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My Great Reads from 2016

February 6, 2017 0 Comments

At the start of 2016 I had a great plan to read more books than I have before in one year. It is true leaders are readers. However, being a bi-vocational pastor it is tough to find long blocks of time read and I have a bad habit of reading more than one book at a time. The main fact is, I just did not discipline myself to make it happen. In reality, instead of the most, I read the fewest number of books in 2016. However, I did read some great books.

Here are the list of books I read in 2016 in order read:

The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else in Business by Patrick Lencioni – This is classic Lencioni. You can have the best business plan and best employees but if your organization is sick you are assured failure.

Praying with Paul: A Call to Spiritual Reformation 2nd Editionby D.A. Carson – For the past couple of years I have been captivated how Paul sprinkled some of the most powerful prayers throughout his letters to the churches. Click here to read my full review.

The Anonymous Leader: An Unambitious Pursuit of Influence by Ralph Mayehew – This is a great call to true leadership. It is geared to the young new leader but it also speaks to the seasoned leader. I received my copy from Dan Black. Dan writes one of the top leadership blogs. Click here to read my full review of the Anonymous Leader.

The Disney Way, Revised Edition: Harnessing the Management Secrets of Disney in Your Company: by Bill Capodagli, Lynn Jackson – The authors profile seven companies that have successfully implemented the four pillars of the Walt Disney Company. I will be posting a full review later this year.

To Live is Christ to Die is Gain by Matt Chandler – in this great read Chandler walks the reader through the book of Philippians calling us to make all of life about Christ. 

Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God by Timothy Keller – A prayerful life is of utmost importance for the follower of Jesus. Yet we often find prayer hard. Timothy Keller a pastor and esteemed Bible scholar provides practical ways to make effective prayer a way of life. 

Poke the Box: When Was the Last Time You did Something for the First Time – by Seth Godin – as usual Seth Godin breaks all the rules. In a short read Seth calls the reader to break from the norm and do something for the first time.

The Supremacy of God in Preaching by John Piper – there are few men who preach with so much passion and with so much Biblical clarity as John Piper

The Early to Rise Experience: Learn to Rise Early in 30 Days by Andy Traub – A collection of Andy’s blog posts to provide inspiration to cultivate the discipline of rising early.  I am still not a morning person but Andy’s book was very helpful to move me in that direction. Click here to read my full review

The Coaching Habit: say Less, Ask More & Change the way You Lead Forever by Michael Bungay Stanier – Stainer promotes that the manager or company leader should function more as a coach. Not a teacher, but one who coaches by asking a series of probing questions that help the person being coached discover the right answers / path.  I received a copy of this book from another great leadership blogger, Joseph Lalonde. — Click here to read my full book review.

Dream it! Do it!: My Half Century Creating Disney’s Magic Kingdoms by Marty Sklar – Did I mention that I am a Disney Fanatic? Our family goes to Disney World every year now. I know the company is not perfect but I am captivated by their passion for what the do and their leadership style to get their employees to join in on that passion. Starting his junior year in college Sklar would work for the Disney Company for over 50 years. Most of his time he lead the Imagineers who are the creators of all the parks. His book is an interesting autobiographical sketch of his work for Disney. He shows a peek into the day to day life of a great company over half a century. 

What am I Reading Now

  • Apostle of the Last Days: The Life, Letters, and Theology of Paul by C. Marvin Pate
  • The Fellowship: The Literary Lives of the Inklings: J.R.R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, Owen Barfield, Charles Williams, by Phillip and Carol Zaleski
  • Five Presidents: My Extraordinary Journey with Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and Ford by Clint Hill

Next up will be, Profiles in Courage by John F. Kennedy

What was the best book you read last year? What are you reading now?

photo credit: suzyhazelwood The Last Bookseller via photopin (license)

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About the Author:

I am enthusiastic about helping others discover their purpose and grow into a deeper relationship with Jesus. It is great to see their eyes light up at their “Ah Ha!” moment when they discover they were created for something more. My hope is that this blog will help encourage and inspire you along your way. Join the conversation and take the time to share with me your own story. I have been married to my beautiful wife Janice for over 30 years. We currently live in McDonough Georgia with our daughter. Our two boys have left the nest and we have two wonderful grand kids. Of course we cannot forget about our dog Bear.