Archive for July 2011

Surviving Your Serengeti by Stefan Swanepoel

July 23, 2011
What animal are you? Other authors have posed this question from a standpoint of emotions and relationships, but Stefan Swanepoel’s book “Surviving Your Serengeti” addresses it from a perspective useful for both family and professional life.
A couple going through their own challenges, much like everyone faces, find themselves on the plains of Africa. As the result of some strategic observations of the wildlife, their guide points out the basic strength of each of the animals they observe.
The strengths are the basic survival skills they possess. The guide points out the need for each of these skills in our daily “survival.” The book also addresses the need to complement these skills in teams and workgroups.
“Surviving Your Serengeti” is a relatively quick read, but the reflection on the question, “What animal are you?” will continue after you close the book.
There is a link to a quiz which will help you determine the answer to that question included at the end of the book.
I post these reviews as a member of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger Program. I receive a free copy of the book, but am not required to give a positive review.  Check it out at http://www.booksneeze.com
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Sermon from the Side of the Road

July 7, 2011

“But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception.” – Hebrews 3:13 HCSB

The following is an excerpt from Max Lucado’s Shaped by God (original title: On the Anvil). Copyright (Tyndale House, 1985, 2002). I found myself needing this last week and thought I’d share it with you today.

Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters. I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark. Today I will make a difference.

I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. I will drink each minute as though it is my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving. Today I will make a difference.

I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously. No failure is fatal. It’s OK to stumble… . I will get up. It’s OK to fail… . I will rise again. Today I will make a difference.

I will spend time with those I love. My spouse, my children, my family. A man can own the world but be poor for the lack of love. A man can own nothing and yet be wealthy in relationships. Today I will spend at least five minutes with the significant people in my world. Five quality minutes of talking or hugging or thanking or listening. Five undiluted minutes with my mate, children, and friends.

Today I will make a difference.