The Encore Effect

“Encore!” the audience shouts. “Encore!” They are on their feet, clapping, sometimes hooting, sometimes whistling. The performance was so moving, so deeply felt, they want more. I think the term has lost its edge over the years and become almost commonplace. When I was growing up, it happened when the performance was over-the-top extraordinary. Lately, when I have attended plays or concerts, the immediate reaction at the end of the performance is for the whole audience to jump to their feet and begin the “routine” for more. It’s almost become expected by the cast or performer. And, oftentimes, while I think the performance may have been solid or well-done, I don’t think it should be in the category of extraordinary.

So, it was with this background that I read The Encore Effect by Mark Sanborn. The purpose of the book is to cause you to think about your “performance” in whatever you do. Are you “just” doing your job? Or, are you doing the best you can, working with excellence, known with distinction? If people want more from you, and demand more, then you have achieved the Encore Effect.

Sanborn encourages us to prepare and practice for our roles, whatever we do. As Christians, we should aspire to be remarkable performers so that we may glorify God. The author lists nine reasons he believes Christians should strive for remarkable performance. Each chapter has an “intersection” where the author poses a challenge to apply our faith in our daily life. My favorite quote: “Perhaps the biggest danger you face is believing that your navel is the center of the universe….All the pitfalls discussed in this chapter fall under the umbrella of self-absorption. So what is the antidote? We must unseat self and put God at the center of our lives.” (pg.121)

The Encore Effect is a good motivational book. If you feel as though you are losing your edge, or are just coasting along in your work, this may give you the needed boost to get up and get back on track, with purpose.

New from WaterBrook Press.

Author Bio: Mark Sanborn is the best-selling author of The Fred Factor and You Don’t Need a Title to Be a Leader. An internationally acclaimed motivational speaker, Sanborn is president of Sanborn & Associates, Inc., an idea studio for leadership development. Having served as president of two national organizations, he regularly keynotes meetings in the United States and abroad—speaking on leadership, team building, customer service, and mastering change. He and his family live near Denver , Colorado .

The Road of Lost Innocence

Have you seen or heard news reports about child prostitution? Do you find it hard to believe it exists in this day and age? Reading The Road of Lost Innocence should make a believer out of you.

The author, Somaly Mam, uses this emotionally moving book to recount the story of her life. Page after page details what she remembers of her early years, the sadness and fear when sold into prostitution by her “grandfather” at the age of 12, the atrocities committed, the suffering during the time she was abused in brothels, and her eventual rescue.

She discusses the cultural mores and attitudes that allow child prostitution in Cambodia and bordering countries. She recounts the early beginnings and continuing efforts to rescue girls from their lives of slavery and restore their dignity while preparing them for jobs they can use to support themselves. The discouragement and difficulties in finding honest policemen and government officials who were not willing to look the other way are noted. She details her search for funding and the establishment of AFESIP (Acting for Women in Distressing Situations) based in Cambodia.

Through sheer survival and strength of will, the author began and continues her humanitarian efforts. This was a tough book to read and must have been a tough book to write, as it harshly details a situation that continues even as you read this review. I hope it brings her healing, but I wish she and those she rescues could know the complete Healer.

Published by Spiegel and Grau, this book can be purchased here.
A portion of the proceeds from sales will be donated to the Somaly Mam Foundation.

If you are moved to help in the fight against human trafficking, check out www.somaly.org

Saturdays with Stella

Hot off the press is a fun new book from Multnomah, Saturdays with Stella. Anybody who has ever had a dog, especially a puppy, will be able to relate. For those who have not had the pleasure, the author, Allison Pittman, creates great word pictures of her trials and tribulations as Stella becomes a part of the family.

The solution for energetic, wild, puppyhood, thought Allison, would be a 6 week obedience class. To her surprise, she gained a spiritual benefit as she learned more about her relationship with God through the weeks of training her puppy. Each chapter relates a new week in training and a new insight to God’s grace, mercy, and love.

Moments of defeat and moments of triumph. All are contained in this delightful, heart-warming book, Saturdays with Stella.

New from Multnomah, you can purchase it here.
You can learn more about the author here.
Giveaway copies are spoken for.