Think, read, grow!
July 30, 2010 | Family: Nurturing Family
Forgotten God by Francis Chan is a tough read, but with a good reason. If we strip away the power of God and function on church only, it’s not enough. It can’t be, can it?
Chan challenges the believer to live out of the NT scriptures, rather than shape the Scripture to fit our theology.
I love that in theory, but recently a friend said, “I want to live in such a way that if God called me to live anywhere or do anything for Him, I would.”
Again, great words, but the more I thought about that, the more I realized how challenging that would be. And very few of us who call ourselves believers live that way.
I believe deeply in His promises: to trust that there is power in His name. To believe that people are transformed by His touch. To grasp how wide, how deep is His love, but that other part? To truly “pick up your cross” and live your faith in every aspect of your life?
Dear Lord, you know me. You know the parts I hold back.
Thank you, Francis Chan. Forgotten God is a book I will read, and then read again.
But for now I invite the Holy Spirit to be that instrument that helps me to hear God’s voice and then to respond as His girl.
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I’m convicted… Lord, please reach into my soul and lead me in Your ways. Thank You Father God for Suzie’s blog and her life for You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
July 30th, 2010 at 9:36 amI finished it last night. I came away loving this line:
I don’t believe God wants me to live in a way that makes sense from the world’s perspective, a way I know I can “manage.”
I also came away with a burning desire to constantly ask the Spirit to help me with His Fruit.
July 30th, 2010 at 10:26 amI have read this book also Susie. There is a sentence in the book that stuck with me. My book is still in a box from my recent move to Phoenix but it says something similar to this.
I want my life to ONLY be explained by the presence of the Holy Spirit.
That thought takes me back to what I call adventuring with God. I am never prompted by the Holy Spirit to do things that make sense to me. They always require a step of faith. It is in those moments I experience God, see God, and get to know Him more. I pray I don’t trade that for a comfortable, make sense to me life. I know that is NOT the plans He has for me and for you. Hope She Speaks is full of the Holy Spirit moving hearts closer to the Lord. I have prayed for all of you. Blessings, B
July 30th, 2010 at 12:25 pmI too have just finished this book. I really enjoyed his first book so I ordered this one. I realized through reading this book that I choose to get involved at church by doing things I know I am good at (or those who know me ask me to participate in those areas where my strengths/gifts are). This is not the Holy Spirit at work in me…it’s just me working in me. Chan has challenged me to look at things differently and I appreciate that. I look forward to seeing how God may want to use me in the future and how He will supply the ability I don’t already have!
July 31st, 2010 at 5:37 pm