Issue No. 588 of Your Weekly Staff Meeting suggests you pick two inspirational books for 2024: one for you and one for a friend or family member. See the menu below. And this reminder: click here to download free resources from the 20 management buckets (core competencies), click here for over 575 book reviews, and click here for my review of Clear Thinking: Turning Ordinary Moments into Extraordinary Results, by Shane Parrish. Plus, watch for my year-end issue with my book-of-the-year honors.
Oh, my! We should read this wisdom from Jerry White every morning! Read more in the 25th anniversary edition of Dangers Men Face. And for more on everyday influence, read Bill Butterworth's book.
Steve Leveen, the author of The Little Guide to Your Well-Read Life: How to Get More Books in Your Life and More Life from Your Books (read my review), notes that John Armato, a PR executive, “cherishes his growing Library of Candidates. When people ask him if he’s actually read all those books, he asks if they’ve actually eaten all the food in their kitchen. ‘It is good to put up a supply of books; it increases the odds that you’ll have what you want when you’re hungry for it,’ he says.” Leveen adds:
Like an open road, they hold the promise
of your future examined life.”
It’s almost Christmas, but have you found a gift for yourself yet? Here are 14 inspiring books for your empty shelves and to help you set the table for a God-honoring 2024. PICK TWO (one for you, one for a friend)...or pick all of them—and delegate your reading!
BOOKS ARE LISTED BY RELEASE DATE (most recent first):
[ ] Two Paths: Discover the Way That Leads to Life (Oct. 31, 2023), by Craig W. Douglas (order from Amazon)
I have great appreciation for leaders who invest their lives in the ministry of Christian camps and conference centers. Author Craig Douglas has served at Timberline Ranch in Canada since 2005 and creatively leverages the "two paths" metaphor in his new book. In the chapter, "When You Lose Your Way," he describes the difference between "sinning or mistaking." It's insightful. He weighs in on "Did Jesus make mistakes?"
Every chapter concludes with one-liners for "The Wise Path" and "The Foolish Path." See the author's transparent "Bonus Tip" on page 25 about the hypocrites in your church. (Watch for my review.)
[ ] The Most Holy Place: Devotional Prayers in the Book of Hebrews (Aug. 26, 2023), by Jeremy D. Vogan (order from Amazon)
Oh, my. Ready to go deep? How about deeper? "The Most Holy Place is a daily prayer meditation and Biblical synthesis from the Old and New Testaments based on the book of Hebrews, verse by verse, Monday through Saturday, for 52 weeks." You get Sunday off in this deep-and-wide gem, and there are no accusatory calendar dates reminding you that you missed a week. The first Monday's prayer begins, "Lord, You know how desperately I need to hear from You. This world is no friend to grace." (Watch for my review.)
[ ] I Will Not Bow Down: Living a Stand-Up Life in a Bow-Down World (July 12, 2023), by Bill Hull (order from Amazon). Note: Hull is also the author of No Longer A Bystander: A Radical New Way To Look At Our Christianity, Our Culture, Our Future, And Our Legacy (Oct. 22, 2021). Order from Amazon.
Bill Hull blogs regularly on Substack and is a fresh and authentic voice in a noisy world of wanna-be prophets and influencers. I Will Not Bow Down continues Hull's focus on the "Great Omission" (making disciples). You'll remember the movie Chariots of Fire, but Hull notes that Eric Liddell's "second half of his life was more spectacular than the first." (Read more on page 25 and watch for my review.)
Co-founder of The Bonhoeffer Project, Hull is the author of more than 30 books and writes in No Longer a Bystander that he "has pretty much behaved himself and stayed in his lane, the clerical lane." But here he warns, "America has become soft, weak, lazy, and 'woke,' and so has the church." I had to laugh at his page 25 poke-in-the-ribs: "If you watch a John Wayne movie on Saturday morning, by Saturday afternoon your social network will be trying to sell you chaps and spurs." (Watch for my review.)
[ ] The Power of One: Reaching Every Person on Earth (June 28, 2023), by Billy Wilson (order from Amazon)
In Ed Stetzer's endorsement of this book, he applauds Billy Wilson's passion for Gen Z's role in world evangelism. The Power of One includes a memorable true story on pages 24-25 with this encouragement, "For the single ladies reading this book: Bessie's method was very effective! If you don't have a husband, preach one out!" You'll appreciate the vision—and the heart—of author Billy Wilson, president of Oral Roberts University. (Watch for my review.)
[ ] Dangers Men Face (25th Anniversary Edition, April 4, 2023), by Jerry White (order from Amazon)
Twenty-five years ago, I read Jerry White's 1997 book, Dangers Men Face, with the subtitle, "Overcoming the Five Greatest Threats to Living Life Well." Sections included: Loss, Sin, Freezing, Confusion, and Withdrawal. For his 2023 25th anniversary edition, White asks, "What has changed since the initial writing of this book? Very little, and yet so much." He asked friends (including his grandson) to weigh in on 2023 dangers that men face. As with all books by Jerry White, the content is deep, and grace abounds. (Watch for my review.)
[ ] Faithfully Different: Regaining Biblical Clarity in a Secular Culture (Feb. 8, 2022), by Natasha Crain. Order from Amazon. Listen on Libro (7 hours, 12 minutes).
If you have a biblical worldview today—you're in the minority. Natasha Crain blogs, speaks and hosts podcasts for Christ-followers who "face mounting pressure—from family, friends, media, academia, and government—to change even abandon" their beliefs. She concludes her important book with a counter-cultural metaphor: not "the frog in the kettle," but "fruit under pressure" (Gal. 5:22-23). Brilliant! (Watch for my review.)
[ ] Daily Wisdom for Peacemaking: A 365-Day Devotional (Dec. 15, 2021), by Brian Noble (order from Amazon)
“Wherever there are people, there will be problems.” So how do you think “peace” in the midst of conflict? From Peacemaker Ministries, Daily Wisdom for Peacemaking will connect you daily to God's Word, teaching you how to uphold a kingdom-minded perspective and enjoy peace-filled relationships. (Watch for my review.)
[ ] Knowing God Through the Year: A 365-Day Devotional (March 7, 2017), by J. I. Packer and Carolyn Nystrom (Editor and Compiler). Order from Amazon.
Note: This daily devotional was the 2023 annual reading recommendation for members and attenders of Mariners Church, Irvine, Calif. Read my 2019 review of Packer's original book, Knowing God. Packer (1926-2020) writes:
“But this is knowledge which Christians today largely lack: and that is one reason why our faith is so feeble and our worship so flabby. We are modern people, and modern people, though they cherish great thoughts of themselves, have as a rule small thoughts of God.”
[ ] Everyday Influence (April 23, 2015), by Bill Butterworth (order from Amazon)
There are few exceptional speakers who are also exceptional writers. Bill Butterworth, somehow, is both. While many of today's cool kids (and adults!) are chasing after misdirected "influencer" fame, Butterworth turns the tables and writes that "influence arrives in the simplest of ways." His wordsmithed vocabulary—stunning. His own youthful stories—classic Billy Butterworth! His 12 short chapters (all starting with "C")—memorable. His heart for God—eye-opening. (Read my review.)
[ ] The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask (With Answers), by Mark Mittelberg, with foreword by Lee Strobel (Nov. 1, 2010). Order from Amazon.
"The best defense is a good offense," writes Mark Mittelberg in this still-very-timely book. Noting "one of the greatest verbal comebacks in the history of public discourse..." this apologetics guru mentions Ronald Reagan's 1984 debate quip about Walter Mondale's age! While this book is excellent on how to defend your Christian faith, Mittelberg also delivers helpful insights for going on the offense, per 2 Corinthians 10:4. (Watch for my review.)
[ ] Holiness Day by Day: Transformational Thoughts for Your Spiritual Journey (Sept. 21, 2010), by Jerry Bridges. Order from Amazon. Listen on Libro (12 hours, 26 minutes).
Note: This is the 2024 "Annual Read" recommended by Mariners Church, Irvine, Calif. From Senior Pastor Eric Geiger: "I hope that as you journey with us through the Mariners Church Annual Read for 2024, you are inspired by each verse within and encouraged by the insightful words of Jerry Bridges, a prolific writer and theologian whose work has blessed me personally. I look forward to growing in grace and pursuing holiness with you throughout 2024."
Read my review.
[ ] The Journals of Jim Elliot (Oct. 1, 2002), by Jim Elliot and Elisabeth Elliot (Editor). Order from Amazon.
You'll remember the often-quoted line from Jim Elliot, the martyred missionary to Ecuador (1927-1956), "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." I've always been interested in Elliot's life because he also served with Pete Fleming (one of the five men killed, who was a 1946 graduate of Queen Anne High School in Seattle, where I attended many years later). In this poignant journal, the entry for Dec. 10-12, 1951, simply reads: "Seattle shopping with Pedro." Editor Elizabeth Elliot, his wife, elaborates, "Shopping for equipment for Ecuador with Pete Fleming." (Watch for my review.)
FOR MORE INSPIRATION:
• Read “10 Spiritual Growth Books I’m Reading in 2021." (Click here.)
• Read "Conversation Starters for Your Morning Meetings with Almighty God," from the Jan. 12, 2023, issue. (Click here.)
YOUR WEEKLY STAFF MEETING QUESTIONS:
1) Have you noticed the "Page 25 Rule?" By page 25, many authors have warmed up and deliver the real meat and potatoes. (Examples: here and here.) Bring a book to our next staff meeting and share an insight from page 25!
2) Jerry White's commentary on "The Danger of Freezing" speaks to those who resist change (who me?). Example: "His mind is made up—don't try to change him." Do you get angry when change is required? "Your anger is a sign of freezing." What "old" idea or methodology are you hanging onto—fearful of the new?
Mastering 100 Must-Read Books - Part 10: White House/Fight House
Book #58 of 100: Fight House
For your team meeting this week, inspire a team member to lead your “10 Minutes for Lifelong Learning” session by spotlighting Book #58 in Mastering 100 Must-Read Books.
Fight House:
Rivalries in the White House from Truman to Trump
by Tevi Troy
Books #56 through #60 spotlight five books on U.S. presidents in the section, “White House/Fight House.” Author Tevi Troy notes that many White House staffs engaged in “process fouls,” defined as “not going through normal channels, not inviting the right people to meetings, not sticking to your lane, and the like.” Any process fouls in your organization recently?
• Read my Part 1 review.
• Read my Part 2 “POTUS Pop Quiz.”
• Order from Amazon: Fight House
• Listen on Libro (9 hours, 1 minute).
• Download the 100 Must-Read Books list (from John and Jason Pearson).
This book was so good, I wrote two reviews! Bestselling presidential historian and former senior White House aide Tevi Troy weaves insightful commentary on leadership styles and a leader’s tolerance for conflicting views—“a recurring problem in White House management.” Troy says that without a forum for dissenting views at least three things will happen: leaking, behind-the-back whispering, and “writing unfavorable memoirs.”
76-PAGE POWERHOUSE!
Oh, my. Don’t let the brevity of this book camouflage its critical content. You’ll likely read this 76-page powerhouse in one sitting, but you’ll talk incessantly about it to others. Have you ever read a book on finishing well? Thought about…finishing well? Prayed about…finishing well? Read my review of Finishing Well, by Ron Cline. And for more book reviews, visit the Pails in Comparison Blog.
“Guard Your CEO’s Soul”
“Guarding Your CEO’s Soul: Wise boards invest time—up front—to ensure their CEO’s soul is not neglected” is Lesson 4 in More Lessons From the Nonprofit Boardroom: Effectiveness, Excellence, Elephants! by Dan Busby and John Pearson (2019). This chapter quotes Steve Macchia, “As the CEO goes, so goes the ministry. And, as the soul goes, so goes the CEO.” Read the lesson. Read the guest blog by Wes Willmer. Order the book.
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PEARPOD | TELLING YOUR STORY. Look at the 20 book covers in this issue. Which cover looks most interesting to you? Why? Certainly No Longer a Bystander grabs your attention with the BMW license plate, "BONHOFR." Have you read or listened to any books on effective storytelling and the role that appropriate creativity plays in communicating your mission? We can help.Contact Jason Pearson at Pearpod (Design, Digital, Marketing, Social).
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