The American Patriots’ Almanac – by William J. Bennett & John T.E. Cribb

The American Patriot's AlmanacOne of my favorite subjects is history, especially American history. I love learning about the people who were a part of the foundations of our nation, and the people who have made a difference throughout our nation’s history.

The American Patriot’s Almanac just made getting my history fix a whole lot easier. Composed of short, concise readings about significant events, known and unknown, in American history, the Almanac allows you to read a little piece of history each day. Of course, you could gorge yourself, and read it all at once, also.

This fascinating Almanac will make a great additional resource for our homeschool history classes. And the stories told aren’t found in most other history books, so our kids are pretty intrigued.

The American Patriot’s Almanac provides the opportunity to learn about the history, heroes, and achievements that compose our great nation.

I loved initially paging through the book, as well as a second, more in-depth, reading.

If you are a history buff, then this one is for you! Check it out today.

If you are interested in reading The American Patriot’s Almanac, you can purchase it at Amazon.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze blogger review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Leading On Empty, by Wayne Cordeiro

Leading On EmptyThis week I read Wayne Cordeiro’s Leading On Empty: Refilling Your Tank And Renewing Your Passion. It was a very interesting book. Cordeiro stresses the importance of continually refueling and refreshing yourself, so that you can continue to minister within your strengths and passions.

Cordeiro speaks from experience. He describes a point in his life where he hit the wall. He had poured himself out so much and so often that he had nothing left to give. He was burnt out, stressed, and depressed, and in danger of seriously impacting his health and life if he didn’t make some serious and immediate changes.

Leading On Empty describes those changes. It is also a plea to others to put safeguards into effect before reaching the point of burnout.

While I don’t feel that I’m to that point, I do have seasons of life and ministry that tend to drain me. And so, Cordeiro’s advice hit pretty close to home, in many ways. There are several things I’ve decided to implement in my life as a result of reading Leading On Empty.

A Blueprint For Personal Growth

Leaders are committed to continual growth. Without a consistent habit of learning, a leader cannot expect to stay in that position for very long. The simple truth is this: people unwilling to change will never reach their potential. And there is nothing more effective when it comes to reaching potential than a solid commitment to personal growth.

Blueprints

There are several things that you can do to help develop you into a person dedicated to personal growth. These are not hard and fast rules, but they are principles that you can use and apply to your specific life situation.

Make a choice to grow.
Leaders are committed to the continual process of self-improvement. Make the choice to grow. Studies indicate that an overwhelming majority of people never read another book once they have completed schooling, at whatever level. Continual growth doesn’t necessarily mean more school, it could come in the form of books. In order to improve yourself, you have to choose to grow.

The Summit, by Eric Alexander

The SummitI love Colorado! I love it because the mountains are so majestic. I cannot even possible imagine how a really large mountain would overwhelm me with awe, a mountain such as Everest.

It’s not likely I’ll ever have the chance to see such a mountain, much less climb one. But Eric Alexander takes you there, and many other places, in his new book The Summit: Faith Beyond Everest’s Death Zone.

It’s an amazing journey, from the Himalayas to Mount Elbrus in Russia, to Mount Hood in New Zealand, to Pisco and Machu Pichu in Peru, to Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, to Mount Denali in Alaska, to Mount Aconcagua in Argentina, and back to the Himalayas, Alexander takes us around the world. He even tells stories of climbs in his home state of Colorado. Whew!

Honestly, it’s almost too much. By the end of the book, as amazing as these climbs are, I was ready to be finished reading it. I think it would have been much easier to read without all the extra locations added in.

However, Alexander keeps his faith at the forefront of it all. That was especially impressive.

All in all, it was an exciting tale, one that I’m glad that I read. I suggest you take it in. In fact, you can win a copy of The Summit right here. I have the opportunity, thanks to New Leaf Press, to give away a copy. All you have to do is comment on that post, and tweet or post the details and a link on Twitter or FaceBook. Check out the contest details here.

If you are interested in reading The Summit, you can purchase it at Amazon.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from New Leaf Press/Master Books as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

The Summit Contest Give-Away!

New Leaf Press is getting ready to release Eric Alexander’s new book, The Summit: Faith Beyond Everest’s Death Zone. This book will be available to purchase on November 17th, from Amazon.com. And it will be a must read!

Here’s the book trailer:

You have a chance to win a copy right here! The Randleman Review will be giving away a copy of The Summit on November 17th. Entering the contest is simple:

Why A Daughter Needs A Dad

Why A Daughter Needs A DadGregory E Lang has written several books about family relationships. I have two of his books, and this is the second post in this mini-series about fatherhood. I posted a some of my favorite points from Why A Son Needs A Dad a few days ago. You can check out that post here. You can purchase both Why A Son Needs A Dad, and Why A Daughter Needs A Dad from Amazon.com.

Here are a few of my favorite entries from Why A Daughter Needs A Dad.

A daughter needs a dad:

Developing Leaders

Dominoes

One of my favorite areas of study is the idea of leadership. I’ve read a significant number of “great authors” in this area. And I’ve learned a few things after twenty years of leadership study and reading, and twenty years of experience in ministry striving to do things better and better for God’s glory. One of them is this: Leaders develop leaders.

Now, before you leave, let me explain a little further.

I’ve discovered that leaders develop two kinds of people.

There are the leaders who develop followers.

And then there are the leaders who develop more leaders.

And the two are drastically different.