BOOK REVIEWS

State Missionary Rick Lance is executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.

Other Recent Blog Entries:

The Caleb Spirit in 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
In my mind, Caleb is the Barnabas of the Old Testament. When others seemed to lose hope, he offered encouragement to them.

A Year to Remember
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
This can be the most wonderful time of the year if we allow the Christ of Christmas to guide us through the experience. Rather than being caught up in the routined frenzy of long lines at stores shopping for gifts and the endless social gatherings during the season, we can focus on what is called the Advent.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Thursday, December 8, 2011
This can be the most wonderful time of the year if we allow the Christ of Christmas to guide us through the experience. Rather than being caught up in the routined frenzy of long lines at stores shopping for gifts and the endless social gatherings during the season, we can focus on what is called the Advent.

Finishing Strong
Monday, November 21, 2011
I do not pretend to be a football coach, but I do believe this "sports experience" translates into our everyday lives, most notably in our Christian lives. There are times when we have seemingly given our all and we feel spent, emotionally, physically and even spiritually.

Be Encouraged!
Thursday, October 28, 2011
In periods of history like the one we now face, Christians have often done some of their most effective service for Christ. But in order to be an effective servant, we must find our source of encouragement in the face of these discouraging situations.

SBC Today: An Interview
Thursday, October 16, 2011
Managing ourselves means more than controlling the calendar, staying morally and ethically pure, reading the latest books, keeping family time balanced, and running things smoothly in one's ministry. I am convinced this means staying in touch with Lord and with yourself in such a way that you make the right decisions and lead in the right direction.

While watching an interview on a TV talk show, I became acquainted with author, George Friedman, founder and CEO of Stratfor. Stratfor is considered by many authorities, to be the most influential private intelligence and forecasting company in the world.

Friedman's most recent book, The Next 100 Years, is an ambitious attempt to forecast the international trends and events of the 21st century. As I began reading this book, I found myself to be naturally skeptical of such an endeavor. After reflecting over the first chapter and discerning the trajectory of the author's thinking, I was impressed with his sense of history and how he analyzed the past.

Friedman is decidedly positive about the U.S., which is a unique perspective, given the plethora of writers and analysts who have counter viewpoints. Essentially, the author divides the period of the 21st century into five 20-year periods. In each of these eras, he forecasts the challenges the USA faces and how it will emerge from them.

Interestingly, Friedman believes that nations like Turkey, Japan and Poland will reassert themselves in the future as challengers to American power and influence. In the end of the century, Mexico will be on stage as an international leader.

Friedman may miss the mark on some or most of his forecasting, but he does make an extremely strong case. Every reader will have to determine the validity of his views. However, I predict few will be bored by the reading of this book.