Go Ahead…Chase the Lion!

I recently discovered a treasure of a book published in 2006; In A Pit With A Lion On a Snowy Day, by Mark Batterson. Have you heard of it? I thought it would be a great book to share with you because it is what RADIANTResolve is about: Glorifying God in EVERY moment of life. The title is based on a little known scripture passage (or at least it was to me) found in 2 Samuel 23:20-21. In these short verses Benaiah literally chases a lion down into a pit on a snowy day and kills it! Who do you know that chases lions?

But that’s what this book is all about. As Batterson writes: “What if the life you really want, and the future God wants for you, is hiding right now in your biggest problem, your worst failure…your greatest fear?”  Have you ever considered that your current relationship troubles, work problems or financial woes, may be a set up for what God is preparing you for? Yea, I know it’s hard to think of a tense marriage, a micromanaging boss or a strained relationship with a child as something positive but just for a moment imagine if all that you’re going through is really for something better that will positively impact your life  and people you have yet to meet.

Batterson hit every, and I mean every emotion, struggle and fear I’ve had over the past 4 years. I transitioned out of a long fulfilling career into an extremely uncertain path, filled with great adventure but also heartache, betrayal, and doubt. As much as I prayed I didn’t seem to receive much clear direction or so I thought. In many ways, In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day, helped confirm what didn’t make sense for several years; that God truly does bring good out of ALL things. 

The titles alone give you an idea of the aim of this book:

Ch 1: Locking Eyes with Your Lion              Ch 6: Playing It Safe Is Risky

Ch 2: The Odd Thing About Odds    Ch 7: Grab Opportunity by the Mane

Ch 3: Unlearning Your Fears    Ch 8: The Importance of Looking Foolish

Ch 4: The Art of Reframing             Ch 9: Unleash the Lion Chaser Within

Ch 5: Guaranteed Uncertainty

I don’t know Mark Batterson but to write a book like this, he had to of had some personal experiences in fear and doubt that lead him to a greater confidence in God. He learned to chase lions because His trust was not in himself or even in an outcome but in the ultimate pursuit, a relationship with God!  

As I read this book, the same God-confidence rose up in me! I’ve definitely doubted at times during this part of my journey, but with every step I connect more of the dots and can see that God was more interested in building my character than building my career or my plans.

What problem or difficult situation is stretching you? Could it be the very thing God wants to use to strengthen you and prepare you for the future He has for you? Go for it! Be a lion chaser!

Post by Sheryl Lackey

Congratulations! It’s …A Ministry

Thursday, March 29, 2012—Four chicks who love Jesus left Little Rock headed for Harrison, Arkansas to give birth to RADIANTReslove. After a long gestation period bathed in prayer and planning the due date was upon us. Sheryl Lackey, Lee Hudson, Vickie Wingfield, and I were about to finally see this new ministry, planted in our hearts by God, come to life.

Fellowship Bible Church Harrison treated us like celebrities. They opened their hearts and their doors to us. The staff and women of this precious Body set the bar really high. Everything from the advertising to the decorations to the music to the food was out of bounds! The four chicks were flying high—overwhelmed by the goodness of God in giving us favor with FBC Harrison as they partnered with us to minister to the women God brought to our first conference.

Friday, March 30, 2012—7 O’clock pm—RADIANTResolve was born as the worship team opened the conference in sweet praises to our Lord. The presence and power of the Holy Spirit was so evident in that “birthing room”. From the welcome on Friday night to the closing prayer on Saturday afternoon, we tasted and saw that the Lord is GOOD! We knew it was God who was at work in us and through us, to will and to work for His good pleasure. I felt His pleasure as I’ve never felt it before and it was so sweet. The evidence of God’s faithfulness and calling was all over the conference. We didn’t have a theme for the weekend. Sheryl, Vickie, Lee, and I simply shared what the Spirit put in our hearts. All we really knew were the titles to each other’s talks and a very general idea of the content. As each of us took our turn, sharing the message God had given us, were in awe at how—without any planning on our part—the Spirit had woven our messages together into a cohesive theme. What a faithful God we have!

The highlight of the weekend was, of course, the women God allowed us to minister to. Each one set aside the cares of life and came with hungry, expectant hearts to be fed from the hand of God.

There were two amazing stories that confirmed beyond any doubt that RADIANTResolve is indeed God’s ministry. One woman cancelled plans to go to an event at her own church when she saw the ad for our conference. Why? Because in January, God gave her a word for this year. The word was RESOLVE. Another woman saw the ad for an R & R weekend with our verse, Psalm 34:5. Her maiden name begins with R and so does her married name, AND she and her husband are in the beginning stages of launching a new ministry—Psalm 34 Ministries. Can you believe it? The ad she saw was a sign from the Lord that brought her to the R & R conference.

What else can we say but GREAT IS OUR GOD AND GREATLY TO BE PRAISED!

We’d love to come to your church to inspire your women to courageously resolve to radiate God’s glory in every moment of their lives!

 

Post by Edye Burrell