Living-will

I have been a preacher for 42 years and have purchased more than 1000 books, When the Call Seems Small is without a doubt the best of all. I have purchased and given 24 copies away already. Recently, one was given to a bi-vocational pastor who had to sell his farm: I knew that this book would greatly encourage him!

When the Call Seems Small will help us all to realize that when we are in God's will our place of assignment is the most important thing in our life. If we take joy in being in God's will we will know that when He leads us, no place, nor position, is unimportant in His plan. You do not need a title, or a degree to be valuable to the Kingdom of God.

When the Call Seems Small will protect you from allowing Satan to make you discontent with your calling.

Read it, and pass it on to others.

Genuine, insightful, and practical, When the Call Seems Small delivers hope for our confused and frustrated souls who search for God's will. With every page we feel accompanied by W. Clayton Scott's upbeat genuine presence and we get the distinct sense that he has been where we are. Most importantly, Jesus' love and concern breaks through in abundance. What a relief and joy to know we can see God's side of our struggling dreams!

Yes, it is true that Talking So People Will Listen is an excellent resource for professional speakers, but it is also an excellent resource for anyone wanting to be coached and mentored regarding communications. You will learn to be a more effective in all areas of communication--verbal, written and electronic as well as public speaking. This well written, easy to read book offers many practical and personal suggestions covering a variety of subjects. For example in written communication, when you send a sympathy card be sure to include a note about what the surviving relative meant to the deceased. "Sally, your mother was blessed to have you as her daughter. I know how much she cherished you, not only as a daughter, but as a friend, too." Ever struggled with handling compliments? What about criticisms? This book gives you suggestions for handling both in a gracious manner. More practical tips are gleaned from a study on the four basic personalities. Depending on what personality type you are communicating with, you will learn how to adjust your approach so you can be more effective with that person. Ever wonder what to wear? You even get great fashion advice in this book! And of course there are important tips, suggestions and resources for the professional, the aspiring and even the terrified public speaker. You will learn how to organize your material, develop your subject matter and sharpen your presentation style--even if all you need to do is make an introduction. Which, by the way, is a very important job! Whether you speaking to the masses or to the grocery store clerk, don't miss the opportunity to be coached and mentored by two of the best in the field of communication. After all, no matter where we communicate, we are called to "shine like the stars" (Philippians 2). Talking So People Will Listen definitely helps you shine!

The title doesn't do justice to all that's offered in this book. To adapt a title from the 1970s, this book is about "The Total Communicator." Florence and Marita help us understand communication from several angles, but, most important, coach us on how to make a difference with the words we write and speak. In keeping with their niche as personality analysts, they help us see we can change certain personality habits to better communicate with others. Recognizing that written communication is equally important, they include two chapters on writing notes. You'll want to bookmark the suggestions on what to write in difficult times, such as failure or bereavement. The last third of the book includes many of the suggestions offered in their training seminars for public speaking. If you find yourself frustrated in trying to communicate with other people, shy about saying what's on your heart, or just yearning to do it all better, absorb the real-to-life ideas in this book.

Whether you're speaking before a crowd of thousands, an office staff of dozens, or just trying your best to communicate with your own family, TALKING SO PEOPLE WILL LISTEN is an excellent source for communication tips and practical advice. Florence and Marita Littauer, gifted communicators in both the spoken and written word, will help you discover your own natural communication style, and even improve on it. With plenty of the authors' own anecdotes, this book is fun to read and full of good information. If we're going to survive in this world, we have to learn how to interact with each other. We need to speak so others will listen, and we need to listen, really listen, to what others are saying, and not just what we think they're saying. This book helps us do just that. If you want to be a more effective communicator at home and on the job, I highly recommend it.

If you expect to have a $1,000,000+ estate and want to understand your tax saving options, this book is excellent. It's readable, usually clear, well organized & well indexed. It progresses into many advanced topics such as QTIP trusts, GSTT trusts, GRATs, GRUTs, GRITs, etc. and explains them in good detail, with examples. Includes some very useful state-by-state info.

You'll work much better with your lawyer if you read this book first.

I read a library copy, but then bought my own.

This book works well with Condon's "Beyond the Grave", which is much weaker on the nuts and bolts of estate tax planning but much better at getting you to think through the human (family conflict) side.

BOTTOM LINE: Many people looking into getting an attorney to prepare a simple will have probably had sticker shock - several hundred dollars minimum for a competent attorney to prepare it. But as this book explains, do it yourself estate lawyering, while not prudent for complex situations, is clearly within the reach of those with even moderately complex situations and the patience to spend a leisurely weekend reading this book.

WHAT IT COVERS: This book is primarily a primer, explaining the foundations of estate planning including: an overview and whether you actually need to spend time reading the book and drafting estate docs, drafting a will, how to think about what assets will go to which family members and other beneficiaries, financial instruments such as brokerage accounts/bank accounts/life insurance and how they fit into wealth transfer, as well as powers of attorney and health care directives. What I like best about the book is that you know you are getting candid advice from someone not trying to bill you by the hour or sell you variable annuity life insurance. In my own area of expertise - finance - the fact that the author's opinion regarding life insurance is dead on (tax planning should be kept separate from investing strategies and as such variable annuities are complete bunk) gives me great comfort that I'm getting straight shooting advice in the rest of the book.

WHAT IT CAN BE USED FOR: The book can serve readers on two different levels. If you are going to get a lawyer anyway but are the type of person that wants to be educated when you talk to lawyers/accountants/brokers, this book will have you speaking the same language and is an easy read over the course of a weekend. If you want to prepare an estate plan yourself, this book serves as an ample resource to help create the necessary docs. The fill-in forms in the back are certainly capable of serving as the basis for your basic estate docs, but at the same time it may be more comforting to most people to have a seamless document that they are not penciling in blanks, which leads to my next point...

THINK ABOUT GETTING THE COMPANION SOFTWARE: This book is published by Nolo Press, a well-respected publisher of legal self-help books. They also publish a software title in conjunction with Quicken (makers of the financial planning software) called Quicken Lawyer which not only has an offline/online legal manual with much of the info included in this book, but its main function is to create a battery of estate documents for you through very simple step-by-step interviews - you answer the questions, it drafts the legalese, you print and execute it. I would almost recommend just getting the software instead b/c there is a decent offline/online manual included, but for those that really want to know the why behind what they're doing, get this book and the software. See my review on Quicken Lawyer Personal Deluxe for more info.

LIMITATIONS: The book readily admits there are situations that require an attorney and points out throughout the book which situations require it. In general, get an attorney if you expect to owe federal estate tax (threshold is currently estates over $1.5 mm, but rising rapidly through 2010), have an ex-wife or two, have kids that don't speak to each other, or other complex family dynamic.

I have read about 10 books on estate planning, and this is by far the clearest, best organized, and most comprehensive of the lot. The authors cover the issues of trusts, tax planning and tax reduction, and asset preservation. This is the book to start with, and is really as good as they get.

The Gatekeepers was awesome! It is a well written book-a good job of illustrating Christian buisiness leadership principles. I enjoyed reading it. It was also a good conversation stater with other soldiers. Excellent job Nate Wolf!

Nate Wolf's book "The Gatekeepers" will inspire any reader to think outside the box for successes and challenges we all face in today's demanding culture. We are hit from all directions to just fit into the mold that society dictates. We are taught that it's okay to work hard to get where we want in life. What of you were to have the mindset that "Givers are Getters"?
You won't be disappointed with this read, and if applied you will reap rewards that for many are unimaginable without a shift in thinking.

This teaching has been lacking in the church for far too long. Nate explains the ministry of helps and the anointing that is on some business people to fund the spreading of the gospel. There are many businessmen and women who need to hear this teaching. If you always felt a conflict between your desire to succeed in business and your role in the church, get this book! Understanding the relationship between those called to be in the marketplace and those called to ministry will dramatically help the church move forward in this season.

The collaborative literary effort of Clare Cook and Bethany Patchin, I Will Follow is the engaging story of 16-year-old Meg Atwell and her sister, two young women who are determined to have romance in their lives. But an extended trip to Mexico places the girls in a remarkable and unfamiliar new world, and both of them must put their personal beliefs to the test in this deftly written, quite romantic, and impressively introspective novel.

My friends, Bethany and Clare have hit a home run with the story of Meg and Diego...The manuscript was good, the finished product is awsome! Way to go to my friends!

I Will Follow is a piercing look at a young girl's heart and inspires and encourages us to face the struggles of the heart head on. Romance is a gift from God but often abused. This book challenges us to look higher than instant gratification.
You won't be able to put it down!

This is a good introductory text to some basic concepts on leadership. Stanley does a good job of synthesizing good leadership theory from John Maxwell and others. Strengths of this books include how much Stanley focuses on character (the true measure of any leader) and how as a leader you should focus on what you are good at. One book I would recommend if you want to go deeper on the topics Stanley discusses, would be, "The Making Of A Leader" by J.Robert Clinton from Fuller Seminary.

Stanley leads a very successful church in the Atlanta area and practices what he preaches. He knows what he is good at, and works from there. He could have flushed out what more about what leaders look like, how we can lead from the front or the back of the room, etc. Still a good book regardless.

Stanley also focuses on knowing your inner "man" which seems to be a bit gender exclusive, but does not invalidate this as a good leadership text. Overall this is a good, solid leadership book. B

Joseph Dworak

Stanley has written an excellent book on leadership principles which can be immediately applied to your every day pursuit of becoming a leader worth following. He blends a number of personal stories and examples to illustrate core principles. A fast read full of relevant lessons.

This is a great little book on Leadership. The section on "Courage" was worth the price of the book. I can almost guarantee that if you read this book you would not at all be disappointed. It is packed with great insight and ideas that are packaged well. I not only learned I was inspired.

This is the best book I have ever read in regard to the way Rex Russell explains the science behind God's instruction on what we should and shouldn't eat. Finally, I understand why God gave me the commands He did, and no longer have to tell myself "just because God said so". Dr. Russell puts the reason to God's authority and in so doing, explains the medical science behind it. I recommend this book to everyone, and especially those who are searching for a healthier lifestyle and an end to their medical complaints.

The word diet derives from the Greek diaita, which means "a manner of living," or lifestyle. Dr. Russell's book is the first of its kind to step back from the subject of food and see it for what it is - a blessing designed by the Almighty to aid in our service of him.

In a day and age when our culture looks at food as trendy, or as something to be addicted to or to be avoided, Dr. Russell uncovers what the Bible says about food. He does it in a way that can be easily understood and applied.

As a former chef from a 4 star restaurant and as the head of sales at a food equipment company I wish everyone, from food consumers to food producers, would read this book and apply its principles. It might cause me to have to look for a different job (one of the biblical principles that Dr. Russell rediscovers is that of eating food in as close to the form that God gives it to us in - not processed with equipment!) but it would improve peoples "manner of living" enormously!

If anyone reads the book and agrees, I would welcome their contacting me. I would like to start an association of those who support the principles that Dr. Russell has rediscovered.

Are you eating and living the way you should? The Bible gives us instructions on how we are to live and be well. What the Bible Says About Healthy Living is a great book that shows us how we are to live and what foods are better for us. It describes how the Creator or Great Designer gave us certain foods to keep us healthy and live for many years to come.

By giving you the foods that you should and should not eat, as well as the reasons why, the text incites a positive reaction by all who read it. By presenting the information to you, a guideline is formed so that you can see what is good for you and what is not. Also, by following the principles within the book, you will start feeling better about yourself both physically and spiritually.

This book is for those that are looking for a great eating plan to maybe lose weight or to overcome a sickness. Because a physician wrote it, there are a lot of medical facts included as well as scriptures to back up what he is saying. This book provides answers to many questions.

This book will pull anyone out their daily boredom, depression, or malaise! Open this Hot Bold Orange and Black tome to any page and your mind will instantly be teased and tantillized. You will be seduced into having new thoughts, pondering thrilling actions, and scheming brilliant real life adventures! No idea is too crazy or impossible for the mind to chew on, and this book is the ultimate giant pack of juicy fruit! It has 365 pages of delicious fun inside.

I couldn't stop myself from chuckling - even laughing out loud - at times when I read this book. I chose it for our guest bathroom to give people some light reading while otherwise occupied. It's a funny, lighthearted book that has a very skewed way of looking at things. The daily activities vary greatly: some funny, some whimsical, some with that Huh? factor.
The book is wonderfully laid out with a variation of design that makes for delicious eye candy and draws the eye in throughout the book. It's a great deal of fun and would be perfect as a silly gift for a birthday, secret santa or something to brighten one's day.

**One word of warning for those with younger children - there is some adult humor of a sexual nature so don't put this in a place where young eyes can see this (if your house indeed has younger children). It's not too explicit but enough to instigate a "what does that mean" type of conversation.

This book made me laugh out loud on several occasions. True you may not be able to accomplish every task in the book as some may be illegal in your area, it's worth it just to read it. Anyone who has a sense of humor can NOT go without reading this book. It's hilarious. Benrick are geniuses.

Wayne Hastings and Ron Potter have written an inspirational book that provides the key principles we all need to guide us in our personal and business lives. It is a book to be kept close at hand to keep our thinking and actions on the path of a principle based life. The real life stories and the opportunity provided to reflect after each chapter with thought provoking questions about ourselves and how we interact with others helps teach us how to be leaders others can trust.

If you read only one book on leadership in 2004, I would urge you to read "Trust Me" - "Developing a Leadership Style People Will Follow", co-authored by a friend and colleague of mine, Ron Potter. Ron embodies the principles he and his co-author Wayne Hastings write about. If you are leading a group of individuals and think you have achieved a 10 on the scale of Trust. Think again. My two favorite chapters are: "Keeping the Band in Tune" and "Dream Team". Tune into this refreshing book with simple, practical ideas that can be utilized in any type of business. What an opportunity to do some introspective thinking on how effective your leadership style really is on a day to day, person to person basis. This truly is a book and a message for its time. Just right for today's leaders.

Trust Me is a book for leaders who want their influence to last. Many people can achieve immediate success, but lasting and fulfilling success can only be found with timeless truths as explained in this book by Wayne Hastings and Ron Potter. Knowing Ron personally, I have seen him live out these life lessons on leadership in a way that bears much fruit for his professional, personal, and spiritual life. I especially appreciated the chapters on development and focus. Trust me is an excellent book that will build other's trust in your leadership goals and abilities.

This is a nice pamphles that serves as a springboard and jump-start to our relation with God. I found Dr. Mac Arthur's wsuggestions about contiually reading and focusing on the Bible as a key to knowing God.

An assistant pastor gave me this little book in high school 20 years ago, and I still have the copy and refer to it often. It's not full of deep spiritual insight, just down-to-earth practical Bible truths. I've looked at it over and over again and still haven't mastered it, but I still find it refreshingly true. God has a plan for our lives and has revealed it to us. It's not mystical, secret or elusive, but demands obediance. Now I'm ordering copies to teach my middle-school Sunday School class with. This is a GREAT BOOK!

This book is very short and to the point. I love how MacArthur continually upholds Scripture as the starting and ending place for all things. This book is a continual testimony of how God's Word is the ultimate and only authority for all of life. By reading this book, I now understand that God outlines His Will very clearly in Scripture, and I don't have to look for a "peace" from Him. In fact, doing so is unbiblical! I found, through this book, Scriputre has an answer for ANYTHING I might need, and as I am in God's Word more and more every day, I continually find this to be true. I would recommend this book to all Christians to buy and read and give to all their friends.