The Christian Entrepreneur » Book Reviews

Going Deeper with Author Michael Holmes

Brad Harmon — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:41:08 +0000

In December, I wrote a review on a new book by up-and-coming author Michael Holmes called I Shall Raise Thee Up: Ancient Principles for Lasting Greatness.

Some of you know Michael through his comments on this blog where he always brings an insightful dynamic to the conversation. I thought you might enjoy going deeper into his book with the author himself and learning more about him in the process.

If you haven’t had a chance to read my review of Michael’s book, you can read it by clicking here.

This would have been a fabulous interview with audio or video, but I am not quite set up to do that yet so we conducted the interview via email. I hope you enjoy it.

On How Writing this Book has Changed His Life …

Brad: I think a lot of entrepreneurs can relate to where you were on that long bus ride heading to a job that you hated thinking “there’s got to be a better way.” I’m interested in learning how your life is different today as a result of transforming that recurring thought on a bus ride from a rejected magazine article to a published book.

Michael: Well, it has and has not changed. I’m not financially independent and I’m still in a job that I wish I wasn’t in. But things have changed a lot in my attitude, my focus, and my purpose.

By attitude: I’ve learned (and am still learning) how to thank God in spite of and not because of. I’m learning to trust His timing and not my own.

By focus: I have learned to use the bulk of my energy toward things that will ultimately matter—and not be bogged down with activities that serve no purpose in the long run.

By purpose: I have discovered more and more of what I’m here to do. And I think that’s the greatest thing that can happen to a person. To discover your purpose is to discover the reason for your talents, strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, and etc. And to discover the greatest of them all: your life’s work.

What He Hopes Readers Will Take Away from the Book …

Brad: As I mentioned in my review of the book, there are so many great quotes that I’ve highlighted for future use. The size of your book is deceptively small because you cover so many different principles and aspects of being an entrepreneur.

As the author, what is the one principle, idea, or impression that you hope your readers will take away from your book?

Michael: Service. Service is the key ingredient for a great company, ministry, people, or person. And whenever we lose sight of that the downward spiral is only a matter of time. Service is the greatest of all the principles…but love is even greater that that.

The Role Isolation Played in His Life …

Brad: I mentioned in my review that I was excited to see where you were headed in the chapter on isolation, but that I got lost with the biographies you used in the chapter. The promise of that chapter really struck a chord within me that I hadn’t thought about before, and I wanted to give you an opportunity to talk more about it here and what role isolation has played in your life as a Christian entrepreneur.

Michael: I never used to fit in certain crews or cliques and it used to really trouble me. It wasn’t until recently where I discovered that God designed me not to fit in. It was such an eye opener to realize that people’s rejection of me was simply Him directing me.

For a Christian entrepreneur, isolation has many benefits. And by “entrepreneur” I don’t necessarily someone just in business for themselves—although that’s a big part of it. An “entrepreneur” is someone of takes possession of a new enterprise, venture or idea and assumes responsibility for the outcome. In other words, it someone who takes control of their life and assumes responsibility for it. A Christian entrepreneur is someone who does that with God’s help.

And so isolation plays its part because everyone doesn’t think like that. They let other people control their lives…and worse yet…refuse to let God take control! And so that isolation is essential because it makes you not fit into that. And THEN God and you move from mediocrity to greatness.

On What He Would Tell that Avon Supervisor Today …

Brad: It seems so many of us have had people in our lives that were in a place to help lift us up, but chose to ignore or belittle us instead. I could really empathize with you as your excitement was crushed with her indifferent “that’s nice.” If you were to meet her today, what would you like to say to her?

Michael: I would bring her to your site! LOL! Then I would take her over to a few others like Rod Kirby, Stephen Borgman, Bradley Moore, and etc. Then I would walk her through history and show her all the believers in enterprise…that started great enterprises. And then I would try my gut-busting best to introduce her to the Savior we all know as God.

On the Challenges of Writing Your First Book …

Brad: What are some of the challenges you faced in writing your first book? What advice would you give to others who are thinking about writing a book?

Michael: Because I wanted this book to be of quality I had to do my homework I breezed through at least a hundred books in writing this—not to mention magazines, websites, and Scripture study. That is hard. Then I had to make it as simple as possible—so that means not using four words when two will do and so on. And I had it keep it short…and that itself was hard because there was sooooooo much more I wanted to say.

For first-time authors I would say the key thing is writing a book are reading and writing. Read as many books as possible, see what the authors are doing right, and see what they’re doing wrong. And then write! Nobody’s gonna read a book you haven’t written. And don’t worry how the first one looks…you’ll get better the more you practice.

On the Response He’s Received to His Book …

Brad: What has been the response to your book? Are there any stories you would like to share from any of your readers?

Michael: The response has been overwhelmingly positive! One lady said she read it in two days and passed it on to her son. One lady who had given up on life said that it gave her hope that He still had a plan for her life. And especially considering this recession people need hope like never before. And I’m glad God would use me to communicate it.

On Possible Books in the Future …

Brad: It’s been said that we all have at least one good book in us just waiting to get out. Do you plan on writing another book? If so, what will it be about?

Michael: I’m actually in the process of writing another. The next one will be entitled “Biblical strategies for marketing success.”

It came to me because I noticed that most of the “new” and “good” marketing we see today like “being transparent” “permission marketing” “giving value” and etc have their origins in the Bible. So I’m writing to show that these strategies existed before us and they’ll exist after us—because the One who created them is eternal. So it’s a back to the Bible-kind-of thing…because any answer to any problem is found in the Word of God. We just have to have the sense to look—because God hides them purposely. He hides them so we can seek for them and seek Him for them

Wrapping Up

Wasn’t that a great interview? I’ve really enjoyed getting to know Michael over the past few months. If you haven’t read I Shall Raise Thee Up: Ancient Principles for Lasting Greatness I highly recommend it.

I’m sure you will see more from Michael on this site through his comments, and I’m very excited to announce that he’s agreed to guest post here as well from time to time.

You can always find his latest writings on his blog, www.raisetheeup.com/blog. Thank you Michael for a great interview.

Book Review: I Shall Raise Thee Up

Brad Harmon — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 02:06:02 +0000

Last week, Michael Holmes sent me a free copy of his book, I Shall Raise Thee Up: Ancient Principles for Lasting Greatness. He asked that I share my honest opinion about the book, both good and bad, with my readers.

Some of you may have noticed that Michael is a member of our blog community, which is how I met him a few weeks ago. For others, this may be the first time you have heard about him.

I will be interviewing Michael in the coming weeks so that you can get to know more about him and this book. For now though, let’s take a look at his first book and what it has to offer the Christian entrepreneur.

Wait a Minute … Is That Person a Christian?

Had I just started reading the book, skipping the introduction, I may have had difficulty accepting some of the people Michael uses to illustrate his points. Having read it though, he makes two points in explaining why he used non-Christians as examples in his book.

First, “If it’s God’s truth then its relevance can extend beyond God’s people.” Sometimes, I think we miss this point. God’s laws don’t require our belief to work.

The book’s title is inspired by Romans 9:17 (KJV).

For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

A perfect example of greatness in an unbeliever that God used for His glory.

Second, “If it’s God’s truth it should always be relevant. Truth is never created; it is only discovered and rediscovered.” Michael makes no claims that the ideas in his book are original; however, it is unique in the way he brings together the concepts and illustrates his points.

The Qualities One Must Possess to Be Truly Great

The first half of the book is part definition and part looking at some of the characteristics that have made people great.

On Greatness

In his chapter defining greatness, Michael explains how God provides us with the seed, but it is our responsibility to make sure it grows.

He puts it this way …

The great God Who formed you placed in you seeds of greatness – not the fruit but the seed. Whenever God gives anything He communicates it in seed form – whether it’s a talent, an idea, or even His word.

What a great message for the instant gratification culture we live in today. This point is reinforced throughout the book.

He goes on to show that not only are we not given the fruit from God, but he explains that our greatness isn’t for us.

You were meant to be great, but know this: that greatness is not for you – it’s for those around you. When God truly raises up someone He does it for the sake of others.

On Principles

My favorite quote from the book comes when Michael talks about how principles are “timely, timeless, inflexible, and will always produce a certain outcome.” He says …

Regardless of whether you believe in them or not they’re there! If you don’t believe in the law of gravity jump off a building – I guarantee your faith will be restored!

On Character

While talking about what he calls the four components of character, Michael says this about our capacity…

You can’t have the glory of influence without the weight of responsibility. To have one is to live with the other – the two can’t be severed. To escape the weight is to refuse the glory, and to seek the glory is to find the weight.

The Laws of Lasting Greatness

The second half of the book imparts five laws that Michael sees as an integral part of attaining lasting greatness.

I’m not sure I would agree that all of these classify as laws, but they are certainly great principles that I deeply believe every Christian entrepreneur should follow.

I have given away some of the gems I found in this book above, but if you thought those were good, there are many more in Michael’s five laws of lasting greatness.

I will be asking Michael about these laws in my upcoming interview with him, but until then let me encourage you to order your copy of I Shall Raise Thee Up: Ancient Principles for Lasting Greatness so you can discover these laws for yourself.

What I Didn’t Like About This Book

Okay, Michael asked for both the good and the bad. So here are two suggestions that would have made me like this book more.

#1 – Don’t Hide Your Quotes

In Michael’s defense, this is becoming commonplace with Christian writers; however, it is a personal pet peeve of mine. This may not bother you at all.

When I am reading a book that quotes Scripture, I like to see it set off from the text and I like to know the source without having to flip to the back of the book.

#2 – Don’t Let Your Examples Take Over Your Point

A great example of this is the chapter on isolation. When I started to read the chapter I became excited to see where Michael was taking us.

Unfortunately, though his example was relevant, he spends so much time developing it that his points are largely lost in the length of the biographical information.

My Final Thoughts

I enjoyed reading this book. It challenged me in some areas that I was not expecting, and it brought a fresh point of view to others.

I found quite a few quotes from Michael that I will be using for some time to come. It has earned a place in my library, and I think you will feel the same way.

You can purchase a copy of I Shall Raise Thee Up: Ancient Principles for Lasting Greatness from Amazon.com. For more information about the author, Michael Holmes, you can check out his website at raisetheeup.com.

Have You Read This? – December 2009

Brad Harmon — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 19:45:40 +0000

It’s been said that you can tell a lot about a person by what they have in their library. I guess there is some truth to that.

We tend to keep those books that have touched our lives or have helped us in some way or another. The rest get sold, donated, or trashed.

I think it would be sad if all we ever read came from a blog post or website. Perhaps, it’s the nostalgic part of me that still finds comfort in sitting in an overstuffed chair with a cup of coffee and a good book. I must admit that the new Kindle Wireless Reader looks pretty cool though.

I’ve decided that I will share three books with you each month that are in my personal library. I’ve provided you with an affiliate link where you can find out more information or purchase the book through Amazon.com.

The E Myth Revisted by Michael Gerber

My very first blog post back in September was about this book. The subtitle of the book is, “Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It.”

I can’t say enough about this book. When I had my CPA Firm, I decided to give a copy of this book to every one of my new business clients. I’ve continued that practice as a small business coach.

There are so many misconceptions (or myths) that we have when we start our first small business. We are caught up in what Gerber calls an “Entrepreneurial Seizure” and before you know it we’ve opened our own business without knowing what we are really getting into.

We don’t realize that each of us are comprised of three parts: the technician, the manager, and the entrepreneur. Once we start to understand this, we see how each of these roles can conspire against us causing our small business to fail.

All of this is just Part I of the book! The remainder of the book teaches you how to use these three roles to grow your small business putting your personal stamp on it, deliver consistent reliable results, and how to get this without you personally having to do it.

The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson

I try to read this book once every month. We’ve all been given a dream by the Dream Giver, but there are many obstacles standing in the way of us realizing that dream.

This is a small book that is a quick read. It is written in the form of a modern-day parable, much like The Pilgrim’s Progress. It is the story of Ordinary who dares to leave the Land of Familiar to pursue his Big Dream.

You don’t have to be a Christian entrepreneur to be encouraged and inspired by this book. Since it is written in a parable style, it is not an overtly Christian book but you can clearly see God’s hands and principles in it.

I love the questions on the back jacket cover. Are You Living Your Dream? Or Just Living Your Life?

If you are having trouble taking that first step towards your Big Dream, or you are already on the journey but are having doubts, then this book is definitely for you. Life is way to short not to live your dreams!

The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer

If I were stranded on an island, and I had to choose one book besides the Bible, this would be that book. I would make it mandatory reading for every new Christian.

Tozer opens up his book with this:

What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.

The history of mankind will probably show that no people has ever risen above its religion, and man’s spiritual history will positively demonstrate that no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God.

What a bold statement, but I think he’s right. We are all guilty of trying to fit God into a box where we can control Him, and wrap our finite minds around Him.

He takes us through 19 different attributes of God. At times he seems repetitive, and you may struggle here or there with his writing style.

I almost gave up on the book a few chapters in my first time reading it, but I am so glad I didn’t. It was when I got to God’s infinitude and immutability that all the repetition made sense, and the light bulb went off in my head.

This book has so many highlights and dogeared pages now that it looks like the Vegas strip. It has put the Bible, this world, and my place within it in a whole new light. A deeper, fuller understanding and appreciation.

Happy Reading! I Hope You Enjoy My Picks.

I hope that you will check out my picks for this month. I really think you will enjoy them, and that they will be a blessing to you.

If you purchase these books through my affiliate links, thank you. However you decide to purchase them though, I hope that you will.

I think they will be on your personal library shelf for ages to come.

Review: The E Myth Revisited

Brad Harmon — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:00:36 +0000

Before starting my first business I sought advice from several friends that had left the ranks of the employee to start a business of their own. One of the best pieces of advice I received was that I must read The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It before launching my business.

I went to the bookstore that same night and purchased a copy of the book. I put it on my bookshelf and in the flurry of activity to launch my business I forgot all about it. I wish I would have read it that same night.

It was not until a year and a half later that I opened the pages of this book and found myself staring back at me through the eyes of Sarah. I had experienced some success in my business, but I was tired from working long hours every day without any end in sight.

It was a constant struggle to meet the demands of my current clients while trying to add more to bring in enough money to replace the steady paycheck I had given up all too cheerfully. And probably the worst thing was that I was starting to hate the very thing that I used to love to do.

The Entrepreneurial Seizure

I did not realize it at the time, but I had suffered an “Entrepreneurial Seizure” two years earlier. It was exactly like Gerber describes …

“The excitement of cutting the cord became your constant companion. The thought of independence followed you everywhere. The idea of being your own boss, doing your own thing, singing your own song, became obsessively irresistible.”

The Fatal Assumption

I became obsessed with thoughts of being my own boss, doing things the way I knew they should be done, and gaining the freedom that came from financial independence. Once I had it there was no way to get rid of it other than starting my own business. But, as Gerber puts it,

“In the throes of your Entrepreneurial Seizure, you [I] fell victim to the most disastrous assumption anyone can make about going into business.” What was the assumption?” If you understand the technical work of a business, you understand the business that does the technical work.”

This is one of the primary reasons that so many new businesses fail. You can be the very best at whatever it is that you do, but you also must become adept at attracting customers, managing vendors, running an efficient back office, and managing employees if you plan on expanding.

The Entrepreneur, The Manager, & The Technician

Gerber goes on to explain that the fundamental problem is that when we go into business we really become three people: the entrepreneur, the manager, and the technician. All of three want to be the boss and are constantly competing to be so.

The entrepreneur is the dreamer that is always looking for new and better ways of expanding their company. The manager is the pragmatist trying to maintain order in the company. The technician is the doer that gets everything done in the company.

Understanding these various roles and how they interact with each other is one of the key components of running a successful business. For me, it was allowing the manager to become part of the business.

Work ON Your Business Instead of IN Your Business

I learned the hard way that there is a difference between being self-employed and being a business owner.

Being self-employed has all the trappings of being a business owner, but when you look it more closely you see that they are illusions.

When I was an employee I had one boss, but now I had many bosses demanding my time – so much for being my own boss. The freedom from financial independence is always just out of reach because if I got sick, took a vacation, or spent time with my family then I did not get paid. The service that I was going to do so much better now suffered as the weight of managing the back office and attracting new customers take its toll.

I could have added employees but that usually adds to the problem because now I must not only manage and train the employees, but I must also generate more income to pay for that employee adding yet more stress and strain.

Gerber spent the first half of the book trying to show me where I was and what has gone wrong leading me to the conclusion that if I was ever to achieve the goals of why I started my business then I had to step back and work on my business. It sounds so simple now, but that was a big revelation to me at the time.

Franchise Yourself

He spends the remainder of the book showing how to replicate yourself through processes that are repeatable, consistent, and can be performed by the lowest level of skills needed for a particular position. He calls it a franchising model. It is only when you can replicate (franchise) yourself that you can truly step out of the business and start enjoying the fruits of your labor.