Best Books of 2013

Did you read any good books in 2013?  I sure did.  Below are my favorite books of 2013 in random order.  These are books that I read in 2013, not necessarily published in 2013.  Click on the title if you want to read more about the book or purchase it from amazon.

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg   

This is one of the most interesting books I have ever read.  I wrote a post about the book here. The Power of Habit is filled with great stories, science, and research about how our brains work and why we do what we do.  I would recommend it to any human!

Jesus Is ______. by Judah Smith 

I don't even really know how to accurately describe this book.  It was a refreshing look into who Jesus is and a reminder that following Jesus is more about what you do than what you don't do.  It brings a new perspective on Church, Christianity, Jesus, and my role and relationship with each.  Whether you are a Christian or not, involved in Church or not, or follow Jesus or not I think you will genuinely like this book.  

 

Kingdom Man by Tony Evans 

This was the most applicable and challenging book I read in 2013.  It served as a call to action for me, encouraging me to be a better leader in my home, church, work, and community.  This book inspired me lead a Bible Study at my church challenging men to be the leader they were created to be and also plan and lead a Men's Retreat.  If you want to be challenged spiritually, I highly recommend Kingdom Man.  (There is also a Kingdom Woman book that I have not read, but ladies you may want to check it out.)

The Decision Maker by Dennis Bakke

This is a leadership book in the form of a story.  There are many good leadership principles if you are the leader of a group of people.  You could make some parallels of leading your family but it doesn't do that for you.  It was a super easy read as I literally read it in a day.  I recommend it to people in leadership positions.  

Love & Logic For Early Childhood: Practical Parenting from Birth to Six Years by Jim and Charles Fay

This book gives you practical examples and stories for how to discipline your young children. How you parent your child can be a very touchy subject.  This book provides a little but of parenting philosophy and a lot of practical examples and strategies.  Katy and I used this with our 1 year old and it worked for us.  There is also a big simply titled Love and Logic which is great for parents and teachers with older kids.  This was specifically for infants, toddlers, and Kindergarteners.  I recommend it to anyone with young kids.  Even if you don't agree or choose to use the strategies in this book it will at least help you define your style of parenting and discipline.  

Kid CEO: How To Keep Your Children From Running Your Life by Ed Young

This was a surprisingly good book as I found a used copy for cheap at Hastings. The first half of the book is about how to strengthen your marriage and the second half is about parenting. It also gives many examples for single parents throughout the entire book.  I would recommend it to all parents, specifically families with kids ages 3 and up.  

The Bible 

I'm being totally serious here.  I have read The Bible before but this year it was different.  I ventured into the Old Testament and read some awesome stories in 1st and 2nd Samuel and 1st and 2nd Kings.  Many of these stories I knew or had heard of but I got to read about them in context which made them so much better.  Some stories were completely new to me and I was fascinated. Stories of triumph, tragedy, death, kings, betrayal, loyalty, underdogs, wars, and so much more. If you are into history and great stories I suggest you give The Old Testament a read.  

Here is a link to my post of my top books of 2012.

What were some of the best books you read this year?

The Power of Habit

I recently finished a fantastic book called The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg.  I really enjoyed it because it is interesting, informative, and applicable.  I have found some habits that I never knew existed!

The book is filled with interesting stories about how habits develop in individuals, teams, organizations, and societies.  Although the books shares quite a bit of research, I never lost interest because it was always tied to a fascinating story.

Here are a few quick notes I took away from the book.  I won't share much because I highly recommend that you read it for yourself.

• You are what you repeatedly do.
• You cannot break a habit, only develop a new one.
• We develop habits without realizing, knowing, or trying.
• All habits work in a 3 part loop:  Cue --> Routine --> Reward.

I could go on and on about what I learned from this book!  I bring it up every opportunity I get.  Easily jumped into my top 10 favorite books of all time!

Since this book is so applicable I literally recommend it to everyone.  We all have habits.  If you're a leader there are habits within your organization.  If you're a parent there are habits within your family.

Check it out from your local library or ask me and I'll let you borrow mine!  Its so good that it may even be worth buying from your local bookstore or downloading!

Top Books of 2012

2012 was a great year!  Possibly the best this far for my wife and I. We had our first baby, celebrated our 5 year anniversary, took random road trips to Hot Springs, AR, the Grand Canyon,  Sedona, AZ, and a couple of Bed & Breakfasts here in Oklahoma.  We bought and renovated our future home although we are sticking to campus life for now.  It's been a wonderful year!

Due to all of these great adventures, one of the things I've slacked on this year is reading.  I never thought it possible but I have become an avid reader.  Thats pretty big considering I do not recall ever reading an entire book until I graduated college!!  Since then I don't know how many I've read because counting seems silly but I am usually excited about finishing a book so that I can start another.

Of the few books I made time to read this year, these were the most influential.  They changed the way I think and in turn changed my life.  I'm sharing them with you in hopes that your life may be influenced should you choose to read them.

Here are MY top 10 books of 2012! :)

Life
Love Does by Bob Goff - This book is a collection of the author's personal stories about learning to engage in your life.  It challenged me to focus less on planning my life and more on living it.  After you read this book you'll feel like Bob is one of your best friends who encourages you to not just love with your words but with your hands and feet.  Be ready to look at your life, your job, your family, and everything else differently.

You may also like A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller.

Parenting
Baby Wise by Gary Ezzo - When we asked for advice on parenting a lot of people we admire as parents recommend that we read Baby Wise.  We read it and immediately put it into practice.  It gives specific steps on how to put your baby on a schedule and get them to sleep through the night.  We do not follow it to a 'T' but we do use the basic foundations and have been pleased.  Definitely the most helpful book on parenting we have read thus far.

I will also note that there are quite a few parents out there that are not fans of Baby Wise and its methods.  It didn't work for them or their kids for one reason or another.  I can only speak of my experience which has been a amazing one.  If you have a newborn or are about to, I recommend that you at least give it a shot.

You may also like The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp.

Spiritual
The Resolution For Men by Kendrick & Alcorn - If you are interested on learning how to become a better husband or father then this book is for you.  This book will challenge you in multiple ways and is filled with tons of practical ideas to help you in multiple areas.  It is bold.  If you're not interested in becoming a better man you will be offended.

You may also like The Principle of the Path by Andy Stanley.

Leadership
Visioneering by Andy Stanley - If you are looking for a leadership book that will also challenge you spiritually, this is the book for you.  According to Stanley, visioneering is painting a clear mental picture of what could be, fueled by the conviction that it should be If you are the leader of your home, school, work, church, or community, this book will help you develop and strengthen your vision.

You may also like The Next Generation Leader by Andy Stanley.

Financial
The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach - Ok so I technically didn't read this in 2012.  It was actually one of the first financial books I read in 2006 and has served as the foundation for how I handle my personal finances.  I would not be as financially stable if it were not for this book.  I recommend it for everyone, especially those just starting in the real world.  I only read one financial book this year called The Cheapskate Next Door.  Although boring, it was filled with some good ideas, most of which are outlined in The Automatic Millionaire anyway.

You may also like The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey.

These 5 books have changed my life for the better.  I believe in them so much that I got a copy for all of my blog readers!!  Rather than mailing them to you, I left them at your local library so feel free to pick one or all of them up anytime....for free!!

You may be turned off by the fact that there isn't any fiction on this list.  Nothing against fiction books, I just don't get into them because it is hard for me to learn from them.  Change only comes with new information.  Take the time to read up on some new information in 2013!

What were your favorite books of 2012?  Leave them in the comments below or post it on facebook or twitter!

Principle of the Path (Part 2)

Have you ever been lost?  I know I have.  Rarely do we get lost on purpose.  I mean its not like you are driving around and you think, "As soon as I cross that street, then I will be lost."  It's more along the lines of, "Things are starting to look less familiar but I think I'm heading the right direction... "  And a few minutes later you have no earthly idea where you are or how to get back on track.

Life is the same way.  We don't get lost on purpose.  Like I said in my last post, no one plans on being overweight, divorced, bankrupt, addicted, or unhappy. Why would anyone plan for any of these things? Yet it happens to so many on a regular basis. People just don't think, "I can drink X amount each week before I become an alcoholic."  It's something that happens over time that starts with 'social drinking' with friends, continues with 'therapeutic drinking' after a long day, and extends further with 'avoiding reality drinking' to cope with difficult circumstances.  Each of these decisions leads you further down the path until you reach the undesired destination of alcoholism. 

To avoid ending up at an undesired destination, people generally use a GPS device such as a Garmin, Tom Tom, or smart phone.  This phenomenal technology gives you step by step instructions to successfully get to your desired destination.  In other words, a GPS helps you make the right decisions to lead you down the right path.

Here are three examples of a GPS for your life.

1.  Before you begin, talk to experienced travelers.  If you want to have a lasting, loving marriage, ask advice from those that have the type of marriage you desire.  It may also be helpful to ask someone what to be aware of from someone who has been divorced.

2.  Stop and ask for directions.  No matter how far down a good or bad path, it is always okay to ask for directions.  If you're on a good path, conformation is reassuring.  If you're on a bad path, the sooner you realize it the sooner you can re-route.

3.  Ask God to guide your steps.  It can be difficult to know which steps to take.  Seek God through prayer and reading His word and He promises the Holy Spirit will guide you.

For more information, check out The Principle of the Path by Andy Stanley. 
[These are simply my thoughts after reading the book.  Andy says it much better. :) ]

Principle of the Path (Part 1)

Every decision you make leads you down a path.  Every path leads to a destination.  Paths don't discriminate.  Paths don't care about age, race, ethnicity, social class, or religious beliefs.  Paths only have one purpose and that is to lead you to a destination.

Going into foreclosure and filing for bankruptcy does not just happen.  Becoming 100 lbs over weight is not based on one decision.  Rarely do you wake up one morning desiring a divorce or hating your job.  No one plans on committing adultery, getting addicted, or dropping out of school, and somehow these things happen on a regular basis.  It's not bad luck.  It's The Principle of the Path.  

Likewise, living below your means and paying off your mortgage does not just happen.  Becoming fit and in shape is not based on one decision.  Rarely do you wake up one morning with a perfect marriage or loving your job.  Everyone plans on staying faithful, avoiding addictions, and graduating from college and somehow these things happen on a regular basis.  It's not good luck.  It's The Principle of the Path.

Good or bad circumstances rarely appear out of thin air (although they do happen i.e. cancer, car accidents, and the lottery). Most of the time, our circumstances are byproducts of our small daily decisions.  I highly recommend you check out The Principle of the Path by Andy Stanley, from your local library.  It will be helpful for every area of your life.


Are you on the right path?  As a leader, how can you make sure your team, family, or school is on the right path?

How To Implement Change

Change is tough.  Changing your behaviors and habits is hard.  Changing the behavior and habits of others is even harder.  Or is it?


The book Switch shows how to create environments, emotions, and triggers that promote change.  Here are 3 quick principles:

1.  Create New Environments - Changing your environment makes changing your behavior much more likely.  If you're trying to eat healthy, your environment should include more fresh fruit and vegetables and less candy and chips.  You need easy access to healthier food choices in your refrigerator, pantry, and even office/desk at work.  The less choices you have to make the more likely you are to make better decisions.  As a leader, it is important to develop environments for success.

2.  Appeal to Emotions - If you have ever watched Biggest Loser, Intervention, or any other show that involves someone making a big change in their life, you know that people rarely make changes for themselves.  They are always making changes for their kids, spouses, or family.  The more you appeal to your emotions (or as a leader the emotions of others) the greater your chances for change.

3.  Develop Action Triggers - It's not enough to say that you're going to change behavior, you need to set up an action trigger to remind you.  Craig, a friend of mine, prays for his wife everyday at 4pm.  Each day an alarm on his watch goes off and he stops what he is doing and says a prayer for his wife.  The alarm simply reminds him of what he wants to do and dramatically increases his chances of doing it.  As a leader, develop action triggers to remind others to make successful choices.

How do you successfully implement change in yourself or in others?

Church Diversity

I recently finished the book Church Diversity by @ScottWilliams.  The subtitle and one of the inspirations of the book is based on a quote by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that says, "Sunday is the most segregated day of the week."  Unfortunately, this has always been my experience.  I was raised in a Christian home in the Bible Belt by Christian parents, my Grandpa was a Christian Minister, and I attended a Christian university.  Throughout that time, I visited dozens of churches and all but one would be considered a "white church".

As both a Christian and an Educator, this is very strange to me.  Throughout my public schooling, sports teams, college, and now at work, the majority of my day is spent with a diverse people made up of different races, political and religious beliefs, and social classes.  Yet on Sunday, the vast majority of the people at church are white and middle class.  As both an Educator and a Christian, it would seem like the Church would have been the group that pioneered desegregation.  Professional sports, public schools, local businesses, and even the government made strides 50 years ago but the Church, the group of people that one would think to be the first to gladly join together with other brothers and sisters in Christ, is still not there.

Church Diversity is challenging.  @ScottWilliams does a great job of not only describing the issue but providing solutions.  In fact, this book is full of wisdom from multiple leaders of churches that are ahead of the game when it comes to Church Diversity.  More importantly, reading this book forced me to truly examine my life, my background, my beliefs, my actions, and my perspectives.  My eyes were opened and I now see the world a little differently.  I believe the same will be true for you.


The best part about this book is that it reaches far beyond "church world".  You could easily substitute the word Church for School, Workplace, Team, Organizational, or Office Diversity.  I would recommend this book to the leaders of any organization. 

Finally, I want to give props to @ScottWilliams for all of the creative marketing surrounding the release of this book.  I mean who promotes a book with blog tours, book trailers, poetry, and t-shirts?  And what kind of weirdo does so much social media marketing that he uses his Twitter handle on the cover of his book?  I guess someone who 'Dreams Big and Thinks Bigger.' 

Pick up Church Diversity from pretty much any store, Amazon, or your local library. 
Check out @ScottWilliams blog bigisthenewsmall.com/ and follow him on Facebook or Twitter.

Father Fiction

I recently finished a book by Donald Miller called Father Fiction:  Chapters For a Fatherless Generation.

I picked up the book because as an educator, I work with so many kids that do not know their dads.  Or if they do, they are in prison or live far away.  Although not what I expected, it is a fantastic book...especially for young men.

There are some things that you typically learn from your Father.  Small things like how to fish, tie a tie, or play a sport.  Big things like friends, work ethic, dating, sex, and integrity.  For the record, it is more than possible to learn all of these things from one's Mom, but for young men it is better to learn from Dad.

Miller learned all of these things later in life in his 20s.  However, he thought if he had a dad he would have learned them as a young teenager and been better prepared for the world.  This book is simply about how he learned these things.

Although I am very fortunate to know, be raised by, and learn from my Dad, I learned a lot from the book.  Comparing sex to inflation, choosing good friends or prison, and respecting authority to airplane traffic, Miller does an excellent job of creatively explaining tough topics and I have already shared many parts of it with other young men.

I highly recommend Father Fiction to any young men or anyone who lives or works with young men.

Here is another post I wrote about this book:  What's The Weather Like?

What's The Weather Like?

My wife and I had dinner with some friends of ours tonight.  Yes, they are old enough to be our grandparents but they are funny, wise, kind, great Christian role models.  We like to hang out with them when we can. 

We have a lot of people we like to spend time with but we make sure to spend time with people wiser and more experienced than us so that we may learn from them.  They also claim that we help keep them young but I think they do a pretty good job on their own.

Two paragraphs from Donald Miller's book Father Fiction paint a wonderful picture of why this is necessary.

I was on a plane a few years ago, flying from Chicago to Portland, and happened to plug my headphones into the jack on the armrest.  On a plane, you can sometimes listen to the radio transmissions coming in and out of the cockpit.  I was curious about what pilots say to each other so, like a good geek, I listened for a while.  It turns out, most of the transmissions are about weather and whether or not the plane is heading for choppy air.  The pilot would radio to a plane that was en route an hour or so ahead of us and get a report on what kind of turbulence they were experiencing; then would turn and radio the plane that had just taken off in Chicago to explain what sort of air we were fling through at the moment.  They system was primitive, but intelligent.

It occurred to me, listening to the pilots talk to each other, how much this is like life.  I could see it clearly, the fact that in life there are people being born, just as others are passing away.  And all the way through life, the guys who are twenty years ahead are teaching the guys twenty years behind what kind of weather they will be encountering at whatever stage of life they happen to be living in.

Do you have older, wiser, experienced people speaking into your life?  If not, I challenge you to find someone by next week.

A Better Way To Live

Thanks to Tim McGraw and Kris Allen, we have all heard the saying "Live like you were dying."  This saying encourages us to live life to the fullest, tell your family and friends that you love them, and make decisions as though there is no tomorrow.  I am a fan of this saying, except for the fact that we would all be broke since there would be no reason to save money.

I recently read the book A Better Way to Live by Og Mandino (one of my favorite authors).  He says that we should live like everyone else is dying.  Mandino writes:

"Beginning today, treat everyone you meet, friend or foe, loved one or stranger, as if they were going to be dead at midnight.  Extend to each person, no matter how trivial the contact, all the care and kindness and understanding and love that you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward.  Your life will never be the same again."

Now that is a challenge.  I mean I don't have a problem going sky diving, rocky mountain climbing, or going 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu.  But asking me to treat every person I meet with all of the care, love, kindness, and understanding that I can muster is a different story.

Think about it though.  How do you suppose people would react if you treated them with unexpected and undeserved love and kindness?  How would your cashier, bank teller, food server, teacher, student, friend or family member feel if you stepped out of your comfort zone and talked to them as if you may be the last person that made them feel important?  Well how would you respond if someone did that to you?

So the next time you see a familiar face or meet someone, treat them as though they will be gone at midnight and make them feel important on their last day on Earth.

By the way, there are 16 other timeless principles that Og Mandino recommends to live by in his book A Better Way to Live.  It's a quick read and I recommend it.

A Million Miles...

I just read the book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller (Blue Like Jazz).  It was by far the best book I have read in a while.  Without giving you a summary, here are a few reasons why I liked it and think you will too.

1.  It's an easy read.  This book just kept flowing and I couldn't put it down.  I read the whole thing on a round trip flight.  Although the reading is light the writing is very deep.  I promise that will make sense once you read it.

2.  It's thought provoking.  While reading through the authors story you can't help but reflect and examine your own story.

3.  It's challenging.  You can learn how to create a better story for yourself and your family.  It's like reading a self-help book in story form and much more entertaining.

4.  It's funny.  Donald Miller's writing style is very conversational and people looked at me as I laughed out loud on the plane while reading it.

5.  It's sad.  I didn't cry but my throat got a little lumpy once or twice.

I could go on but I would rather you read A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller.  Hit up Barnes and Noble or check it out at your local library. 


Learning is a Drug.  Get Addicted.