Lessons from "Experiencing God"

I've been re-reading a wonderful book that made a profound impact on me back in college in the early 90's.  "Experiencing God" isn't rocket science, but it may as well be for us American christians who seem to have become so totally overcome by the temptations of the world that we have no place for the true, historical ways of Jesus.  "Experiencing God" delves into those WAYS by looking carefully through the pages of scripture - THE written record of God's redemptive work in human history - to see what He's all about, how His most trusted people acted, what following Jesus really looks like, etc.  The author, Henry Blackaby, thinks that God is not dead.  He thinks that God is not only alive & well, but that He's actively engaged in world, in communities, and in the lives of every individual!  He believes that God can and does perform miracles all day every day in & through the lives of His people.  I can't tell you how powerfully this book is affecting me right now, it's amazing!  If you want to truly know God and follow Him, THIS IS A MUST READ.  But be ready to get your butt kicked.  Here are some the boot kicks leaving marks on my proud & self-centered posterior at the moment:

"We must come to a place where we renounce our self-focused approach to life and turn the attention and control over to God.  When this happens, God orients us to Himself and to the purposes He is accomplishing around us."

"The world urges us to protect, pamper, promote, comfort, and prosper ourselves.  But God tells us to deny ourselves..."

"In scripture, you never find God asking people to dream up what they want to do for Him.  He never urges His people to set impressive goals and generate grand visions for Him and His kingdom...they were not brilliant planners.  They were humble "heroes of the faith."  God commended them for their compliance, not for their performance."

Depending on God is not easy...but it's good.  He can be trusted.

"It is God who is working in you, enabling you both to will and to act for His good purpose." Philippians 2:13