A Candle in the Dark

A Great Business Book

Obstacles Welcome

How to Turn Adversity into Advantage in Business and in Life

Ralph de la Vega with Paul B. Brown, 2009

Thomas Nelson Publishers

ISBN 978-1-59555-264-8 (Hardcover)

254 pp. plus appendix

 

 

Suddenly separated by officials at the airport from his Cuban family at age ten, de la Vega landed alone in Miami. As soon as he could work, he quickly learned to do jobs beyond the expected. Soon he found himself regularly promoted.

 

Many business books talk about business plan development, but de la Vega includes important steps for a plan. His career demonstrates the effectiveness of his ideas. He’s held many national and international leadership positions.

 

The author says many people dream too small. He encourages readers to hone leadership skills and take calculated risks. He says be authentic, demonstrate integrity and communicate, communicate, communicate. Know your employees and show you care about them. Practice other suggested attributes for entrepreneurial success, such as learning effective public speaking.

 

De la Vegas believes in always doing more than one hundred percent at a job. That philosophy explains his outstanding career. Throughout friendly, readable pages, information about the author’s jobs demonstrates his meteoric rise to top positions in US businesses.

   

 This book joins my list of favorite business and motivational books

   

 

 

Last Days of Old Beijing

The Last Days of Old Beijing, Life in the Vanishing Backstreets of a City Transformed

Michael Meyer

Walker Publishing Co. NY, 2009

ISBN-13: 978-0-8027-1750-4 paperback

344 pp. Includes notes

 

Meyer writes of historical Beijing and present life in poor neighborhoods that are being razed to make way for malls and boulevards. He lives among the soon-to-be-displaced in a hutong (old area with narrow streets and few amenities) while teaching English in a neighborhood school. His portraits of the people show his insights into what makes a neighborhood worth preserving. He compares the rush to modernize in Beijing with other world cities and the long term results, some good, but many negative. Important cultural life and customs are lost as neighborhoods are destroyed, but many people he meets don’t care or understand.

 

The author imparts a sense of mystery about nightly visits by ‘The Hand’ that marks dwellings with the symbol for destruction, but is never seen doing so. He shares the woes and individuals determination to survive, exploring their lives and their important issues. He builds friendship with the Chinese folks he meets.

The author writes in a compelling style that holds readers interest. An unforgettable and important b

Eli Gold, From Peanuts to the Pressbox

From Peanuts to the Pressbox

Insider sports stories from a life behind the mic

Eli Gold, with M. B. Roberts

ISBN 978-1-4016-0436-3

Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2009

Hdbk, 255 pp.

As a teenager, Eli Gold sold peanuts at Madison Square Garden so he could be close to the action he coveted, a job as sportscaster for games. With hard work, help from friends, and lucky breaks, he followed his dream. Over the decades Gold has done play-by-play broadcasting on both radio and TV of national football, national hockey, professional baseball, arena football, NASCAR and various other sports. He’s best known as the Voice of the University of Alabama ‘s Crimson Tide, but also hosts call-in talk shows. He’s interviewed many famous sports figures and political newsmakers.

This book will interest sports fans who recognize the many people Eli Gold mentions. He apparently treats everyone with respect and is much respected in return.

For those not familiar with the sports world and its adherents, the book is a bit boring.

Leslie Chang writes about China's peasant migrations

Factory Girls

From Village to City in a Changing China

Leslie T. Chang, 2008

ISBN 978-0-385-52018-8

Ppbk, 408 pp.

Speigel and Grau, 2009

The largest migration in human history, Leslie Chang says, is the movement of millions of Chinese young people from small villages to the factories of China’s huge industrial cities. Chang met many of these workers and studied their lives during seven years of friendship with them. They are changing China’s culture and lifestyles.

Life as a factory worker is hard but after living in the city these young Chinese are not content to return to their parents’ villages and work in rice paddies. But they have trouble making real friends in the city. And they often change jobs, another new facet of Chinese life.

The factory workers bring lavish gifts home to their parents and siblings. Parents worry about suitable marriages for their wandering offspring. However, they also recognize, for their own survival, the importance of money sent home.

Chang interviewed the ever-present sex-trade workers during her research. They apparently earn far more than factory people. Chinese culture has never typically taught morality but this huge migration further breaks down morals.

Chang also writes of her fourteen-generation Chinese family and the devastation on them from the Cultural Revolution. This ten-year mayhem, unleashed by Mao, nearly destroyed China.

First published in 2008, the book recognizes the economic impact of factory employees. However, reports since the worldwide economic slowdown suggest that many thousands may now be unemployed. Some start small businesses in their home areas, such as tailoring or hairdressing. But many may now be forced back to subsistence farming.

Chang gives us a well-written, readable book that holds reader interest and a major view of life in a country fast becoming the world’s leading economic power.

A Jewish Woman finds her destiny

HOW I CAME TO KNOW MY MESSIAH THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

By Helen

I was born into a warm, loving Jewish home in the East End of London.  My dad went to synagogue every Friday evening and Saturday morning, whilst the women of the family attended on festival days for Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), weddings and bar mitzvahs. We were not orthodox but were traditionally Jewish – we ate different foods to my non-Jewish friends, gefilte fish and chicken soup with lockshen, bread pudding and olives and pickled cucumber. We had Chanukkah instead of Christmas.  I attended weekly Hebrew classes, where I learnt to pronounce Hebrew, never understanding what I said! 

I remember a childhood full of love and fun.  However in my early teen years I started to ask questions. In the synagogue I read the English of the Hebrew prayers, wondering why this amazing God was so little spoken about in our daily life.  I questioned the rabbi – he thought I was rebellious and not submitting to Jewish life.  But I was inquisitive and wanted answers.

I never heard the name of Jesus or who He was until a young man came to our local secondary school to preach the gospel. His words went deep into my heart and I wept, sorry for my sin. 

Word soon got round that this Jewish girl had been converted.  A teacher who I thought was a Christian (she did too!!) explained that I need not turn my back on my family and follow Jesus Christ – that all roads lead to God.

  It was the excuse I needed.  My family had been devastated about my commitment to Jesus and I hated to see them distressed.  So nothing changed in my life outwardly, though that seed had been planted……….

At 18 years of age at a Billy Graham meeting in London, I went forward to respond to the salvation call.  Still nothing changed outwardly in my life – in fact I had turned my back on Jewish life.

 I worked in London and spent many an evening in the basement bars drinking wine and having endless hours of conversation about the meaning of life, forgetting all about Jesus and my Jewish roots.

Then came 1974/1975.  A close girlfriend died of stomach cancer, followed by my mum’s tragic death at 47.  Something died in my heart and I was angry towards God – I began a life of rebellion. I could have ended up dead, or abused, but God’s protection was over my life.

I met David Christmas 1975 – we married in January 1978 and had our first son May 1979.  In 1981 we put our son’s name on waiting lists for schools.  We were told the only good school was a Church of England school and you had to go to church to get a place.  I said to David I was Jewish and Jewish people did not go to church!  David said he would go, even though he hadn’t been to church for years.  So off we went each week, me in the crèche, and David in the church.  Each week the girls said why didn’t I go into church,  that I couldn’t always stay in the crèche.  To shut them up, I agreed to go in once.

When the Rector began the words, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall have eternal life”, my heart melted and the tears flowed – I remembered the young man preaching the Gospel those years ago.

One day young people from the Jews for Jesus came to Chislehurst. As they sang the Hebrew songs and danced with joy I wept and knew that God loved me as a Jew. The closer I grew to Jesus, the more Jewish I felt and  He has birthed a supernatural love in my heart for my Jewish family and friends.

God placed amazing people around me to nurture me and to introduce me to the Holy Spirit.  Once free to worship Him in Spirit and truth I knew I had found my destiny.

Knockout Entrepeneur, George Forman

Knockout Entrepreneur

George Forman with Ken Abraham

ISBN 978-0-7825-2208-8 (Hdcovr)

Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2009

 (Nelsonfree) 222 pages

Written in a friendly tone, the author gives some basics about how to start and run a business, but mostly writes a motivational book. George Forman compares his boxing career to business successes throughout fourteen encouraging chapters. He discusses taking risks, persevering, integrity and other important issues for success as an entrepreneur

George Forman is a two times world heavyweight boxing champion. He won when 25 years old and at 44, an age no one expects boxers to win world championships. Forman has also started or been involved in numerous businesses. Famous for George Forman’s lean, mean, fat-grilling machine, (a kitchen appliance I love), he enjoys making money and gives away much of it.

The guidance isn’t greatly different from many motivational business books, but Forman’s tone and comments make it a fun and memorable read. A brief history of his boxing is interesting, even to this non-boxing fan. He also introduces readers to some of his family.

The one question he didn’t answer: why did he name all of his sons George?

Purchasers of the hardcopy can also receive the book as an e-book and in audio format for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nelsonfree division.

By Dan L.'s mother

We were in an evening church service in Fort Worth the summer that Dan was 5 1/2 years old.  There was a kid of about 10 sitting behind us who was quite obviously mentally challenged.

 

At the close of the service, he pounced on Danny and said, "Are you saved?"  Dan kinda'  shrugged his shoulders and the kid repeated the question.  I tried to come to Danny's defense by telling the boy that he was only 5 years old and I was sure he would be when he was a little older.  Dan, however, interrupted, saying, "Yeah, I've been saved ever since the rodeo."  This satisfied the kid , but left me totally perplexed.

 

  I questioned Danny when we left and he explained that at the Fort Worth Rodeo (which is in a huge venue) he was invited to hear a" story by a lady".  This was actually in a little booth manned by Child Evangelism.  He said, "She asked me if I wanted to take Jesus into my heart and I did."

 

This had happened about 6 months previous and was the first I had heard about it.  I guess he saw no need to explain.  He understood and that was that.

 

 

Note by Geni: Even at that young age, Dan knew what he’d done and remembered clearly! That’s because Jesus does good and big things inside us when we invite Him into our lives.

Lovely Pure Vanilla Tale

 

By Claire

 

I'd love to tell you the story of my salvation, even though it's pretty much pure vanilla.  I was fortunate enough to be raised by Christian parents and had Christian grandparents as well.

 

Apparently I was quite a liar as a small child.  I can actually remember some of the lies I told, mostly to keep from getting punished for something I'd done.

 

  One evening at age 5, I remember feeling guilty about something (the actual incident I can't remember).  When my mom was putting me to bed, she had the insight to realize that I was bothered by something and explained God's love and forgiveness.  

 

Since I'd been surrounded by Bible stories all my short life, it was an easy thing to accept Christ's love.  I remember kneeling and praying with her and that was that.

 

 She encouraged me to tell our pastor the next week. When I saw his excitement, I realized that what I had done was significant.

Wanting Proof by Odette Taylor

Wanting Proof.

As a child I went to church every Sunday. I enjoyed Bible stories, loved Jesus, and prayed every night, until I became a teenager. Then, disillusioned with leaders, I looked at people, not Christ. I knew about Jesus, but didn’t know him

.

I never returned to church, married, and had kids. Different denominations witnessed at our door but I wouldn’t have a bar of them. My husband, Doug, listened. Friends, some Born-Again Christians, took me to services. Once, in the loo I cried my heart out.  But I needed proof from someone I trusted, someone who would tell the truth about Jesus, show me that Jesus was real and here today.

We transferred from Auckland to Masterton, in New Zealand. After five months Doug became ill. The surgeon told me Doug had cancer and a few months to live, but I was not to tell him. That was the hardest thing in my life, as I watched his face light up with eagerness to start afresh.

 I walked into his room one morning to see a collapsed hump on the bed. He knew.

We cried and decided to make the most of our time. He came home and his strength returned.

Then Doug told me of his amazing experience. He saw Christ, in a wonderful light, full of colours. He loved being with Him. I stated it was probably the theatre’s lights but he stated firmly, definitely not!

Soon Doug went downhill fast. The surgeon sent Doug to hospital and we knew he would never get out.

Then Doug started asking people about Jesus. A pastor, John Kirkpatrick, visited Doug and Doug’s anger, frustration and sadness left. He was at peace!

Three times he became ill, was operated on and I said goodbye in case he didn’t survive. He smiled and said, “Don’t cry, I know where I am going and I can’t wait to see Jesus again.”

On January 7^th, 1983, ten months from his first operation, aged 34, he passed away. All his life he had cared about me and our girls. To the last, he thought about us.

My girls, ages 3, 5 and 8 and I went church camp a couple of months later. I was asked whether I wanted to give my heart to the Lord. I said, “I want what my husband had, he was my proof!”

 So I prayed to receive the Lord Jesus. My heart sang. He has been my rock ever since. I got my proof. Jesus is real and will change your life. He gives hope and joy beyond understanding.

Odette Taylor 

P.S. Odette is one of the happiest people I ever have met. Her face shines with joy all the time, even years after her Doug died and she raised her girls alone.

Geni White

She Found Jesus

I was a challenging child to raise, very impulsive, always getting in trouble. Already at a young age I knew I was a sinner. The spankings reinforced this message daily.

When I was ten, my parents took us to the Portland Billy Graham Crusade. I don't remember the sermon, but I was one of the first to walk down the aisle that night. Despite my shaking knees, in my heart I kept saying, "I'm coming, Jesus, I'm coming." After the counselor led me in the sinner's prayer, she brought me to her supervisor to test my understanding.

The woman asked, "Where does Jesus live?"

"In heaven," I shot back, being a good Sunday School girl.

"No," she said with a gentle smile, "now He lives in your heart!"

And this is the moment I understood—I truly got it. Jesus lived inside me—me, the incorrigible bad girl! I nearly burst with joy at the wonder of it.

After this, I was a changed girl. I even began doing the dishes without the usual whining and complaining. And I loved reading my Bible.

I'm so grateful to the Lord for the work He began that day forty-two years ago.

Ruth