by Andy Stanley

Andy Stanley never ceases to amaze me with his powerful and practical application of simple Biblical principles. If you’re not necessarily where you want to be in life, or if you have a desire to live a better life, this is the book for you.

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by Hugh Hewitt

A wonderful book that deals with a subject too often overlooked in Christian circles: ambition. It’s a manual for making a difference in today’s world. Written for younger audiences, it’s still a good read if you’re in the second half of life like me.

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by Francis Chan

My wife said, “Read this book so we can discuss it.” I did, we did and both of us are the better for it. Part of my personal vision and one of our 2nd half of life goals came from this book. A quick, easy, but powerful read!

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by Mark Victor Hansen & Robert G. Allen

Don’t let the title fool you. This is a great book with lots of practical principles and exercises along with a captivating story that incorporates all the principles taught by the authors. Well worth your time.

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by Rob Bell

One of my all-time favorite books! Read it. S-L-O-W-L-Y. Then read it again. This book helped revolutionize my relationship with Jesus Christ. And it expanded my view of the Kingdom of God

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by John C. Maxwell & Les Parrott

For most of us, no matter what business we’re in, we’re in the people business. That’s why this book is so powerful. Maxwell and Parrott offer 25 simple and practical ways to help you improve your people skills no matter what you do for a living.

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by Robert T. Kiyosaki

If you’re like many of us, you were not taught about finances, neither by your parents nor in your school. That’s what makes this book such an important read. Increased IQ will not only help your bottom line but your overall life as well.

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by Jack Canfield & Janet Switzer

He’s been around for a while but I’m just now discovering the writings of Jack Canfield. This is one of his earlier books but a great read. Lots of exercises within the pages to help you apply time-honored principles to your own personal life.

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by John Assaraf & Murray Smith

A brilliantly written book with many practical principles to increase your success in business and enjoyment in life. One of the best treatments I’ve ever read for actually changing the way you think.

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I don’t often review or recommend movies on this site. I leave that for others. But this past Saturday night, I went to see a very special film with my wife, Kathy, her brother, Mark, and his wife Janet.

“The Blind Side” is the new John Lee Hancock film starring Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, and Kathy Bates, about a young African-American teenager (played by Quinton Aaron) who is surviving on the streets. But when he meets Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock’s character), everything changes.

My nephew somewhat cynically called it “the feel-good movie of the year.” However, it is much more than that! Based on a true story, it is a wonderful example of what happens when a successful person, and family, uses their money, power, and influence, as well as opening up their own home and lives, to help someone in need of, well, anything and everything.

It’s also a beautiful embodiment of the message Jesus Christ teaches in the Bible (Matthew 25). In Jesus’ parable of the sheep and goats, he says:

“’For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“’The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” Matthew 25:35-40 (NIV)

My brother-in-law and his wife left this morning for their home in Denver. But we were still talking about about our theater experience. Kathy and I will see the film again. It is well worth the time and money. Check it out; you’ll be glad you did.