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
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
Breaking the Cage of Routine
Monday, December 7, 2009
This Post is from Pastor Jake
One of the most interesting features in my life is that my routine is shaken after only a quick period of time. From place and scenery, to something as small as not truly knowing what will happen in the day. Most are challenging, but more often times then not, it has been for the better even if not seen at the moment that the routine is shifted. Chapter 3 in Mark Batterson’s book Wild Goose Chase, the deliberate change in routine to keep us from being caged in a monotonous life and losing the joys of life along with our joy and awe of Christ’s power.
Batterson makes an interesting statement when he says “When God wants us to experience a change in perspective, He often does it via a change in scenery” (50). When you have a change of scenery, may it be career change or even up rooting and moving, it puts us in a reliant or dependant state. You are no longer able to rely on yourself (routine) to get you through. Our perspectives are changed on just how much our reliance needs to be, and is, on our Jehovah Jireh. For me, this is so true. During my travels, I have had to rely on my Yahweh to provide the friends, housing, and now my future in Him.
The author makes a statement that helps my sleepy eyes to open and shakes my routine when he writes “Don’t wait to worship God till you get to the Promise Land; you’ve got to worship along the way” (47). Many times we wait to worship God until we get to church or when we are not as busy. I remember stating that I couldn’t wait to get to work in the church because worship and devotional would be so easy. It is great, except it becomes routine and you end up having to fight to make sure to guard that time. It is not easier. Don’t wait to worship; bring the Promise Land to your office or car. Let us, I long to be, a worshiper at all times. Bring His Kingdom to this Earth.
Pastor Jake
One of the most interesting features in my life is that my routine is shaken after only a quick period of time. From place and scenery, to something as small as not truly knowing what will happen in the day. Most are challenging, but more often times then not, it has been for the better even if not seen at the moment that the routine is shifted. Chapter 3 in Mark Batterson’s book Wild Goose Chase, the deliberate change in routine to keep us from being caged in a monotonous life and losing the joys of life along with our joy and awe of Christ’s power.
Batterson makes an interesting statement when he says “When God wants us to experience a change in perspective, He often does it via a change in scenery” (50). When you have a change of scenery, may it be career change or even up rooting and moving, it puts us in a reliant or dependant state. You are no longer able to rely on yourself (routine) to get you through. Our perspectives are changed on just how much our reliance needs to be, and is, on our Jehovah Jireh. For me, this is so true. During my travels, I have had to rely on my Yahweh to provide the friends, housing, and now my future in Him.
The author makes a statement that helps my sleepy eyes to open and shakes my routine when he writes “Don’t wait to worship God till you get to the Promise Land; you’ve got to worship along the way” (47). Many times we wait to worship God until we get to church or when we are not as busy. I remember stating that I couldn’t wait to get to work in the church because worship and devotional would be so easy. It is great, except it becomes routine and you end up having to fight to make sure to guard that time. It is not easier. Don’t wait to worship; bring the Promise Land to your office or car. Let us, I long to be, a worshiper at all times. Bring His Kingdom to this Earth.
Pastor Jake
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