This post is from our Edge Ministries Director, Mike Reini
In the final chapter of Wild Goose Chase, Mark Batterson stresses that our fear of failure must not stagnate the Church’s resolve to boldly pursue everything God has for us. To emphasize this point Batterson tells the story of Jonathan fighting the Philistines (1 Samuel 14). Jonathan was not afraid to fail, and because of his willingness to step out, Israel was rescued. Rev. Batterson further explains that many Christians contradictorily live under the assumption that the Lord may not intervene in their behalf, and that keeps them from doing anything.
“We live out of fear instead of faith. And that lack of faith results in a lack of guts. Jonathan did not wait for something to happen. He made something happen.” WGC Chapter 7, page 147
Personally, I know I have missed opportunities to be used of God. I did not know the outcome, and therefore, I felt I would look foolish. Boil that down and I simply have an issue of pride. Jonathan could have looked mighty ridiculous trying to take on an army with only himself and his armor bearer. The Philistines certainly thought so; however, God intervened, and Jonathan was made a hero. God has already called us to go and forcefully advance his kingdom (Matthew 11:12, 28:19), so perhaps the next time the Holy Spirit prompts us to lay hands on the sick or raise the dead we will not focus on our appearance but realize the authority we have been given and stand firm on the truth of his Word. As it says in James 4:10, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up,” Our pride must not stand in the way of the adventure the Wild Goose is leading us to chase. Dream big dreams and see out extravagant visions. Loose yourself for the sake of Christ because he has promised that is when you will truly find life (Matthew 10:39).
Mike Reini
Chapter 7 “Good Old-Fashioned Guts”
Monday, January 25, 2010
This post is from Jeff Benson
Ok, so we are on Chapter 7 of Mark Batterson’s Wild Goose Chase. If you’re not excited by now on what the Holy Spirit can do in your life, better check your pulse. The title alone Good Old Fashioned Guts’ sounds like it could be the title to any of John Wayne’s old movies. Remember how ‘The Duke’ would swagger down main street, gun in hand, not afraid of anybody, looking for a fight against a bunch of bandits. As a kid, I would watch in amazement as he would spin and shoot bad guys ready to trap him from a balcony. Then he would proceed to grit his teeth and fist fight the rest until he whooped every last one.
We may not carry a six-shooters and wear a cowboy hat to our fights. However, taking that example, we need to swagger in confidence in who we are in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Walking through our daily lives in the knowledge that our enemies have been defeated and that our Savior is victorious.
I absolutely love the paragraph on page 149…”There is nothing remotely passive about being part of the kingdom of God. We are called to forcefully advance the cause of Christ. Faithfulness is not holding the fort. Faithfulness is storming the gates of hell.”
I used to travel to Montana once a year just to experience ‘cowboy life’. Living and working with guys who the real western deal, riding horses to work, wearing boots and chaps, dusty cowboy hast great for every season, and yes actually carrying six-shooters. These guys wore everything they needed to work and survive the day and I could always see a look of confidence on their weathered faces. Not in an arrogant way, they knew there purpose for the day and knew they were good at what they did. We as Christians need to know our purpose for today, equipped ourselves and get out there. No more, just holding the fort. May God bless your life richly.
Jeff Benson
Ok, so we are on Chapter 7 of Mark Batterson’s Wild Goose Chase. If you’re not excited by now on what the Holy Spirit can do in your life, better check your pulse. The title alone Good Old Fashioned Guts’ sounds like it could be the title to any of John Wayne’s old movies. Remember how ‘The Duke’ would swagger down main street, gun in hand, not afraid of anybody, looking for a fight against a bunch of bandits. As a kid, I would watch in amazement as he would spin and shoot bad guys ready to trap him from a balcony. Then he would proceed to grit his teeth and fist fight the rest until he whooped every last one.
We may not carry a six-shooters and wear a cowboy hat to our fights. However, taking that example, we need to swagger in confidence in who we are in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Walking through our daily lives in the knowledge that our enemies have been defeated and that our Savior is victorious.
I absolutely love the paragraph on page 149…”There is nothing remotely passive about being part of the kingdom of God. We are called to forcefully advance the cause of Christ. Faithfulness is not holding the fort. Faithfulness is storming the gates of hell.”
I used to travel to Montana once a year just to experience ‘cowboy life’. Living and working with guys who the real western deal, riding horses to work, wearing boots and chaps, dusty cowboy hast great for every season, and yes actually carrying six-shooters. These guys wore everything they needed to work and survive the day and I could always see a look of confidence on their weathered faces. Not in an arrogant way, they knew there purpose for the day and knew they were good at what they did. We as Christians need to know our purpose for today, equipped ourselves and get out there. No more, just holding the fort. May God bless your life richly.
Jeff Benson
His Ways Are Higher
Monday, January 18, 2010
This post is from Abby Dietrich
Chapter 6 of Wild Goose Chase Pg. 128 & 129 Mark Batterson writes,
"We put so much pressure on ourselves. As if the eternal plans of the almighty God are contingent on our ability to decipher them. The truth is, God wants to reveal them more then we want to know them. And if we think that one misstep can frustrate the providential plan of the Omnipotent One, then our God is way too small…….He may not always reveal His plan how or when we want Him to. But when we chase the Wild Goose, our future becomes His responsibility".
As I read and this book it brings me back time and again to this truth, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” Prov.16:9
I don't know about you but I like to have a plan, follow the plan, do the plan in the short term. But when you chase the Wild Goose it almost never goes the way you plan. I've learned that waiting and trusting in Him is the way I need to live. If I trust in my own plans or abilities I'll fail. Mark Batterson wrote, "When you chase the wild Goose, our future becomes His responsibility". It is a challenge to keep my ears open to the voice of the Holy Spirit. We need to set aside the things in life that can drown out His voice, and tune our ears to the Wild Goose. He is always speaking and guiding if we're willing to listen.
I desire to daily learn to hear and respond to the Wild Goose when and where He leads, that I may get where He wants me to go!
Abby Dietrich
Chapter 6 of Wild Goose Chase Pg. 128 & 129 Mark Batterson writes,
"We put so much pressure on ourselves. As if the eternal plans of the almighty God are contingent on our ability to decipher them. The truth is, God wants to reveal them more then we want to know them. And if we think that one misstep can frustrate the providential plan of the Omnipotent One, then our God is way too small…….He may not always reveal His plan how or when we want Him to. But when we chase the Wild Goose, our future becomes His responsibility".
As I read and this book it brings me back time and again to this truth, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” Prov.16:9
I don't know about you but I like to have a plan, follow the plan, do the plan in the short term. But when you chase the Wild Goose it almost never goes the way you plan. I've learned that waiting and trusting in Him is the way I need to live. If I trust in my own plans or abilities I'll fail. Mark Batterson wrote, "When you chase the wild Goose, our future becomes His responsibility". It is a challenge to keep my ears open to the voice of the Holy Spirit. We need to set aside the things in life that can drown out His voice, and tune our ears to the Wild Goose. He is always speaking and guiding if we're willing to listen.
I desire to daily learn to hear and respond to the Wild Goose when and where He leads, that I may get where He wants me to go!
Abby Dietrich
Coming out of the cage of failure
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
This post is from Byron Niemi
Mark Batterson in chapter 6 comes out early on Page 118 and says, “Failure handled improperly can be devastating, but failaure handled properly is the best thing that can happen to us.” We use our God given freedom of choice to make many decisions each day concerning life. So when failure happens, what if I have a standard reply like, “okay God, I’m falling apart right now, but based on my past experience and the testimonies of many fellow believers, you will meet with me and somehow take this mess and put me back on Your life’s course.” This kind of response fits in with the importance of faith and our attitude in dealing with life.
In 1995 the morale in our department hit an all time low and I felt trapped with little chance of serving God in a meaningful way and in a position that didn’t even exist in the company. But in 2003 this new job posting came up that could only have been filled by me, but coming from God. I rejoiced and wept before Him. I later came to know and understand what this author writes about now and that my God, our God uses divine delays, divine detours and divine appointments to bring us into His divine plan. That time I waited, I also needed to mature and be prepared for such an abrupt change of service to God and my employer. My last 4 years before retiring, though trying at times, was to me an adventure only the Wild Goose of God could have orchestrated. And to think I had been a failure to God in my work.
We can beat ourselves up, tell God all the reasons we’re unfit to be anywhere near the front lines in His army, let the enemy rip us, isolate ourselves and wait for the end or we can allow God to say perhaps something like this, “your sins are forgiven, my righteousness is upon you, now draw close to me and I will make your life an adventure if you will just follow and learn of me. It’s your choice.”
Byron Niemi
Mark Batterson in chapter 6 comes out early on Page 118 and says, “Failure handled improperly can be devastating, but failaure handled properly is the best thing that can happen to us.” We use our God given freedom of choice to make many decisions each day concerning life. So when failure happens, what if I have a standard reply like, “okay God, I’m falling apart right now, but based on my past experience and the testimonies of many fellow believers, you will meet with me and somehow take this mess and put me back on Your life’s course.” This kind of response fits in with the importance of faith and our attitude in dealing with life.
In 1995 the morale in our department hit an all time low and I felt trapped with little chance of serving God in a meaningful way and in a position that didn’t even exist in the company. But in 2003 this new job posting came up that could only have been filled by me, but coming from God. I rejoiced and wept before Him. I later came to know and understand what this author writes about now and that my God, our God uses divine delays, divine detours and divine appointments to bring us into His divine plan. That time I waited, I also needed to mature and be prepared for such an abrupt change of service to God and my employer. My last 4 years before retiring, though trying at times, was to me an adventure only the Wild Goose of God could have orchestrated. And to think I had been a failure to God in my work.
We can beat ourselves up, tell God all the reasons we’re unfit to be anywhere near the front lines in His army, let the enemy rip us, isolate ourselves and wait for the end or we can allow God to say perhaps something like this, “your sins are forgiven, my righteousness is upon you, now draw close to me and I will make your life an adventure if you will just follow and learn of me. It’s your choice.”
Byron Niemi
Sometimes it Takes a Shipwreck
Friday, January 8, 2010
This post is from Linda Taylor
Chapter 5 of Mark Batterson’s book Wild Goose Chase is a chapter I hope you will all read and let God speak to you. It is titled Sometimes “It Takes a Shipwreck” and I felt it was about surrendering your life and plans to God and let Him write and direct the story of my life.
It reinforced a place of trust and surrender, even when the winds of my life blow in a different direction than I thought or when I meet with a shipwreck or difficulty….God is still in control and is bringing me where He wants me to be. He is not limited to the circumstances I see so my response is to continue to pursue Him and His will.
On Page 126 Mark said ”when you give Jesus complete editorial control over your life He begins writing His story through your life.” So my pursuit is for His story to come through my life and it takes a lot of the pressure off of me.
Hebrews 12:2 Keeping our eyes on Jesus, Author and Finisher of our faith.
Linda Taylor
Chapter 5 of Mark Batterson’s book Wild Goose Chase is a chapter I hope you will all read and let God speak to you. It is titled Sometimes “It Takes a Shipwreck” and I felt it was about surrendering your life and plans to God and let Him write and direct the story of my life.
It reinforced a place of trust and surrender, even when the winds of my life blow in a different direction than I thought or when I meet with a shipwreck or difficulty….God is still in control and is bringing me where He wants me to be. He is not limited to the circumstances I see so my response is to continue to pursue Him and His will.
On Page 126 Mark said ”when you give Jesus complete editorial control over your life He begins writing His story through your life.” So my pursuit is for His story to come through my life and it takes a lot of the pressure off of me.
Hebrews 12:2 Keeping our eyes on Jesus, Author and Finisher of our faith.
Linda Taylor
Eight Foot Ceilings
Monday, December 21, 2009
This Post is from Margie Pearson
In Chapter 4 titled “Eight Foot Ceilings”, Mark Batterson talks about faith, and our assumptions that limit God. He says, “Faith is not logical. But it isn’t illogical either. Faith is theological. It does not ignore reality; it just adds God into the equation…. Faith is not mindless ignorance; it simply refuses to limit God to the logical constraints of the left brain.”
These thoughts meant one thing to me at the time of initially reading them; but now, during the Christmas season, they mean something else. God entered our humanity through His son Jesus. He was born of a virgin, in accordance with prophecies spoken centuries earlier. He grew up as a perfect child in an imperfect world. He chose the cross, in order to be the sacrifice for our sin, so that our sin would no longer separate us from God. In truth, I find this hard to wrap my mind around, but in faith, I embrace this reality.
I embrace the fact the Jesus came to redeem me, and gave His life to set me free from my sin. “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),”- Luke 1:68-70
During this holiday season, and everyday, I want to choose to say thank you God for adding yourself into the equation, for being Emmanuel.
Margie Pearson
In Chapter 4 titled “Eight Foot Ceilings”, Mark Batterson talks about faith, and our assumptions that limit God. He says, “Faith is not logical. But it isn’t illogical either. Faith is theological. It does not ignore reality; it just adds God into the equation…. Faith is not mindless ignorance; it simply refuses to limit God to the logical constraints of the left brain.”
These thoughts meant one thing to me at the time of initially reading them; but now, during the Christmas season, they mean something else. God entered our humanity through His son Jesus. He was born of a virgin, in accordance with prophecies spoken centuries earlier. He grew up as a perfect child in an imperfect world. He chose the cross, in order to be the sacrifice for our sin, so that our sin would no longer separate us from God. In truth, I find this hard to wrap my mind around, but in faith, I embrace this reality.
I embrace the fact the Jesus came to redeem me, and gave His life to set me free from my sin. “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),”- Luke 1:68-70
During this holiday season, and everyday, I want to choose to say thank you God for adding yourself into the equation, for being Emmanuel.
Margie Pearson
Questioning Our Assumptions
Monday, December 14, 2009
This Post is from our board member Dave McCormack.
Chapter 4 of Mark Batterson's book Wild Goose Chase revolves around assumptions, and coming out of the cage of assumptions. Mark demonstrates his premise by saying "What I'm getting at is this: we make far too many assumptions about what is and what is not possible in the physical universe. We do the same thing spiritually. And those assumptions become eight-foot ceilings that limit our lives. One of the most dangerous assumptions we can make is assuming we know more than we really do." Mark adds "…the smartest people are the people who make the fewest assumptions." I truly believe he is right. Instead of making assumptions we should investigate with child-like curiosity by asking why.
Children truly are wondrous creatures. I for one can learn from God's design to the way children approach life. Children do not make assumptions. Instead, they rely on their curiosity and questioning to determine truth. After reading this chapter self-discovery revealed that I rely more on my assumptions than thorough discovery through asking why. I live in my comfortable box created by my assumptions. In reality, I could remove the eight-foot ceilings, and be free to wonder at the immense universe that God created by simply looking at life as a child would. Mark Batterson said "The bottom line is this: the more faith you have, the fewer assumptions you will make. Why? Because with God all things are possible."
Relying on our assumptions, which are based upon what our logic tells us what is true, can get us into trouble. Instead, we need to trust God more than our assumptions, be available for God to use us, and expect that He will reveal the actual truth to us. God is the author of truth. We need to always remember that and have faith.
Mark Batterson sums up this chapter when he says “If you want more adventure in your life, come out of the cage of assumptions. Don't assume that you cannot start the business or write the book or overcome the addiction or get the job or save the marriage. Quit assuming and start believing.” If we do that, the Holy Spirit can use us for what we were called to do. I for one want the adventure that chasing the Holy Spirit can bring. I want to live the life that God has planned for me and my family. To do this, I need to discipline myself not to rely on my own assumptions and question why with the faith that God will reveal the truth. Good advice?
Dave McCormack
Chapter 4 of Mark Batterson's book Wild Goose Chase revolves around assumptions, and coming out of the cage of assumptions. Mark demonstrates his premise by saying "What I'm getting at is this: we make far too many assumptions about what is and what is not possible in the physical universe. We do the same thing spiritually. And those assumptions become eight-foot ceilings that limit our lives. One of the most dangerous assumptions we can make is assuming we know more than we really do." Mark adds "…the smartest people are the people who make the fewest assumptions." I truly believe he is right. Instead of making assumptions we should investigate with child-like curiosity by asking why.
Children truly are wondrous creatures. I for one can learn from God's design to the way children approach life. Children do not make assumptions. Instead, they rely on their curiosity and questioning to determine truth. After reading this chapter self-discovery revealed that I rely more on my assumptions than thorough discovery through asking why. I live in my comfortable box created by my assumptions. In reality, I could remove the eight-foot ceilings, and be free to wonder at the immense universe that God created by simply looking at life as a child would. Mark Batterson said "The bottom line is this: the more faith you have, the fewer assumptions you will make. Why? Because with God all things are possible."
Relying on our assumptions, which are based upon what our logic tells us what is true, can get us into trouble. Instead, we need to trust God more than our assumptions, be available for God to use us, and expect that He will reveal the actual truth to us. God is the author of truth. We need to always remember that and have faith.
Mark Batterson sums up this chapter when he says “If you want more adventure in your life, come out of the cage of assumptions. Don't assume that you cannot start the business or write the book or overcome the addiction or get the job or save the marriage. Quit assuming and start believing.” If we do that, the Holy Spirit can use us for what we were called to do. I for one want the adventure that chasing the Holy Spirit can bring. I want to live the life that God has planned for me and my family. To do this, I need to discipline myself not to rely on my own assumptions and question why with the faith that God will reveal the truth. Good advice?
Dave McCormack
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