The Short List: In a Life Full of Choices, There Are Only Four That Matter

This book begins with an important question that Butterworth asked himself after he realized how much of the time he was gone when his youngest son was little: `How Will My Children Remember Me?' His answer to himself was "I wanted to leave a legacy of lasting significance for my children and everyone who knew me." Butterworth then lays out four important values that he believes are basic to leaving the right kind of legacy. He feels that love, honest, faith and courage are vital to leaving that legacy. He then goes on to illustrate each of these qualities (his "shortlist") with a wonderful story about his family. These are stories from everyday life that most readers will be able to identify with. Add to that being a master storyteller with a wonderful wit, and you have a great book that will keep you reading. Each story is followed by Biblical references that illustrate the that trait. Butterworth lays out the basis for how our everyday decisions are expressions of the four traits and how in the end they affect the legacy that we leave. This would be a great book for parents at all stages of parenting to read because it's never too late to make an impact on our children. It would also be wonderful for small groups to read and study using the discussion guide to kick off some great and hopefully insightful conversations. Hopefully it will lead the reader to create his own "short list". This is a great little book that really packs a wallop. Keeping our priorities straight when parenting can be so difficult with all the influences and invasions on our time these days. It's good to get a bit of a wake up call to redirect where we're going. Most of all, Butterworth wants us to get our priorities in order so we don't miss out on the most important things in life!

For more than 20 years, Bill Butterworth has build his career speaking, writing and counseling others onto pathways of deeper faith and higher quality relationships. His training, experience and passion have combined to create this latest book, The Short List. Published by Tyndale (2009) The Short List addresses the question that most American's struggle with throughout their lives. What is really important? What will outlast me? What will I be remembered for that is of real value? Bill answers these questions out of personal stories from his family. In the end, Bill's conclusion is that the relationships he has with his family and his God complete the short list. "In a life full of choices, there are only four that matter" Bill says. The 8 chapters of the book unpack those 4 prime priorities. Bill sets up each of the four items on his list with a story from his family. For example, his lesson of love is set up by a story from his son's little league days. Love and little league? Yes, they blend like espresso, milk and a touch of cinnamon when looked at through a lens of positive relationships. What is really important in life? Being a genuinely loving person, and knowing how to apply unreserved and influential loving behavior to your most important relationships is item One on Bill's short list. I would tell you the other 3, but then you wouldn't need to pick up the book, and this book really needs to be read in today's digitally segmented, post-modern world. What really lasts isn't found in the 24 hr news cycle or the latest Internet social networking craze. Often what is important plays at our feet when we are too engrossed in the former. I recommend Bill Butterworth's The Short List. As a summer read, it will aid the reader in recovering what is really important, and provide a plan for obtaining, practicing and mastering life's short list.

Bill Butterworth is a delightful storyteller. In his book The Short List he talks about life being full of choices and then he tells wonderful, hilarious stories about the four that matter. He introduces the most important character qualities in our lives in the most delightful way. He helps us to sort through the choices of life and select the ones that are truly important. Bill tells stories about four simple truths from which hundreds of life applications flow. John Jackson, Pastor of Carson Valley Christian Center in Minden, Nevada says, "The basics of life are illustrated in this book with beauty and brevity." Kennenth E. Kemp, creator of LeaderFOCUS commented, "In The Short List, Bill Butterworth draws us in to the earth-linked humanity of ordinary life. We laugh because we feel understood. And then without warning, we well up with emotion because Bill taps into something deep, something rare. And that's when we learn that we've been changed for the better." Every time Bill Butterworth has spoken at Scottsdale Bible Church in Scottsdale, Arizona where we attend he has left the congregation laughing, motivated, encouraged, educated and inspired. His presentations are brief and leave you wanting more. He writes the same way. Using his trademark blend of humorous stories and scriptural examples, he walks you through the Short List and challenges you to slow down and focus on what really matters--leaving a legacy of lasting significance. Bill is one of the most sought after communicators in the country today. The author of nearly two dozen books, Bill holds graduate degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary and Florida Atlantic University. Including the discussion guide, this book has only one hundred thirty-seven pages. You sit down to read for awhile and the first thing you know--you are through. Feeling like a kid you want to say, "tell it again." You turn back and re-read some of your favorite pages. There is great value in this book and one that you will want to pass on to friends. At the same time however, you will want to hang onto it to read again and again. It's kind of like that something special that you can't just eat one of. Be forewarned. You may have to buy more than one copy of The Short List.

Butterworth begins his book, The Short List, with a very important question that arose out of this experience with his then youngest child after being gone much of the time speaking to groups and working as a counselor: `How Will My Children Remember Me?' Butterworth, with wonderful wit and humor, then responds to his own question by indicating that from that moment, "I wanted to leave a legacy of lasting significance for my children and everyone who knew me." He goes on to list four important values or character traits that he believes are basic and vital to leaving the right kind of a legacy. They are love, honesty, faith, and courage. Butterworth then illustrates each of these qualities (that he calls his `short list') with a story that I could related to because he finds it expressed in every day life. Then he effectively follows the story up with a Biblical exposition of that trait which is illustrated with real life situations and good question. For example, Butterworth illustrates the importance and place of love with a memorable story about little league baseball and how our daily choices can be expressions of that love. This is a wonderful book for parents (especially dads) to read and it would great for a small group as it contains a discussion guide that would enable good discussion and perhaps the creation of one's own short-list.

When Bill Butterworth writes or speaks, I plan on laughing--and he never disappoints. Example: skip ahead in his new book to his fourth period chemistry class story about the "Second Coming of My Conjugations," and you'll break out in a cold sweat. While laughing. Which isn't easy. But when Bill writes, I also plan on learning. The Short List is poignant, positive and powerful. Example: "...tapping into love's tremendous power is like a smooth golf swing--you allow the golf club to do the work instead of swinging so hard you hurt yourself!" That memorable line is classic Butterworth. Wit and wisdom are at it again in this very special book (just 137 quick-reading pages, with long-lasting results). You've probably enjoyed Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman in their classic movie, The Bucket List. But have you ever made your own "Short List?" What are the four core values that trump all the others? Butterworth suggests that they are love, honesty, faith and courage. This is the perfect book for adding inspiration and thought-provoking discussions to your next four staff meetings. Ask your team members to present their own short list of values. Oh, and be sure to read how Bill cleverly got out of umpire duty at his son's little league games.