Surviving your Serengeti

7 Skills to Master Business and Life.

A fable of Self-Discovery  by Stefan Swanepoel

I chose to review this book for its title. The first chapter seems to have been tacked on to the main message of the book. There are 3 main characters, however the author sets a scene around a camp fire and has some interesting cast present, all seekers without jobs in an expensive upmarket camping site.  ‘Seronera’ a beautiful spot within the Serengeti was misspelt and  thankfully ‘Grumeti’ was right. 

The author has found an interesting way re-present good standard business skills by linking it to the migration of Wildebeests and the animals in the Serengeti plains. He goes further and strategically pushes it as life skills. The book is a good example of  - “An enterprising person explores all options and boldly seizes every opportunity.” A quote from the book on page 75 an attribute of the enterprising Nile Crocodile.

The key selling point has been publicized to the fullest - Which animal are you? You can find this out on the website given at the end of the book or just Google it, that's what I did to find out more while I waited for the book to come. 

There is much to learn and re-learn from this book. I found myself reminiscing and linking what I read to my memories which made the whole exercise pleasurable. This book would be appealing  to someone who has not visited or lived in Africa or experienced a safari, I found myself looking for more.

I received this book at no cost. According to my agreement with www.booksneeze.com, publishers John Wiley & Sons Inc., above is my review of the book. This is my opinion it’s not influenced in anyway by the publisher or www.booksneeze.com.

Book Review: Same Life, New Story by Jan Silvious

 Change your Perspective to Change your Life : A ten week bible study for women.

The synopsis on the back cover of the book is captivating: How's your life? Does it tell a wonderful story filled with grace, character, and courage? Or are you stuck in the past, struggling with regrets and fears? This certainly captivated me. The rest of the blurb at the back of the book tells you what you are about to read its going to be the truth, the whole truth and that is what you get! The language is clear and concise, its plain speaking. The introduction takes you further into what's in store for you, at no point are you in any doubt  And you know this is not your usual Bible Study. It is going to bring about a change whether you want it to or not.

The devotion chapters build into the next leading you into the process of change. Each of the ten chapters begins with the story of a woman from the bible: Naomi, Leah, Rahab, Deborah, Hannah, Anna, Jehosheba, Abigail, Namaan’s Servant Girl and Elizabeth. The list of women was definitely interesting, not the usual list of ladies, they are certainly women of character who changed their future with a single or series of decisions followed by actions. You also get stories of women known to the author that authenticates and clearly illustrates a life status and how one may over come it. This book makes you want to overcome the challenge.

I have gone through the first and am into the second chapter, and am happy to pursue it further: I was specially happy to note it addresses the different ages of a woman's life from youth to the 50s plus.
The life themes are spot on: its in Chapter 2: Don't be held hostage by the Past.

I encourage every woman to get a personal copy of this book because indeed you would be underlining it as much as you do your Bible. I would also recommend it for a group Bible study to be presented in the same way the book does, allowing each woman to think for herself without imposition.

My review is late due to postal delay, I received the last mailed copy first and then the previous two! And was pleased to gift the extra copies.

I received this book at no cost. According to my agreement with www.booksneeze.com, publishers Thomas Nelson, above is my review of the book. This is my opinion it’s not influenced in anyway by the publisher or www.booksneeze.com.

Forgiving: It's not Easy

This is the second time I await a book from Booksneeze.com, already have my eye on the next book I would love to have! I asked, Why would someone want to steal a Christian book anyway? then quickly came the more positive thought ... It could bless the stealer!

My first instinct is to get angry when I am hurt by words or actions, the next is to complain about it, and third is to hold a grudge. I am good at holding grudges and plotting revenge, I play the whole thing out in my brain.
Ever done that?
But it takes too long to wait for the right time to get even, and going out and starting the fight often opens a Pandora's box causing more pain and hurt, this time a rift in the relationship. I found this quite unproductive especially within the home and when the person is a parent or sibling who are going to be in your face day in day out!

I then came across RT Kendal's book Total Forgiveness, and this too after knowing the Lords prayer and mouthing the prayer thousands of times!
What I gained from the book: I was to forgive the person directly if possible and indirectly if not.
Next, do not tell anyone else about it. Now this was difficult, but managed it for a couple of occasions, only to be royally foiled one day. When a colleague insulted me in front of another, I kept quiet (a feat for one who has a biting tongue and quick to retaliate) and the other colleague then took me aside and questioned me and said I should sort it out. Well I didn't want to waste the time sorting it out, as I was happy to be alienated from this particular person! But, that isn't forgiveness either is it? So there I learned I had to forgive internally and put this behind me and not talk about it. The last point that actually got to me first was to pray sincerely for the enemy to be blessed! This was a tough one, but turned out to be easier than the other two.

More soon! Will welcome your thoughts!

Family Update 2011

2010 came and went!
However it has brought an addition to our family. Aliya Menezes was born on 24th January 2011 to Floyd and Sudeshna. Floyd is Royston's younger brother.

High Lights of 2010:

Mum and I went to New Delhi for 3 days we arrived on the 1st December 2010, we flew there and back, had a lovely 2 days then Mum caught viral fever and we made a painful and long journey back. Flight delays with Go Air are the norm a delay in the journey out and  the journey back had 2 delays, we reached home after midnight!
I am glad to say Mum has made a good recovery and is glorying in being lighter! She has lost some weight.

We did not send out Christmas cards and Mum made her famous Christmas cake after Christmas with help from Kyrie and Debu.

We celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary, that was a funny session, I was totally teary and Royston read his lines to the Church! Our Church hospitality group cooked the food and we served pork with bread to at least 350 members. Kyrie and the team worked all Saturday, Royston supplied them with all the ingredients and then spent the morning of Sunday ferrying it all to the Church. The background work was carried out with so much cheer we were blessed.

Kyrie found a nice job in March 2010 and enjoys it even though she has several different shifts. It is a 24/7 job.  I now am a process Trainer got the post in August 2010, haven't started my actual job but will be doing so sometime this year.

We moved into Roystons family Flat 4 Anchor House in February 2010, very noisy as its on the Kondwa main road, the traffic roars like a chinese dragon by 10am every week day! Its dusty too! But, Royston and Kyrie love it, Kyrie enjoys having her own large room and bathroom. This year she contributes to the maids salary and so has a nice tidy room too! I am happy I have a little niche in the sitting room for my jewelry work. Miss the storage arrangement of the previous house though! We haven't cleared out much of what was in the flat and added our own!

Royston had a change of process and is now happy and settled in the new job. We stayed well last year with Gods grace but didn't lose much weight.

Review of: On This Day in Christian History: 365 amazing and inspiring stories about saints, martyrs and heroes by Robert J Morgan, publisher Thomas Nelson

The book arrived on the 1st January, 2011 right on time!

The book is what its cover states a devotional. The language and presentation is interesting in its simplicity, and allows the wealth of the words capture your heart and head.

The Book starts with: Verse by Verse about Ulrich Zwingli a not so ordinary Bishop one of many people who created an awareness of the need for change. Each story is unique and thought provoking like Mary Slessor’s story, and the scripture verses that inspired each person so varied. Reading from the back of the book and the middle noticed every page has a story about an ordinary man or woman who was born or died or accomplished something on that very day. In my opinion a good way to bring awareness of one can do and of the people of faith that have in some way changed the face and heart of Christianity not being a theologian and don’t have an interest in reading autobiographies. This book could be interesting to  historians and theologians as Robert J Morgan has insightfully added some uniquely interesting people out of the ordinary.

I Received this book at no cost. According to my agreement with booksneeze.com above is my review of the book. This is my opinion it’s not influenced in anyway by the publisher or booksneeze.com.

Book Review: Out Live Your Faith By Max Lucado

I stumbled via upon booksneeze.com and signed up not really believing I would get to participate as I live in India. I was overjoyed to when I received the book for free! Keeping to the agreement here is my review.
Max Lucado's books don't come cheap here but we pay the price for them because they are worth it. His simple style with insights gleaned from normal everyday encounters marks this book too like the encounter with the Traffic Policeman who illustrates Gods pardon.

 Each chapter is a story in itself and so you could read the book over a period of time if you wanted to. The selections in total bring home to me the fact I am called to do just what Peter, the disciples, Jesus family, and all the early Christians did, spread the Word and take it to the ends of the earth. Live the Word and share it with the people I meet everyday. Pray for eyes that see as Jesus did, ask for wisdom, exercise my faith every day and pray, pray, pray. Look for areas to help and join with others I don't have to start something of my own. And most of all give the Gospel, do not forget that vital ingredient.

Max Lucado delights from the word go, I like the way he acknowledges all especially the line for his wife. All the words and work that goes into the book are meaningful you know the whole book was written from the heart, and covered by prayer and  not Max Lucado’s alone. The Contents of the book indicates that this book contains information that will equip you to go out and Out Live Your Life as well as encourage you along the way.
One hundred percent of the author's royalties from Outlive Your Life products will benefit children and families through World Vision and other ministries of faith-based compassion.