In Celtic history, they referred to the Holy Spirit as the wild goose. They believed that following the Holy Spirit is wild, unpredictable, and exhilerating as chasing the wild goose. This past Sunday we began a new teaching series, Greater Things. I attempted to share an illustration about how the Holy Spirit is calling us to the bigger story. I am going to confess that I botched this illustration every service so I am going to try again in print. So here goes my chase of the “wild goose”.
- August 18, I was praying about 2009 and what God would have us preach. Compelled by a preaching series, One Prayer, I started praying about how we could unite our church with other churches to impact this city.
- August 20, I was reading scripture and listening to God of this City by Chris Tomlin, “Greater Things have yet to come, Greater things are still to be done in this city!”
- September 14, I bought books for the Worship Search Committee, Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson
- September 15-16, I read my copy of the Wild Goose Chase. All I could do is think of Greater Things.
- October 6, talked to Impact Campaign Consultants about our 2009 capital campaign. He asked if we had any ideas for a theme for the capital campaign. I shared about Greater Things. He shared he just did a campaign for a church with that title–Liberty Baptist Church (Where Pastor Micah was serving, and we were interviewing him at that hour.)
- December 10, We decided to use Mark Batterson’s book, Wild Goose Chase as a guide for our small group discussion.
- December 18, Artem was working on a graphic for Greater Things using images that represent Northern Virginia.
- January 9, Artem completed the artwork using DC skyline.
- February 5, Susan Wanderer, our children’s minister, sent me a text about National Community Church in Washington with pastor Mark Batterson. He took his team away the weekend before to pray, worship, and fast for the new year. They created artwork as well as theme for the new year. Guess what they created as their theme? Greater Things! They even used DC skyline as their artwork.
- February 15, Mount Ararat began the new teaching series and capital campaign, Greater Things.
Are these coincidences? Or are these prompts by the Holy Spirit? I believe we are chasing the wild goose! I believe we are being reminded that we are a part of a bigger story! Lets chase Him together.
- PS: Have noticed the wild geese that have been lingering our property since November!!!
Todd,
I started reading the book and didn’t want to have to put it down. This time is going to be good. I can just sense God working and it is going to be neat to see what he is up too. I like the statement in the book that said “Quit living as your purpose of life is to arrive safely at Death”. That just has been rattling around my head. It is so true. I think maybe we just get caught up in the day to day living when we need to be looking at where God wants us to be serving or doing his work and if it may take us out of our comfort zone we need to run rather than go kicking and screaming as we so often do.
By the way Elevation was great. God really used Kieth and Addison Road to speak to me personally and I know to many others too. I think it was the 6th year for Elevation and each year I have gotten a blessing out of it. More adults should come and be involved they don’t know what they are missing. Emily really enjoyed having Hannah. She said she was such a super help to them.
Have a great week!
Todd,
Too cool. Such a confirmation at the Spirit is moving. Man, if we can only say on His wavelength we’ll definitely see Greater Things.
Praying that God continues to advance His kingdom through us
Blessings,
Mark
Oh man. I don’t believe in coincidences.
And how cool is it that Pastor Mark found the blog?
I finished Wild Goose Chase myself the other night. I’m super pumped up.
My son, Jayke, found this really good website outlining information about a Daniel Fast. http://danielfast.wordpress.com/
So often we get caught up in the food issue–and rightly so, because a fast is always about food–but we have to remember that it’s abstinence from food for a spiritual purpose. Wait expectantly.
Only a Tool,
{:) Deedra