Book Review: Forgotten God by Francis Chan

First let me start off by saying that in no way am I an avid reader. However, since I have made certain decisions in my life regarding my walk with the Lord, and pursuit of what His plan is for me, I thought it would be wise to indulge in some books that leaders in our church (Elevation), and other churches around us are recommending!

My first book that came in the mail out of the 4 that I ordered was Forgotten God by Francis Chan. I also have ordered Primal by Mark Batterson, Radical by David Platt (Pastor Craig has been reading this one), and The Winner's Manual by Jim Tressel (I have just always wanted to read this one).

It took me about 24 hours to read "Forgotten God". I was so in tune with this book and the things that FC (I can call him that since I was so in tune with his book) was saying in this book that I flew right through it. It is in no way a "radical, charismatic, holy roller-coaster" about the Holy Spirit. It is truly just basic knowledge information about what the word of God says about His "Holy Spirit", and to my knowledge does an outstanding job of describing what the Spirit is, does, how it intercedes, and performs as God in the Spirit!

I absolutely loved this book, and for all of you people out there who are struggling with the "Where is God in my life", or "When is God going to show up in my life" type statements, READ THIS BOOK! I think that even for someone who is trying to walk in His Spirit as I am on a daily basis, this book taught me a tremendous amount of who He is, why He is, and what He is supposed to be doing in my life, as well as what my expectations of the Holy Spirit are and should look like or more profoundly put, what His expectations of me should look like!

Galatians 5:16 "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."

And,

Galatians 5:25 "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit."

My absolute favorite paragraph in the entire book says this " I want to live in such a way that I am desperate for Him (The Holy Spirit) to come through. That if He doesn't come through, I am screwed!" Francis Chan.... He goes on to say that maybe he shouldn't have put it that way in his book or used the word "screwed", but I have to say that this kind of in your face mentality is very refreshing and real to the pursuit of what it is God is capable of doing in and through us!

This is an amazing book, loaded with truth about the power of the Holy Spirit. Check it out!

Asking for prayers!

Three weeks ago, I found out I was losing my job that I had. I was blown away and it was not what I was expecting, but that day I found another job. During the preparation for making the changes 2 weeks later, I started focusing on another job that I would absolutely love to do (but cannot reveal at this time), then the Monday that I was to start my new job in Dayton, it fell through! So again I was jobless. I began to wonder if this was a God thing, since I was totally focusing on this unamed job, and my heart truly has been desiring it more and more.

Then last week I found another job (not the one I want), but an excellent source of income in the meantime.

Last night i put my name out there for the "desired" job (and those of you who know please keep in on the low-low until I give a greenlight one way or another) and things just seemed so perfectly in place for it. I won't know anything for weeks, or maybe even months, but I do know this. If it is God's plan, it will happen when He is ready for it to happen. I believe after last night that it is most certainly the will of God, but maybe not in His timing yet (but that isn't up to me, it is up to Him).

Above all, I am really just coming to you my readers, my friends, and my family and asking for prayer in this, even though I cannot give many details right now, I would ask that you prayer over me, and what it is God has aligned in this path!

I do appreciate all of you who do read this (EVEN IF YOU AREN'T "FOLLOWERS" YET) and your prayers in this "search"

Love,
Scott

Teaching the Youth Group!

I recently had the opportunity to teach the Youth Group for the first time ever! In fact just recently I had my first teaching experience ever! (Diana and I taught the Elevation 1st and 2nd graders)
However teaching the Youth was a whole different animal for me, but let's take a look back at a few things.

#1. A few years ago I would not have been able to sit in front of a group of more than 3-4 people and talk about anything.
#2. I am a firm believer that God prepares us for His calling in and through our jobs to be a light for His Kingdom!
#3. Had I not decided to try my hand at selling Life Insurance I would never have been able to speak in front of people.
#4. God will take you through many things in your life, but they always lead to a path of serving Him. The rest is up to you and to whether or not you want to follow His lead. I know that if I am going to learn a new dance, I want the Master of that dance to do the leading.
#5. God has the most unique reckless yet masterful way of revealing things to us in and through our lives!

Ok to sum up what I am saying. About 5 years ago I went to work for American Income Life. At this point in my life I had never, ever spoke in front of people. EVER! This was something that they did on a weekly basis. They picked random people to stand and deliver some encouraging words on sales, business, attitude, leadership, or just about anything that pertains to all of the above. Had I not been subject (forced) to do this, I probably would still be terrified of speaking in public, but as I stood in front of the Youth I began to feel more and more like I was doing what I was called to do. To speak to people of God, His desires for us, and everything that this involves.

God used this company filled with nonbelievers to mold me into being able to share His gospel with people who need to hear it. Though the hardest part of this process was not the fact of being afraid to stand in front of people and talk, but it was more about being afraid to stand and talk about God in front of people. Finally, after years and I mean YEARS of fighting His calling for my life I have finally started to embrace what He was ever so drawing me to. Teaching others about His love, and what He did for them on that hill.
If I could give the young men and women of our Youth Group one piece of advice from everything I have learned is, DO NOT FIGHT GOD, just FOLLOW HIS LEAD.

Back to the lesson though, as I was standing up there I just felt this incredible peace. I wasn't jittery or nervous. I wasn't worried or anxious. I just felt the peace of the Holy Spirit come over me, and allowed God to use me.
I hope that at least one of the kids learned something from the message, and I was glad that I got to teach this amazing group of kids. I am so proud to be a part of a Youth Group full of kids who are NOT ASHAMED of who Jesus is and what He has done for them. Thank You, all of you for that AWESOME OPPORTUNITY.