The Millionaire Next Door

The Millionaire Next Door
The Surprising Secrets of American's Wealthy
by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko

Good Review from Talia Mana:

According to authors Stanley and Danko there are seven wealth factors that set the wealthy apart from the rest of the population - and it isn't fancy cars, cigars and pinkie rings!

Check yourself off against this list and see if you've got what it takes...

1. Millionaires live well below their means
2. They allocate their time, energy and money efficiently in ways conducive to building wealth
3. Millionaires believe financial independence is more important than displaying high social status
4. Their parents didn't provide economic out-patient care, i.e. they were left to make and correct their own financial mistakes
5. Their adult children are economically self-sufficient
6. They are proficient in targeting market opportunities
7. They chose an occupation that they enjoy and that best suits their talents

Essentially the book advocates frugality and caution with finances that at times borders on miserly, but the results speak for themselves. The individuals interviewed for the book amassed wealth and held onto it through economic downturns and trained their children to be financially independent. Food for thought!

Unlimited Power & Giants Within

Reposting and updating this blog entry from 2005...

Awaken the Giant Within
by Anthony Robbins

A giant best seller!

Almost everyone familiar with self-help is aware of Anthony Robbins and NLP (google it if you aren't). I was skeptical before reading both Unlimited Power (1986) and Awaken the Giant Within (1991) but was impressed with the practical, no nonsense principles that Robbins espouses.

Although sprinkled with Christian verbiage and a bit of God-talk, I didn't catch Tony syncretizing religious beliefs, at least not in these books. I have not kept up with his current work to determine if he's maintained a "Norman Vincent Peale" approach to faith and self-help or not.

The books are very practical, full of great exercises, and with too many ideas to summarize with one quote. But I did find his explanation of our Reticular Activating System (RAS) helpful in Awaken the Giant Within.

This shift in mental posture aligns you more precisely with your goals. Once you decide that something is a priority, you give it tremendous emotional intensity, and by continually focusing on it, any resource that supports its attainment will eventually become clear. (p. 288)

This makes more sense to me than magically "magnetizing" wealth into our lives (like The Secret advocates with the Law of Attraction). Simply put, the RAS works because when we focus on a question or problem our mind becomes engaged to find solutions. An example is when we car shop. We never noticed lime green VW Bugs before, but now that we're buying, everyone is driving one! That's your RAS at work.

So, if you're looking for an indepth analysis of the connection between our beliefs and our actions - along with practical steps to take for improving yourself - Robbins has a lot to offer in these thick books (both over 400 pages). Read with discernment, but go ahead and pick one up from a used book store.

The Magic of Thinking Big

How to set your goals high . . . and then exceed them!

So encourages the subtitle of The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz. This classic best seller...

"Presents a planned program for living on a big scale - in one's job, marriage and family life, and in social and cultural activities. [It] proves you need not have great intellect or great talent to be a giant among men. But you do need the habit of thinking and acting in the manner that brings success - and this book gives you the secret." (from the introduction)

Of course, "the secret" to accomplishing anything is believing you can and then backing up that belief with massive action. This book, originally published in 1959 and a bit dated in some of its examples and illustrations, nevertheless delivers a positive, powerful message for those who want to learn the habits of "living big." Topics include:

• Believe You Can Succeed and You Will
• Cure Yourself of Excusitis, the Failure Disease
• Build Confidence and Destroy Fear
• How to Think Big
• You Are What You Think You Are
• Manage Your Environment
• How to Turn Defeat Into Victory
• How to Think Like a Leader
  

These chapter titles will have a familiar ring to them because this book was at the vanguard of the self-help movement we know today. So much of what is written today is based on the principles espoused by personal development leaders like William James, Napoleon Hill, Russell Conwell, James Allen, Les Giblin, Maxwell Maltz, Norman Vincent Peale, and of course, David Schwartz.

Bottom line: Some solid principles taught in an enticing manner, encouraging the reader to go ahead and think big! (Hmm, wonder if Donald Trump read this book ;-)

God is My CEO

A surprisingly helpful little handbook is God is My CEO by Larry Julian (published by Adams Media 2001, 2002). It's actually a compilation of short chapters on a wide range of business topics by various corporate leaders, sports authorities, and even a former governor.

Normally I would shy away from books like this that tie God with politics, business, or sports, but the subtitle - Following God's Principles in a Bottom-Line World - sounded better than the title. It struck a chord with me as this is my desire.

I was pleased with the resource. Just flipping through the headings and authors piqued my interest: Tony Dungy (Super Bowl Champ Head Coach) on Patience; Horst Schulze (CEO Ritz Carlton) on Servant Leadership; Truett Cathy (Founder Chick-fil-A) on Priorities; Bob Buford (author of Half Time) on Success. Etc.

Okay. Not an instant classic. But a nice gift if you are looking to impact others in a positive way.

Christian Fiction Blog Tour

First, check out the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for information on this week's feature book, The Reliance by M. L. Tyndall.


Then, read the following reviews:

• Frank Creed's A Frank Review
• Karri Compton's KC Review
• Bel at Belz Reviewz
• Edgy Inspirational Author
• Cara Putnam's Law, Books & Life
• Erica is On the Write Path
  
• If you've reviewed this book, leave a comment here and I'll post a link to your blog.
  

Until then, argh, good reading, matey!
Bonus (HT Karri): Discover Your Pirate Name here.
And, go here to know more about the author, M.L. Tyndall.

Jesus: An Intimate Portrait

Blog Host Note: Thanks to Tom Parsons at Daddypundit for providing this week's Guest Blogger Book Review. lgp

In his new book, Jesus: An Intimate Portrait of the Man, His Land and His People, author Leith Anderson takes a new approach to understanding the person of Jesus Christ and the full impact of his ministry.

Anderson places the events depicted in the gospels in chronological order in an attempt to construct a complete biography of Jesus. He also provides numerous historical facts throughout the book that help the reader understand the context, both culturally and historically, for Jesus' ministry.

The book doesn't just focus on the events of Jesus' life, his teachings, and the miracles he performs. Anderson also provides insight into the reaction of various people groups and governments to help the reader gain a better understanding of the full impact of Jesus' life on earth.

This book is a terrific resource particularly for someone who wants to be introduced to Jesus who may not have studied the gospels previously. It's also a great resource for believers as Anderson's research helps the believer gain a greater understanding of the full impact of His ministry.

The only shortcoming of the book is the absence of any biblical references throughout the book. Someone who is familiar with the gospels will have no trouble finding the biblical events depicted in the book. However, someone who does not have a certain degree of biblical literacy may be frustrated by the lack of scriptural references. Personally, I didn't have a problem with this but it could be a stumbling block for some readers.

Overall, I found this book enjoyable to read and would recommend it to anyone who wants a fresh perspective on the ministry of Jesus.

(Note: For the original review, visit here. lgp)

A Second Look - Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting

Note: This is another "law of attraction" book - one that I read a few years ago. Since The Secret has brought so much awareness to this concept, I thought I'd republish this post from August, 2005. lgp

This book by Lynn Grabhorn explores "the astonishing power of feelings." And while I agree that how you feel impacts your behavior, the author's premise is that "we create by feeling, not by thought." Let her explain:

" . . . the energy that flows out from us comes from our highly charged emotions to create highly charged electromagnetic wave patterns of energy, making us powerful - but volatile - walking magnets. . . . The electromagnetic vibrations you send out every split second of every day are what have brought - and are continuing to bring - everything into your life, big or small, good or bad. Everything! No exceptions." (p. 8, emphases hers)

While discovering some great nuggets in Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting, I also found that, like most self-help books with a gnostic bent, the author leaves an independent acting and thinking and feeling (emphasis mine) God out of the equation. End result, a self-as-central view of reality. Myopic and unsatisfying.

The Pursuit of Happyness

The Pursuit of Happyness
The Life Story that Inspired the Major Motion Picture
by Chris Gardner (Amistad, 2006)

I did not see the movie. I will. It'll be better than the book.

Although this memoir was engaging, the storyline was probably better served as a feature film which focused, I understand, on Chris Gardner's grit and determination in overcoming the obstacles of family breakup, job loss, homelessness, caring for his son, inevitable racial barriers, and of course new career challenges as a stock broker.

The San Francisco Chronicle Book Review pronounces: "The quintessential rags-to-riches American dream story - amazing and inspirational." And it is. It's just that the first half of the story drags. Gardner spends too much time on his childhood - and not an exceptionally interesting one at that. Except for the retelling of some classic and hilarious boyhood antics that reveal an ornery streak that sets the stage for adulthood triumph, I kept wanting Gardner to get to the good part.

He does eventually. But has to drop about a thousand F-bombs along the way. Some poignant truths, but unfortunately Gardner's personality is off-putting just enough that I never felt compelled to care deeply about his struggle. But then, I am white. I've never been homeless. I come from an intact, nuclear family. His story is not mine. Yet I admire his determination.

So although I've read better memoirs, The Pursuit of Happyness delivers. Gardner finally did get to the "good part" - he's now the CEO of Gardner Rich & Company. And I doubt very much if he cares whether I liked his book.

By the way, for a happenstance taxi interview with Chris Gardner in 2000 in Chicago, watch this You Tube Video. (F-bomb alert.) If you like what you see here, you'll like his book.


UPDATE April: Found another good review of this book by M.B. Levine.

Wild at Heart

Wild at Heart
Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul
by John Eldredge (Thomas Nelson, 2001)

So this is a men's book.

Fortunately, it's not a typecast "7-Steps-to-Becoming-a-Better-Whatever" men's book. Instead it's a discussion about the masculine heart, and therefore a great read for both men and women. In an engaging, often candid, disarming style, Eldridge explores what men really yearn for - with sometimes painful accuracy. I rediscovered truths about myself that I'd forgotten; that our current cultural fascination with metrosexualism has suppressed.

Like our three-fold desire for a Battle to Fight, an Adventure to Live, and a Beauty to Rescue. Let Eldredge explain in his introduction:

Most messages for men ultimately fail. The reason is simple: They ignore what is deep and true to a man's heart, his real passions, and simply try to shape him up through various forms of pressure. "This is the man you ought to be.". . .Men need something else. They need a deeper understanding of why they long for adventures and battles and a Beauty - and why God made them just like that. And they need a deeper understanding of why women long to be fought for, to be swept up in adventure, and to be the Beauty. For that is how God made them as well. (emphases his)

Now that is a refreshing take on the masculine soul. But then there's that fear: What if I don't have what it takes? Plus the wound: Living as if we're orphans, without a Loving Father to guide us into manhood. How do we navigate this journey to become real men?

In Wild at Heart (and from what I can tell so far in his follow-up book The Way of the Wild Heart, which I'm reading now) Eldridge shows us the truth about ourselves and the Father who wants to initiate us into an abundant, truly masculine life. Through personal reflections, great illustrations taken from modern day scenarios, and biblical study, he gives us hope that we do indeed have what it takes to win the battle, live the adventure, and rescue the beauty, since that is in fact what our Hero, Jesus Christ has already done for us.

If you're looking for something beyond the stadium excitement of Promise Keepers, this book comes highly recommended. For more on John Eldredge and his books, visit Ransomed Heart.

An Umpire's View

Heard about how three umpires called strikes based on their different worldviews.

Which statement reflects your perspective?

• The pre-modern umpire says, "I call 'em as they are!"
• The modern umpire says, "I call 'em as I see 'em!"
• The postmodern umpire says, "They ain't nothin' 'till I call 'em!"

I think I know what my answer is supposed to be, but it wasn't my first response. That's because I've probably been influenced by the culture of my upbringing more than I'd care to admit. We all have.

I grew up in the transition between modernity and what has come to be called postmodernism. We may still be in that transition. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Modernism trusted in its own rationalism to the exclusion of experience and mystery, hallmarks of the emerging worldview, and a longing for many.

Good news is, the life we have in Christ speaks to this yearning. Engaging postmoderns, however, requires an honest and humble recognition of the tension between mystery and information, hope and skepticism, confidence and doubt and truth and relativism.

These dualities are dealt with in just such a manner in a recent book by Craig Loscalzo. Apologetic Preaching - Proclaiming Christ to a Postmodern World (IVP) isn't just a book for preachers. It's a helpful guide on understanding our current context and how we might lovingly communicate the message of Jesus to others.

The strength of this book is that it is accessible to those who are not familiar with the philosophical and historical issues behind the Enlightment (modernity) and what is now called postmodernity. A good primer and practical guide for believers who want to understand and participate in the changes going on around them.

Although Loscalzo hits a foul ball or two, he does connect for a hit - not quite a home run, but a solid triple. You may disagree, but then, I simply call 'em the way I see 'em.

It's Not About the Bike

The human spirit surprises me.

Aware of the devilish and awaiting the heavenly, I often overlook a simple matter: Our mortal soul is a remarkable thing. Lance Armstrong's battle and victory over cancer, his well-documented racing comeback, and his unfathomable 7 consecutive Tour de France wins is a moving saga, reminding me that courage and struggle are profound human virtues.

Lance's first book, It's Not About the Bikeis not just for dedicated athletes or survivors of the disease. For the race in which we find ourselves is really a metaphor for life; it is not limited in scope to sports or sickness. In fact, it's a human race - full of tragedy and disappointment, surely - but buoyed by triumph and celebration. Armstrong's perspective is a crucial part of the story of the human spirit and I appreciate his candor in sharing it. It inspires me to dig deep and work through some of my daily and often mundane struggles.

But there's more to this story. I pray that Lance will one day experience the next chapter, or sequel, and taste true victory in and through Jesus Christ.

After reading this inspiring book, I get the impression that Armstrong knows that death and defeat don't deserve the victory lap. Yet in life's race and at this point in his personal tour it seems he believes that the best we can hope for is to confront death "straightforwardly, armed with nothing but courage." (p. 272) In the final analysis, any triumph we experience is due to a reliance upon the self.

But if ultimately, in this dangerous race through mortality, it is simply a matter of standing firm in the face of adversity, then I fear our hope is built on something less than lasting. In the end, death wins. Yellow jerseys fade. Courage expires. Vanity of vanities; all is vanity. (from Ecclesiastes 1.2)

Except the eternal. This is the victory that Jesus offers. Life now and life eternal. Yes, as Armstrong states,

"People die. That truth is so disheartening that at times I can't bear to articulate it. Why should we go on, you might ask? Why don't we all just stop and lie down where we are? But there is another truth, too. People live." (pp. 4, 5)

Again, this part of the story - our pursuit of life - is an inspiring story that he tells fairly well. And yet I long for Armstrong to keep reading, keep listening for the rest of the story. The message that, not only do people live, but people Live. This triumph does not rely on self or courage or grit or luck. It comes as a gift, one that can't be earned, for it is a victory over Death that has already been won for us by Jesus Christ.

Maybe I'll be able to talk with Lance about this someday. He already knows it's not about racing; I just want to tell him that it's really about Life.

Guest Review: YOU!

by Rick Stilwell* at Caffeinated Adventures

Pastor Ed Young has written a book to recapture a sense of real self-esteem and properly placed self-worth. Unfortunately, YOU! (copyright 2005, Howard Publishing Company) feels more like a sermon series that moves one powerpoint slide too long to really hold the congregation's attention. If someone needs this book to find a way out of self-loathing depression, let them skip to chapter ten, p. 127 - where the truths of scripture, when balanced in context with a real focus on the Lord, are laid out pretty plain and clear. The rest of the work leading to that point falls short in book form. There's a deeper book in there somewhere, and I was hoping for more.

My first thought, while reading the introduction and first chapters, was that the title and cover art will probably not grab the interest of the people who would benefit from this type of encouragement. Instead, if this book caters to those who already think too highly of themselves or place too much value on Me/Myself/I will find in this book something for YOU to make more of YOU then YOU really should be doing. I know folks who need to be able to learn that God loves them, that He values and appreciates them as a part of His creation, as His workmanship.

But there are some inconsistencies that bothered me. One of them is the use of sermon bulletpoints: I always abhor all alliteration, and when chapter one speaks of the Treadmills of Style, Status and Success, it was too much for me. Another place where it just felt mish-mashed for me was in making the point that God wants to use us, dsiplay us for His glory. After writing about how those three paths for finding value will leave one still insecure and feeling unloved (style, status and success do not work - he's right in putting that in print), there's another illustration later on of what we would do with a priceless work of art. "... would you keep that painting buried in the basement covered in cheesecloth? No! You'd hang that painting in the most prominent area of your home so it could be enjoyed by everyone who saw it" (p. 31). But wouldn't that be somewhere close to the style/status/success thing we're trying to avoid? A third type of inconsistency for me was the under-usage of scripture - not that the Bible is left out, but that it's not a bigger part of the discussion and presentation from the beginning.

That's just me - I'm being picky, I know, and I apologize. I wanted to like this book, to have it rise above where I just knew it would be going. We live in a feel good society that already thinks it's all about YOU. But as I wrote earlier, I know people who need this book, those self-aggrandizing and those self-hating - I just think they need it written in a different way. Young's statement that the biggest question we're asking in life is "Do I matter to anyone?" (p. 13) is probably too narrow, feeds too much on the self-centered selfishness that's at the root of what we do wrong in this world. While the advice is good, it's just that: advice, to be taken or not taken. There's no weight beyond the alliteration and storytelling. What if we'd been able to dig together a little more into biblical stories of David and Moses, maybe followed their journeys of discovery and self-worth in the eyes of God.

Final recommendation: if YOU are drawn to the title YOU, then YOU probably don't need to buy this book. If however, you feel like you don't matter and everyone including God has passed you by, then pick this book for a good week of reading, taking the time in reading to also dive into the scriptures and the stories there of people being valued beyond themselves by the God who loves you deeply, too.

(*Note: Review posted here by permission. Thanks, Rick. Good word. I'll refrain from chanting You You You and pointing to your blog in acknowledgement. lgp :-)

The Power of Positive Thinking

This classic by Norman Vincent Peale helped explode the self-help genre and gave it credibility within the Christian community. Although the author appeals to a liberal mindset (religion is good for you and God is only about love), the positive thinking guideposts he articulates utilize transferable scriptural principles. This shouldn't become your bible, but it is a helpful read. I especially relate to this quote on How to Break the Worry Habit:

Worry is a destructive process of occupying the mind with thoughts contrary to God's love and care....The cure is to fill the mind with thoughts of God's power, His protection, and His goodness. (p. 129)

Do we need Peale to remind us what Paul has already stated in Philippian 4:8? Probably not. But can such reminders do us good? If read as practical suggestions alongside the scripture, I'm fairly positive they can.

Your Road Map For Success

Defining success is like herding cats - you can go off in a hundred different directions. But when it comes to the application of leadership principles as it relates to this theme, there's no one better than John Maxwell to show the way. In this book, previously published as The Success Journey, Maxwell reminds us that success is a journey, not a destination. Here's his definition:

Success is . . .
knowing your purpose in life,
growing to reach your maximum potential, and
sowing seeds that benefit others. (p. 11)

We're not on a journey to success. This journey is ongoing. We will never exhaust our capacity to grow our potential or run out of opportunities to help other people. This is good news. It takes the pressure off of "performing" and puts the emphasis on maturing. The process is the goal.

Maybe that's a platitude, but the truth is well worth learning. So often we think we'll "arrive" after earning some trophy, diploma, degree, promotion, or position. Yet before the applause dies down, we're dissatisfied and start looking for our next success.

The truth is that the secret to any success is in the daily habits that move us toward our purpose and mature us in Christ, all the while benefiting others. The awards that may or may not come are simply expressions of successful living. And if you see yourself as successful by this definition, the kudos are just icing on the cake.

Confidence

Subtitled: How to Succeed at Being Yourself.

This small little paperback by Alan McGinnis is an excellent primer on building self-confidence based on biblical principles. It doesn't read "churchy" and therefore can be a nice crossover read for those who are open to spiritual themes. The Twelve Rules for Building Self-Confidence include:

1. Focus on your potential instead of your limitations.
2. Determine to know the truth about yourself.
3. Distinguish between who you are and what you do. (p. 10)

This third principle is one I struggle with. How can we separate the two? This may be at the heart of a lot of self-improvement. It's a struggle worth winning. This resource is engaging enough to help - deep enough to hold my attention; free from a lot of off-putting lingo.

All You Can Do is All You Can Do

. . . But all you can do is enough!

That is, if you give it all you've got. That's the message from Art Williams, a former high school football coach who rose through difficulty to become one of the wealthiest men in America. His no-holds-barred advice includes: Become a Dreamer Again (And Dream Big), Have a Crusade (Stand for Something), Treat People "Good", and his famous "Do It" Principle.

All the other principles in this book won't do you a bit of good if you never act on them. There's got to be action for you to win. Talk is cheap. Everybody talks a good game. But a winner goes out and does something. (p. 230)

Whether you want to build a championship business or just live life like a winner, this former coach can coach you to greatness. To change your life, change your thinking. Advice from someone who's been there can make the difference.

Life Strategies

Phillip C. McGraw, better known as Dr. Phil, actually has a lot of good things to say. Especially in his book, Life Strategies - Doing What Works, Doing What Matters. Dr. Phil's overall message is that we are all responsibile for our actions. In 10 Life Laws (not based on the 10 Commandments) he helps us discover and apply different aspects of that truth. I like his plain talk approach. Example,

Life Law #2: You Create Your Own Experience. Your Strategy: Acknowledge and accept accountability for your life. Understand your role in creating the results that are your life. Learn how to choose better so you have better. (p. 56)

No psychobabble here. Just solid truths, many of them biblically based. Ready to tackle areas of your life that are holding you back? This is a great resource. Read it with pen and marker in hand.

Success God's Way

Charles Stanley discusses Achieving True Contentment and Purpose in this solid resource, Success God's Way. Avoiding the cliches of positive thinking, the author offers a sure strategy for successful living based on this biblical definition:

Success is the continuing achievement of becoming the person God wants you to be and accomplishing the goals God has helped you set. (p. 3)

The rest of the book helps us understand and apply these two basic concepts - who we are and what we should be about. While the writing is engaging, the scriptural examples are very familiar and a bit worn. But then I would not expect Stanley to venture far from the authority from which all true success principles are derived.

Mind Power Into The 21st Century

This book by John Kehoe provides Techniques to Harness the Astounding Powers of Thought. But it actually does more than that. While some of the techniques are helpful and true, this book propounds a philosophy behind such techniques which I find disturbing. It teaches that the universe is a giant hologram - that is, an entity in which the whole is contained in each of its parts. Here's how the author puts it.

Everything at its purest and deepest essence is energy, and whenever you think, you are working with an immense amount of this energy in the quick, light, mobile form of thought. Thought is forever attempting to find form. . . . (p. 8)

What this means for us is that we can manifest anything we desire through our thoughts. I'm convinced our thoughts have power. That is why we can be called to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. But the biblical philosophy undergirding this truth is quite different than that which Kehoe proposes.

Guest Thought from Wayne at Q&A Blog

Note: My thanks to Wayne for allowing me to reprint his post at Questions and Answers. lgp

Always Ask, "Is It Meaningful?"

The other day I picked up the book by Dennis Prager*, Happiness is a Serious Problem, for a little light reading. I ran across a paragraph that got my attention.

To be a good person, it is always necessary to ask before doing something, "Is it right?" To be physically fit, it is necessary to ask before eating something, "Is it healthful?" To be a happy person, it is necessary to ask before acting, "Is it meaningful?" The problem, course, is that the good action, the healthful food, and the meaningful behavior are rarely the most enticing of our choices - which only proves, once again, that the greatest battle for happiness is with our own nature.

To live a life that is happy, we must take a look at everything we do and determine if it is meaningful. This does not mean that we can not have enjoyment and do some things that are frivolous; it means that the main things that we spend our time on must be meaningful to us and probably also to the world.

This is important to me and probably to most men. You see, most men with families have the responsibility to financially provide for their families. That often times means that they take jobs that pay the most money, not which provide any meaning for them. I know this from experience, and to some degree it is killing me.

So, how do you order your life so that you do the things that are of meaning? That is the quest that lies before me.

~~~~~
* Happiness Is a Serious Problem, by Dennis Prager