Wild Goose Chase Review

As Steven Curtis Chapman inspires Christians through his recordings - such as "The Great Adventure", "For the Sake of the Call" and "Divin' In" - to live the abundant life that Jesus came to give us, Mark Batterson joins him in his written word; this time in the book "Wild Goose Chase." Mark challenges us to "reclaim the adventure of pursuing God."

He uses Biblical and modern day examples, including some of his own stories. He speaks of Nehemiah who followed the passion that burned in his soul despite his lack of knowledge or experience. We read about Moses who lost his life of leadership for the Israelites and became a leader of sheep until the monotony of his day was interrupted by a miraculous conversation with God. Mark reminds us of Abraham who saw God work in spite of his assumptions, and Peter who was transformed by God's grace as well as others.

There is an adventure awaiting us even after failure, in spite of our fears and emboldened by our faith. And, I have to say this fits me to a "T!" I have lived through seeming failure, at times feel strangled by my fear and yet enjoy Texas-sized faith. I don't want to set limits on how God can move in my life.

While I was reading this book (which can be read in one sitting, yet I have read piece by piece as I am getting ready for my first day of fifth grade tomorrow) I actually picked up the reins again on a passion that God has placed in my soul. A passion that continues to burn even after months of not thinking about it. I don't know what God has planned, or what will happen with the passion He has given me, but as Mark says, I am going to "go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention."

How about you?

Wild Goose Chase released today, you can purchase your copy at http://www.christianbook.com/ or http://www.amazon.com/. Also, check out Mark's website at http://www.markbatterson.com/.

You can even enter here for a chance to win a copy of the Wild Goose Chase by leaving your name and email address in the comments. I will number all the comments by the time stamp of your posting and then use http://www.random.org/ to determine the winner. I will announce the winner on Friday, August 22, 2008!

Good Luck and Happy Reading!!

Wild Goose Quote

"In the words of Andre Gide, 'People cannot discover new lands until they have the courage to lose sight of the shore.'"

Wild Goose Quote

I have been diligently working to prepare myself for my very first day as a 5th grade teacher, and watching Michael Phelps break records. So, Wild Goose is being digested slowly and deliberately to be sure. I'm only finished with chapter two and what a fun chapter! It is entitled "Goose Bumps!" I'll never think of them the same way again!

I'm sharing a great excerpt from the chapter to continue whetting appetites for the full review to be shared on the 19th! (Be watching!)

"God ordained passions often break our hearts. And they can seem like an overwhelming burden to bear. But pursuing our passions is the key to living a fruitful and fulfilling life. It is the thing that wakes us up early in the morning and keeps us up late at night. It is the thing that turns a career into a calling. It is the thing that gives us goose bumps - Wild Goose bumps. And nothing will bring you greater joy."

What gives you Wild Goose bumps? I didn't need a second to know the answer for me. One of those things is a book idea that the Wild Goose placed in my heart six years ago and fear of not being good enough has held me captive. After reading this chapter, I reached out to someone that I just knew would agree to be a part of the process of writing "Voice Lessons."

His answer was no.

At first I was confused. I was disappointed. I thought for sure the Wild Goose was leading me in a certain direction. Right then, my passion was breaking my heart. But I will keep on. Mark Batterson states, "Never underestimate someone who has the courage to come out of the cage and pursue a God-ordained passion."

My favorite verse is Joshua 1:9 "[Gay] have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage! Do not fear or be dismayed, for I am with you always!"

Don't underestimate me as I have "come out!" and will pursue the passions God has ordained for my life.

Reserve your copy of "Wild Goose Chase" today...www.christianbook.com

Wild Goose Quotes

I absolutely love quotes and this book is full of great ones. Here are a couple to get us started...


otra dia, otra aventura.


"The Wild Goose chase begins when we come to terms with our greatest responsiblity: pursuing the passions God has put in our heart."

Wild Goose Chase

My books arrived!! Since the day I applied to preview the new book by Mark Batterson, author of "In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day", I have been anxiously awaiting opening the cover and breathing in the change that I knew would consume me. I am 36 pages in and am so convicted and inspired.

With "In a Pit" I was inspired to chase a lion again. I have said many times in the past five years that everyone gets more than one adventure in life. I get to risk it all more than once, right? RIGHT!

"Wild Goose Chase" is promising to convict me as the Wild Goose prompts me to respond to the passions that He has placed in my soul. The book is available for purchase on August 19th and you can get yours at http://www.amazon.com/ or http://www.christianbook.com/. Or you can enter to win your copy right here on my blog. Keep checking back for updates and details on entering to win "Wild Goose Chase."

Cost of Parenting

I have spent my fair share of hard earned dollars on bottles, burp rags and bibs. I have supported Huggies through three babies; two of them boys who didn’t like the words, “potty training.” My home will never have enough bookshelf space to hold the overwhelming number of books that seem to find their way into our lives (tonight we brought home 10 more). Doctor appointments. Vaccinations. Haircuts. Summer Camps. Athletics. School – uniforms, supplies, lunches.

I think you get the point. Parenting costs an exorbitant amount of money. But it also costs something else.

I love being a mom, but I don’t always love the responsibility of making wise decisions as I try to teach my boys in ways that will guide them as they grow to young men.

Yesterday we spent the day at my sister’s house, playing games, eating pizza and m&ms and enjoying each other. I was snapping a few pictures and wanted one of Cameron and I. He asked to have the camera, so we put our faces close together, he reached his arm out and snapped. I figured the camera would be a little too close, so I asked him to give the camera to his dad so we could have a better picture. As he reached forward to hand off the camera, it dropped.

Now I don’t know about you, but I hate error messages and this time was no exception. The camera read, “Lens Error. Restart Camera.” We got out the user guide, checked the Table of Contents, but no troubleshooting. There wasn’t anything that talked about restarting the camera. We – my sister – investigated a little further and discovered that the lens was bent. No more camera.

Did I mention that the camera belonged to my stepmom? How about the fact that her brother is getting married on Friday? That gives me five days to remedy our problem.

I found out that repairing the camera would cost around the same as purchasing a new one, so at least the course of action was determined. But what to do…make Cameron pay for it? make him pay half? just take care of it and not make him do anything? After all, it was simply an accident. He wasn’t throwing the camera or tossing it to his dad. He wasn’t being irresponsible or careless. He simply dropped it. I mean, we all spill things and drop things. We trip, we stutter, we add sugar instead of flour to recipes (well, at least some of us). Accidents happen.

Do I really want to make Cameron spend his hard earned and time consuming savings on an accident? The answer is “No. I don’t.” So, tonight Cameron and I went to Sears and I bought, with Cameron right by my side to hear the total, a replacement. At one point while we were waiting on the salesman, Cameron told me, “Mom, you could make me pay for this. I am the one who dropped it.” I agreed with him and was impressed by him. He understood the meaning of responsibility.

I didn’t spend any money on him tonight as we stopped by the video game shop and bookstore and he knew why. I had already spent money on him by taking care of his mishap.

Tonight the cost of parenting was $190 + change (and not just the monetary kind).

My Bucket List

Recently, I watched a movie that had piqued my interest the first time I saw the trailer, The Bucket List. It was almost everything I had hoped for and it didn’t disappoint. I told a friend about the movie and that obviously led to a discussion of what would be on our own bucket lists – if we had them. What do I want to do before I “kick the bucket?”

Well, for starters, I want to skydive. And not just anywhere. I want to skydive over some amazingly beautiful scenery. Perhaps find a place in the hill country of Texas during spring when all the bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush are in full bloom.

Next, I want to be kissed on a gondola in Venice. Being in Venice would be nice. Being on a gondola ride would be great. But the dream – the only part of this that could make the list is being kissed by the man I love on a gondola in Venice. Goosebumps!!

I want to teach my children to snow ski and glide down the mountain with them. What will inevitably happen is that they will bump and grind down the blacks while I glide down the blues and meet them at the bottom. But still, it makes my list all the same!

Going to Peru for an extended period and working alongside lifelong friends who have served there as missionaries for over 40 years is a must! I learned to type as a little girl by flipping through their rolodex of friends and supporters while my family assembled their monthly newsletter. Yes, this was before computers and the internet. Admittedly, this was the 70s. I am old…well, I’m getting there. And getting to Peru will happen.

I desperately desire to have the blessing of leading someone to salvation through Christ in the 10/40 window. Someone will have the honor of leading that last one to Jesus and then immediately hear the trumpet sound. Someone will usher in the second coming of our Lord and WOW, don’t you want it to be you? I want it to be me and the only way it can is if I am opening my mouth everyday telling those around me about the power in the blood of Jesus. He sacrificed Himself to cover my sins and offer me eternal life through His shed blood. How can I be selfish and keep this to myself?

I want to drive along the Pacific Coast Highway on a beautiful, sunny day with the top down. Well, let me clarify a little. I don’t actually want to be the driver because I want to soak in the beauty of God’s creativity! I want to be with the man I love as he drives us down the Pacific Coast Highway. And, we must be in a convertible or it is pointless. Okay, not pointless, but the effect is definitely not the same. I’ve owned a convertible and nothing beats it.

I want to walk in a bookstore in a little store in Timbuktu and see my name on the cover of a book. I want the Holy Spirit to fill me with words that will inspire others to love and grow. I want Harry and Mitch to become real to children everywhere. I want Voice Lessons to take shape and rejuvenate a generation of missionaries.

I want to build beautiful houses for people who thought they could never own such a place. I want children who live in duplexes and apartments to discover the joy of walking into their own home.

I want to lead my children as they learn to make a difference in their world. I want to see them make choices that will build the kingdom. I want to teach them how to outgive one another.

And, I want to hold my grandchildren. I want to be the grandmother my mom never got to be.

I want to hear God say, “Well done.”