Book Review- George Washington by Paul Johnson

Part of the Eminent Lives series by Harper Collins, this work by Paul Johnson on the life of George Washington is quite concise, 123 pages in total. In a biographical volume this short, the reader gets only small snapshots of what the subject was really like.

The portrait that Johnson paints of Washington is one of an aggressive landowner who was often consumed by self-seeking interests. Washington's personal vanity is referenced throughout the book as well. While I do not mean to imply that the author is overly negative or anti-Washington is his writing, Johnson certainly does not present the first President of the United States as the almost faultless figure that other Washington biographers have.

Often when reading a short presidential biography such as this one, I am prompted to want to learn more about the national leader who is being chronicled. That is not the case this time however.

Leadership Session with Les Steckel

Les Steckel, the President and CEO of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, is a former officer in the United States Marine Corps and a former head coach in the National Football League. He recently addressed our church staff on the topic of leadership in ministry. Here is some of what he shared:

Ministry is "people business".

How can you lead if you don't know what your values are?

Practice "HOT" (Honest, Open and Transparent) communication. Leave egos at the door.

5 Leadership Qualities to Build a Championship Team-
1. Communication: How do you express how you really care?
2. Cooperation: Integrity, Teamwork, Serving, Excellence
3. Contribution: Everyone wants to make a contribution
4. Commitment: Promises are for losers; commitments are for winners
5. Christ: Christ must always be in the center

Be on time. If you are one minute late, you are wasting our time. If you are one minute early, you are wasting your own time.

Three things we all crave: attention, affirmation, affection.

John Holland, an executive at Fruit of the Loom, had this definition for "self-discipline": doing what you don't want to do

The most depressing statement: "If I had to do it over again....". We must realize the importance of living every day for Christ.

Fun on Friday

I find the Winter X Games really fun TV viewing. Interesting since none of the events are anything I would ever really try.

Tonya and I visited McKay's Used Books tonight. We've often wondered why the parking lot was always quite full. Probably not because of the "Auto Racing/Romance" section. Yes, they have one. No, we didn't stop there.

Great Quote Thursday

Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other- John Adams

NFL Championship Game Weekend

I went 3-1 with my NFL playoff predictions last week. That greatly helped my overall record, getting me to 4-4. The conference championship games are this weekend. I'd love to finish above .500 for the playoffs, so here goes:

Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears (Sunday at 3:00)- These two teams know each other extremely well and split the two games they played during the regular season. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense are humming right now and should be able to overcome the advantage the Bears will have playing at home at Soldier Field.

New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday at 6:30)- By and large (their QB excluded), the Steelers organization takes a workmanlike, professional approach both on and off the field. In contrast, the Jets seem to relish being reality TV stars. Being fundamentally sound and having home-field advantage should work in the Steelers favor.

Fun on Friday

The tagline for the local Lexus dealership runs, "At Lexus of Knoxville, it's easier than you think". Easier than what is the question they leave unanswered. Easier than leasing a Ferrari?

Was scanning through the channels one evening this week and saw that Vanilla Ice, the 90's "pop star" has a new program on DIY called "The Vanilla Ice Project". I promise I didn't watch. I only stopped the clicker long enough to confirm that I was seeing what I thought I was seeing. It's for real.

Last week, our area experienced alot of snow and bad weather prompting numerous days of school closings. During this time, each of our sons experienced bouts with sickness causing Tonya and me to deal with several sleep-deprived nights. Maybe it was the snow, the late nights, the lack of sleep or all three combined, but one night I dreamed that I was snowed-in in the middle of Arkansas in a basement rancher with the Gaither Vocal Band and Mark Lowry wouldn't shut up. I guess I need to change the channel on those infomercials a bit more quickly.

Great Quote Thursday

It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit- Harry Truman