Category: Book Reviews

“Give to him [to the poor], and don’t have a stingy heart when you give, and because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you do.” Deuteronomy 15:10

In None of These Diseases, Dr. S. I. McMillen discussed the financier John D Rockefeller. As a young man, Rockefeller was strong and husky, and he drove himself like a slave. He was a millionaire by age 33. By 43, he controlled the largest business on earth. By 53, he was the world’s only billionaire. But he developed a disease called alopecia, in which he lost hair from his head, eyebrows, and eyelashes. His digestion was terrible, and he lost weight until he looked like a dead man. The newspapers began compiling his obituary.

One night Rockefeller realized he couldn’t take one dime into the next world. All his accomplishments were sand castles, doomed by the inevitable tide. For the first time he realized money was not a commodity to be hoarded but to be shared. He began transferring his money into blessings for others. He gave hundreds of millions to universities, hospitals, and missions. He led efforts to rid the South of hookworms and in the development of penicillin. The focus of his life changed from getting to giving. The result? He didn’t die in his fifty-third year, or in his fifty-fourth. He lived to be 98.

BOTTOM LINE:

Whether or not Rockefeller was a born-again believer, I don’t know. But he did discover one of the moral laws God has placed in plain sight in the universe for everyone to enjoy, Christian or not: Giving is good for us. It enriches our lives.

Merlin continuing:

Researching John DR for an hour, gave me these observations. His father, William A., was a con artist, unshackled by conventional morality, led a vagabond existence, returning to his family infrequently, abandoning them permanently when John was 15. His mother, Eliza, was a homemaker, a devout Baptist, thrifty by necessity, being more influential in John’s upbringing and beyond, while John distanced himself further and further from his father as he matured. He later stated, “From the beginning, I was trained to work, to save, and to give.” As a youth, Rockefeller reportedly said that his two great ambitions were to make a $100,000 (equivalent to $3.27 M in 2023 dollars) and to live 100 years.     

            What follows below are two excerpts I gleaned from Are You Fully Charged (AYFC) during my first reading that spoke volumes to the “molding” that occurred with Tom, early on and later in his life, via his grandfather, an opportunity that didn’t materialize for many of us relationship wise, except via genetic code, and certainly not for Rockefeller either. I have below strategically highlighted these pages of AYFC to acquaint you with this “life-compass setting book” beginning by quoting Tom’s first reference to his grandfather from page 40 where he states “the more time you spend on building on who you already are, the faster you will grow. That is the main lesson I learned from my late mentor and grandfather, Don Clifton, who spent a lifetime studying people’s strengths. Instead of aspiring to be anything you want to be, you should aim to be more of who you already are, starting with your natural talents – then investing time in practicing, building skills, and increasing knowledge – yields a much greater return.  

Gallup’s research suggests that when you use your strengths, you can double your number of high-quality work hours per week from 20 to 40. It also reveals that people who focus on their strengths every day are six times as likely to be engaged in their jobs and more than three times as likely to have high levels of overall life satisfaction. If you spend most of your life being good at everything, you eliminate your chances of being great at anything…”

Later in Chapter 15, Build a Cumulative Advantage, on page 112, in the Section subtitled “Help Someone See What Could Be”, Tom continues “As a result of my grandfather, Don Clifton’s, lifelong study of strengths, I was raised in an environment in which my family was looking for early traces of talent at every turn. By the time I was five, they had spotted my deep interest in reading. When I was nine, my grandfather noticed some entrepreneurial talent and helped me start a little business selling snacks. He helped me find space and figure out how to buy snacks in bulk. And he taught me some basic financial concepts. But the most valuable lessons I learned were about people, interactions, and relationships.

Throughout my grade school, high school, and college years, it became clear to me that my talents and interests were in the areas of business, research, and anything involving technology. When I graduated from college in 1998, Don asked me if I would work with him to bring his research on strengths to a wider audience through technology and this new thing called the Internet. I spent the next few years working with Don and our team to create an online strength-based assessment, dubbed StrengthsFinder. But in the midst of all this excitement around this new project, Don discovered he had Stage IV gastroesophageal cancer and most likely, only a few months to live.

Given that I had been battling cancer already for a decade at that time, I used my knowledge and dedicated all my time to helping my grandfather extend his life as much as possible. Don and I assembled all the research we could find on the topic as we traveled to different medical centers for treatment. In the midst of this ordeal, I remembered that Don told me once that he thought it was crazy that people wait until someone is gone to say kind things in an eulogy.

So, I stayed up late several nights and wrote a very long and emotional letter to my grandfather, explaining how much he had influenced my life over the years. It was essentially a eulogy written to someone who was still alive. This letter went into great depth about what a difference my grandfather’s ideas and approach to life made in me during this time. I explained how his love, caring, and thinking essentially built a reserve that helped me make it through all my health challenges in relatively good shape.

Because I had almost no confidence in my ability to communicate effectively in writing, I was hesitant to even share this heartfelt letter with Don – but given the circumstances, I decided to give it to him. When he read it, he was deeply moved and grateful. That part did not surprise me, but a brief interaction we had a few days later caught me off guard.

Don told me after reading the letter multiple times, he thought I had real talent for bringing things to life with words. (I agree!) This was something no one had ever suggested, let alone stated explicitly. He asked if I’d be willing to share my personal story from the letter in a book. As long as somebody else was doing the writing. I figured that would be okay.

Then Don asked me if I would help write that book over the next two months. This was the only time he ever acknowledged the reality of his condition in our conversations. So, I agreed to give it a shot and do my best, knowing that my grandfather had quite a bit of wisdom that could benefit other people. We worked tirelessly over the next couple of months and were able to finish the first draft of the book, How Full Is Your Bucket? just before Don passed away. That book has since helped my grandfather’s work reach millions of people, and we even turned it into a children’s book that is now used in classrooms around the world.

This personal experience showed me how a single interaction and observation can have a lifelong influence. After nearly three decades now of exploring my own talent, being surrounded by great people, and taking countless strengths assessments, writing was the last thing I ever planned to do. Then one day one person (my grandfather) said he spotted a talent worthy of investment, and that insight continues to influence how I spend my time every day, 24-7-365! The more I reflect on this experience, the more I realize the (our?) ultimate strength is finding, discovering, and developing talent in others.“

Life is truly all about relationships; Loving, enduring, meaningful, safe relationships. Communicate with me directly if you’ve ideas, questions, concerns: merlin.erb@gmail.com  330 465-2565 cell, Signal, What’s App.

NEXT UP:

Testimony of Robert Boyle, Father of Modern Chemistry

Day 361             “Blessed are ALL they who put their trust in Him.” Psalm 2:12

Yes, it’s important to be happy and frequently Christ Followers characterize happiness as temporary whereas joy implies a longer dimension of time. Note the pursuit of meaning – not happiness – is what makes life worthwhile. Despite Thomas Jefferson including it in the Declaration of Independence, the “pursuit of happiness” is a shortsighted aim. Putting your own well being before well doing pulls you in the wrong direction.

We can’t live on an emotional high all the time, of course, nor should we. Not even our Lord did that, for on one occasion He wept, on another He said His soul was troubled, and on another, He cried, “My God, My God, why …?”

Still the “default setting” for the Christian attitude should be one of deeply contented joy, and it’s really not biblical to go around all the time with an unhappy attitude. Our happiness is as deep as His care and perpetual as His peace. It comes from taking refuge in Him.

No matter what may happen to me day by day, I’m safe in His hands, and He is working All for my good & His glory. Based on that, we choose happiness. After the holidays, some of tend toward the blues. Let your “blues” be the blue skies of God’s blessings as you gear up for a New Year of exploring God’s grace.

A man is as unhappy as he has convinced himself he is.   Seneca

A person is about as happy as they make up their mind to be.   – Abraham Lincoln

Merlin now: I’ve included the following words from Tom Rath’s 2015 landmark book “Are You Fully Charged?” The reasons will be obvious. I just ordered his last four used copies from ThriftBooks for less than $4.89 ea. I’m sure Amazon has them too. I highly recommend it be your first new book for 2025.

“Research suggests the more value you place on your own happiness, the more likely you are to feel lonely on a daily basis resulting in feelings of futility, as evidenced by saliva samples indicating corresponding decreases in progesterone levels, a hormonal response associated with loneliness.

Happiness and meaningfulness are two distinct human conditions. While there is some overlap, the differences have clear implications for how people spend their time. Those who pursue happiness, for example, are what psychologist’s calls “takers”. As Roy Baumeister and his team noted after studying this topic extensively, “Happiness without meaning characterizes a relatively shallow, self-absorbed or even selfish life.” In contrast, co-author Kathleen Vohs explained, “People leading meaningful lives get a lot of joy from giving to others.”

Furthermore, Baumeister points out that it is not the pursuit of happiness but the pursuit of meaning that sets humans apart from animals. (Just imagine #1!) In some cases, creating meaning involves putting another person’s needs before your own, which could lead to short-term decreases in your happiness. However, when you do so, you make a contribution that improves by quantum leaps the “big-picture” environment around you.  

And there’s more. Happiness and meaningfulness also appear to have distinct influences on physiological health. When participants in a study led by UNC’s Barbara Fredrickson were happy but lacked meaning in their lives (defined as pursuing a purpose bigger than self), they exhibited a stress-related gene pattern that is known to activate an inflammatory response. They had the same gene expression pattern as people dealing with constant adversity have. (Just imagine #2!) Over time, this pattern leads to chronic inflammation, which is related to a host of illnesses, like heart disease and cancer. Fredrickson duly noted, “Empty positive emotions (hollow meaningless platitudes) … are about as good for you as adversity,” such as stated in Proverbs 27:15 of a nagging wife and a dripping faucet.

Unfortunately, 75 % of participants in Fredrickson’s study fell into this category; their desired happiness levels outpaced their desired levels of meaningfulness. In contrast, participants who had meaning in their lives, whether or not they characterized themselves as happy, showed a deactivation in this stress-related gene pattern. In other words, their bodies did not act as if they were under constant duress and threat!

HUGE BOTTOM LINE:

Participating in meaningful activities elevates your thinking above yourself and your momentary needs. Every minute you can set aside your own happiness for the sake of others will eventually lead to stronger families, organizations, and communities. In the end, the pursuit of happiness and “success” will pass. What endures is creating meaning in your own life and in the lives of others.”

To clinch your perspective at this moment in these last days by the above info, the following line will appear in Monday’s post, Day 363, “That’s why, until it (His Truth) was kidnapped by atheistic philosophers, the scientific community understood it was investigating the wonders of God’s creation.” Note the remnant still do! Tune in.

NEXT UP:

DR. S.I. McMillen’s book, None of These Diseases, discusses financier John D Rockefeller, who at 53, was the world’s only billionaire. But less known, at least today, was the fact also at 53, he was expected to die within several years. Actually, he lived to be 98.

The following 800 word document accompanies the book I offer faith seekers, much as some Christ Followers offer gospel tracts when out in public. The book is titled How Can Anyone Say God Is Good, written by Gary Miller of Christian Aid Ministries (CAM) Berlin OH. I wrote this doc perhaps 4-5 years ago, anticipating its distribution and here I am today, not so much anticipating, but rather now, contemplating my options to implement a plan.

So, after prayer and contemplation, I decided I should share this dream first with my blog mailing list of 230. And this opens another can of worms. I dare not call you subscribers because likely less than 30 of you actually subscribed; the other 200 were merely hijacked as former current or prior acquaintances or prospected from business cards, etc. I seriously more than once, have considered removing all 230 names from the blog list and then opening it up only to those who subscribe. That way, I WOULD KNOW those on the blog list actually chose to be part of this communal written adventure. The way it is now, the only thing I know for sure, is that you’ve chosen not to unsubscribe. You may never open, or, if you open, may never or seldom read. So, it is a rather tenuous relationship, at best, but certainly within the scope and confines of God’s ability to reassure me to continue in this mission of being an encouragement to seekers of Him, at least for now.

With all that out of the way, I am offering each blog reader a copy of this book. I think I’ve purchased at least 4 boxes of them from CAM thus far, because a box of 50 copies is only $50., and that is why I can afford to distribute them as tracts. I just checked thriftbooks and their price tonite is $7.39.

Both the author Gary Miller and CAM are evidently very serious about making this book available to those servicing, encouraging, inviting, confronting the billboard seekers out & about our communities, perhaps even the too comfortable in our pews, with this real deal Gospel message. So, if this is a book you desire to read, contact me immediately as we hope to be in Panama for the winter by early October. Seriously, I’ll mail you one. I’ll leave a supply at Kidron Mennonite for you locals, or while on your next trip to Berlin area between 8-4pm, you should just stop by CAM and buy your own box and have them handy in your car’s trunk to distribute whenever God so compels you. And He will! Get Blessed. Just imagine the lives God could change thru your actions for less money than it costs three of you to eat at your favorite Amish restaurant. No comparison!

Also, may I remind you we need to take advantage now of our freedom to disseminate literature and assemble to worship freely. I’m told assuredly by those in the KNOW that this may well soon change. We are not to be compelled by fear (false evidence appearing real) but rather, by the immensity of His love for all of mankind and that none would be lost from His eternal care, even if at the last moment as was the thief on the cross, being told “today, you’ll be with me in paradise.”

Folks, I had no idea all this would flow forth this afternoon when I sat down to write after lunch and a 75 min nap. Now I need to send Mr. Nisely and Paul Miller at CAM an email informing them we need to get this book available in Spanish ASAP. Perhaps it already is. I’m hoping.

Below is a rough draft of the insert I’m contemplating of including when each book is given out. If you buy your own box for distribution, I suggest you offer your contact info somehow someway for their follow-up. Feel free to contact me with your ideas, or simply adapt the document to make it work for you. Blessings

So, you’ve endured about all you can handle in this life? Do you keep thinking that somehow someway your life has got to get better soon?

Believe me, you are not alone. Five years ago before covid was launched, a study estimated 75% of the world’s population had suffered loss, trauma, or betrayal in a primary relationship.

Would it help you to know that 50+ years ago, not only had I personally suffered such loss and trauma, but then in its aftermath, I too set into motion the poisoning of relationship betrayals causing decades of more loss and trauma. God indeed was unbelievably gracious and merciful to me. Hence, David’s Psalm 51 holds a unique & special value to me and it is my personal burn for you to avoid any additional loss, trauma, and betrayal, and to gain a life of victory NOW! And, similarly, this is exactly where we pick up the loss, trauma, and betrayal story of our novel’s main character, Nick, in the 78-page novel titled, “How Can Anyone Say God Is Good?”

First, you need to know that beyond your Almighty Father God in Heaven, in this very community there are persons much like the Andy in the novel who has the bicycle shop; persons who are willing to listen to your problems, try to answer your questions, love you unconditionally, just as God is loving each of us right now. This book best exemplifies, other than the Bible, just how we are to love our neighbors, be they rich or poor, young or old, down on their luck or in the clover, sick or healthy, friendly or friendless, happy or sad, focused or totally confused, perhaps because of recent brain surgery; it just doesn’t matter. We all need to be loved, respected, encouraged, and accepted as active participants in just such a community as demonstrated to opportunity-less Nick, who is literally right now, at the end of his rope. So, first things first, read the book! Enjoy the hope that Nick experiences so vividly replacing his stinging loss, trauma, and betrayal.

Once you’ve finished reading the book, you may choose to contact the person who gave it to you, and catch him/her up on what has happened since you first spoke. And at some point, you may consider the following suggestions:

1.  If you already have a church home or are periodically visiting one or several, I suggest you meet with a staff person from your favorite congregation and indicate your interest in strengthening your relationship with Jesus Christ and being mentored by a mature disciple like Andy from the bicycle shop to strengthen your faith and coach you on the narrow way.
2.  I’m told living a joyful victorious Christian life involves three simple modules:

First, we get our directions from the Word of God by reading and studying the Bible.

Second, we dedicate ourselves, including our desires and emotions to the specific Will of God for us.

Third, we are obedient to His instructions to perform the Work of God.

More on those specifics later. Also, if you don’t have one, I strongly suggest you get a One-Year Bible to begin reading the Bible daily, but there are other programs utilizing your primary Bible, even your phone or tablet. I keep a supply of used One-Year Bibles available.

•  Perhaps after reading the book, you realize you have never met a person quite like Andy, so generous and so loving to so many people. And, unfortunately, most of us in this culture of separation, individualism, self-protection and self -promotion, seldom do meet such a person as Andy. But down thru history, for the past 2000 + years, there are persons much like Andy who exist in your community, who are Spirit empowered to daily live, believe, and practice that God is good, and desire that you experience much more than merely becoming a convert with membership in a church somewhere by your profession of faith, while not fully understanding the accompanying doctrinal practices to move your faith far beyond merely the “academic head knowledge” to the “transformed heart experiential inspiration.” Nick witnessed this dynamic spiritual interactive tension every time he delivered mail to Andy’s bike shop, because he saw persons experiencing Jesus first-hand while they were being discipled, mentored, and coached in Andy’s faith community.
•  In the event you are without a church to contact, or if the one you visited is not yet similarly equipped, please contact us and we’ll do our best to find you a personal mentor to walk with you on your journey Living in Faith.
•  For more information, contact Merlin Erb merlin.erb@gmail.com (330) 465-2565 Blog: merlinsmustache.com, Request a Word doc: Ten First Steps for the New Christian by Woodrow Kroll, Back to the Bible.