This post is by our Administrative Assistant,
Margie Pearson
Mark Batterson speaks so clearly and directly to us, and this chapter speaks volumes to me. When I think that I allow irrational fears to keep me from fulfilling all that God has planned for me, it makes me want to recognize what those fears are, face them, and conquer them!
On page 45, Mark Batterson says, “Half of spiritual growth is learning what we don’t know. The other half is unlearning what we do know. And it is the failure to unlearn irrational fears and misconceptions that keeps us from becoming who God wants us to be.”
To be honest, when I think about praying and asking God to show me my irrational fears and misconception, I start to feel “afraid” that He might actually do it! God desires us to walk in faith (not fear), to trust Him, see His faithfulness, and walk in victory! So often we try to protect ourselves from the things we fear. But actually, we need to purposefully expose ourselves to these things, to realize what the truth is.
I want to pray each day for the Lord, who has proven Himself to be trustworthy and faithful, to show me areas of fear in my heart, and help me to walk through them. I want to be all that He wants me to be, and I want to do all He wants me to do.
Margie Pearson
Facing Your Fears
Monday, June 22, 2009
This post is from Leroy Mackey
On page 43 it says, "the greatest breakthrough in your life will happen when you push through the fear." Pastor Dave, through the leading of the Lord, started this Book Club. The Book Club was fine and dandy to me, until I found out Pastor Dave put the Board on a schedule to write down what we thought about a certain chapter. Well, the Lord didn't tell Pastor Dave that I am not a writer, and fear things like this (or is it a fear of rejection). May God help whoever is going to proof read this.
It is great how the Lord works! After a meeting one night, another Board Member and I were chatting with Pastor Dave. I was trying all I could to get out of this writing. In my mind I was going to say, "I'm not doing this, it's not me!" Then it hit me, am I a lion chaser or not! Lion chasers don't hide from things they fear! Page 48: "the goal of love is fearlessness! As we grow in a love relationship with God, we unlearn the fears that paralyze us and neutralize us spiritually." We as the church need to grasp these thoughts, so we are no longer paralyzed to defeat the enemy of our souls. Remember we are all members of one body, we all have to do our jobs for the Kingdom, so the Church can march forward.
Reading this book I now realize how far God has brought me - through fear and rejection - and He is not done with me yet. The life I led before the Lord got a hold of me in 1980, well let's just say, you would not be impressed. After attending church at First Assembly for a few years, God put me on the Board of the church. Talk about fear! There have been many ups and down through the years at the church, but God told me to stay and do my part for His Kingdom.
Like Mark Batterson said - satan has two primary tactics when it comes to neutralizing you spiritually: discouragement and fear. Let's not focus on the past, but the future, and dare to see where God leads us.
Leroy Mackey
On page 43 it says, "the greatest breakthrough in your life will happen when you push through the fear." Pastor Dave, through the leading of the Lord, started this Book Club. The Book Club was fine and dandy to me, until I found out Pastor Dave put the Board on a schedule to write down what we thought about a certain chapter. Well, the Lord didn't tell Pastor Dave that I am not a writer, and fear things like this (or is it a fear of rejection). May God help whoever is going to proof read this.
It is great how the Lord works! After a meeting one night, another Board Member and I were chatting with Pastor Dave. I was trying all I could to get out of this writing. In my mind I was going to say, "I'm not doing this, it's not me!" Then it hit me, am I a lion chaser or not! Lion chasers don't hide from things they fear! Page 48: "the goal of love is fearlessness! As we grow in a love relationship with God, we unlearn the fears that paralyze us and neutralize us spiritually." We as the church need to grasp these thoughts, so we are no longer paralyzed to defeat the enemy of our souls. Remember we are all members of one body, we all have to do our jobs for the Kingdom, so the Church can march forward.
Reading this book I now realize how far God has brought me - through fear and rejection - and He is not done with me yet. The life I led before the Lord got a hold of me in 1980, well let's just say, you would not be impressed. After attending church at First Assembly for a few years, God put me on the Board of the church. Talk about fear! There have been many ups and down through the years at the church, but God told me to stay and do my part for His Kingdom.
Like Mark Batterson said - satan has two primary tactics when it comes to neutralizing you spiritually: discouragement and fear. Let's not focus on the past, but the future, and dare to see where God leads us.
Leroy Mackey
Having the Right View of our Father
Monday, June 15, 2009
This post is from Pastor Ryan
Mark Batterson closes chapter 2 with a story about his son Parker. The context he tells this story in, reveals that the character of our God can be described as more than just the man behind the curtain calling all the shots, but He is also our Father. David records a prayer in the book of Psalms stating, “Keep me as the apple of Your eye.” Our Heavenly Father regards His people as intensely valuable to Him. He treats His children with a tremendous amount of care. Back to the story, Mark had been practicing free throws with his son since the beginning of the season. His son not only missed the majority of his attempts, but most of them were air balls. (For those who may not be fluent in basketball terms, that means his son didn’t hit anything on the goal.) His son had gotten fouled at the end of one of their games, and he was at the line to shoot free throws. Mark said that he prayed to God that his son would at least hit the rim. Parker not only got it to the rim, but he made the shot. Mark responded with weeping. He was so excited for his son. With having a son of my own, I can relate to that. I love it when my son Kason just goes for something daring, even though he might mess up. And it is so cool when he accomplishes his goal. But honestly, I find more pleasure in his trying rather than his accomplishments. I can imagine our Heavenly Father reacting in a similar way. On page 32, Mark writes, “I think this reveals something about God. He cares about the little things…God is great not just because nothing is too big for Him. God is great but because nothing is too small for Him either.”
Mark Batterson closes chapter 2 with a story about his son Parker. The context he tells this story in, reveals that the character of our God can be described as more than just the man behind the curtain calling all the shots, but He is also our Father. David records a prayer in the book of Psalms stating, “Keep me as the apple of Your eye.” Our Heavenly Father regards His people as intensely valuable to Him. He treats His children with a tremendous amount of care. Back to the story, Mark had been practicing free throws with his son since the beginning of the season. His son not only missed the majority of his attempts, but most of them were air balls. (For those who may not be fluent in basketball terms, that means his son didn’t hit anything on the goal.) His son had gotten fouled at the end of one of their games, and he was at the line to shoot free throws. Mark said that he prayed to God that his son would at least hit the rim. Parker not only got it to the rim, but he made the shot. Mark responded with weeping. He was so excited for his son. With having a son of my own, I can relate to that. I love it when my son Kason just goes for something daring, even though he might mess up. And it is so cool when he accomplishes his goal. But honestly, I find more pleasure in his trying rather than his accomplishments. I can imagine our Heavenly Father reacting in a similar way. On page 32, Mark writes, “I think this reveals something about God. He cares about the little things…God is great not just because nothing is too big for Him. God is great but because nothing is too small for Him either.”
Leaving doubts and learning to chase
Monday, June 8, 2009
This post comes from one of our board members Cliff Erickson
Ironically, faith is a difficult concept for me. As a teen and a young believer the idea of faith was easy. It was easy to understand that God was there, that He heard my prayers, that He desired to see ALL sinners surrender, and that He desired to heal all ailments. Somewhere through time, experience, and circumstance, I have lost that concrete black-and-white mentality. Unfortunately, I have allowed many of God’s lessons to harden and callous my heart; rather than receiving the lesson as Good News. Instead of taking on the character of Christ and the fruit of the Spirit, I am impatiently skeptical of the Lion In The Snowy Pit.
Thank God for water on the desert ground! He sees His children and understands each need. He really has met me where I was at with In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day. I enjoy Mark Batterson’s insight and perspective. I understand is practical illustrations and applications. And it has really opened my eyes to some of the lethargic complacency that I have settled into.
I love the idea that we are to be proactive in our Christian walk. So often our tendency is to want the easy path or to ask God to remove the challenge. Where would Benaiah’s, Joseph’s, David’s, Paul’s, or Christ’s incredible illustrations of victory be if God would have removed the burden?
The author presents two ideas in chapter 2 that contest my view of faith. Mr. Batterson first states, “How you think about God will determine who you will become” (page 28). The height, depth, and breadth of my ability to conquer, overcome, and prosper are directly proportional to my faith in God. That really makes me want to make Him bigger in my life. In the practical sense, it’s like an investment that is 100% guaranteed. Invest in 10 shares today, and they will increase in value 100 fold by tomorrow. Not only will they appreciate in value, but they will hold that value for an eternity – no recession or depression will touch this stock!
Secondly, Mark rebuttals my “what if” doubt by saying that “lion chasers aren’t afraid of doing something that seems ridiculous to others – because they know anything is possible with God.” God will only limit Himself to the box I place Him in. If I can get myself to extend that box, or erase it all together, God will start to move mountains. The Bible is full of examples of individuals willing to risk it all to advance His cause. I’ve often thought that Elijah was really stepping out on Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18). I wonder if he ever thought “man God, what if this doesn’t work – I’m really going to make myself/you look bad here.” Something tells me that he didn’t, not even for one second.
What an incredible God we serve! He is patient through our unbelief and triumphant in our belief. My challenge is placing all of my possessions, my family, my dreams, and my struggles into His hands. Then I can stand back and enjoy the show.
Cliff Erickson
Ironically, faith is a difficult concept for me. As a teen and a young believer the idea of faith was easy. It was easy to understand that God was there, that He heard my prayers, that He desired to see ALL sinners surrender, and that He desired to heal all ailments. Somewhere through time, experience, and circumstance, I have lost that concrete black-and-white mentality. Unfortunately, I have allowed many of God’s lessons to harden and callous my heart; rather than receiving the lesson as Good News. Instead of taking on the character of Christ and the fruit of the Spirit, I am impatiently skeptical of the Lion In The Snowy Pit.
Thank God for water on the desert ground! He sees His children and understands each need. He really has met me where I was at with In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day. I enjoy Mark Batterson’s insight and perspective. I understand is practical illustrations and applications. And it has really opened my eyes to some of the lethargic complacency that I have settled into.
I love the idea that we are to be proactive in our Christian walk. So often our tendency is to want the easy path or to ask God to remove the challenge. Where would Benaiah’s, Joseph’s, David’s, Paul’s, or Christ’s incredible illustrations of victory be if God would have removed the burden?
The author presents two ideas in chapter 2 that contest my view of faith. Mr. Batterson first states, “How you think about God will determine who you will become” (page 28). The height, depth, and breadth of my ability to conquer, overcome, and prosper are directly proportional to my faith in God. That really makes me want to make Him bigger in my life. In the practical sense, it’s like an investment that is 100% guaranteed. Invest in 10 shares today, and they will increase in value 100 fold by tomorrow. Not only will they appreciate in value, but they will hold that value for an eternity – no recession or depression will touch this stock!
Secondly, Mark rebuttals my “what if” doubt by saying that “lion chasers aren’t afraid of doing something that seems ridiculous to others – because they know anything is possible with God.” God will only limit Himself to the box I place Him in. If I can get myself to extend that box, or erase it all together, God will start to move mountains. The Bible is full of examples of individuals willing to risk it all to advance His cause. I’ve often thought that Elijah was really stepping out on Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18). I wonder if he ever thought “man God, what if this doesn’t work – I’m really going to make myself/you look bad here.” Something tells me that he didn’t, not even for one second.
What an incredible God we serve! He is patient through our unbelief and triumphant in our belief. My challenge is placing all of my possessions, my family, my dreams, and my struggles into His hands. Then I can stand back and enjoy the show.
Cliff Erickson
Redefining Success
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
When I sit back and think what it would look like for Dave Oler to be successful, I get some very specific expectations that flood into my thoughts. My thoughts of success are wrapped around family goals, ministry goals and hopes, and who I want to become on the inside.
I believe God put something in us that makes us want to be successful. We want to succeed in life and more importantly, God wants us to succeed. Say this with me three times and don't say it like a sissy, say it like you mean it. GOD WANTS ME TO SUCCEED (x3).
If God wants us to succeed, then I believe it is necessary to allow God to define what success is and what it looks like. I do not want to spend my life chasing false definitions of success. I want to align my thoughts, my heart, and my pursuit around what God says success is otherwise my efforts are in vain.
In our book on page 17, Mark Batterson tells us what he believes God's heart for success looks like. Mark says, "I have a simple definition of success: Do the best you can with what you have where you are. In essence, success is making the most of every opportunity. Spiritual maturity is seeing and seizing God-ordained opportunities. Think of every opportunity as God's gift to you. What you do with those opportunities is your gift to God."
I like simple and this definition is simple. Making the most of our daily opportunities will turn into a life that been successful for the Lord. What are the opportunities God will gift us with this week? I know each of us will have different opportunities but they all come from the same Lord, same Spirit, same Master. Let's make the most of them and be a success story for our King!!!
Learning to CHASE LIONS with you,
Pastor Dave
I believe God put something in us that makes us want to be successful. We want to succeed in life and more importantly, God wants us to succeed. Say this with me three times and don't say it like a sissy, say it like you mean it. GOD WANTS ME TO SUCCEED (x3).
If God wants us to succeed, then I believe it is necessary to allow God to define what success is and what it looks like. I do not want to spend my life chasing false definitions of success. I want to align my thoughts, my heart, and my pursuit around what God says success is otherwise my efforts are in vain.
In our book on page 17, Mark Batterson tells us what he believes God's heart for success looks like. Mark says, "I have a simple definition of success: Do the best you can with what you have where you are. In essence, success is making the most of every opportunity. Spiritual maturity is seeing and seizing God-ordained opportunities. Think of every opportunity as God's gift to you. What you do with those opportunities is your gift to God."
I like simple and this definition is simple. Making the most of our daily opportunities will turn into a life that been successful for the Lord. What are the opportunities God will gift us with this week? I know each of us will have different opportunities but they all come from the same Lord, same Spirit, same Master. Let's make the most of them and be a success story for our King!!!
Learning to CHASE LIONS with you,
Pastor Dave
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
