Sunday Recap for Nov 8, 2009

Had we had an issue with unexploded ordinance today, we would have been in great hands. We had several visitors who were enrolled in the EOD school at Eglin. The fact that they all were Army delighted one of our folks who is retired Army. We also had Sean Harrington back from Afghanistan to have some surgery done at Keisler AFB. For me, to be around so many people who have served and are serving is awesome, and I always pray that what we do at New Hope will help them grow closer to God and stronger in their faith and work.

Our music today was: "How Can I Keep From Singing", "Forever", "I Will Rise", and "Softly and Tenderly." We tried something new with the praise team and limited participation among the singers to only those who were at practice Wednesday night. My goal is to have Wednesday night be a time of both preparation and worship among the team, and have that transfer into what we do to lead others on Sunday. We're also going to limit the team to high school and up except for those kids who have shown the ability previously by singing solos or in ensembles. Doesn't mean we won't use some of the people who don't sing every week in other ways from time to time. But it does mean a much greater emphasis on preparation on Wednesday. We're raising the standards higher.

We're coming to the end of the "Chasing the Goose" series focusing on the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christians and how we limit His role in our lives by the "cages" we construct in our beliefs and practices. This week's "cage" was Fear.



When did we start believing that God wants to send us to safe places to do easy things?
When did we replace faith leading to action with phrases like "I'll pray about it."?

Our preparation is not for keeping things the way they are in our life - in this world - but for seeing the Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.

We cannot let our fears limit what God wants to do with our lives.

Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson

Click here to go to Amazon to purchase a copy.

There are very few books I can say that I will always have around somewhere in my library or where I know I can find it. Few books rise to that level for me. There are a lot of books that are helpful, some that are inspiring, and occasionally one comes across that is all three. Wild Goose Chase is all that.

Batterson takes the reader into a whirlwind of self examination from the point of view of a Christianity that is not safe, but to paraphrase C.S. Lewis - but it is good. He deconstructs what many people see Christianity is - a train station you wait at on your way to heaven - an exposes a risk filled, passion driven, raw and adventure filled life.

Other writers have gone there, Erwin McManus' "Chasing Daylight" for example. But while I found McManus' prose to be difficult at times, Batterson is accessible. This is not a book for pastors to hoard, but one that can plant Holy Spirit seeds of another way of living in hearts of any believer willing to read and listen.

Mark has also created a website Chasethegoose.com where visitors can learn more and get information on how to find a set of life goals that would honor God and give them the life worth living. Excerpts of the book are also available. Tell me what you like about the book and its message. I'll randomize the comments and award one of the commenters a copy of Wild Goose Chase.

Highly recommended for personal reflection, for small group use, or as the basis of a sermon series. "Wild Goose Chase" gets five cats. :)

Going on a "Wild Goose Chase"

Just received two copies of Wild Goose Chase, the new book from Mark Batterson. After reading his first book "In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day", I am sure that as that one was, "Wild Goose Chase" will be challenging. Mark has begun posting excerpts on his blog. I'm going to review the book in the next couple of days and will be giving away a copy of the book to a commenter on that review or other "Wild Goose" posts.

What is most lacking in the church of Jesus Christ is not education or resources. Keep learning, but we are educated way beyond the level of our obedience. And keep giving, but we do not lack the resources to alleviate poverty or fight injustice or spread the gospel. We are the most resourced church in the most resourced country the world has ever known. You what is most lacking? Good old-fashioned guts.

The will of God is not an insurance plan. It's a daring plan. And more often than not, the will of God will involve a decision that seems unsafe or insane. Dare I suggest that the twenty-first century church needs more daring people with daring plans?

In the words of a daring twentieth century missionary, C.T. Studd: "Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell."

The church needs more Studds! And you can quote me on that.

I'd buy the book just for this quote alone "we are educated way beyond the level of our obedience."

Amen!