in the flesh as a man. He then gave His son to do die on a cross to pay the price for our own sins, so once again we can have a close relationship. God wanted so much to have a relationship with us He gave the greatest gift of all, Himself.

Jesus no longer walks the earth as a man, but he sent his Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts. Wherever we go, God is with us. And now the Word becomes flesh in us as we live our lives as a testimony to the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

Yes, at Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus, but it is more than just seeing a cute little baby. We celebrate the joy of a Holy God that loves us so much that He came to live among us. The Word became flesh!!

 

Every Step an Arrival

  By Jon Stallings | November 30, 2011 - 4:00 am | Leadership, Quotes Leave a comment

“Every step an arrival” – Denise Levertov

Goals, goals, goals. We have to set goals! We need to set personal goals, goals for our career, goals for our health, and goals for our family………. It seems like every expert in leadership or personal growth will tell you that you need to set goals for every minute area of your life. But if you set goals for all those areas you will be quickly consumed by them. Then there are those long range goals, that as soon as you write them down you are overwhelmed by their scope. It seems like it will take forever to achieve them.

Courtesy Didrik Johnck (Creative Commons)

While reading Eugene Peterson’s memoir, “The Pastor,” I came across this quote by Denise Levertov. “Every step an arrival.” (Peterson printed it on the book dust jacket, and he mentions it in his introduction) The quote really caught my attention. What if I began to see each accomplishment, each step towards my goal as an arrival?

No longer do I have to constantly focus on the final destination of my goal, but I can focus on today. What do I need to do today that will get me one step closer? I cannot change yesterday, and tomorrow is not guaranteed, but I can take one step today. I can recognize that today I reached my destination. Today I arrived!

As mountain climbers near the summit of Mount Everest they have to rest between each step. Step forward, rest, step forward, rest. Each step, one step closer. If they just focus on the summit the task seems too great, and the temptation to quit grows. It is easier to just focus on the next step.

Here are some thoughts that may help:

  • Keep your big goals to a minimum. Probably no more than 5. Anymore than that and you will create a feeling of being overwhelmed, and you will not be very effective with any one goal.
  • Focus on the day at hand. What one task do you need to do today to work towards your goal?
  • Recognize each step, no matter how small, as an arrival at your destination. Feel accomplished

Every step forward is an arrival. Some steps may be bigger than others, but each step is one closer to your goal. Every step an arrival. Everyday a success!

I would love to hear from you:

  1. What step did you take today?
  2. What step will you take tomorrow?

 

1st Dance – Remembering my Mom

  By Jon Stallings | November 3, 2011 - 4:00 am | Life 3 Comments

Early morning on October 24th, 2011 my mom June Marett Stallings left this earthly home for her eternal life with Jesus. I know I am biased, but my mom was an incredible woman. She was born on August 9th, 1925 at her grandparents’ home in South Carolina. However, she would grow up in the heart of downtown Atlanta, Georgia during the Great Depression. They were one of the 1st families to move into the Techwood Homes housing project.

Early on my mom learned a strong work ethic, and how to be thankful no matter what circumstances come your way. Her dad left home to find work in Ohio leaving my mom at home with her mother and four sisters. He probably sent money home, but he never returned.

Diner would often consist of cornbread and buttermilk, or perhaps black-eyed peas. Mom and her sisters would take turns on who got the bacon or piece of ham cooked with the peas.

Often a stranger would knock on the door looking for something to eat. Even during these hard times, my mom would watch her mother make sure they never left empty handed.

Years later mom could cook whatever she wanted to eat, but she would often fix her a glass of buttermilk and cornbread. I would then listen to her tell of the joys of growing up. The depression was hard, but mom found joy among family and friends. She only spoke of the joy.

During WWII my mom and her sisters would rise early to walk over to Georgia Tech where they would serve breakfast to the ROTC students who would soon be heading to Europe or the Pacific.  Once breakfast was served they would head off to school. After a full day of study they would head back to Tech to serve dinner. My mom would tell me that she knew a lot of people were hurting during this time, but she had a lot of fun at the Georgia Tech dances on Friday nights. Her dance card was always full.

Mom would spend her summers feeding chickens and tending the garden on her grandparents’ farm back in South Carolina.

After the war ended my mom met and married my dad Jack. She also went to work for the Federal Government. Mom and dad would be married for 27 years when my dad died in 1976. Her independent streak would serve her well. My mom would continue to work full time as she raised me and my older sister. She also made sure I was at church each Sunday, and she taught me as a child to pay my tithe. Before I finished High School she retired from the EPA with 33 years of Federal service.

She spent her early retirement traveling with friends and family. She also found time to volunteer at our local hospital. She even went back to work for a short time as a bookkeeper for a local paint store.

I am blessed for all the investments my mom made into my life. She always found the positive, and she loved nothing more than family. She would welcome into her life my wife and soon enough grand kids. (And my sister’s husband and kids) No matter how often I called or went to see her she never thought it was enough. She had a quirky sense of humor that would show up out of nowhere. She loved to tell stories of her childhood and how she loved to dance. It was not until just a few years ago when her body began to grow tired that I ever heard her complain.

After 86 years of a wonderful life, COPD had ravaged her lungs that she passed on. She rose early all her life, so I am not surprised that she died around 5:30 AM. She had to get an early start on eternity.

She died peacefully in her sleep. The struggle to breathe and the painful grip of Arthritis (or Arthur as my mom would call it.) is now gone.

I am sure Jesus asked for the 1st dance. (And I am sure dad was an impatient 2nd)

A large portion of who I am I owe to my mom. I hope the rest of my life will honor her.

I know that I will see her again.

Thanks Mom, I love you,

Jon

A Resolute Life

  By Jon Stallings | October 3, 2011 - 4:00 am | Leadership Leave a comment

As a leader of a team or a leader of self the day will come (and probably more than one) when it seems like we just are not making progress. Or it is that day when a crisis has risen to derail everything we have invested our lives. in. It is on that day a leader must be resolute in the their decisions to get things moving again. Today is not the day to be indecisive, but we must be resolute and move forward.

Courtesy National Archives via George W. Bush Presidential Library

Merriam Webster defines resolute as, “Marked by a firm determination: resolved, bold, steady.”

U.S. Presidents (whether we agree with them or not) are great examples of resolute leaders. Just think of Abraham Lincoln who abolished slavery while trying to hold our nation together through a bloody Civil War. What about President Truman who made the call to drop the atomic bomb not once, but twice on Japan to end WWII? Then there is President Obama who gave the order to send in Seal Team VI to get Bin Laden. He knew the risk of Bin Laden not being there. He also knew the risk of the loss of life of the Seal team members and innocent civilians. Yet he was bold to make the tough call.

It is applicable that most of our recent Presidents have made resolute decisions while sitting at the “Resolute Desk.” The desk was a gift from Queen Victoria to President Hayes in 1880. It was constructed from the timbers of the British Arctic Exploration ship the, “H.M.S. Resolute.” (Sorry my amateur historian in me slipped out.) The picture above is of the hands of President George W. Bush on the “Resolute Desk.”

A resolute leader is willing to take great risks to achieve great reward. They often have to stand alone in their actions, with the deep resolve that they made the right decision. Lack of resolve can lead to indecisiveness and missed opportunities. Failure to have resolve can cause failure to reach a goal, or worse, being completely overwhelmed by crisis.

We may never have to make the world impacting decisions of a U.S. President, but to be successful we will have to be resolute in our own sphere of influence.

Whether you are “stuck” in life, or facing a major impacting crisis, here are a few thoughts to help you find that resolve to make the hard decisions.

  • Have clear defined core values and principles. Write them down. These values and principles are those that you will never consider compromising. They will become a life compass. Whenever you have to make a major decision you make sure that choice lines up with your values and principles. A great resource to help you articulate your principles is Michael Hyatt’s free e-book on creating a Life Plan.
  • Have clear defined and measurable goals.Have yo written them down? Do you track your progress? Again Hyatt’s Life Plan book is a great resource
  • Have a clear understanding that to move forward in life we have to be resolute. We have to act. Yes you might fail, but if you do not act, failure is guaranteed.

Sometimes we grow lazy in our persistence, or life throws a punch at us that knocks us flat. Stay true to your principles; stay focused on your goals, and be willing to take a risk. You will find that resolve you need to move forward. I know there are times when we need to be flexible, but only when we are willing to be resolute in our major decisions will we find success. Yes the limb we walk out on my break and we may slip and fall; pick yourself up, renew your resolve, and go again. No matter if you are a leader of thousands or a leader of just yourself, be resolute in life.

Now it is your turn. What are your thoughts?

  1. What is an example when you had to be resolute in your decision?
  2. Who are other leaders who were resolute?
  3. What inspires you be resolute in life?

That Day

  By Jon Stallings | September 11, 2011 - 4:00 am | Life Leave a comment

That Day

10 years ago I woke to another work day. It was to be a warm sunny 86 degrees in Atlanta. I made the 40 mile commute through rush hour traffic to the north side of town to my job at a software company. My coworkers and I laughed and joked around as I waited for my computer to boot.

That day was just another day

We soon made our way to our cubicles and began taking our calls from programmers and network engineers.

That day was just another day

Photo Courtesy Terri Hickox (Creative Commons)

Already 900 miles away the plan of terror was in progress. Ronnie told me that a plane had crashed into one of the World Trade Center towers in NY.  My mind began to race as I pulled up the news feed from the internet.  Was it bad weather? Radar failure? Our phones stopped ringing.

That day was no longer just another day

I watched the live video as the 2nd plane hit the other tower. I sat there quietly as my mind struggled to make sense of what was happening.

That day

Other than being stunned by the events of 9/11 I really cannot comprehend what it was like for those who lived through the events that day in NY, DC and PA. I was safely 900 miles away. That day was not just another day. The images of where I was and what I saw from my computer, along with the emotions I felt will always be with me.

Today

I take a moment to remember the heroes who gave their life so that others might live. My prayers are with those who lost friends and family, and I pray for those who walked through the horror of that day.

 

10 years later what are your thoughts?

  1. Where were you when you learned of the events of 10 years ago on that day?
  2. What are the emotions and thoughts that you still experience?

Easy does it, well not really

  By Jon Stallings | September 6, 2011 - 5:00 am | Life, Quotes, Random Thoughts Leave a comment

“Easy does not change the world. Easy does not make life better for those who are hurting – or for ourselves for that matter.” – John D. Barry, Bible Study Magazine, July & August 2011 p. 20

Is making a difference really difficult? How often do we try and come up with new an inventive ways to make our life easier? People often work 30+ years with the hope of retiring and taking it easy. At the sunset of our lives do we really want to look back and say, “Well that was easy?”

Probably the main reason this quote caught my attention, is that for years I have worked hard to find the easy way. (Ironic huh?)

Photo Courtesy of Odalaigh (Creative Commons)

It appears that  I have changed over the years. If you are like me, you have a deep desire to accomplish something great, to really make a positive difference in yourself and the lives of those around you. And I am sure you are often bored and quickly lose interest in easy.

In our unstable economy easy will not get you very far. Now is the best time to take on the hard task. Step up to the challenge and take the risk to do something great for yourself and others.

I love this quote from the book Linchpin by Seth Godin. , “If there is not the possibility of failure it is not worth doing.”

Perhaps I may be going through some sort of mid-life crisis, but I have a desire to walk way out on a limb and put in all the extra effort to make something happen.  I am tired of hearing, “well, that is just the way it is.” I may fall flat on my face, but I just might succeed. The rewards or success are more than worth the potential cost of failure.

As I challenge myself, I would like to challenge you. Quit looking for the easy way out. Easy will not change the world. In fact, easy will not even change you.

You are worth so much more than easy.

  1.  What are the big goals you have put off for a long time? (Start your own business, plant a church, write a book, start a charity etc.)
  2. What is the one next step  you can take today to start the hard (but rewarding) journey to make it a reality?

Today is the perfect day to start!!

Bread of Opportunity

  By Jon Stallings | August 22, 2011 - 3:33 am | Faith, Life 2 Comments

I love it when a plan comes together; especially when I did not know I had one. Perhaps you have encountered a stranger who turned into a great new friend. Maybe during a casual conversation you learned about a new career opportunity. How about those times that fate just seemed to fall in your lap when you were not even looking?

The other Sunday at Redeemer’s Way Foursquare Church, where my wife and I pastor, we experienced a great culmination of such an event.

 

Several weeks ago I got an email via Facebook from a friend of our church. Beth delivers bread for a major bakery. The bakery is coming out with a new bread and they wanted to give out free loaves for a marketing promotion. Beth immediately thought about the past outreaches we have done for the families that live in the apartments behind the church. So she put us down for 50 loaves. Several weeks passed and the bread had not arrived. Beth was persistent though and kept hounding her boss until she got the bread as promised. Two other people that were supposed to get bread from Beth backed out, so we wound up with 150 loaves.

We took a moment to pray over the bread and ended our service early so we could hand out the bread to the families. Yes it would temporarily fill the stomachs of someone in need, but I knew this was an opportunity for something greater. The bread would give us an excuse to knock on their door. We would then followup by asking how we could pray for them. Our hope was that the bread would be an opportunity to start the conversation to introduce someone to Jesus. I wanted to make sure everyone passing out the bread was expecting the Holy Spirit to accomplish much more than we could on our own.

It would prove to be something greater than just handing out loaves of bread.

 We quickly spread out in the complex handing out the bread and taking prayer requests. Of course some were receptive to us praying for them and others were not. Sue, Julie and Kristen knocked on the next door. The lady who lived there quickly invited them inside. Sue inquired how they could pray for, then plainly asked if she knew Jesus. In just a few moments the three ladies were praying for this stranger and she asked Jesus into her life. What started as a loaf of bread turned into a life changing event. 

Jesus still uses bread to change lives!

 This is a wonderful event, and it is great to see how the circumstances fell into place for this lady to experience salvation. Beth was the one who opened the door and started the events that would fall into place to transform someone’s life. Had Beth not been persistent we would have not had a reason to visit that neighborhood on that Sunday. What seemed like a small request for free bread turned into something wonderful. Beth played as much a part for that lady’s salvation as the three that prayed with her. And of course it was really Jesus who made it all happen. We just showed up and gave him yet another bread opportunity. 

I know I should not be, but I am always amazed at how God puts circumstances and people together for His purposes. 

1. What would have happened had Beth not pursued getting Redeemer’s Way the bread?

2. What events has God put together to do something great in your life?

3. How do you try to see beyond the ordinary for something grand?

All In

  By Jon Stallings | August 8, 2011 - 3:05 am | Faith 1 Comment

Luke 9:23,24 = Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. (NIV)

Several months ago I watched a show on the Discovery Channel about the Army Special Forces selection process. Oddly enough the show was titled, “Two Weeks in Hell.” Here were men who had already made it through basic training and most had endured Ranger school. But they wanted more. They wanted it so bad they were willing to endure two weeks with little food, days without sleep and excruciating pain with the possibility of severe physical injury just for the chance to enter the training to become a member of the elite Green Berets.  Noticed I said a “chance.” There were no guarantees. Only a small number would complete the two weeks and only a small number of those who completed the two weeks would be selected to begin training. On one of the days they were told to march. They had to get to a specific location within a certain time. Sounds easy enough; however, they were not told how far away was the destination nor how much time they had to get there. They just had to march along with their 50 + pound packs not knowing when the end would come.

It made me wonder. What would happen if I conducted my life as a follower of Jesus with that much passion, abandonment and discipline?

Photo courtesy of USAJFKSWCS

No this blog article is not how Christians should go through military training. But when I compared their dedication and discipline to achieve their goal to my walk with Jesus, I found myself lacking.

Here is a group of men who are truly dedicated and passionate about being part of an elite group. They are willing to lay it all on the line up to and including death to achieve their goal. Yet I often struggle to just get up an hour earlier each day to spend some time in prayer.

Am I really sold out to being a follower of Jesus, or will I follow just as long as it is convenient and not too much trouble?

What would happen if I sought after Jesus with the same amount of passion and discipline? Would I have a more effective ministry? Would I be a better husband and father?

 The 12 disciples left their way of life behind to follow Jesus without knowing where they would be from one day to the next. They left behind their families, friends, and the security of earning a living. The early Christians sold all (not some, not part, not 10% but ALL) of their possessions and provided for one another. Many of them willingly gave their life.

Our society has made us soft. Many people believe and some even teach all you need to say is that you believe in Jesus and you can keep on living your life with your own agenda. Others will tell you that God just wants you to be happy and have an easy life. Is that really the example that Jesus and the early followers set? Yes we are saved by grace. There is nothing we can do to earn salvation or the love of God. He gives it willingly. Salvation is a starting point.

God calls us to a life where we sell all. A life where we abandon our own agendas and desires and go ALL IN for Jesus (not some, not part, but ALL). When we do, we will soon discover the joy and peace that we are created to experience. This is how God created us to live. As we give all of ourselves we find all of Him.

Yeah life may be hard and even painful at times. But I want to be so close to a God who is madly passionately in love with me that I am completely transformed. I can then live the life that just might change the world. I am in the process of going ALL IN, how about you?

I know that this journey will not be easy, but the peace of God will see me through any circumstances.

A Green Beret is willing to endure physical pain and torment to be a part of that elite group. They willingly lay their lives on the line so I can live in freedom. Am I willing to pay the same price for Jesus?

I pray that I will continue this journey to sell all of who I am and go ALL IN.

1. How do you believe God is calling you to go all in for Him?

2. What changes do you need to make your life to continue on this journey?

Team of Rivals a Book Review

  By Jon Stallings | July 12, 2011 - 3:54 am | Abraham Lincoln, Book Review, Leadership 1 Comment

For many years I have enjoyed history, politics and studying leadership. “Team of Rivals The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln,” by Doris Kearns Goodwin allowed me to enjoy all of these in one book.

Team of Rivals goes far beyond just a biography of events, but delves deep into the character of Lincoln. When Lincoln began to form his Cabinet team he did not take the normal route of patronage. He had two political goals in mind. First to unite the moderate and radical factions of the Republican Party and second to select the person who had the best skills to fulfill the specific Cabinet role. With the ability to meet these two goals he was able to accomplish his two Presidential goals, reunite the nation and end slavery. The people he found were his rivals for the Republican nomination. He built a team who often disliked each other, and still had their own agendas. But Lincoln found away to bring them together as a team and successfully accomplish all four goals.

Lincoln was a very skillful and shrewd politician, but he stayed true to his beliefs and passion for our great country.

Here are a few of the leadership principals that were evident in the life of Abraham Lincoln:

  1. Willingness to take responsibility. Even when one of his Cabinet members made an error, or even went against Lincoln’s wishes, he would step up and take full responsibility without calling out the person in error.
  2. He was not concerned with who received credit.
  3. Lincoln could see beyond the current actions of his Cabinet members and his Union Generals and see their potential.
  4. Lincoln was long suffering. Because he could see the true potential of others, he gave them multiple chances to rise to the occasion. Only after many failed attempts would he remove someone who was not performing well.
  5. Lincoln stayed true to his values and principles to reunite the country and slavery. When the bloody war was finally over he worked to welcome the South back into the Union without holding a grudge, or seeking revenge or punishment.

Goodwin also includes a lot of personal information that shows Lincoln as a master story teller, devoted husband and father. He would often use his stories to diffuse deep political tension, and drive home his point.

To me the book was a bit long (over 700 pages). Almost the 1st half of the book is a mini-biography of Lincoln and each of his primary Cabinet members. It is not until page 329 that you get to Lincoln’s inauguration.

I feel that Goodwin sums up the book when she states,

“By calling these men to his side, Lincoln had afforded an opportunity to exercise their talents to the fullest and to share in the labor and glory of the struggle that would reunite and transform their country and secure their own places in prosperity.” p. 747

This a great book for any fan of Lincoln, history or politics. It is also a great guide on leadership based on values and principles held by Abraham Lincoln who lived it out during the greatest crisis of our nation.

I would love to hear your thoughts.

  1. What other leadership qualities to do you believe Lincoln demonstrated?
  2. What other historical leaders do you believe are great examples of leadership?
  3. If you have read Team of Rivals what are your thoughts on the book?