Kennesaw – “Free Food for Millionaires,” is the first novel by Min Jin Lee, a Korean, who lives in New York City.

Her book about the new America is so rich, diverse and insightful. She talks about the differences between first, second and even third generations of immigrants who have come to America and have put down roots. The story highlights the struggles of fitting in, staying loyal to traditions and overcoming challenges and difficulties. My suggestion to anyone wanting to become significant is to step back and walk a mile in the shoes of a recent immigrant to our country. Don’t take anything we have for granted. Embrace change and encourage excellence.

Order the book here: http://www.amazon.com/Free-Food-Millionaires-Min-Jin/dp/0446699853/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1459967817&sr=8-1&keywords=free+food+for+millionaires

#Encourage Excellence

Kennesaw – Charles Tremendous Jones (www.TremendousLifeBooks.com) was an American treasure. I was fortunate enough to meet him one day at a speech he gave during Matt Holman’s class at Landmark Baptist Temple in Cincinnati, Ohio. Charlie’s gift of encouragement and enthusiasm was so contagious nobody left the room that day unaffected. I got an autographed copy of his book, “The Books You Read,” that I gave away some years later. I wish I had kept it.

With a private library of several thousand books, reading and relationships were two themes that became the hallmark of Charles’ mission to share with the world. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MprvRSBUpXk)

“If you can’t be happy where you are, it’s a cinch you can’t be happy where you ain’t.” – Charles Tremendous Jones

#Encourage Excellence

Kennesaw – George Rawlings (www.rawlingsgroup.com) came to speak at our college and career class at Landmark Baptist Temple in 1986. George had driven from Louisville to Cincinnati to see his dad (Dr. John Rawlings) who was the senior pastor at Landmark and chancellor of Landmark Christian School. (I graduated from Landmark in 1981.)  Some of the points I remember vividly were George’s clear approach to vocation, life’s work and the value of giving back. His approach was simple and direct:

1) In America, if you want to become successful, work eight hours a day, five days a week. Then save, invest and give a portion of what you earn back to God. (Statistically, you will then be in the top 10% of the world’s income earners.)

2) If you want to become wealthy, work 10 hours a day, five days a week. Save, invest and give a portion of what you earn back to God. (You will then be in the top 5% of the world’s earners.)

3) If you want to become rich, work 12 hours a day, five days a week. Save, invest and give a portion of what you earn back to God. (You will then become one of the world’s top 1%.)

The point that George was making to us was this: If you work hard and smart, in any given occupation, you can become successful. Work in a field that you enjoy because working eight hours a day will help you take care of your family, but working 12 hours a day will make you a person of significance. Remember also the relevance of being in America where we still have the freest economy and even our poor have free groceries, cell phones, health care, education, utilities and air conditioning.

#Encourage Excellence