Presby-Musings

It's been quite a long time since I have been able to both read and reflect on books that I wasn't required to read for a seminar, my doctoral project or for other assorted higher learning purposes. But since that chapter is coming to a close, I want to renew that practice and share those thoughts here at presbymusings. There is a reason why Philip Yancey sells so many books.  He writes about things that matter to people, and he does it extraordinarily well.  Yancey's classic book Where is God When It Hurts?  was written over twenty years ago, and it is still relevant today.  But since Yancey wrote Where Is God When It Hurts?  the world has endured a great deal of tragedy: 9/11, Tsunami's in Indonesia and Japan , school shootings in Newtown Connecticut , shootings in Aurora, CO and a host of other tragedies both naturally occurring and man-made.  In Yancey's estimation, the questions that he struggled with over twenty years ago, have not gone awa...

Image by Moriartys via Flickr First, let me say that I like reading Seth Godin's books for three reasons:  1) They are full of awesome nuggets of motivation 2) He writes like Rob Bell which looks something... like this. 3) His book titles are just messed up.  "Poke the Box???"  Are you serious? But you see, Seth Godin tries things.  He isn't the kind of guy that sits around and talks about the things that he's going to do when he has more time, money, wits, wherewithall, you name it.  There is, according to Godin, a difference between successful individuals and organizations and those that aren't: "The winners have turned initiative into a passion and a practice." He lists some imperatives that you need if you are going to be successful or have a successful organization: 1.  Be aware of the market, of opportunities, of who you are 2.  Be educated so you can understand what's around you. 3.  Be connected so you can be trusted as you...