Tag: Integrity

Booklet Review: The Tebow Mystique by Patton Dodd

When Hard Work and Faith Go Hand in Hand

 As I write this review with Tim Tebow at the helm as quarterback of the Denver Broncos are 7-1. Almost all of these victories seem to be “miraculous” wins. It’s hard to open the sports page, turn on talk radio, go on the Internet, or watch television without hearing about the latest exploits of Tim Tebow – his faith and his wins.

According to Dodd the Tebow Mystique has two main features: “First, Tim Tebow’s unprecedented popularity; and second, his uncanny on-the-field performance.” The Tebow phenomenon seems to be based on the combination of his work ethic and character based on his faith in Jesus Christ. He has what Max Weber wrote about in how some individuals can inspire “charismatic authority” a leadership style based on integrity of character – when your walk matches your talk.

Dodd makes this excellent observation, “It’s fair to say that Tim Tebow and his siblings were raised to be character savants in the way that Tiger Woods was raised to be a sport savant and Mozart was raised to be a music savant.” All the football analysts keep expecting Tebow and the Broncos to fail, but as Tebow says, “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”

I for one am enjoying the spotlight on a guy who is passionate for God and helping others on and off the football field. It remains to be seen whether he will win the Super Bowl, or have successful career in the NFL. My hope is that whether Tebow wins or loses he will continue to remain a good role model and example to the myriads of young people who are looking for heroes. It’s nice for a change to see someone walking the talk, and making a difference in people’s lives on and off the field.

I believe in miracles, but I also believe that the hard work and good stewardship of and application of Tebow’s faith will help him to always win in life no matter what the score is at the end of the day. I think this is a good little booklet that shows how integrity of character and hard work in the little things pay off. It’s my hope that Tebow continues to win on the field and turn his critics into fans of hard work and the God who empowers, guides, and gives him wisdom in the face of so many obstacles. May his ilk increase!

Book Review: Honest to God by Bill Hybels

Great Guide for Head, Heart and Hands Christianity

One of the things I have been convinced of about Christianity for a long time is that people have strengths primarily in either their intellect, or are action oriented, but few are able to balance their Christian lives in the area of their mind, emotions, and activity for the sake of Christ.

I read this book over twenty years ago, and re-read it again in my forties – and after being a pastor and life-coach for the past twenty plus years – I still think this is the best introduction to living a balanced Christian life available. I think the reason Bill Hybels will finish well (and we can finish well) is because of the responsibility he takes in seriously working out (not “for” – Philippians 2:12-13) his salvation with the help of the Holy Spirit by God’s grace. In this book Bill Hybels gives the practical ways that he, and we can balance our lives through various spiritual disciplines.

Bill Hybels gets a lot of flack from a lot of people in the Christian community for a lot of reasons (I think mainly, because a lot of pastors are jealous of him) – but I think he has proven over many years of ministry that he is teachable, and humble, and by God’s grace will finish well.

In this book Hybels gives practical ways to balance the head, heart, and hands aspects of living out the Christian life. I think the most helpful chapters are:

Chapter 2 – He talks about how to pray, journal, and evaluate your life in the light of God’s Word strategically and intentionally.

Chapter 8 – On how to deal biblically and authentically with the emotions – the heart.

Chapter 13 – In this chapter Hybels writes about the importance of keeping physically fit and how the body is God’s temple.

My only regret (at the writing of this review, June 2011) is that this book is out of print. I sure hope and pray that it will be revised in the near future, so other believers can learn how to practically balance their head, heart, and hands for the glory of God.