So I actually picked this book up through the Thomas Nelson’s Book Reviews for Bloggers website. I absolutely love this service because I get exposed to books I’d never otherwise even take a second glance at. If you’re a blogger – I’d highly recommend signing up for this service! Michael Hyatt, Thomas Nelson’s CEO, is a genius!

The Noticer was the third fiction book I’ve read in the past 6 months, The Shack and The Alchemist, were the other two. I really enjoyed this book – it was simple, profound, and a quick read. I read it in two sittings! It’s all about a man named Jones who “just happens” to come into peoples lives when they’re ready to give up on their life, their marriage, their purpose, dating, etc. and gives them perspective on the problems they’re facing. The book really taught me to recognize and be grateful for how many times God used other people to “notice” things in my life an encourage me and give me opportunities. On the other hand, the book taught me to intentionally notice others and what they’re going through, and not only notice them, but to plant seeds of hope in them.

Here are some of my key takeaways from the book:

• “A life filled with opportunities and encouragement finds more opportunities and encouragement, and success becomes inevitable.”

• Ask yourself, “What is it about me that other people would change if they could?”

• “We can’t do anything about what people think.”

• “Worry is focus, but it is focus on the wrong things”

• “Wisdom is the ability to see, into the future, the consequences of your choices in the present.”

• “Who gave you permission to decide that you have nothing more to do, nothing more to offer?”

• “Many of life’s treasures remain hidden from us simply because we never search for them.”

• “There is absolutely no power in intention.”

• No matter your past . . . you can choose your future.”

• “You must become a person that others want to be around! This is far and away the greatest success secret in existence.”

• “Your time on this earth is a gift to be used wisely. Don’t squander your words or your thoughts. Consider that even the simplest actions you take for your lives matter beyond measure . . . and they matter forever.”

Overall – Great read…

Final Grade: B        Buy it Here

I’ve been wanting to read this book by Craig Groeschel since it came out last year. I finally got the opportunity to pick it up at the Catalyst West Coast Conference. The tag line of the book is “It: How Churches and Leaders can Get it and Keep It.” The book talks about why some churches, some leaders, etc. seem to have “it” and some don’t. You can’t really define “it” and if I tried I would say it’s spiritual momentum. Craig provides some incredible insight to the behind the scenes of ministry and leadership. This book should be a requirement for anyone going into ministry or in a leadership role. Here are a few of my highlights:

• When a ministry hahs it, most things the leaders try seem to work
• As a leader you must hear from God on things like: Why does your organization exist? What can your organization be the best in the world at? If you could do only one thing what would it be? What breaks your heart and keeps you awake at night?
• An effective vision will always be memorable, portable,  motivational.”
  
• Those who attempt to do everything always lost it
• Your team must understand the vision(big picture), have fun together, and get naked together (read for context!),celebrate wins together, and fight hard behind closed doors together.
  

• God has given you everything you need to do everything He wants you to do
• Failure is not an option. It is essential. If you’re not failing every now and again, it’s a sure sign you’re not trying anything very innovative.”
• Failure somehow relieves the pressure to succeed at everything
• Do you love the lost? Churches and leaders that have “it” love.
• God won’t let a ministry keep “it” for long if they won’t give “it” away.

It’s hard to limit this book to a few highlights because you need to read every page to get the full context, but I hope that you’ll trust me that if you’re a ministry leader – you need to read this book.

Final Grade: A    Buy it Here

This book means more to me than you could imagine! It was written by my mentor and spiritual father, and good friend, Pastor Larry Bettencourt. I mean this sincerely when I say if it weren’t for Pastor Larry, I would not be where I am today. He believed in me when nobody else did, he lifted me up when I was down, he gave me opportunity, he allowed me to make mistakes, and he loved me unconditionally. The greatest thing about Pastor Larry is that he not only did that for me, but for thousands of teenagers, youth leaders, and youth pastors throughout his ministry so far.

He wrote this book to help people (specifically teens and young adults) get over there past. To make them realize that regardless of what they’ve done or where they’ve been that God loves them, forgives them, and still has an incredible future in store for them. I’ve met very few people that explain and have a revelation of God’s love and grace that Pastor Larry does.

I’d highly recommend this book to everybody! It’s a quick and easy read, yet the truths contained it are life changing!

Here are some of my highlights:

• You cannot go back and erase the past, but you can put it behind ya!

• Our choices today will determine our tomorrow. God wants to help, but you need to allow Him to help.

• God is not so concerned about the failures of your past, but He is concerned about the steps of faith for your future

• Don’t be all you can be, be all God wants you to be!

• You’ll never be free to reverse your future until you are free from the pain of your past!

Those are just a few highlights from the first two chapters! Again, I’d highly recommend buying this book!

Final Grade: A        Buy it here!

For more about PL check him out here:

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