Saturday, January 12, 2008

Chasing lions

Last year my wife read a book by Mark Batterson titled In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day. He's a young pastor who started and built a large church on the east coast. He had some great things to say in this book. One that I see often quoted is what he calls the Lion chaser's manifesto. My wife, Joye, wrote about it and used it in a message she gave last year as well. It's a thought provoking challenge. Let me share it with you and invite your thoughts. Here it is:

the lion chaser's manifesto

Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Consider the lilies. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don't let what's wrong with you keep you from worshipping what's right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze a new trail. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don't try to be who you're not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away. Chase the lion!

4 comments:

Kris Sorensen said...

I really enjoyed Mark's book. That is a great quote. Carpe Diem!

Mike Messerli said...

thanks Kris. how's the good to great book going?

Kris Sorensen said...

Mike,
The Good to Great book is going very slowly - I'm only on chapter 3. We've given ourselves 4 months to get through it; so we will have more than enough time to digest it and discuss as a board.

Mike Messerli said...

Kris,

I hope the book study goes well. It will reveal a lot about your board....I'll be praying for you.