Random thoughts on my study Bible

This is in response to my own promise to have this entry posted. A couple of entries ago, I had posted a hint regarding my own study Bible whose "sticky notes" or commentaries were written by John C. Maxwell.

To those who have not known him, he is one of the topmost sought-after speakers on leadership. He has written many books that hit the best-seller list including The 360-Degree Leader, The 21 Irrefutable Qualities of a Leader, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, and others. Man, almost a month ago following that leadership training we had at the office I had heard he is at least a top speaker on something a topic about management. At least this is one of the best things the Internet has to offer that you get to know about a certain famous people the moment you start to get interested. You start to go to Google, then Wikipedia, then his own website, then you would start wanting to read those books.

One of those books, his The Maxwell Leadership Bible, registered into my memory. At that time, I did not think it was a study Bible until I went to a bookstore, then started to have second thoughts. After much thought, I finally bought it and I never regretted, actually thankful, to God for the book and for the circumstances that lead to me to buy that book. Currently I'm not in the mood to create a critical review about this book, so I would like to refer you to this link for a review.

Actually, my interest in learning leadership skills started to heighten on mid-December last year 2008 when I went to a Christian bookstore. To put it short I'll just try to outline succinctly the following reasons why I thought God's hand led me to that bookstore:

1. that I had wanted to have a personal study Bible since I became rededicated,
2. that day was the last day of them offering discounts,
3. that book was the only copy they had procured to sell,
4. the money I had was just enough to buy it not on its regular price but on its discounted price,
5. I had the impromptu desire for no apparent reason (at least at that time) that I left immediately after my work shift to check out the bookstore,
6. and if I had left the office taking all the time in the world not in a hurry I would not be able to arrive in time as the store was closing when I arrived.

I have been thinking God must have wanted me to have this book. Not that I was hearing whispering voices or "a booming voice from heaven", but this is pretty much my guess because of the string of reasons presented above.

Oh by the way, this study Bible is the first book I bought that is authored by Dr. Maxwell. I am planning to buy more of the books he authored hoping that I can afford it. Like the new book I bought last Monday, The 360-Degree Leader. I may not buy all of them, though. It is one thing to invest on books about leadership, and quite another to spend only within the constraints of one's budget.

But then again, there is also this faith that can move mountains, and I believe God is still the ultimate source of wisdom whose insights, for instance among many, sustained me how I should deal with my colleagues for the past year that some had thought I had already read a management or leadership book.