What Book Has Most Influenced Your Daily Life?

A co-worker asked me a completely random question the other day: "What book would you say has had made the most impact on your day-to-day life?" I was taken aback. (That's right, I just used the word "aback.")

I've thought a lot about my favorite books. I've thought about the most meaningful books or the most fun books. But I had never looked at them from the angle of actual impact on my life. As I thought about my answer, it was kind of convicting how many great books I have read that, if I was honest about them, haven't had a huge influence on my everyday life.

I continued to think about my answer while my co-worker rambled on about the latest self-help book that he had read (which was, of course, the reason he asked the question in the first place). A variety of answers came to my head. Obviously the Bible popped up first, but I felt like that was cheating, since God wrote it. The others: My Utmost for His Highest, the classic devotion by Oswald Chambers; Desiring God, John Piper's amazing analysis of "Christian hedonism"; Pascal's Pensees, which had more deep thoughts in a few pages than most do in a hundred.

In the end, I settled on Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis' simple masterpiece, as the one that had the most impact on me. I picked it was because of a particular piece of writing that has stuck with me through the years. There's a line that the Holy Spirit brings back to my mind pretty regularly, almost like a Scripture verse you have memorized and that has come to mean a lot.

It’s in chapter 8, where Lewis is discussing whether Christianity is hard or easy. He is talking about how hard the Christian life seems to be for many people because they think that God is calling us simply to behave.

He states that God isn't calling us to give merely our behavior to Him but our whole selves. Our entire life must be completely transformed by Him so that we see the things He sees and do the things He would do. It makes the Christian life so much easier than simply trying to behave well.

So how do we do that?

Here's where my favorite line comes in: "The real problem of the Christian life comes where people do not usually look for it. It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. And so on, all day."

One of the greatest lessons I have learned in my young Christian walk is that the Lord makes it so much easier to live this life if we are looking up instead of down. Constantly looking to God, constantly focusing on Him, constantly listening for Him will do more to make you like Jesus than all the determination in the world. Instead of trying to do good, I have found that it is much easier, and more enjoyable, to try to think on God, and then let Him work through me.

How about you? What book has made the biggest impact on your day-to-day life? I'm looking for a new book, so I'd love to hear some other recommendations.

Faith, Like Dating, Can Be a Mystery

One of my favorite things about church is listening to a message from the pastor that the Holy Spirit seems to be tailoring specifically for you. I love it when you can really feel the Holy Spirit's understanding seeping through. Whether you are reading a Bible verse, listening silently in prayer or hearing something in a message, you know there are just certain times when God is saying, "This is what I want you to hear."

My pastor's message on Sunday touched on something about faith that really stuck out to me. Faith, he said, isn't trusting that God will do something you ask Him to do. Faith is trusting that God will do what is best for you. Sometimes believers treat God like a personal genie. We want specific things from Him, such as "God, let me start dating that girl," or "God, let me get this job."

Often, if these specific things don't come to pass, we wonder if we didn't have enough faith that God would provide them.

My pastor had a different view on faith. He said faith isn't believing that God will give you a certain job; it's believing that God will take care of you. Faith isn't believing that God will give you this certain girl to be your wife but that He has someone perfect planned for you.

At first this seemed like a minor difference, while I was listening to the sermon, but the more I thought about it, and the more the Holy Spirit worked on my heart, the more I realized that I have been cheapening the power of faith.

Looking back, there have been so many times in my life when I prayed for something to happen, but it didn't. Then, something else came along that was as good or better than what I had hoped for. It may have been different from what I expected, but God has always been there for me. He knows what I need much better than I do.

My wife and I both have been praying for some major things, and on Sunday it felt to both of us like the Holy Spirit was saying: "Let it go. Have faith that I will take care of you."

I'm going to have real faith that God will provide more than we need, even though it may not be what I had in mind originally.

Top 20 Manliest Movie Characters / Part 2

Guys, on Monday we gave you the first half of our latest list of "Manliest Movie Characters." Today we’re back with the second half, our Top 10 ranking. And we have a bonus for you—a few of our picks for the unmanliest of them all, the Top 5 Wimpiest Movie Characters.

We start with the guys considered to be the 10 manliest characters in movie history—as rated by the New Man editorial staff, that is. Beginning at no. 10, we bring you the wise guy of all wise guys. Enjoy!

10. Michael Corleone: The Godfather series
At the beginning of the first Godfather movie, you would never know that Michael would become the Corleone to make this list. But by the time the sequel rolled around, Michael Corleone could silence a room of "made men" simply by raising an eyebrow. Al Pacino plays one of the smartest, toughest, most ruthless characters in film history, and he doesn’t even throw a punch. He’s a gangster's gangster—a complete bad guy, but you find yourself rooting for him anyway. He’s the man.

We Wish We Had: The stare: Michael could make the toughest mobsters melt with that stare.

Best Quote: Michael Corleone: "Don't tell me that you're innocent. Because it insults my intelligence and it makes me very angry."

Spiritual Take-Away: If you start down the wrong path, you can get lost on it.

9. Jason Bourne: The Bourne series
Who knew that Matt Damon could kick so much butt? As Jason Bourne, the CIA assassin with amnesia, he can still take down illegal intelligence agencies by himself even though he can’t remember anything. He can beat anybody in a fistfight, survive car chases in a Mini, teach reporters how to evade surveillance cameras, and shoot people dead while falling down flights of stairs. No matter what the situation, you know that Bourne will get the job done.

We Wish We Had: Access to a Swiss bank account.

Best Quote: CIA operative Pamela Landy: "This is Jason Bourne, the toughest target that you have ever tracked. He is really good at staying alive, and trying to kill him and failing ... just pisses him off.

Spiritual Take-Away: Bourne finds redemption by losing his memory, showing that no matter how bad someone is, they can still get a chance to start over.

8: Han Solo: The Star Wars series
Harrison Ford’s second appearance on our list is as Han Solo, the smuggler/scoundrel of Star Wars. Solo is brash, gutsy, smooth and quick, but he also has a heart of gold. He may be skeptical about the force, and he may be looking to get paid, but he’ll do anything for his friends—and eventually he even gets a princess to fall for him. Here’s how manly Han Solo is: In Return of the Jedi, Luke has grown up, is wearing black, has his own light saber and can use the force. He’s still not as manly as Solo.

We Wish We Had: The Millennium Falcon, of course.

Best Quote: Han Solo: "Come on, admit it. Sometimes you think I'm all right."

Princess Leia: "Occasionally, maybe ... when you aren't acting like a scoundrel."

Han Solo: "Scoundrel? Scoundrel? I like the sound of that."

Spiritual Take-Away: Choosing good friends can turn your life around.

7. Dutch: Predator
You knew the governor had to make the list. We thought about putting Arnold’s role as the Terminator on the list, but it’s not hard to be manly when you’re an indestructible machine—but when you’re taking on a super-powered alien whose sole purpose is to hunt you? That’s entirely different. Dutch is the leader of a group of the most ridiculously over-the-top soldiers in movie history, and he makes them all look puny in comparison (even Carl Weathers of Apollo Creed fame). What other movie character strips down to his skivvies and coats himself in mud to fight the bad guy?

We Wish We Had: The biggest chest in the history of the world.

Best Quote: Dutch: "If it bleeds, we can kill it."

Spiritual Take-Away: For Predator? We’re not even going to try.

6. Bruce Wayne: Batman Begins and The Dark Knight
Batman is the man, and the list of great Batman actors starts and ends with Christian Bale. As Bruce Wayne, Bale is one of the toughest, smartest and intimidating characters ever. He’s got everything: the martial arts, the Batmobile/tank, the awesome suit and the amazing detective skills. Plus, because the two most recent Batman movies have been so good, they allow the character to shine in ways none of the other movie did. In Batman Begins, we learn why and how Wayne becomes the man. In The Dark Knight, we see him take out one of the greatest villains in movie history. There’s only one superhero who’s going to make this list, and it’s the one without superpowers.

We Wish We Had: The Batmobile, or the cape that can turn into a glider.

Best Quote: Bad guy Flass: "Cops only go there when they're in force!"

Batman: "Do I look like a cop?"

Spiritual Take-Away: It’s not who you are underneath but what you do that defines you.

5. James Bond: Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace
James Bond has long been one of the manliest characters in movie history with his charming ways, his gadgets and his ability to dodge gullets. While you can debate about which actor is best as James Bond, there’s no debate about which is the manliest. Daniel Craig may not be as smooth or pretty as some of the other Bonds, but he is a beast. Instead of having the body of a runner, he has the body of a wrestler. Instead of judo chops to the neck, he tackles and chokes bad guys. He also runs through walls (see: the chase scene in Casino Royale). I think I might be able to take Pierce Brosnan or Roger Moore in a fight, but there’s no way I’d mess with Daniel Craig.

We Wish We Had: The Casino Royale tuxedo.

Best Quote: Bond: "Mr. White? We need to talk."

Mr. White: "Who is this?"

[White is shot in the foot and drops to the ground.]

Bond: "The name's Bond. James Bond."

Spiritual Take-Away: A lifetime of womanizing doesn’t mean as much as a few weeks with a true love.

4. Indiana Jones: The Indiana Jones series
Harrison Ford’s third appearance on the list is definitely his manliest, and one of the manliest in any movie ever. Jones may not be as big as some of the other guys in our Top 10, but no character has ever had more charisma. He’s got the whip, the fedora, the lopsided grin and the ability to escape from any trap. He can ride horses, camels and elephants. He can drive motorcycles, biplanes and boats. In addition to being an adventurer, he’s also a successful professor. All in all, Indiana Jones is one of the best characters you’ll ever see.

We Wish We Had: Some would say the whip, but our choice would be the fedora. Best hat in movie history.

Best Quote: Henry Jones: "Those people are trying to kill us!"

Indiana Jones: "I know, Dad!"

Henry Jones: "This is a new experience for me."

Indiana Jones: "It happens to me all the time."

Spiritual Take-Away: The fear of God is a good thing.

3. William Wallace: Braveheart
While everyone on this list was deserving of their honor, the last three stand head and shoulders above the rest. It was so close that any of them could have taken the top spot. At no. 3 we have William Wallace, the beastly Scottish warrior for freedom played by Mel Gibson. In the beginning Wallace just wants a simple life with his wife, but after she is murdered by the English, he is forced to fight. It turns out to be a bad mistake for the Brits. Wallace goes on to unite his country, taking on armies, evil kings and corrupt nobles along the way. Wallace is probably the most awe-inspiring character on this list because not only is he absurdly manly (check out the huge sword and the ability to pull off kilts) but he stands for ideals as well.

We Wish We Had: His Scottish claymore, which has to be the biggest sword ever seen on a film screen.

Best Quote: Wallace: "Lower your flags and march straight back to England, stopping at every home you pass by to beg forgiveness for a hundred years of theft, rape and murder. Do that and your men shall live. Do it not, and every one of you will die today."

Spiritual Take-Away: Freedom comes at a price.

2. John McClane: Die Hard
When it comes to straight action movies, nothing beats Die Hard, and nobody beats John McClane. In the role he seems born to play, Bruce Willis stars as the New York City cop who is stuck in a skyscraper when it's taken over by terrorists. In many ways, McClane is the most cliché action character out there: the tough, break-the-rules cop who is too crazy for the administration but gets the job done. The difference is that McClane does it better than anyone else. He takes out the terrorists one by one in a variety of ways. He utters fantastic one-liners. Plus, he does it all without his shoes. If you’re wondering why McClane beat out Wallace, the scene where he runs over the glass in his bare feet was the one that pushed him over the top.

We Wish We Had: The ability to mock terrorists with so well.

Best Quote: McClane: "Nine million terrorists in the world, and I gotta kill one with feet smaller than my sister's." [Technically that’s not his best quote, but it’s the best one we can print. Everyone who has seen the movie knows what the best quote is.]

Spiritual Take-Away: Americans always beat Germans in movies.

1. Maximus Decimus Meridius: Gladiator
Our top honors go to the general-turned-slave-turned-hero, Maximus, from Gladiator. Maximus has everything you want in a manly movie character: He is a leader of men, he has principles and ethics, and he can fight better than anyone else. Even though he has had a career filled with memorably masculine roles, Russell Crowe outdoes himself as Maximus. He is a natural leader who doesn’t seek after power. He is a killer, but only because he is required to be. He has a family, and he loves and honors them. He does what is right, no matter what happens to him. He is placed in the lowest possible position, only to rise back to the heights of power simply through his own merits. No movie character has ever been manlier.

We Wish We Had: Maximus’ uncanny ability to inspire and lead others.

Best Quote: Maximus: "My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next."

Spiritual Take-Away: What we do in life echoes in eternity.

Bonus! The Top 5 Wimpiest Movie Characters
Here's the other side of the coin we promised—the five wimpiest characters in movie history. At least, these are the unmanliest ones we could think of. Again, enjoy!

5. Ryan Phillipe: in any movie
It doesn’t matter what movie he’s in—Flags of Our Fathers, Crash or another—Ryan Phillipe will be a total wimp. He’s like the anti-Russell Crowe.

4. Jerry Lundegaard: Fargo
William H. Macy plays the debt-ridden Jerry Lundegaard in Fargo, who goes to despicable means to cover up his indiscretions. A great example of what secrecy and shame can do to you.

3. Pvt. Hudson: Aliens
Memorably portrayed by Bill Paxton, Pvt. Hudson is best-remembered for his classic meltdown after a run-in with the terrorizing aliens, in which he comes up with one of the greatest freak-out lines ever: "What are we gonna do now? That’s it! Game over, man! Game over!"

2. Paris: Troy
Just like Arnold had to make the manliest characters list, Orlando Bloom had to make the wimpiest. As Paris, Bloom cheats on a king’s wife and runs away with her, which starts a war that leads to thousands of deaths. Then he volunteers to do one-one-one combat to stave off the war, only to surrender and run back crying to his brother. That’s a lot of wimpiness in one movie.

1. Edward, Prince of Wales: Braveheart
Prince Edward is the perfect foil to William Wallace. The skinny, cowardly shrimp is more concerned with his clothes and his, um, special friend than the fact that his country is coming apart. Just the complete opposite of masculinity.

We'd like to know what you think! Did we leave anyone out? Was anyone ranked too high or too low? Let us know at newman@strang.com or chriglazier@yahoo.com.

What God Loves About Airports

I enjoy watching people, and there is no better place for this than an airport. My wife and I were flying for a trip this week, and the people-watching was second to none. I saw business travelers, foreign students, families, bikers, homeless people, nuns and, oddly, what looked like a group of Amish passengers (maybe they were Mennonites, but they still seemed out of place.)

I watched a touching reunion between a father and his small daughter—and what I thought was going to be a touching goodbye kiss between a young couple that suddenly turned into a sloppy make-out session. You see everything at the airport (even stuff you wish you hadn’t seen). The reason I like people-watching is because it’s fun to guess who somebody is, where they’re from and what they’re doing. It’s amazing how much you can learn from just observing somebody.

The problem, or should I say "challenge," with thinking about so many strangers is that I inevitably end up wondering about their salvation and how many of them have the joy of knowing Jesus. There are so many people in this world, and there is only one way to God. It’s a staggering thought when you start to notice them instead of casually walking by them. It always makes me wonder if there’s anything else I can be doing as a Christian.

It’s an issue I always struggle with, as I’m sure many Christians do. Are we doing enough evangelism? Are we sharing life’s greatest hope with everyone we can? Obviously we are called to share it with the people close to us, but how much are we supposed to be sharing it with others? Is street evangelism a good thing? What about airport evangelism?

I know that it’s not going to be effective for the gospel's sake for me to walk around like a maniac and harangue everyone I see at the terminal. Still, I think I miss opportunities for opening up conversations with people sitting next to me because I’m enjoying my book too much to be bothered.

I’m trying to be more mindful of what the Holy Spirit is calling me to do daily. I need to be open to God’s voice if I feel like He’s calling me to strike up a conversation with someone. I need to be more intentional in my prayer life about asking for opportunities to share His love. What about you?

The Integrity of the Founding Fathers

I love reading books about history. Recently I’ve been working my way through biographies of America’s Founding Fathers. The Colonial period of our history is my favorite. I enjoy reading about it primarily because of the unique qualities of the men who founded our country. They are some of the most authentic, honorable, unselfish and faithful people ever to make an imprint on history.

The more I’ve learned about the history of our world, the more I’ve seen that it’s made up of a bunch of people who looked out for their own interests: The nobility kept the peasants down; tyrannical kings usurped authority; political parties stamped down minorities.

And most of the time, whoever seizes power from another ends up being just as bad as the one who lost the power. You'll see this in the history of communists, kings, tribes or warlords. It’s a true testament to the fallen nature of man.

The American Revolution represents probably the greatest exception to this rule. The men of the Continental Congresses knew about this tendency in the human heart to corrupt power, so they set up a system to defend against it. That’s not the amazing part, though—since other writers and thinkers before them had seen the same flaw in our nature and advanced political or philosophical ways of restricting it.

The amazing part is that these guys actually did it—they had the power, and the control that came with it, and they willingly gave it up. They didn't just theorize; they stepped out of that realm and actually had the bravery and integrity to back up their words with actions.

And it wasn't just the big-picture stuff that they managed to get right. The more I read about them, the more I’m impressed with their everyday lives. They lived with the kind of integrity I want to have as a Christian man and that I want to see others in the church display.

Take John Adams, for example. He was a lawyer whose name was on the rise in the political world when the Boston Massacre occurred on March 5, 1770. In that incident, five civilians who were part of an unruly mob were killed after British troops fired their muskets into the crowd. Adams was the only lawyer who would take the case of the several British soldiers who were identified as firing the deadly shots and indicted for murder.

Adams, as ardent a patriot for American Independence as any, took up the legal defense of these men, knowing that in doing so he could be committing political suicide. He ended up losing half his law practice because of his unpopular decision. In the end, people saw the merit and fairness of what he did, and he was selected to represent Massachusetts in both the first and second Continental Congresses. That’s integrity in action.

Another example is the lesser-known John Dickinson. During the second Continental Congress, Dickinson was the primary opponent of the Declaration of Independence. He was a patriot, but he believed the colonies needed to be more stable before the momentous decision was made to declare them independent states that weren't subject to British rule.

However, public opinion and the opinions of those in the Continental Congress turned against him in the months leading up to July 1776. Out of respect for his countrymen, Dickinson did not show up to cast a vote for the declaration so that when the vote was tallied it would be unanimously in favor of independence. Not only that, a month later he supported his new country’s decision and led troops from Pennsylvania to join George Washington’s army in an amazing display of service and integrity.

The thing that gets me about these guys is that they walked the walk. They risked their livelihoods, their families and even their lives for what they believed. Most of them were Christians, as well, and didn’t just talk about their faith but also lived it.

Let’s make sure we take the same principles and lead our lives with the conviction and integrity that our faith demands.