Book Summary | The Top Five Regrets of Dying - Bronnie Ware

One of the widely circulated message on WhatsApp and other social media was "The  Top Five Regrets of the dying".  Many might have read or checked the video messages on this. The author has captured the regrets of the lives, while working as caretaker to few of the aged people.  Based on these interactions with an emotional connect with these elderly people, the author was able to identify the following are the Top Regrets that were made before dying; 

Regret 1 : Wish I 'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me 

Regret 2 : I wish I hadn't worked so hard 

Regret 3 : I wish I 'd had the courage to express my feelings 

Regret 4 : I wish I'd stayed in touch with my friends 

Regret 5 : I wish I had let myself be happier 

Generically, all these regrets are applicable to everyone. The author had identified these regrets as she was employed to take care of them. The collective memories of good and bad is experienced between birth and death and on the death bed regretting for the past may not yield anything. However may be the authors intension is to mend others, by sharing the experiences from the past. 

The society that we live has different demographics - rich and poor, young and old, married and unmarried, men and women etc. Apart from one regret that the author had identified as top 5, these demographics regrets may be different. Times, I wonder if the author had an opportunity to interview and provide care to the middle class and poor people there may be more inspiring stories on life lessons than regrets, as everyday it was an struggle and next day is the only hope. 

Book Summary | Start with WHY

Book Title : START WITH WHY 

Author : Simon Sinek 

Great leaders are able to inspire people to act with a sense of purpose or belonging that has little to do with any external incentives or benefit to be gained. Inspired employees make a stronger companies and stronger economies.  Assumptions affect our behaviour and we take decisions based on what we know. The dance between Gut and rational decision making pretty much covers how we conduct business and live our live.  There are two ways to influence the human behaviour – Manipulate  it or Inspire.  When fear is employed, facts are incidentally deeply seated in our biological drive to survive, that emptions cannot be quickly wiped away with facts and figure. The book “Start with Why” is about applying logic to inspire and decision making using a concept called Golden Circle and validating this through celery test for check for balance.

 

The Golden Circle:  provides insights into how great organization are systematized through KNOW – WHY, KNOW – HOW, THEN WHAT. Golden circle shows how leaders ar

e able to inspire actions instead of manipulating people to act. It starts from Inside out with WHY moving inward WHAT bounded by HOW. When we are inspired, the decisions we make have more to do with who we are and less to do with companies in products were buying.

 

Clarify of WHY :  The power of Why is not option. Starting from Why defines clarity, Discipline and consistency to inspire. Why do they it is something deeper. Why is just a belief and if we don’t know WHY, we cant know HOW. The ability to puts why in words provides the emotional context for decision making. When motivated by Why success happens.  In any organization – Top Leader (CEO) represent the WHY.  A clear sense of why sets expectations. The why exists in the part of the brain that control feelings and decision making but not language.  Why defines the founding purpose, cause or belief. Why comes from looking back, finding WHY is discovery, not invention. All organization starts with WHY, but only the great ones keep their why clear year after year.  WHY- types are optimists and see things other cant. They are visionary and see how they think the world should be.

 

Discipline of HOW:  How are the values or principles that guide the cause of life. How we do things are manifests in systems and process within the organization and culture. Understanding the HOW gives greater ability. How are actions.  Senior executives in the organization represents How. These are the small group of people who will build the infrastructure that can make WHY tangible.  How – types are more in the here an now. They’re more rational and get things done.

 

Consistency of WHAT: What are the results of action (How). What don’t drive decision making, what should be used as proof why. The rational what offers proof for the feeling of why. What is the level where majority of the employees are placed in the organization. What exist is the part of the brain that control rational thinking and language.  What comes first and all their systems and processes are in pursuit of those tangible results. What gets measured, Get Done.

 

Law of Diffusion: Mass market success can only be achieved after penetrate between 15 to 18% of the market.

 

Celery test: Appling to find out exactly WHAT and HOW is consistent with WHY metaphor is know as celery test. Decision making needs to pass the celery test especially in Hiring, Partnership, strategies and tactics.

 

Bottom-line:

Although the author starts with inspiring and fact based concepts making it inspiring it to read. As you move, it is more about the culture of Apple – at times its more Gyan. Would suggest watch the videos or listen to podcast and then reading this book will help in quick conceptualization.

Book Summary | No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention

Book : No Rules Rules : Netflix and the culture of Reinvention

Authors: Reed Hastings, Erin Meyer

One of the companies that is widely used as an example that has disrupted the entertainment industry in one decade is Netflix. From DVD by mail to streaming old TB series and movies over the internet. From streaming old content to launching new original content, From licensing content provided by external studios to building their own in-house studios, from USA co
mpany to Global company… 

No Rules Rules is about success of Netflix through a culture that promoted flexibility, employee freedom and innovation through a culture of “Freedom and Responsibility”. The book has Ten chapters, which the author connects through 10 dots and you have to connect the dots differently. Netfix has shared these practices with examples making easy to connect with the culture and process of any organization. One of the reason for Netflix’s success – it treats Employees like Grownups. The book offers provoking thought, on reinventing culture to remain relevant in a changing business environment through agility, innovation and flexibility. 

The First Dot: A Great workplace is stunning colleagues

• Talent Density: Talented people make one another more effective
• Performance is contagious

The Second Dot : Say what you really Think ( with positive intent)

• High Performance + Selfless Condor = Extremely High performance
• Giving Feedback – 4A Feedback Guidelines

• Aim to Assist – Feedback must be given with positive intent. Clearly explain how a specific behavior change will help the individual or the company.
• Actionable – Feedback must focus on what the receipt can do differently
• Appreciate – When receiving feedback ask yourself, “How can I show appreciation for this feedback by listening carefully, with open mind and becoming neither defensive nor angry
• Accept or Discard :

The Third Dot - Policy & Continue removing controls 

• Set and reinforce context to guide employee behavior
• Freedom from vacation policy adds value – even if no one uses it
• Give freedom to get responsibility
• Spend money as if it were your own
• Act in Companies best interest
• Set context up front and keep an eye on spending out back

The Fourth Dot – Pay top of personal market

• Offer rock – star pay
• Divide the workforce into creative and operational employees
• Bonuses are bad for flexibility

The Fifth Dot - Open the Books

• Stuff of Secrets = SOS
• Knowing when to Share
• Create a work culture of financial transparency, making every aspect of the business visible to every employee
• Invest a substantial amount of time and effort training every staff member how to read and understand, in detail, the weekly operating and financial reports
• When making decisions that will impact the employees wellbeing, like reorganizations or layoffs, open up to the workforce early, before things solidified. This will cause some anxiety and distraction, but the trust you build will outweigh the disadvantages.

The Sixth Dot – No Decision making approval needed
Don’t seek to please your boss. Seek to do what is best for the company.
Netflix innovation Cycle – Innovation Friday

• - Farm for dissent or socialize the idea
• - For a big idea, test it out
• - As the informed captain, make your bet
• - If succeed celebrate. If it fails sunshine 

Three-part response on Sunshine

• - Ask what learning came from that project
• - Don’t make a big deal about it
• - Ask to “sunshine” the failure

The Seventh Dot – The Keeper Test

• Demand excellence. Count on the manger to make sure every position is filled by the best person at any given time.
• Train to win, expecting to receive candid and continuous feedback about hot to up their game from the coach and from one another.
• Know effort isn’t enough, recognizing that they will be thanked and respectfully swapped out for another project.
• Avoid stack-ranking system, as they create internal competition and discourage collaboration.
• From Family to Team - For high performance culture a professional sports team is a better metaphor than a family. Coach the managers to create strong feelings of commitment, cohesion and camaraderie on the team, which continually making touch decisions to ensure that best player is manning each post.

The Eight Dot – A circle of Feedback

• A circle of Feedback – “Start, Stop, Continue” format for the 360 degree feedback that gives concrete actionable feedback
• Live 360 dinners are another effective process. Set aside several hours away from the office. Set aside several hours away from the office. Give clear instructions, follow the 4A feedback guidelines and use the Start, Stop, Continue Method.

The Ninth Dot – Lead with Context, Not Control

• Leading with context will not work unless you have the right conditions in place.
• Align to true north and highly aligned on vision and objectives
• A loosely coupled organization should resemble a tree rather than pyramid. The boss is at roots, holding up the trunk of senior managers who support the outer branches where decisions are made.
• You know you are successfully leading with context when your people are moving the team in the desired directions by using the information they have received from you and those around you to make great decisions themselves.
• Everything is Relative

The Tenth Dot – Bring it all to the World – Going Global

Book Summary | Light Bulb Moments

 Book Title : Light Bulb Moments : 75 lessons for Everyday Living 

Author : Talayah G Stovall 

The moment we see a light bulb symbol represents a trigger for innovation in corporate world. Light bulb moments is collection of experience in a short story form that are thought provoking. Every story shared resembles the path and experience each one might have gone through. Reading these anecdotes trigger a thought on the times how we responded or reacted and provides an opportunity to introspect action.

The book is collection of 75 stories that spread uniqueness in experience that one might have undergone.  The topics range from purpose, passion, preparation, persistence, patience, goal focus, trials, forgiveness, friendship and many more. 

Few that I could recollect; 

Prepare, Persevere and it will pass  -  Sometimes the reward is not in reaching the mountaintop of life but in the lessons you learn during your journey and the strength you gain from the climb.

The rainbow only comes after the storm -  The rainbow reminds us of how much God cares about us. In order to get to the rainbow periods in our lives, we must first endure the storms.

Trials Precede Transformation : In order for the butterfly's to emerge, the caterpillar must be transformed. If you are experiencing the pain of change in life, don't fight it. Go with it. 

Listen Closely to your GPS -   "Listen closely to your GPS" is about navigating through your life. You must know where you are and where you want to go. There is more than one way to get there. It is never too late to get back on track. You might be closer than you think. Enjoy the journey.

Push Through the Concrete -  Permanence, Perseverance and Persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragements and impossibilities its is this that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak. 

Find Your Why : 

Choose your blocks Carefully - when Moses doubted his ability to lead the people out of Egypt, God told him to use what he already had in his hand. The same goes for us.  We can let circumstances rule us, or we can take charge and rule our lives within. 

Its all about relationships : The rules of Relationship - Seven Be's: - Be Realistic | Be Authentic | Be Open | Be Tactful | Be Flexible | Be Accountable | Be Patient 

Don't be an Elephant - Success is a way of thinking. Shifting our mindsets will shift our energy, which will lead us to positive action. 

Empty your Cup - every time you empty it, it comes back twice as full. As you enjoy your own blessings, remember to reach our to others and share from your bounty as only you can. 

Beating the Blues - 

Alone does not mean lonely - 

Don't Quit the Race - Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent. Whatever your race and whatever your goal, just keep on running. 

A good read each day as we start every day.

Book Summary | Reengineering the Corporation: A Manifesto for Business Revolution

Book : Re-engineering the Corporation : A Manifesto for Business Revolution 

Author:  Michael Hammer,  James Champy

Business is all about taking the right risk for profits. Business is run by people and needs processes and guidelines for controls. Business processes needs re-engineering based on the organisations vision and appetite. The re-engineering the corporation provides key insights on how to redevelop or redesign the business process so that the purpose and value is achieved based on the customer needs. Re-engineering is the opportunity to develop the rules by which business in the future will be conducted rather than being forced to operate by the rules imposed by someone else. As such, re-engineering underpins every attempt to seize and maintain a true competitive advantage. I found the following as the key from the book.

Chapter – 1: The reengineering Concept
- Re-engineering is the opportunity to develop the rules by which business in the future will be conducted rather than being forced to operate by the rules imposed by someone else.
- Re-engineering is defined as the fundamental rethinking and radical redesign of business processes to generate dramatic improvements in critical performances measures such as cost, quality, service and speed.    

- Three types of organisation undertake re-engineering

o   Companies that find themselves in deep competitive trouble – and who often require an order of magnitude improvements    

o   Companies with managers who can see problems arising in future

o   Companies with mangers who are ambitious and aggressive.          

Most re engineered processes deliver impressive production planning flexibility and capabilities
Companies enjoy the benefits of centralized purchasing power and decentralized operations.

Chapter – 2: The Characteristics of A Re-engineered corporation       
- Re-engineering is not solely about creating a new business processes it focuses on creating a new company by Simplifying the process | empowerment of people through range of tasks to perform | moving from hierarchy to a flatter management run by professionals and not managers | People in the organisation no longer worry about pleasing the boss but focus on pleasing the customers.          
- Re-engineering is never focused on fixing old processes. Re-engineering is focused on breakthroughs – quantum leaps forward       

Chapter – 3: Re-engineering Case Studies

Successful re engineering programs undertaken by large and small corporations in the past have these common themes:

•  A focus on processes rather than organizational boundaries.
• The drive to create breakthrough performance.
•  A willingness to break with old traditions and rules.
•  The creative use of new information technology.

Every company’s re-engineering program must be unique if it is to achieve anything substantial. There are no guaranteed-to-work or step-by-step prescriptions that can be followed in re-engineering.          

Chapter -4 : The Key to re-engineering success:               
Business process exist solely for the purpose of creating a satisfied customer – Always start with customer and work backward.              
Re-engineering must be done at speed – the faster the better.
Tolerate risk  
No engineering program every emerges full-blown right out of the box – accept imperfections along the way               
Don’t stop too soon

Book Summary | Sadhu Sundar Singh

Book: Sadhu Sunder Singh : A Biography of the Remarkable Indian Disciple 
Author: Phyllis Thompson 

The book of Acts in the bible is about a promise that Christ made before Ascension to Heaven on Holy Spirit. The book of acts professes about a great prosecutor who wanted to wipe out the believers and his conversion into Paul and his story of healing etc. However, on the road to Damascus, he reported being blinded by a vision of Jesus Christ. He heard the voice of Jesus Christ, asking Saul, “why persecutes thou me?” Saul replied, “Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutes.   After his vision and healing, he proclaimed the divinity of Jesus Christ and dedicated his life to spreading the Christian message. Paul explained that he was a servant of Jesus Christ and his unexpected conversion to ardent Christian was due to the Grace of God and not reason or intellect. We come across many stories on how he was released from the jail, how he healed many people, even when believers touched the clothes they got healed. At the end of the book, we read about a snake bit and people waited for him to die, but obviously then they started to believe in God. 

The story of Sadhu Sunder Singh does resemble the path of Saul who became Paul. A young boy with hatred, being rebellion on the teaching Bible in the class to becoming a great Saint who did evangelisation and healing of the sick across India, Tibet, Pakistan and Afghanistan.  He experienced the vision, and after the personal tragedy, as he tried to commit suicide in the tracks of the railways. The story of poisoning him and the treatment given to him. His miracles are just amazing to read and get inspired.  

He was known as the India’s Saffron Saint & the apostle with the bleeding feet for he walked far and long.  

An inspiring and interesting biography from post-independence i.es 1929. 

Book Summary | Upstream: How to solve problem before they happen - Dan Heath

One of the Top 3 skills that organizations look for during hiring is Critical Problem Solving Skills. This is as per the survey by the World Economic Forum. People are employed in the organization to resolve problems. If there are no problems then I think, employees are not required. In life to, if there are no issues / concerns then human-being were not required. However, be it an organization or life, resolving issues / problems is critical and for this we need to apply certain principles or tools or a statement than can be understood by all. Then apply brainstorming or some other methodology to apply solutions. However, many a times, the problem repeats the causes may be different.

The author prescribes Upstream and Downstream for resolving the problems. Upstream is to identify the problems before it occurs – in normal terms we could say it’s about Proactive way of identifying the problem and resolving. Downstream is once the problem is occurred, it is resolved.  The upstream focuses on the early warning sings, use of system thinking, and directions. In case of Downstream is about reacting, where a hero resolves the problem.

Hurdle for the upstream thinking

• Problem Blindness: This occurs when we believe that it is normal - Story of the Sexual Harassment case in 1975.
• Lack of Ownership: The author narrates a story of car seat belt
• Tunneling: The story of how a nurse solved a problem every 90 min in average

Thought Provoking for Upstream:

1. How will you unite right people - Surround the problem, use data for learning?
2. How will you change the system - Look for the system change
3. Where can you find a point of leverage – Start with target a small population, event and data set etc.
4. How will you get early warning of the problem – Look for the historical patterns to inform your predictions, maneuvering etc.
5. How will you know what you’re succeeding - Use of paired measure
6. Who will pay for what does not happen – Create closed feedback loops to continuously improve.

Book Summary | The Holy Spirit: Activating God's Power in Your Life

Author : Billy Graham 

The Holy Spirit is the promise of Jesus Christ to his disciples. The author is only of the most renowned and his speeches are always inspiring. The book is on the Holy Spirit, which the author tries is best to describe and as understanding the trilogy is difficult. The book has 18 chapters describing in the Holy Spirit to the need of the hour. An amazing description on the way the Holy Spirit works in our life and intercede on Christ behalf.

Chapter – I: Who is the Holy Spirit

The holy spirit is not an impersonal force, like gravity or magnetism. He is a person, with all the attributes of personality. But not only is He a person; He is divine as well. The attributes are
He is enteral | He is all powerful | He is everywhere present | He is omniscient | The holy spirit is called God | He is creator.
There is one body and one spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling.

Chapter - II : When the Holy Spirit has Come
There are three main expressions used in old testament for the work on Holy Spirit on human being
He came upon men | He rested on men | He filled men   
Pentecost is the day marked as crucial turning point in the history of Gods dealing with the human race. It is one of the five past events, all of which are essential components of the Christian gospel; the incarnation, The atonement, the resurrection, the ascension and Pentecost. The Holy Spirit also acts through the people of God, who are called the salt of the earth and the light of the world by Jesus.
Commitment without reflection is fanaticism in action. But reflection without commitment is the paralysis of all actions.           

Chapter - III : Holy Spirit and the Bible        
This chapter the author presents the Holy spirits work in the scriptures, both from old testament and the New Testaments. As we approach the end of the age, persecution is going to be intensified.

Chapter - IV: The Holy Spirit and Salvation 
Science and technology cannot change man's basic nature. Economic restructuring cannot change man's basic nature. No amount of self-improvements or wishful thinking can change man's basic nature. Only God the one who created us can recreate us.      
Spiritual regeneration is accomplished by the Holy Spirit. Regeneration is not the work of the evangelist; it is the work of God's Spirit. the indispensable condition of the new birth is repentance and faith, but repentance and faith itself does not save. The new birth will bring about change in your relationship with God, a change in your relationship with your family, a change in your relationship with yourself, a change in your relationship with your neighbours, Gradually, if you are an obedient believer, it will bring about a change in disposition, affection, aims, principles, and dimensions.

·        
Chapter - 5 : Baptism with the Spirit  
Baptism with the spirit is a collective operations of the spirit of God; it includes every believer. There are seven passages in the New Testaments that speak directly of the baptism with the spirit.

Chapter - 6: The Seal, The Pledge and the Witnessing of the Holy Spirit       

Chapter - 7 : The Christian's Inner Struggle 
We have two natures within us, both struggling for mastery. Which one will dominate us? it depends upon which one we feed. If we feed our spiritual lives and allow the Holy Spirit to empower us, he will have rule over us. If we starve our spiritual natures and instead feed the old, sinful nature, the flesh will dominate.
The Scripture teaches that sanctification has three parts, first - the moment you receive Christ, Second - as we progress n the Christian life and third - when we go to heaven. Whether we realize it or not, we are growing spiritually through the conflicts, turbulence, troubles, temptations, testing’s and so on that afflict all Christians slowly or rapidly       

Chapter - 8 : The fullness of the Spirit
Power is dynamically related to person. This person is the Holy Spirit Himself, indwelling the Christian and filling him with the fullness of his power. He will permit us to have only as much as power as He knows we will use or need. Unfortunately, many Christians are disobedient and having prayed for power, have no intention of using it, or else neglect to follow through in active obedience. I think it is a waste of time for us to look for power we do not intend to use; for might in prayer, unless we pray; for strength to testify, without witnessing for power unto holiness, without attempting to live a holy life; for grace to supper, unless we take up the cross; for power in service, unless we serve. Someone has said, “God gives dying grace only to the dying".   

Chapter - 9: How to be filled with Holy Spirit
The New Testament teaching on how to be filled with holy spirit can be summarized in three terms;
Understanding | Submission and Walking by Faith        

Chapter - 10: Sins against the Holy Spirit      
Two sins against the Holy spirit can be committed - one is to grieve the holy spirit and other is to quench the spirit.           

Chapter - 11: Gifts of the Holy Spirit 
Wisdom | Understanding | Counsel |Fortitude | Knowledge | Piety | Fear of the Lord.

Chapter - 12: Further Gifts of the Holy Spirit
We can possess three kinds of wisdom, the first comes to us naturally, the second comes from learning and the highest kind of wisdom comes directly from God and is associated with the particular work of the Holy Spirit.    

Chapter - 13: The Sign Gifts  
The sign gifts include healing, miracles and tongues.     

Chapter - 14: The Fruits of the Holy Spirit    
Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control  

Chapter - 18: The need of the hour    
Eight characteristics of outpouring of Holy Spirit          
1. There will be a new vision of the majesty of God
2. There will be a new vision of the sinfulness of sin
3. There will be an emphasis on the necessity of repentance, faith and the new birth
4. There will be the joy of salvation
5. There will be anew realization of our responsibility for world evangelization
6. There will be a deep social concern
7. There will be increased evidence of both the gifts and the fruit of the spirit
8. There will be renewed dependence upon the Holy Spirit.

A book that needs to be re-read for greater inspiration and faith building.

Book Summary | The Grand Weaver - How God Shapes us Through the events of our lives

Book Title: The Grand Weaver : How God Shapes us Through the events of our lives 

Author : Ravi Zacharias 

I have listened to many podcast of Ravi Zacharias, listening to his lectures brings a kind of eagerness as he relates the life with scriptures to get engaged for a Purpose.  I didn’t knew that Ravi would be called by God, on the day, I started reading this book “Grand Weaver”.  In the introduction of the book – Grand Weaver, the author simply asks “why has God made it so difficult to believe in him? This can be a common metaphor for many of the believers, especially in the difficult and struggling time.   This book is around Gods design and is mysterious intervention in our lives to know the specific purpose for each one of us.  The authors belief that God intervenes in the lives of everyone and God speaks to us in different ways and at different times. The book is about calling for each of us, designed to fulfil each individual uniqueness. Once you being to see Gods hand in our life, we will know that his workmanship within us and through you was tailor made, just for you. That’s why the title of the book Grand Weaver.

I have tried to summarize these 8 chapters.

Chapter – 1: DNA Matters:

Gods gifts are unique and these gifts even when in flaw has a great message to convey. It depends upon the way one view and treasure the gift. It reminds that each person is unique and special but not flawed.

# Accepting and celebrating the thread of your own personality is the first grasp of the Grand Weaver’s design in your life. You are not a number. He knows you by name. Every stage of the process may not look picturesque, but every detail will come into focus and possess its share of beauty.

Chapter – 2: Your Disappointments:

Every individual born in this earth will undergo pain and suffering and disappointments in their own way. There cannot be a measurement to know who suffered more main and who had highest disappointments. We always feel that we are carrying the heavy burden, compared to others and author narrates a beautiful story of Golden Window.  One can observe the patterns of the disappointments and take three distinct steps in this journey before the pattern becomes visible and we being to see the work of God.

The author suggests three steps in this journey before the pattern becomes visible to see the work of God

1       1.   Involves the heart:

Three things happen to heart: it will grow hard, it will be broken or it will be tender. God the grand weaver seeks those with tender hearts sothat he can put his imprints on them. Your hurts and disappointments are part of that design, to share your heart and the way you feel about reality.  A heart is close communion with God helps carry out through the pain, beyond the power of words.

2.   Involves the Mind

Brain is to the body and the mind is to the soul. Faith is a thing of the mind. The entire financial structure depends on credit, trust, confidence, belief and faith.

3.  Finding the road

Chapter -3: Your Calling Matters

Immense success does not always bring meaning or fulfillment.  A calling is simply God’s shaping of your burden and beckoning you’re to your service to him in the palace and pursuits of his choosing. It is God’s vital purpose in positioning you in life and giving you the vocation and context of your will to serve him with a total commitment to do the job well.

God trained Moses in a palace to use him in a desert. He trained Joseph in a desert to use him in a palace. Some come through winding paths, some through the nicely paved road of privileged birth or influential friends. Others come through the visitation of circumstances with wandering and sudden signposts. Finding one’s calling is one of the greatest challenges in life, especially when one has gifts that fan out in many directions.

One simply cannot know one’s call without coming near to God in prayer.  The purpose of prayer and of God’s call in your life is not to make you number one in the worlds eyes, but to make him number one in your life. The second significant clue - the willingness to be outshone while shining for God. Humility is the touchstone of serving God. The preparation for the call through prayer and the attitude of living out the call in humility, takes the final step.

Chapter – 4: Your Morality Matters:

The fundamental difference between a naturalist worldview and a religious worldview is the moral framework. The first four of the ten commandments have to do with our worship of God, while the next six deals with our resulting responsibilities to our fellow human beings. These commandments base a moral imperative on our spiritual commitment, first towards God and second towards humanity.  Morality is the fruit of your knowledge of God, conscious or otherwise. Morality can build pride as well philanthropy true spirituality will never submit to pride.

Chapter – 5: Your Spirituality Matters:

Jesus challenged three different types of spirituality; Traditionalism, legalism and superstition.

Spiritual seduction is the deadliest of all seductions because it barters away the soul. Truth is the thread that separates true spirituality from false spirituality.

Chapter -6: Your will Matters:

We must take hold of God’s promise to bless us. The gospel declares that the Holy Spirit brings about the new birth and that because of the Spirits power within us, we gain the ability to do God’s will.

Willful walk with the lord – Ask without Pettiness | Being before Doing | Convictions without Compromise | Discipline without Drudgery.

Chapter -7: Your worship Matters

Worship is coextensive with life. Worship is ultimately seeing life Gods way. Three principal realities combine in worship; Mystery, Community and Liturgy.

Chapter – 8: Your Destiny Matters:

The cemetery new or old is not our ultimate destination; it is merely a place in which to remember the symbols of a farewell. The person is not there; only the last memory is there. The respect shown in a cemetery comes not becomes it is home, but because it is where we bid believing loved ones a temporary good bye.

A wonderful book, with a beautiful flow with real life’s stories that connects with present experiences or few heard stories make this awesome read and reflection.

Book Summary | The Ultimate Prayer Challenge: A Devotional That Will Change Your Life

Author: Adam Houge

There is an unseen force behind us which cannot be denied and this brings the hope in us at the times of uncertainties and in the period of difficulties. That force may be the God and it becomes vital to interact with God and the way we interact we define it as prayer. Prayer is a way of surrendering to God. Prayer is also a way of encouragement for hope.  The book is categorized into two parts.

-          The 7 most powerful prayers

-          The Prayer warrior’s 30 days’ challenge

First Part is on the most powerful prayers. These are the selected prayers from the author. It’s all about the reflections on life and insights taken from the scriptures. This being led by the spirit: an interesting insight to rebuild faith and works of holy spirit.   

The Second part of the book is the Payer warrior 3o day challenge an interesting narration and flow for 30 days helping in enhancing faith building and prayers.            

The uninteresting take on the first and second part is the authors response as the lord’s answers is really raw, making think differently as each person when he reads and meditates develops his own thoughts may not and will not resemble to the authors response.

If the rational on

-          Do we really need challenge for Praying and what will be the benefit?

-      Is there something called the best prayer and does God only listen to the best prayer and respond to those who will use the best prayers?

-     How one will ensure that there is continuity in prayer and does not get diverted from the prayerful life due to the challenging and difficult environment.

Then this book provides insights that one can meditate upon.