Reviews of: GOD IS MY SUCCESS and WHITE MAN WALKING

God Is My Success (New York, Warner Faith, 2005) is the second book to come from the pen of Larry Julian, a successful business consultant here in the Twin Cities.  Larry also happens to be a graduate of the Village Schools of the Bible, having been mentored by Monty.

Larry’s first book, God Is My CEO, was a highly acclaimed study of the lives and motivations of some of America’s top CEO’s who also happened to have outstanding walks with God.  After reading that book, I had a greater appreciation for the struggles that face the leaders of Fortune 500 companies today.  I am grateful for those who can model Jesus Christ successfully in the marketplaces of our world.  It certainly is not an easy task. 

As outstanding as Larry’s first book was, I believe this second volume speaks to the struggles that each of us face everyday, whether we are a CEO guiding a major company, or just a custodian sweeping the floors.  The testimonials of some not-so-well known leaders become mere illustrations to elaborate some powerful Christian principles.

The author identifies five obstacles that can keep a person from being successful:

1. Pain and adversity: We avoid pain and, as a result, never realize God’s potential.
2. Financial slavery: It’s never enough.  We’re either chasing money or being chased by the prospect of not making our financial goals.
3. Lack of confidence: We lack the confidence to follow through on God’s call.
4. Distractions: We’re too busy dealing with life’s distractions to hear God’s call.
5. Fear and worry: We torment ourselves worrying about things beyond our control. (p. xvi-xvii)

To help us to successfully combat these five obstacles, Larry describes two processes that are essential.  The first is called “the Surrender Posture.”  As the name suggests, this is simply the surrendering of that area of difficulty to God.  It really is to know God’s sovereignty over our lives.  To use an old expression I heard as a child growing up: It is “letting go and letting God.”  The second process is called “the Take-Charge Posture.”  It is taking personal responsibility and using your free will and the ability to make choices.  James would describe it as “putting faith into practice.”  We need to let God do His part, but He desires us to do our part as well.  This becomes a team concept.

Of the stories that Larry relates in this book, the one that most significantly gripped my heart was that of Dan Roelofs, a young husband, father, and pastor who was diagnosed with terminal cancer.  Larry shares pages from the personal journal Dan kept during those closing days of his life.  This writer was greatly humbled by Dan’s attitude as he faced death.  There was almost the spirit of the ancient patriarch Job who, when he was assaulted and faced his own death-like experience, remarked confidently that God was to be praised. 

God Is My Success is not about how to become successful in business or politics or athletics.  It really helps the reader to understand exactly what Jesus meant when He said that He had come to give people a more abundant life. 

This is a book that I heartily recommend.  But don’t pick it up for some light reading before going to bed.  It was not written for that occasion.  And don’t be in a hurry to rush through it.  The author presents homework assignments (could this be the consequences of his Village Schools experience?) that allow the reader to begin to apply those principles to his or her life.  This book would make an excellent small group study within a local church or marketplace group. 

Thank you, Larry, for writing a book that will help each one of us to better serve our Savior.  I will look forward to your next work.

A second book that I also heartily recommend is titled White Man Walking: An American Businessman’s Spiritual Adventure in Africa (Minneapolis, Kirk House Publishers, 2003).  It was written by Ward Brehm, a successful businessman here in the Twin Cities, and also a Village Schools graduate and mentored by Monty.

The book relates the account of an incredible walk through parts of Kenya that Ward took with friends he had made on a previous trip to that part of Africa.  The journey was rough, certainly not for the weak of heart – or body, for that matter.  Yet, through the journey, God moved in the author’s heart, driving more deeply the passion for Africa and its needs. 

I found that I could not put this book aside once I began reading.  I need to also admit that at times, as I was reading, I was glad that God had not called me to that type of experience.  Going to India a few times had been a challenge enough for me.  Yet, as I read, I felt convicted that I have become too comfortable in my own Christian walk.  Perhaps God wants me to get out of that comfort zone and to trust Him for even more stretching experiences.  I asked myself the question: What did God want me to become passionate about? 

If you are interested in reading a firsthand account of the tremendous physical and spiritual needs that exist in today’s Africa, then this book is must reading.  If you are interested in hearing how short term missions experiences can revolutionize a life, then this book is must reading.  If you are growing tired of the comfortableness of your walk with the Lord, then this book just might cause you to slip out and to trust God for something that will expand your horizons. 

Friends, the summer months lie ahead.  That means vacations, lazy afternoons at the beach or on the boat.  These are perfect occasions to grab a book and to nourish your heart and mind.  Warm sunshine, a glass of ice-cold lemonade, and a good book – ah, life doesn’t get any better.

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