Guest Blogger Tara Sloan

I had the privilege of reading Mark Batterson's new book, "Wild Goose Chase" prior to the release August 19th (today). For those of you who are not familiar wit Mark Batterson, here is a little about him: Mark Batterson is the lead pastor of Washington, DC’s National Community Church, widely recognized as one of America’s most innovative churches. NCC meets in movie theaters at metro stops throughout the city, as well as in a church-owned coffee house near Union Station. More than seventy percent of NCC’ers are single twentysomethings who live or work on Capitol Hill. Mark is the author of the best-selling In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and a widely read blogger (www.markbatterson.com). He lives on Capitol Hill with his wife, Lora, and their three children.

Allow me a moment to say that I LOVED "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day." Furthermore, I LOVED "Wild Goose Chase!" As a matter of fact, my husband Craig also loved it. The two of us fought over our copy constantly. I had to hide the "giveaway copy" so Craig wouldn't grab it. We both devoured the book in a little over a day! Craig posted some extensive revelation he got from the book... check it out here... As part of the Wild Goose Chase blog tour, I'm posting a brief review of the book below. A link to purchase Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson is below as well. As an added bonus, I have a brand new copy of "Wild Goose Chase" I will be giving away. To enter the drawing, simply leave me a comment below listing one of your life goals you plan to tackle as you "chase the goose." I will be drawing on Friday.

My Review... "Wild Goose Chase" (Mark Batterson) From the Introduction of Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson... "Most of us will have no idea where we are going most of the time. And I know that is unsettling. But circumstantial uncertainty also goes by another name: Adventure.” Wild Goose Chase asks the question, "Have we clipped the wings of the Wild Goose and settled for for something much less than what God intended?" “Celtic Christians had a name for the Holy Spirit–An Geadh-Glas, or ‘the Wild Goose.’ The name hints at mystery. Much like a wild goose, the Spirit of God cannot be tracked or tamed. An element of danger, an air of unpredictability surround Him. And while the name may sound a little sacrilegious, I cannot think of a better description of what it’s like to follow the Spirit through life." (quote from book)

According to Batterson, "chasing the Wild Goose causes us to experience circumstantial uncertainty, also known as adventure!" I was intrigued by the thought that our guardian angels may be sitting around yawning because our lives lack 'adventure' in our spiritual walk. In the chapter "Yawning Angels," the question "When was the last time you asked God to make you dangerous?" was asked. As I pondered that question, I took it a step further, "Whose lives are we NOT affecting by failing to chase the Wild Goose by living dangerously? Batterson goes on to discuss 'inverted Christianity' in which Christians invite the Holy Spirit to follow them rather than following the Holy Spirit. Such a backwards way of living leads to six cages that Batterson discusses which keep Christians from roaming free with the Wild Goose. Some of my favorite quotes from "Wild Goose Chase" are...

"Die doing what you love..."
"Pursuing God ordained passions isn't optional."
"Meet dangerous people."
"I want to see God do things through me only He can get the credit for."
" Passions are buried beneath responsibilities."
"Have the courage to come out of the cave."
"Find your own Calcutta." (Mother Theresa)
"If you are faithful in Babylon, God will bless you in Jerusalem."
"Getting where God wants me to be isn't nearly as important as becoming who God wants me to be."
"Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is just hang in there."
"If you lose everything else, don't lose your sense of humor."
"The size of our dreams is a measure of our spiritual maturity."
"Enjoy the journey at every stage."
"Play offense in life. Play to win."
"Live by design, not default."
"Dream God sized dreams. they will keep you an your knees and in absolute dependence on God."Last, but not least, make a list of Life Goals. This is one major reason to get this book. Batterson teaches you how and also offers a free download on

Mark’s 10 Steps to Setting Life Goals at www.chasethegoose.com. This study is a great tool for individual or group study. Through the use of Bible "goose chasers" and stories of others who risked everything to "chase the Wild Goose" Batterson is compelling and will provoke readers to abandon their cages and prepare for the chase of their lives. As I concude this review, I leave you with a last quote that Batterson includes in the "Wild Goose Chase..." "People are always blaming circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them." - George Bernard Shaw Purchase "Wild Goose Chase" by Mark Batterson here.... Don't forget to enter the drawing for a FREE copy of Wild Goose Chase!