“When we don’t have the guts to step out in faith and chase lions, then God is robbed of the glory that rightfully belongs to Him.” – Mark Batterson

Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, who had done many deeds. He had killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also had gone down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day. (2 Samuel 23:20)

Do you feel like you’re in a pit with a lion on a snowy day?
If so, how are you going to respond? Will you run away or chase the lion?

On April 18, 2007, the day my wife and I were in historic Williamsburg to celebrate my daughter’s birthday, Doug Barclay drafted a letter and mailed me a book by Mark Batton I had never heard of – “In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day.” I have now read most of this book and it is awesome.

In his letter, Doug states: “On January 25th of this year, our church’s men’s ministry hosted a special event with the intention of motivating and engaging the men in our community and surrounding area to pursue a God-sized opportunity… I had the privilege to serve on the leadership team for this incredible evening … Our featured speaker for the program was Mark Batterson, lead pastor of National Community Church [http://theaterchurch.com] in Washington DC. Mark started this church plant in 1996, and they are now a multi-site congregation meeting in movie theaters at metro stops. Approximately 70% of the worshippers are single twenty somethings.”

Doug Barclay is a lion chaser! I first met Doug in October 2002 at a national weekend retreat for leaders of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Asheville, North Carolina. This event at the Billy Graham Training Center was personal, refreshing, and enlightening. The presence of God was very tangible. Although Doug lived in the Atlanta area and wasn’t even involved with the FCA, he came because a friend of his invited him. Doug and I spent several hours talking at this retreat.

In late January 2003, Doug called me to give me an update. He told me that our conversations at the FCA retreat helped him step out in faith to leave his full-time job in marketing in late December 2006 to pursue his dream to work in the marketing department at the headquarters for Operation Mobilization (OM). I learned Doug had no income and couldn’t begin working for OM until he raised a full year’s salary. He had a daughter in college and a son who was a junior in high school. Doug asked to meet with me and we did that in Woodstock Virginia where I was subbing as an anesthesiologist at Shenandoah Memorial Hospital.

After Doug left I told God that He is the provider, not me, and that I’d be glad to bless Doug by connecting him with other people, but not by giving money. However, the Holy Spirit had other plans and soon went to work convicting me. I finally gave in. Then began my negotiations with the Holy Spirit regarding the amount. Needless to say, He won out and the amount was much, much more than I first offered. This was my largest donation to a person I had ever made and I was only working part-time as a physician. When I called Doug to pledge the amount the Holy Spirt told me to give, I learned it was exactly what Doug needed (to the dollar)  to begin working for OM. When was his first day at work? 03-03-03! Are these all coincidences? Hardly.

Please realize that God is reaching out to bless me through Doug and that through me, God wants to bless you. Receive His blessing. By the way, 2007 happens to be the 50th anniversary of Operation Mobilization (OM). This next week, I’ll be sharing a series about lion chasers.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, life is an adventure because You are a God of action. Somehow You know how to get me from Point A to Point B at just the right time. And just when I start getting comfortable at Point B, you move me to Point C. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Bless those who read these messages to be lion chasers. May they dream big dreams that come true. Thank You Jesus. Amen.

Link of the Day
In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day – by Mark Batterson (book and reviews)

Blessings to be a lion chaser!