Wild Goose Chase
I must first start with a resounding WOW! Many thanks to Mark Batterson for the opportunity to review an advance copy of “Wild Goose Chase”. I found it difficult to read this book in the short amount of time I had. Even though I could barely put the book down I found myself re-reading much of it in order to truly absorb what Mark had written. I found it inspiring, challenging and convicting. Mark’s God given passion is evident in every chapter and is obviously God inspired.
In the book Mark speaks of Devine Appointments. “…God is setting up divine appointments all the time. And as long as our motives stay pure and our spirits stay sensitive, He will make sure we meet the right people at the right time.” Goose Chase was one of those appointments for me. The Lord has spoken to me personally through this book and has set in motion some things that I have been delaying and ignoring in my own life. Thank you Mark, for opening the door of the cage I have backed myself into. I pray for the courage to step out of it and continue the momentum set forth in these pages.
God created us in His image but in order to understand, control or tame Him we have attempted to re-create Him in our image. In the beginning pages we learn that “the Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit, An Geadh-Glas, or ‘the Wild Goose.’” “The name hints at the mysterious nature of the Holy Spirit. Much like a wild goose the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger and an air of unpredictability surround Him.”
“Wild Goose Chase” is more than a book it is a challenge to all Christ followers to “Reclaim the Adventure of Pursuing God”. Sadly enough I see many of us, myself included, drifting away from this adventure every day. As Mark says in the first few pages “Jesus’ disciples didn’t just live an exciting life post-Pentecost; they turned the world upside down.” We too can, and should, turn the world upside down. “Wild Goose Chase” can begin, or restart, the adventure for you as it has for me. To simply recommend this book seems weak considering its subject matter. Therefore, I DARE you to pick up this book. I’ll even skip ahead and triple dog dare you. But I must warn you, be prepared to Chase the Goose!
Friends
The Schick Family
Meet the Schick family. Darrel and Ruth (the parental units) and their children Grayson and Carter (in the back) Spencer (in between) and Madison (the adorable young lady). Darrel is our pastor. But for me he is also one of the best friends I have ever had. Last night I got a call from him. Maddie had fallen and broken her arm. Ruth had taken her to Childrens Hospital where she most likely would need surgery involving pins and things. Please be in prayer for her today. Darrel recently sold his car and is in the middle of finding a new one. He asked if I would drive him down to the hospital. I took him down there and went in to see how Maddie was doing (she’s going to be fine) and then I stuck around for a while. I was on my way home at about 1:00 am and I was praying for Maddie and the doctors and Darrel and Ruth. And I had this over whelming feeling come over me. It was joy and peace. Now this may sound strange but the thing is until I gave my life to Christ I probably wouldn’t have done this sort of thing for anyone. I didn’t have very close friends that would have even asked me to do this. Of course they thanked me and all but I would like to thank them for their trust in me to ask for my help in a time of need. I am honored and truly blessed to have friends like the Schicks and I am always and forever happy to serve them in any way. Thank you God for creating them and for putting them along my journey. And thank you Darrel, Ruth, Grayson, Carter, Maddie and Spencer. Get well soon Madigan.
<update: Maddie is doing well and should be home this evening>
Let’s Not Get All Crazy Here…
I saw this on Tim Schraeders Blog
Now first off, as followers of Christ, let’s not get all crazy about this. Bill Maher is simply a victim here. He is being used by satan. We need to pray for him and not condemn him. Am I sad about this movie? Yes. Am I disgusted by this movie? Yes. But Bill Maher is not to blame here. In fact from the looks of the previews some of or all of us may be to blame. I spent 35 years of my life not wanting to know Jesus Christ because of some the people and their actions. Is that their fault? Not always but it didn’t help me any. I don’t blame them just as I don’t blame Bill Maher for this movie. He is just like all of us. He questions what he doesn’t understand. Unfortunately he is seeking answers to those questions in the wrong places just as so many of us have in the past and present. Please join me in prayer for Bill Maher. That the Lord put people in his path that can direct him to the answers he so desperately seeks. Also that God use this movie to spark questions in others out there and start that spiritual journey for them. And that He equip, prepare and use us as followers of Christ to be ready for them. To guide them in the direction that God would have them go. Please join me in this prayer and in this mission.
The Path…
I took the day off today and headed for the woods for a little while. I was walking along and decided I would check out Proverbs 4. (Not because of any revelation or anything, it’s the 4th of August and I wasn’t feeling very inventive). Anyway I’m walking along and reading Proverbs chapter 4 and here’s what I see :
11 I guide you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
or walk in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
turn from it and go on your way.
and then:
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead,
fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Make level paths for your feet
and take only ways that are firm.
27 Do not swerve to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.
Now when I’m on these walks I like to explore. I sometimes stray from the path. So, I looked around and I’m walking along this path that is well cut, smooth, clearly marked, and firm. I look to the left and there are vines and poison ivy and holes to get hung up in. I look to the right and I see the creek and in it is all this tangled brush and pollution. It was really kind of gross.
Now on the good path, occasionally, I would run into some spider webs. (I don’t have a problem with spiders persae but I don’t welcome them to crawl all over me). It did cloud up, thunder some and threaten to rain. Also, the trails I walked cross paths with some horse trails so there were some obstacles I had to manuever. The point though is this. God never promised there wouldn’t be distractions or some crap to avoid along the way but if you follow the path He has cleared for you, you’ll get where He wants you to be.
