World War II history buffs will enjoy reading the book, Lead Like Ike, by Geoff Loftus. Lead Like Ike takes an in-depth look at the methods and planning utilized by General Dwight D. (Ike) Eisenhower while he served as the supreme allied commander of the forces of Operation Overlord.
Geoff Loftus applies a business analogy to the planning, the structure, the communications, and the challenges General Eisenhower faced while executing Operation Overlord from a solid business perspective.
A history buff myself, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. Geoff Loftus details the leadership of "Ike" in terms which are clear and easy to understand. The major message brought forth is the acceptance of responsibility for one's decisions and actions. This message could not be presented any clearer than in the never-released "just in case" press release of General Dwight D. Eisenhower (quoted from the book):
"Our landings... have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops... The troops, the air and the Navy did all that Bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone."
Leaders make plans and decisions in business every day affecting cost, profit, and employment. In Lead Like Ike, we come to understand the profit was the ultimate allied victory in World War II. The cost was human life, not only of the allied forces (the employees), but of civilians and the enemy.
I highly recommend this book to those interested in the history of World War II, to any who are already in leadership positions, and to all who aspire to become leaders. The thought process presented for the decisions made by "Ike" are an excellent example of the character of an outstanding leader. They will be an inspiration to and for any leader.
Social networking via Facebook, MySpace, as well as many other forums and discussion groups opens a new world of opportunity and possibility for those willing to engage themselves in this exciting form of friendship and fellowship. I have made many new friends through the use of this medium. Many of them have been more of a friend than they'll ever know until I meet them face-to-face in heaven.
I got to thinking about all of the friends I've acquired yet never met in person. I thought of a particular one who sent me a message saying I didn't know her, but God placed me on her heart and she was praying for me. She had no idea I was going into a meeting that afternoon which had the potential to change my future drastically. I thought of another friend, whom I've come to know as a sincere prayer warrior. She saw my profile picture and sent a message saying God had told her to pray for me. She had no idea that I was to preach one of the hardest, yet strongest messages I've ever preached that night.
I've requested and made many friends, many more than have rejected or "ignored" my requests. I've received many requests for friendship. I joked with a dear sister in my home church, "I accept 'em all and preach to them all the same!" Some choose to stick around, some choose to "defriend" me.
I couldn't help but think in the wee hours of the night what would I be if Jesus decided he needed a recommendation from one of his friends before accepting me as I am. Yes, I mean as I am, not as I was. I'm flesh and blood. This flesh and blood still possesses a strong will. My Friend, Jesus, accepts me still. If he accepts me as I am, there's no doubt he'll accept you as you are.
A close circle of dear friends is a cherished possession. Each of us should have an inner circle of friends upon whom we can call on, lean on, and trust in. These are "prized" friendships indeed. Yet even Jesus exposed himself to the masses. He even touched the lepers thus making himself "unclean". He even called to and touched this leper requesting me to be his friend.
I am a friend of God. What a glorious honor! What a tremendous witness! I am a friend of God. God continually requests our friendship from the moment of our existence.There are only two choices. The ignore button doesn't work for this request. You will either accept it or you are rejecting it.
Allow me to pass along a recommendation from a friend and brother whom I've never physically met. His words of recommendation have endured the test of time.
"O taste and see that the LORD is good (Ps. 34:8 KJV)."
I highly recommend all humanity accept the friendship request of the Lord. I have tasted and I have seen, my God, my Friend, he is good. God bless...
"Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law (Ps. 119:136 KJV).
This world is a wicked place. We're surrounded by wickedness. We're bombarded daily with wickedness. How many in today's culture know what the Holy Bible really says? How can an evil world keep laws it doesn't know?
This world is full of Christians, yet not one will deny this world is an evil place. It's easy to speak of the evil. It's easy to point out the evil. Yet why is doing something about it so hard?
The psalmist David was grieved to his core because humanity of his day disobeyed the law of God. The man who left the world some of the finest poetry ever penned poured his heart out to God because of the wickedness of humanity.
Jeremiah grieved deeply over the iniquity of his people. He prophesied it then watched his prophesies fulfilled as his people were carried away captive. This is what he said...
"Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people. Mine eye trickleth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission, Till the LORD look down, and behold from heaven (Lam. 3:48-50 KJV)."
When's the last time you shed a tear for the wickedness of humanity, Christian? When's the last time the grief and the sorrow of the wickedness drove you to your knees in intercession for the lost, Christian? Who among us is willing to shed rivers of water for the lost until God in Heaven beholds our tears?
The story of Job is a great one. He suffered tremendously. He endured, maintained his character and integrity with God, and God poured out a double-portion blessing on him in the end. But the blessing came only after Job interceded for the sin of his friends.
Christian, will you do as the label you bear implies? You see, even Christ grieved and shed rivers of water for the sin of his people (Lu. 19:41-42). Let's intercede for the sin of the land. Let's reach out to those trapped in the sin of the land. Let's win a soul for Christ. God bless...
