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Plan B by Pete Wilson is a book that helps you gain clear perspective when the circumstances of life become unclear. It addresses the question: “What do you do when God doesn’t show up the way you thought he would?” 

Each of us either have or will experience a time in our life when we must answer this question. Pete Wilson does a great job of using stories from both the Bible and today to unpack how God can use our “plan B situations” as a catalyst for spiritual growth. In addition to Plan B being a great read, it is also a great resource. I believe it is going to bring a lot of hope and healing to a lot of people. Not only will it help the reader deal with their own “plan B situations”, but it will also equip them to help others. 

To learn more about Plan B and Pete Wilson be sure and check out planbook.com.

Why am I here? What is my purpose? Today I finished a book that addresses these questions. The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren has been sitting on my bookshelf calling my name and I finally read it. I’m sure you’ve heard of it because it is has been on the New York Times Best Seller list for one of the longest periods in history.

Here are some things that I walked away with:

• It’s not about you.
• If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God.
• Without a purpose, life is motion without meaning, activity without direction, and events without reason.
• There are no unspiritual abilities, just misused ones. Start using yours for God’s pleasure.
• You cannot fulfill God’s purposes for your life while focusing on your own plans.
• Knowing and loving God is our greatest privilege, and being known and loved is God’s greatest pleasure.
• You are as close to God as you choose to be.
• God’s ultimate goal for your life on earth is not comfort, but character development.
• God is far more interested in what you are than in what you do.
• Your commitments can develop you or they can destroy you, but either way, they will define you.
• Every temptation is an opportunity to do good.
• Don’t waste your pain; use it to help others.
• There are no shortcuts to maturity. Spiritual growth, like physical growth, takes time.

So if you happen to have this book sitting on your bookshelf and haven’t read it I hope you do. You won’t regret it. The only regret I have about this book is not reading it sooner.

Last week I shared one of my favorite books is Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson. I’m currently reading his first book In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day and thought I would send some inspiration your way by sharing the “Lion Chasers Manifesto”:

“Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Accumulate experiences. Consider the lilies. Criticize by creating. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshiping what’s right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze new trails. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don’t try to be who you’re not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away.”

Quit running from lions and instead chase them.

What book had the greatest influence on your life in 2009? For me it would have to be Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson. I read this book last year and it was as if every word was speaking directly to me. It’s on the topic of pursuing God and the first chapter entitled Yawning Angels is worth the purchase price alone. Here is an excerpt from the book:

Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit–An Geadh-Glas, or ‘the Wild Goose.’ The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surround Him. And while the name may sound a little sacrilegious, I cannot think of a better description of what it’s like to follow the Spirit through life. I think the Celtic Christians were on to something…

Most of us will have no idea where we are going most of the time. And I know that is unsettling. But circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name: Adventure.

If you’re looking for a good book I highly recommend this one. You can check out a sample chapter here.

What was one of your favorite books of 2009?

How do you know whether your job is wonderful or not? How do you determine what type of culture is being created by those in leadership.

Workplace experts Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman have identified several questions to help you find out. In their book “First, Break All the Rules: What the World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently” they offer a useful guide in the form of 12 questions:

1. Do I know what’s expected of me at work?
2. Do I have the materials and equipment I need to do my work right?
3. At work, do I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day?
4. In the last 7 days, have I received recognition or praise for doing good work?
5. Does my supervisor, or someone at work, seem to care about me as a person?
6. Is there someone at work who encourages my development?
7. At work, do my opinions seem to count?
8. Does the mission/purpose of my company make me feel my job is important?
9. Are my co-workers committed to doing quality work?
10. Do I have a best friend at work?
11. In the last six months, has someone at work talked to me about my progress?
12. This last year, have I had opportunities at work to learn and to grow?

One of my favorite books is Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson of National Community Church in Washington D.C. Recently I found out that you can download the first chapter for FREE along with 10 Steps to Setting Life Goals. Mark goes into detail, but I have listed the 10 steps below. If you are interested in either of the free downloads then visit the Wild Goose Chase website by clicking here. I encourage you to read the first chapter and check out the 10 Steps in detail on the site.

1. Start with prayer.
2. Check your motives
3. Get Ideas from others.
4. Think in categories.
5. Be specific.
6. Write down your goals.
7. Include others.
8. Celebrate along the way.
9. Think big.
10. Keep dreaming.

If you are a ministry or church leader then you have probably heard of Andy Stanley. For those of you that haven’t, Andy Stanley is the pastor of North Point in Alpharetta, Georgia. He is also an amazing communicator and leader.

There are a handful of people that have really influenced the way I do ministry and Andy is definitely towards the top of that list. Although I’ve never met him, I have read his books, articles and listen to his teachings. Two of my favorite books by him are Next Generation Leader and 7 Practices of Effective Ministry. Another resources that I would highly recommend by Andy Stanley is the monthly, Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast.

It is amazing how people that we have never met can influence our life. Let’s make the most of those going before us and stand on the shoulders of giants.

For additional resources visit andystanleyresources.com and follow him on twitter.

Who are some people that influence your life that you have never met personally?