I’m really excited about the nest step in the Catalyst saga.  My brother Eric and I went to Atlanta (or ATL, as he calls it) and spent around $1500 combined to make that trip happen.  Now, there were things that happened at that conference that have changed who I am and the direction of my life, so it was good to say the least.  But I can’t really throw down that kind of cash every year. (No matter how many times they call me and try to talk me in to it.)  So when Shawn and Dennis decided it would be worth it to invest in the Catalyst Experience Pack, I was simultaneously excited and nervous.  There are things that wrecked me in Atlanta, and going back there mentally and emotionally threatens exhaustion, but needless to say, I’m still excited.  I can’t wait to break into these books and dvds and get going again.  There is a hint of rejuvenation in the air.  I can feel it in my bloodstream.  Here we go.

Mark Batterson blows me away.  His new book came out today, and I think the best way for me to describe it is thick.  This book is thick.  Now, it’s only 171 pages.  But there is so much in there.  I’m going to have to reread this book a few times just because it points out so much about who God is.  Seriously, it blows me away how much research must have gone into this book.  The best part is that it doesn’t read heavy.  It’s not like you have to sort through all this random information to get the gist; Mark has already done that.  He just lays it out in a brilliant structure that has moved me.

Primal does an incredible job of laying out what it looks like to love God.  Why?  Because we are commanded to love God.  That’s why.  But many of us are good at a lot of things.  Some of us are great at a few things.  But hardly any of us are good at loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.  Mark points out that we need to be great at it.  He then walks through sections of what it means to love God in these four ways.  I cannot recommend this book enough.  If you are pursuing God with your life in any way, read this book.  It will challenge you in ways you didn’t know you could be challenged.  It will challenge you to love God, to amo Dei.

After the break I’ll post some of my favorite quotes from the book. Read more

Francis Chan hurts me where it counts.  He writes with such candid honesty about his won crap, and then asks questions that make me lose sleep.  To him I say thank you, and I shake my fist.  But not too much shaking.  Because he is hitting the nail on the head.  This needs to be addressed in my heart, in my life and in this town.

Here are some quotes/questions that rocked me:

• This is vital to remember.  When we forget about the Spirit, we really are forgetting God.
• Do I believe the church needs me like the body needs a mouth?
• …consider what fears you have about the Holy Spirit.  …Admit them, first to yourself, and the to God.  …Finally, share this with people you trust
• I don’t want to speak about Jesus; I want to know Jesus.  I want to be Jesus to people.  I don’t want just to write about the Holy Spirit; I want to experience His presence in my life in a profound way.
• [about the fruit of the Spirit} ...look over those traits right now and ask yourself if you possess each to a supernatural degree.  Do you exhibit more kindness and faithfulness than the Mormons you know?  Do you have more self-control than your Muslim friends?  More peace than Buddhists?  More joy than atheists?  If GOD truly lives in you, shouldn't you expect to be different from everyone else.
• What disturbs me the most is when we’re not totally bothered that God living in us has not made much of a noticeable difference.

Read more