Read Some Books
This past Wednesday was World Book Day. I never liked reading much in school. I was a back-cover skimmer and a CliffsNotes kind of guy, at best. But at some point, I realized that leaders are readers. Pastor Mark Batterson once said that most authors pour at least two years of their life, heart, and soul into writing a book—so when we read one, we gain two years of wisdom in a matter of days.
I started reading to grow, to solve problems, and to learn from people smarter than me. While living in Zambia, I also began reading fiction—for escape, for fun—and that habit stuck. These days, if Heidi can’t find me, she knows to check the local used bookstore first. Every book is cheap, and if you trade in your old ones, you get another half off. Hidden gems are everywhere, if you’re willing to hunt.
Of course, nothing compares to the Bible. God’s Word is life-giving and true. It’s a guide for life that has stood the test of time. Joshua, Isaiah, and Acts are standouts for me.
Lions in the bush are voracious, and we should be too—especially when it comes to learning and feeding our minds and spirits. So, this World Book Day, I challenge every Lion Leader to set a reading goal for the rest of the year. Read more than you did last year (even if last year was zero—just start with one).
Here are a few of my all-time favorites:
On Character & Resilience…Damn Few – Rorke Denver
On Leadership…Extreme Ownership – Jocko Willink & Leif Babin
On Fatherhood…Raising Men – Eric Davis
On Courageous Partnership with Jesus… All In – Mark Batterson
On Missions…Christianity Rediscovered – Vincent Donovan
On Service…Worth Dying For – Rorke Denver
On Compassion…The Heart and the Fist – Eric Greitens
On Living An Inspirational Life… Love Does – Bob Goff
On Kids Ministry…The 4-14 Window – Luis Bush
On Warrior Jesus…Jesus Was An Airborne Ranger – John McDougall
On Activated Faith…To The Work, To The Work! – DL Moody
On Duty…A Message To Garcia – Elbert Hubbard
On Africa…Africa: Altered States, Ordinary Miracles – Richard Dowden
On Discipline…Put Your Ass Where Your Heart Wants To Be – Steven Pressfield
Poetry…Anything by Edgar Guest
For Laughs…The 100-Year Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window & Disappeared – Jonas Jonasson
For Action & Thrills…Code of Conduct – Brad Thor
What are your favorites? Sene me a note — I’d love to check them out. And remember: Lions are leaders, and leaders are readers.