INSIGHTS GAINED ALONG THE WAY

Thursday, April 30, 2009

BOOK REVIEW--HOW I GOT TO BE WHOEVER IT IS I AM BY CHARLES GRODIN

In this candid, moving, and laugh-out-loud book, Charles Grodin reminisces on the events and moments that have shaped his life. Grodin is one of the best storytellers around. His book is entertaining while offering insights he gained along the way.

You probably will not agree with Grodin on some things. But you may be surprised at how much you do agree on. I know I was. If you are one of those people who just can't tolerate somebody you disagree with or don't want to take time to listen to another point of view--then don't read this book. But I decided a long time ago that I will accept truth wherever I find it. I found a lot of truth in this interesting, humourus book.

Charles Grodin shares backstage stories from his performances in Same Time, Next Year and other plays, and movies like The Heartbreak Kid and Midnight Run. He also reveals what it was like to work with icons such as Robert DeNiro, Dustin Hoffman, Johnny Carson, Orson Welles, Warren Beatty, Robert Redford, Gene Wilder and many other actors, directors, producers, and journalists.

As the host of his award-winning talk show and as a commentator for 60 Minutes ll he interviewed extraordinary and renowned men and women. In and through his relentless advocacy, he has been instrumental in the reform of New York drug laws and the granting of clemency to nearly one thousand people.

Grodin tells many interesting stories and makes you glad that he took you on his journey. I recommend this as a book to read on a plane trip, when waiting for an appointment or anytime that you just want to read for a while. The book is made up of about sixty short stories--all very interesting.

WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK

• The generous folks at Hachette Book Group are allowing me to host this book giveaway for five (5) copies!
• Winners are restricted to the US and Canada. No PO Box mailing address please. You do not have to be a blogger to win.
  
• I must have a way of contacting you, so be sure to leave your email address in your comment.
• Some choose to omit the @ sign and the . dot by writing it in "code" like this: you (at) your email (dot)com.
• I'll close the comments May 7 and pick the five winners. I will contact the winners via email to get their mailing information. The winners will have three days to respond. If I do not hear from them within three days, I will select another winner(s).

GOOD ADVICE

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Often visiting bloggers, when leaving comments will end with, "Have a good day."

I like that! I also leave that comment on many blogs.

Joel Osteen says, "The key to living your best life starts with how you approach every new day."

You can't do anything about the past, and you don't know what the future holds. But when you wake up in the morning, you can make up your mind to do your best to enjoy your day.

Have a good day!

THE BEST BISCUITS AND GRAVY IN THE UNIVERSE

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

He said, "The 40th Street Cafe has the best biscuits and gravy in the universe."

A blogging friend's husband made this bold statement. No, he hasn't tasted all the biscuits and gravy in the universe. He just doesn't think there could possibly be any better. Maybe he's right.

Since we live close to this cafe, we went to try the best biscuits and gravy in the universe. The gravy was great. The biscuits--not so great, in my opinion.

The 40th Street Cafe has good biscuits and gravy. The best in the universe? Maybe, maybe not.

Since my friend has moved away from the 40th Street Cafe and now lives in the western part of the big valley, I suggest he try the biscuits and gravy at Mike and Rhonda's The Place at 4925 West Bell Road. They also have a restaurant in Flagstaff. This has to be some of the best biscuits and gravy to be found anyplace. (No, I haven't been everyplace!!!)

My wife, when she was a young girl, went to school sick one morning. The teacher asked her what she had for breakfast. She said, "Biscuits and gravy." The teacher said,"My goodness, no wonder you're sick!"

Try the biscuits and gravy at The Place or the 4oth Street Cafe. They won't make you sick.

A MOVING STORY OF COMMON WISDOM

Monday, April 27, 2009

BOOK REVIEW--THE NOTICER BY ANDY ANDREWS

“This is the best book I have ever read in my life.” These are the words of Nancy Lopez, LPGA Hall of Famer. She also said, “The Noticer is completely absorbing. Anything less than stunning would be an understatement.”

The Noticer by Andy Andrews, New York best-selling author of The Traveler’s Gift is, as Nancy Lopez said, “completely absorbing.” It may not be the best book I have ever read, but it is not far from it. I recommend it as a book that everybody needs to read and a book that everybody will enjoy reading and profit from. Most of us find it difficult to find the “perfect gift” for our friends graduating from high school and college. Andy Andrews’ book is that “perfect gift.”

The only reason I didn’t read this book through in one sitting is because I was interrupted to do something else. When I picked it up again I read straight through to the end.

An old drifter named Jones taught a community of people how to develop the proper perspective about poverty, failing marriage, old age, lost dreams, failing business, and more. He taught them one by one that they did not have to feel desperate and at a dead end. He gave them hope by showing them they needed to change and how to do it. To him there was no such thing as a dead end. It only takes a little “perspective,” he says, to recognize the miracles in our moments, the seeds of greatness tucked into our struggles.

This splendid book will make you think, learn, pray, plan and dream.

You must read this book. It was written for you!

GOD'S GOODNESS EVERYDAY

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Ponder the following words from Joel Osteen:

"When you live favor-minded, you'll begin to see God's goodness in the everyday, ordinary details at the grocery store, at the ball field, at the mall, at work or at home. You may be out to lunch when you "just happen" to bump into somebody you've been wanting to meet. Perhaps that person is somebody you admire or hope to learn from, or possibly he or she is someone with whom you have been hoping to do business, but you couldn't get to them. That is not a coincidence. That's the favor of God causing you to be at the right place at the right time."

"When those kinds of things happen, be grateful. Be sure to thank God for His favor, and for His special assistance in your life. Don't take God's favor for granted."

LADIES I NEED YOUR HELP

Ladies I need your help and I don't mind saying so.

I can beg if I have to.

I got this wonderful idea that I would give away five copies of a great book about basketball and leadership. I knew that not many men read my blog but I thought that many of you ladies would say, "That looks like a great book for my husband, son, grandson or friend." I'm even dumb enough that I thought a few of you might want to read it yourself. NOT!

I know this is a good book for parents,CEO's, Pastors and anybody that wants to build a great team, I'm asking you to go to my review of this book and leave a comment and your email address. I would like to send you a copy of this splendid book.

I'm a proud man so I'll hold off on the begging for a few days. But I will say, "Please."
Oh what the heck--PRETTY PLEASE.

MY MOTHER-IN-LAW

Friday, April 24, 2009

I have heard my share of, and even told a few, mother-in-law jokes.

If I could think of a funny one, I would tell it right now.

But this post is not about jokes. It's about a grand lady who, if she were living, would be ninety-six today.

My mother-in-law--and my father-in-law always treated me with the greatest respect. They never interfered in our lives or tried to tell us how to raise our family.

My mother-in-law was a good Christian lady. She was a good person in every way. She was kind, considerate and always put others first.

My wish for every man out there is for you to have a mother-in-law like mine. And I will know that when you tell those jokes--and you will tell them, that you are just teasing!

Happy heavenly birthday Jessie!

THE GOLD STANDARD

Thursday, April 23, 2009

BOOK REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

THE GOLD STANDARD-Building a World-Class Team

Do your want to bring out the best in your family, your employees, your team? Coach Mike Krzyzewski says: "In all forms of leadership, whether you are a coach, a CEO, or a parent, there are four words that, when said, can bring out the best in your team, your employees, and your family...I BELIEVE IN YOU. These four words can mean the difference between a fear of failure and the courage to try."

In his previous bestselling books, Coach K has guided readers to success the way he has guided his teams at Duke University--with the power of his inspirational words and phenomenal leadership skills.

This book is about Coach K stepping up to take on an entirely new challenge by volunteering to coach the US Olympic Basketball team. Comprised of some of the biggest NBA stars, Coach K had to work with huge egos and personal rivalries in order to create an American team that could win against the best competition in the world and restore Team USA to the gold standard of basketball.

This is more than a celebratory book. It is Coach K's first-hand account of how he dealt with such stars as Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony and all the rest to buy into his "total team" play. Half a book on basketball, half a book on management techniques, The Gold Standard captures Coach K's personal style and approach to getting different (and sometimes difficult) people to work hard and succeed in reaching a common goal.

Will women enjoy this book as much as men? Some will because they love basketball. Others will want to get a copy for their husband, son, grandson, or other male friend. Jamie Spatola, Coach K's youngest daughter who is a graduate of Duke University where she majored in English, helped her father write this book.
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WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK

• The generous folks at Hachette Book Group are allowing me to host this book giveaway for five (5) copies!
• Winners are restricted to the US and Canada. No PO Box mailing address please. You do not have to be a blogger to win.
  
• I must have a way of contacting you, so be sure to leave your email address in your comment.
• Some choose to omit the @ sign and the . dot by writing it in "code" like this: you (at) your email (dot)com.
• I'll close the comments May 7 and pick the five winners. I will contact the winners via email to get their mailing information. The winners will have three days to respond. If I do not hear from them within three days, I will select another winner(s).

A NEW DENTAL HYGIENIST

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Every six months I go see my dental hygienist.

Today I was pleased to have a new or different hygienist. The "old" hygienist was crabby and was always giving me a lecture on how to take better care of my teeth.

The new hygienist is not pretty. But she is not ugly. Which isn't real important because I keep my eyes closed most of the time anyhow.

Whether she is pretty or ugly really shouldn't matter--but it does a little. I have found that the ugly ones try to hurt me more. Or does it just seem that way?

The dentist came in. He messed around in my mouth and with my neck. He said, "I don't see anything that indicates cancer." Wow! "I'm glad." I said. I thought to myself, "Where did this come from. I just came in to get my teeth cleaned."

She said, "I'll see you in October." I hope she scheduled me for a simple cleaning and not surgery.

LEADERSHIP

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

"The great illusion of leadership is to think that others can be led out of the desert by someone who has never been there." --Henri Nouwen

LOVE PAYS ATTENTION

Monday, April 20, 2009

If you want to do the work of God, pay attention to people. Notice them. Especially notice the people nobody else notices. When you pay attention to someone, when you focus totally on them, you say, "You are the most important thing in my world right now."

Love is a form of work. Scott Peck writes, "The principal form that the work of love takes is attention. When we love another person we give him or her our attention; we attend to the person's growth."

God pays close attention to us: "Even the hairs of your head are numbered," Jesus said.

God notices things your mother never even thought about.

(The thoughts in this post were edited from John Ortberg's wonderful book, Love Beyond Reason)

BEING LOVED MEANS BEING CHOSEN

Saturday, April 18, 2009

The following is from a book called The Whisper Test which I first read in John Ortberg's book, Love Beyond Reason. I am repeating this today because it is one of my favorite stories.

I grew up knowing I was different, and I hated it. I was born with a cleft palate, and when I started school, my classmates made it clear to me how I looked to others: a little girl with a misshapen lip, crooked nose, lopsided teeth, and garbled speech. When schoolmates asked, "What happened to your lip?" I'd tell them I'd fallen and cut it on a piece of glass. Somehow it seemed more acceptable to have suffered an accident than to have been born different. I was convinced that no one outside my family could love me.

There was, however, a teacher in the second grade whom we all adored--Mrs Leonard by name. She was short, round, happy--a sparkling lady.

Annually we had a hearing test..Mrs Leonard gave the test to everyone in the class, and finally it was my turn. I knew from past years that as we stood against the door and covered one ear, the teacher sitting at her desk would whisper something, and we would have to repeat it back--things like "The sky is blue" or "Do you have new shoes?" I waited there for those words that changed my life. Mrs. Leonard said, in her whisper, "I wish you were my little girl."

Love confers a kind of choseness on the one who is loved.

THE LOVE OF GOD

Thursday, April 16, 2009

BOOK REVIEW - FINDING GRACE: A True Story About Losing Your Way In life . . . And Finding It Again

The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell
F.M.Lehman

Have you ever wondered about the love of God? Have you ever questioned where he was when you needed him the most?

Finding Grace—A True Story About Losing Your Life... And Finding It Again by Donna VanLiere is a book for anyone who has struggled to understand why our desires—even the simplest ones—are sometimes denied. It is a book for anyone who has questioned where God is when we need him most. This is the powerful, sometimes humorous, always moving story of one woman’s journey of broken dreams. It is the story of how a painful legacy of the past can be confronted and met with peace.

New York Times bestselling author Donna VaLiere has inspired millions with her holiday stories. Now I am predicting she has done it again with Finding Grace, which is a memoir. In my opinion this splendid book will also be a best seller. It has won high praise from other bestselling authors. Chris Gardiner said, “Donna VanLiere reminds us that even when life doesn’t turn out the way we’d planned, there are still dreams—unimaginable dreams—that are within reach. Her story is a powerful gift that can change our lives.” Popular bestselling author Debbie Macomber, wrote: “This is an absolutely lovely book, so heartfelt and, well, just plain wonderful. It leads directly down the path of grace to God’s open door.”

During my forty-seven years as a Pastor I read many books and preached many sermons about grace. I love to think about and talk about grace. VanLiere’s words communicate what grace is all about in a way that I was never able to do. Finding Grace is the story of a woman who has lived a life rife with pain and intensity yet rich with laughter and love. I agree with Anita Renfroe, comedian and Special Correspondent to Good Morning America, who said, “If you are needing a fresh infusion of hope, I suggest that you find a place where you can laugh out loud without being thought inappropriate and can access a box of tissues. Encountering grace always moves us like that.”

I recommend you stop reading this review, turn off your computer, and run to the nearest book store.

FINDING GRACE

Tomorrow I am going to post my review of Finding Grace by Donna VanLiere. I read many books and this is one of the best, if not the best that I have read in a long time. Today I would like for you to watch this video about her book and then tomorrow read my review. This is a book you will want to purchase for yourself and extra copies for your friends.

TOP 100 BLOGS ON CHRISTIAN FAMILIES

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

My wife and I feel honored to have our blogs listed as two of the top 100 blogs on Christian families. Several of our close blogging friends are also on this list. And of course we consider all of those on the list our friends.

I want to thank Suzane Smith for this honor and encourage you to check out her blog and visit the top 100 as you have time.
(http://becomingaradiologist.org/top-100-blogs-on-christian-families/

A COMPELLING, COMPLICATED HEROINE

Monday, April 13, 2009

BOOK REVIEW --THE RIVERS RUN DRY

“To God, whose mercies are new every morning. And Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church: Thank you for your honest preaching and rockin’ sensibilities.” These words appear in the acknowledgments of Sibella Giorello’s riveting mystery novel, the rivers run dry. This book was sent to me by mistake. I had not requested it, but since it came I thought I should at least look it over. And so I did. Being a retired pastor and having great appreciation for both God and Pastor Mark Driscoll, when I read Giorello’s words of appreciation for both of them, I turned back to chapter one and started to read.

This book has a quirky cast of characters but the main character is Raleigh Harmon, a compelling, complicated heroine. Raleigh is from Virginia. Southern women often carry family names forward as first names. She is an FBI agent transferred from Richmond, Virginia to Seattle, Washington. She is good at her job but not so good at bureau politics.

The story centers on a college girl who suddenly goes missing. This superbly crafted mystery will keep you reading compulsively as hope runs short, the clock runs down, and the rivers run dry. This routine case turns deadly and agent Raleigh Harmon finds her career on the rocks and her life at stake.

One glance at my sidebar and you will see that all the books I have reviewed are of a religious nature. This book is different. It is a mystery that holds the reader in its powerful grip until the very last word. Author Fred Chappell said, “No mystery lover should pass up this novel.” I agree.

I am happy to send this review out with a strong recommendation for this book. More and more, along with my reviews of books on faith and religion, I am going to review novels, memoirs, Christian fiction, and other books of interest to me—and I hope to you.

NO WONDER THEY CALL HIM THE SAVIOR

Saturday, April 11, 2009

The thoughts in this post are borrowed and edited from Max Lucado's book, No Wonder TheyCall Him The Savior. This is my favorite of all of Max's books.

"I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise" Luke 23:43.

The only thing more outlandish than the request was that it was granted. He who deserved hell got heaven. What, for goodness' sake was Jesus trying to teach us? What was he trying to prove by pardoning this strong-arm, who in all probability had never said grace, much less done anything to deserve it. Jesus chose him to show us what he thinks of the human race. We are valuable in his sight.

We say that you are valuable if you can slam-dunk a basketball or snag a pop fly. You are valuable if your are pretty, if you can produce, if your name has a "Dr." in front or Ph.D on the end of it. You are valuable if you have a six-figure salary and drive a foreign car.

Jesus' love for us does not depend on any of this. Not at all. In the eyes of the King, you have value simply because you are. Period.

I smile because I don't deserve his love. None of us do. And it makes me smile to think that there is a grinning ex-con walking the golden streets who knows more about grace than a thousand theologians. No one else would have given him a prayer. But in the end that is all that he had. And in the end, that is all it took.

NO WONDER THEY CALL HIM THE SAVIOR.

TELL ME ANOTHER STORY

We begged for stories when we were children.

As adults, stories still enlighten us about the world around us.

Today, film has taken the art of storytelling to a whole new level.

C. S. Lewis said, "I've loved stories since I was a boy."

J.R.R. Tolkien said, "The Christian story is the greatest story of them all. Because it's the Real Story. The historical event that fulfills the tales and shows us what they mean...not just a verbal invention." Lewis asked, "Are you trying to tell me that in the story of Christ all the other stories have somehow come true?"

The story of Christ and His passion revolutionized Lewis"s life. It has transformed countless others throughout history. And it continues to impact people today.

Maybe it's the story that you've been looking for your whole life.

MUST THE YOUNG DIE TOO?

Friday, April 10, 2009

BOOK REVIEW--RECLAIMING OUR CHILDREN: EXPOSING THE NETS THAT SNARE THEM

Children are murdering each other at school; children are murdering their parents and committing suicide in record numbers.

Who cares?

Robby Dixon cares. Dixon, author of Reclaiming Our Children: Exposing the Nets That Snare Them, spent nearly eleven years studying the intricacies of the Federal Prison System, uncovering the distinction between the true criminal element and the victims of negative influences, who might otherwise have made better choices.

Robby G. Dixon cares. I care. And if you do not already care, you will once you read this informative and touching book.

Dixon offers no apologies for writing from a Christian perspective. God is at the center of his life and he believes that parents must teach children about a God who created them and loves them. He believes that it is from the home and parents that children learn their self-worth.

It is impossible to ignore the increase in troubled behavior among our nation’s youth. And young people are paying the price with incarceration. Dixon dissects the societal reasons for this distressing behavior. He provides viable, preventative methods to empower parents, children and young adults to avoid the traps that often lead to crime.He educates and informs, leaving the reader with a set of tools to keep young people on the right track. In my opinion, one of the most important things he gives is a sense of hope that young people can get on the right track and stay there.

This small (125 pages) but powerful book may be purchased from Robby G. Dixon at http://www.reclaimingourchildren.com/

A DARK DAY, A BRIGHT LIGHT

This weekend is special to those who profess faith in Christ. It
represents one of the darkest moments in human history and yet
provides the brightest light for all mankind. When we think of the
sacrifice God made for us, our hearts should be deeply moved. Too
often, this is not the case. It seems that we fail to understand the
price that was paid for each of us and the life available through the
sacrifice made.

It is sad that so few people outside the Christian community are not
touched by the passion of Christ. Wickedness pounded Him fiercely in
the scourging, the crown of thorns, the nails piercing His sacred
hands, and hanging between two thieves crying out to His father,
"Forgive them, for they know not what they do." I cannot understand
how that does not bring every person to their knees with gratitude for
such love.

It is my prayer that those who honor Him during this Easter weekend
will honor Him every day of the year by receiving the sufficiency of
His death and the forgiveness He offers at this very moment. I pray
that all of us will allow His life to be expressed through us. Christ
in us is truly the hope of glorifying and magnifying God as the
wonderful Father that He is.

We need far more than the recognition of a holiday. We need to receive
what God has offered and submit to His purpose in our lives. May the
Jesus who died and was raised come alive in the hearts of all who have
not yet believed and may those of us who believe become living
demonstrations of the power of His death and resurrection.

(These words were written by James Robison. Please read them carefully and prayerfully.)

IF YOU NEED HELP, ASK FOR IT

Thursday, April 09, 2009

Need help? Ask for it!

A wise plumber ran an ad: "We fix leaks, stoppages, and your husband's repairs."

It took me years to learn this. "If you don't know how, find someone who does."

Need advice about something? It doesn't cost a nickel to ask.

You may not like what you get, but your will never offend anyone by asking for an opinion.

Seek the advice of an expert. An expert is someone who knows something you don't.

READING IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

I read many books. And it always makes me a little sad when someone tells me they do not read at all. However, I have never thought that reading was good for my health. But evidently it is.

Researchers at the University of Sussex have determined that the very best way to relieve stress, both physical and mental, is to read a good book.

The researchers found that stress levels and heart rate showed a 68 percent reduction in measurable stress after reading from a book. After achieving a high stress level through exercise and mental tests, just six minutes of reading slowed the heart rate and decreased other measures of physical stress in the muscles. Reading reduced stress to levels even lower than the baseline before the high stress was reached.

Are you ready to read a good book? I can recommend some good ones.

WORD ABUSE

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

The following post was written by BJ Hoff. I agree with it completely and I am glad she wrote it. Please take the time to read it.

I'm not sure what to call this: a pet peeve, perhaps? It's not merely political correctness, although that's often part of the picture. It's not as simple as the misuse of words or phrases, although sometimes that's what it amounts to. It's not necessarily a deliberate ploy to undermine or soften a situation, or skirt an issue--except in politics, and then ... yes, there's that. Let's just say that it is a pet peeve and lump it all under the same umbrella for now.

The "it" I'm referring to appears frequently in the media, often initiated by politics or politicians, and sometimes by a kind of laziness or outright bias on the part of commentators and journalists. I'm referring to the annoying substitution and changes of perfectly legitimate words and phrases by others that seem, well ... inappropriate or meaningless or downright silly.

For example: the former "global war on terror" has recently ended, replaced by an "overseas contingency operation." Catchy, isn't it?

And then there's "investing" instead of "spending." And "terrorism" has become "man-caused disasters." "Enemy combatants" are no more: they're now "persons whom the President has the right to detain." Look for that one in the next update of your favorite dictionary.

We hear a lot these days about "bailouts," but more often they're just another part of the "stimulus plan." (Personally, I think "porkulus plan" says it all.)

Substituting an "unfortunate error" or "bad decision" is the new standard for sin. Politicians are especially fond of this one. But remember when sin was just ... sin?

We don't clean up our act any longer. We "move forward."

And I know this is trivial--so trivial I'm not even sure why it annoys me, but when a classy-looking, supposedly well-educated news reporter refers to police officers as "cops" or children as "kids" and a collective group of men and women as "guys" or an object of some particular interest as "this puppy," I get a strong urge to call out the slang police.

I know, I know--there's no hill to die on in any of this, but I said it was a pet peeve, didn't I?

I'll warrant you have a few of your own, right?

BLUE MONDAY MORNING COMING DOWN

Monday, April 06, 2009

Here it is--my first Blue Monday post.

The main reason I am posting this today is because smilingsal encouraged me to and I never want to disappoint her. Also, blue is my favorite color and books are one of my favorite things.

This first picture is of some of the blue books upstairs in my study. They are on a blue striped couch.

This second picture is of a few of the blue books in our family room. They are on a blue chair and a blue footstool.
I buy books for their content--not their color. But these are pretty blue books, aren't they?

THE TONE OF VOICE

Saturday, April 04, 2009

TEN BLACK MEN ALL AT ONE TIME

Ten black men on the basketball court all at one time. And that's the way it should be!

Why not? If these are the best basketball players around--and they are, then why shouldn't they be playing at the same time and against each other.

THIS IS THE AMERICAN WAY!

It will gripe me right down to the tip of my toes if we ever come up with some crazy law that requires teams to have a "balanced" squad. Like having to have a proportionate number of short, little white guys simply because we need to be fair and spread the fun around. This is crazy.

If it's basketball, baseball, football, working at McDonald's, being a firefighter or a policeman. Let the most qualified, prepared person play the game or have the job.

THIS IS THE AMERICAN WAY. OR AT LEAST IT USED TO BE!

BLOGGING QUESTIONS

Friday, April 03, 2009

You would think that after blogging for five years I would understand the mindset of a blogger. I don't! I just don't! I know that bloggers are just people and that people have different personalities and thank goodness they are not all like mine. But I still have questions.

So here goes:

If you went to the trouble to set up a blog, why do you only post once a week or once a month?

If you like comments on your blog--and maybe you don't, why don't you make more comments on the blogs you visit?

Why don't you check into your own blog even just once a day to see if somebody might have died and left you an inheritance and your blog is the only way they know to contact you?

Why do you write posts that are two and half miles long? Do you really expect anybody to read them?

Why with all the blogging that has been going on for so long does the word blogger get highlighted every time you type it, like it's a none word or something?

Well, this is enough questions for now. If you understand this to be negative and fault finding, I do not intend it that way. I honestly want to know the answers to these "silly" questions of mine. If you have the time, please help me with this. I will appreciate it. Will I sleep better at night? No, but I will feel better knowing you care enough about me to try to help me out. Thanks!

THE ART OF BEING POSITIVE

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

BOOK REVIEW--TEN POWERFUL PHRASES FOR POSITIVE PEOPLE

Successful businessman, philanthropist, and motivational speaker Rich DeVos has learned the value of maintaining a positive attitude and offering encouragement to others. In his book, Ten Powerful Phrases For Positive People, DeVos offers you the key he has discovered in unlocking the powerful potential of ten ordinary yet life-changing phrases. Simply by adding these phrases into your daily conversations you can help to build relationships, motivate achievement, instill confidence, and change attitudes in your work and family life.

Even before you get to the ten life-changing phrases DeVos writes about, you will learn a great deal from his splendid introduction to the book. He quotes Philippians 4:7-9 (NIV) "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." And then he says, "Think what our world would be like if everyone took these words to heart! That's why I wanted to write this book and why I think a positive message is so important in today's world."

If you are like me, you find it extremely difficult to be positive with all that's happening in today's world. What a mess! See what I mean? There I go, calling your attention to the mess we're in. It's easy for me to brush this off and say, "I'm not negative--just realistic." And there is some truth to that. But I also know the great value of living a positive life. This book has blessed me in many ways.

The ten positive phrases that DeVos talks about are: 1. "I'm wrong" 2. "I'm sorry" 3. "You can do it" 4. "I believe in you" 5. "I'm proud of you" 6. "Thank you" 7. "I need you" 8. "I trust you"
9. "I respect you" 10. "I love you." Not bad. Not bad at all!

Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship and bestselling author said of this book: "A great book by one of the wisest men I know. Rich's book gives ten invaluable phrases we ought to keep on the tips of our tongues." Paul Harvey, one of my heroes who just recently passed away said: "Americans need this book for inspiration and encouragement."

The simple act of offering a kind word can have the power to change lives in positive and profound ways.