4.46

5

Sep 19, 2010

Before I start this review, I need to tell you that I was a big fan of Steven Furtick before he put a single word down on paper. I first heard him speak last September on The Nines, an online conference put on by Leadership Network...

Now, I realize that he may or may not be your cup of tea - he's definitely got a "grew up in the South & around church" vibe - but that video cut through a morass of self-pity & frustration in my ministry & life. He blends "inside baseball" humor (well, Before I start this review, I need to tell you that I was a big fan of Steven Furtick before he put a single word down on paper. I first heard him speak last September on The Nines, an online conference put on by Leadership Network...

Now, I realize that he may or may not be your cup of tea - he's definitely got a "grew up in the South & around church" vibe - but that video cut through a morass of self-pity & frustration in my ministry & life. He blends "inside baseball" humor (well, "inside ministry life" humor) with great expository teaching & incredible encouragement.

In November of 2009, I was given a free ticket to the National Outreach Convention in San Diego... and Steven was the final speaker. You can read one of the points of his message in his blog post, Give Me My Rocks... but there was more to what he said. This gawky 29 year old kid (yes, the fact that he would have been in one of my youth groups makes me a little crazy) challenged & encouraged a group of convention-weary pastors/leaders with humor, passion & capital "T" truth.

A bit ashamed of myself for groupie-like behavior, I went up after the convention was done to meet him & tell him how much his video on The Nines had meant to me. And here's why I'm not sure I can give his book a completely objective review - Steven hugged me (was NOT expecting that) and prayed for me, right there in the middle of a crowd of well-wishers. I don't remember much of what he said (still stunned from the bear hug) but his humility & exuberance won me over... in part because it's all too easy for me to live/minister out of pride & duty. Some days, it seems like my passion for Christ & for people has been boiled down to simply getting the job done.

So, with all that background/biographical information, now I'll attempt to review Steven's first book, Sun Stand Still: What Happens When You Dare To Ask God For The Impossible.

Early on, Steven declares his purpose for writing this book on faith:

---

This book is not a Snuggie. The words on these pages will not go down like Ambien. I'm not writing to calm or coddle you.

With God's help, I intend to incite a riot in your mind. Trip your breakers & turn out the lights in your favorite hiding places of insecurity & fear. Then flip the switch back on so that God's truth can illuminate the divine destiny that may have been lying dormant inside you for years. In short, I'm out to activate your audacious faith. To inspire you to ask God for the impossible. And in the process, to reconnect you with your God-sized purpose & potential.

---

I figure the best way for me to review a book by an author that I'm rooting for is to try & judge the book by this simple question: does he accomplish what he set out to do?

The short answer, at least for me, is "Yes."

The book is based on the passage in Joshua 10 where God causes the sun to stand still in order that the Israelites can complete the victory that He has promised them. We can all debate the possibility of miracles some other time. (Furtick doesn't even bother here in the book - he simply makes the same assumption that I do: we're dealing with the same God who resurrected Jesus from the grave... if He can intervene there, He can easily do so here.)

From there, the author takes us along on his personal journey as the pastor/church planter of Elevation Church... and shares multiple stories of people whose lives have been changed by audacious faith.

One of the things I really liked about the book is Steven Furtick's willingness to rewind a bit & make sure that the reader is understanding the terms/words as he is using them... and even to deal with some faith issues that often get ignored in this type of book. What do I mean by "this type of book?" Well, due to my past experience with Christian publishers, lots of books on faith are simply "rah-rah, believe more & get more, name it & claim it" (and so on) and gloss over areas of difficulty that Furtick plunges into head first:

* how can I have a big vision when I'm just an "ordinary" follower of Jesus (aka "not a pastor")?
* is this simply a "baptized" way to perform prayer rituals to get God to do your bidding
* what happens when God doesn't answer your audacious & faithful prayers?

With his characteristic humor & solid Biblical foundation, Steven has written a book that manages to encourage followers of Jesus to passionately ask God to move on our behalf for His glory... and to do so without using false guilt to motivate people to pursue faith.

Note: this is not a book that's going to appeal to those who are struggling with the reality of God... it is written to a Christian audience. For those who are growing closer to God - whether they've crossed the line of faith or not - I think this is an inspiring look at real "rubber hits the road" faith & prayer can be. ...more

4

Aug 25, 2011

Pastor Steven Furtick is regularly criticized for his lax use of Scripture, his shaky theology, and his over-eager charm, but there is no denying he is gifted and talented. While I'm somewhat in the Reformed camp who has claimed doctrinal war against guys like Furtick, I personally love his ministry. I appreciate what he does. I download podcasts from Mark Driscoll, Matt Chandler, Timothy Keller, James MacDonald, and anyone else you'd call conservative, but my odd blip on the iPod is Steven Pastor Steven Furtick is regularly criticized for his lax use of Scripture, his shaky theology, and his over-eager charm, but there is no denying he is gifted and talented. While I'm somewhat in the Reformed camp who has claimed doctrinal war against guys like Furtick, I personally love his ministry. I appreciate what he does. I download podcasts from Mark Driscoll, Matt Chandler, Timothy Keller, James MacDonald, and anyone else you'd call conservative, but my odd blip on the iPod is Steven Furtick. I don't always agree with what he says, but that shouldn't count him out. When he says the truth, it lands hard.

Furtick has three main objectives: to understand the size of our God we pray to, to seek a vision the size of that God, and to persevere amidst unanswered prayers. These goals culminate into his favorite phrase, audacious faith. He bases all this off a passage from Joshua that may or may not demonstrate proper exegesis, but is certainly catchy. It's a real zinger to say Sun Stand Still.

The last point, about fighting even when prayers seem to fail, is the most nuanced part of the book. It's also his best sermon in the series. That single chapter touches so close to the daily reality of many people. Finally Furtick stops making God sound like a genie. When you strip away all the inspirational cheerleading of Furtick's preaching and writing, you get a sense that he sincerely understands the depth of our struggles. I wish that last point had taken up more of the book. It's almost as if Furtick sat down in the pulpit, turned off his iPad, and got really real. Our faith cannot be in goals, he implies, because our faith can only be fully found in God Himself, who is good beyond our understanding. It spoke so well that it eclipsed (pun intended) nearly everything else.

If it sounds like I'm being hard on Furtick, I'm not trying to be. I did enjoy his book. It did achieve some of its goal: to increase my faith in God's generous goodness. Furtick is a hyperbolic, astronomical goalsetter who may turn you off or may fire you up. Here's a thought to some of the critics: if we actually did try living as bold as Furtick suggests, would that be a bad thing? I hardly think so. ...more

5

Oct 22, 2010

Every once in a while you read a book that intersects with where you are in life in such a way that it's almost conversational. This has been that book for me. It has encouraged me on my journey.

3

Nov 03, 2019

I have so much admiration for Steven Furtick and his audacious faith. God is doing huge things through him.

This book didn't necessarily have anything new or an earth-shattering revelation. But I struggle to be faithful in my prayer life. So for me, I need maintenance books like this that are full of passion and challenge to wake up my prayer life again.

Awesome book if anyone is looking to jolt awake their prayers again.

I'd rate this book a G.

5

February 5, 2013

This book is great.. it puts you walk in a new light. Living out audacious faith is something every Christian should strive for. This book will not only get you excited, but will also show you how to live an audacious life for Christ.

5

Nov 08, 2019

Another amazing book by Pastor Furtick. I really liked how this message was about daring to be bold in Christ and step forward in faith. I think a lot of times, we as Christians “play it safe” and we stick to our routine and our comfort zone and are good people who love God. But while these things are good, God calls us to much more. We can all live boldly in our everyday life and we have to be willing to step out in faith for God to do big things through us. I highly recommend this book if you Another amazing book by Pastor Furtick. I really liked how this message was about daring to be bold in Christ and step forward in faith. I think a lot of times, we as Christians “play it safe” and we stick to our routine and our comfort zone and are good people who love God. But while these things are good, God calls us to much more. We can all live boldly in our everyday life and we have to be willing to step out in faith for God to do big things through us. I highly recommend this book if you are look for motivation and clarity on how we should proceed, especially if you are unsure of your calling! ...more

5

Aug 15, 2011

When I saw Steven Furtick at the Willow Creek Association Global Leadership Summit this year, I was drawn in by his personality. You could tell that he believed he could change the world. This book helps one to dig deeper into his mindset.

I feel genuinely encouraged in my walk.

5

August 21, 2014

This book has truly changed my life . Please read it!!!

0

Apr 29, 2017

Idk why I read this
Joel Osteen wannabe, with a lot of God sprinkled in.

5

Mar 12, 2012

Loved the book; its going into my personal library. Written in a way to wake you back up to the radical truths of the Bible. Re-charging, re-firing, reminding the believer that God's power, and unusual ways have NOT passed away; dare to ask and believe. To pray daring, outrageous, world changing prayers.

4

Feb 06, 2012

The first time I had heard of Steven Furtick was when I picked up this book. Evidently he is a pastor of a very large and successful Church and movement in the southern states. Admittedly, even in first picking up this book and perusing the first few chapters it is hard to get a complete picture of the man and his methodology. In fact, it wouldn't be surprising to find many who might be prone to reading a certain degree of cynicism in to what at first glance gives the appearance of a superficial The first time I had heard of Steven Furtick was when I picked up this book. Evidently he is a pastor of a very large and successful Church and movement in the southern states. Admittedly, even in first picking up this book and perusing the first few chapters it is hard to get a complete picture of the man and his methodology. In fact, it wouldn't be surprising to find many who might be prone to reading a certain degree of cynicism in to what at first glance gives the appearance of a superficial Gospel presentation on blessings, miraculous works and prayer and healing. From his own self admission, he is not a scholar or a theologian. He was not at the top in school and does not have a penchant or huge desire for the wordiness of strong academics. Nevertheless though, there is something about the passion that seems to bleed from these pages that entices you to keep reading. And for those who give this book a shot, the full read certainly reaps rewards. It will cheer you on in faith, excite you in vision and get you excited about the possibilities of your life under God.

As I mentioned, there is no denying this man's passion. It is contagious, infectious and affecting. What he lacks in academic prowess he certainly makes up for in undeniable story, testimony and experience and focus. In fact, it is his methodology itself that proves to be the most compelling parts of Sun Stand Still. Rooting itself in the story of Joshua, it spends the first three quarters asking us to imagine the impossible being possible. It asks us to imagine a world in which we, people like Joshua, can in fact see time stop and the sun stand still. And he makes a fervent and impassioned plea for the modern Christian to adapt a similar degree of faith. One can refer to his language as somewhat over the top as he speaks without apology of this one sided point of view in which there is no middle ground. It's a call to avoid disclaimers, to avoid any thoughts and doubts of purpose and motivation, and to simply claim the possibilities that God has already declared to be true. God can and wants to heal. God can and wants us to have victory over the hardships of life. God can and wants to see those who can't have children and who desire to have a child be able to conceive. God desires to see masses come to Christ. God desires to see ministries grow, marriages flourish. So quit dancing around the truth of it and speak it in such as way that you believe it can and will happen without apology and reservation.

It is following chapter after chapter of hearing this repeated vision that Furtick eventually reaches the chapter that he says he would rather not have to write. It is titled "When the Sun Goes Down", and it is the chapter that moves from this focus on the possible to the disappointments we find in the reality of life. And it is a powerful chapter that exposes the wonder of his methodology. He writes with purpose, and His purpose is to call us simply to pray, believe and act with conviction and confidence that is not burdened or limited by the reality. He gives all that he can to this notion before bringing us to what he calls the reality of the process. That is, sometimes God doesn't answer our prayers and doesn't come through in situations in the way we have asked Him to, and sometimes we see the miracle and sometimes we have to be the miracle when the miracle doesn't happen. And in all circumstances, the true blessing is the opportunity to be shaped by the process that marks the struggle that obedience brings when we act in full confidence and faith. By putting us face to face with this reality this late in the book he effectively allows us to hear this (and encounter it in our own lives) in balance while still retaining the truth of his plea on the other end. The fact that the sun does set and doesn't always stand still does not excuse us from speaking, acting and praying with the sort of confidence that believes it will. Approaching life and God in any other way simply sells who God is short, and who we believe God to be is the most important thing of all, regardless of what any outcome looks like on the other side. Doing it in this way paves the way for us to hear the full truth and still be left with an unwavering desire to live our lives with the "audacity" to pray for what we believe God can and desires to do.

As I mentioned, Furtick litters this book with stories that help give his words an incredible sense of validity. There is no denying that God has acted in miracles. The author believes this without a doubt, and it would be hard to contest this given the evidence. The last chapters of the book I think are some of the most affecting as it looks to apply his fervent plea in a very practical way. And it happens to tackle some of the strongest theological components of his book at this point as well. He leaves us with some very simple but profound directives to help us step out in faith in our lives. This includes the notion that we must first be in the word, and we must first understand what God has done to know what He can do. This is what should mark our prayers moving forward when we then in turn speak in the confidence that God can once again do it in our circumstance. And then we must act. While God can certainly act beyond us, and grace in fact declares that it is not us but God, our obedience and the miraculous work of God are very much intertwined. Just because God works in our brokenness and works to do what we cannot does not give us license to keep on sinning or to not bring our whole selves to the table. And this is where we are once again reminded of the importance of the process, of the stuff that shapes us along the way. It is a desire for all of this that should ignite our hearts. The thrill of stepping out to imagine in faith the impossible vision that God has given for our lives, community or circumstance. The sometimes painful and difficult shaping that happens along the way. And finally the wonder of seeing the miracle of God using our faith to shape our obedience and to move us toward the miraculous on the other side. I don't know about you, but I was certainly won over by the end. ...more

5

April 7, 2013

I love this book it helps me understand the things that God has put on my life and the pmand that he has for me????????????

4

Dec 21, 2010

Impacted how I pray and what I pray for. Maybe an upcoming series?

5

Jan 08, 2012

Excellent book. First book I've read by Furtick and I love how down to earth his writing style is- very easy to read. And the thoughts and approaches to faith and prayer are so positive and purposeful- I will work to use these along with his 12 audacious faith confessions on page 114 daily.

5

Jul 12, 2011

A non fiction book that I actually loved! This book doesn't discourage you with crazy expectations. It actually encourages you to not lose faith in that big prayer that you have and to get into the word and stand on the promises of God. Has changed the way I pray!

3

Jun 21, 2012

I liked it because of the message. He seems to be a speaker who writes, but his passion and message are powerful. It definitely lit a fire under me regarding the vision I was give several years ago. If you desire to do GREAT things for the world to the glory of God then I recommend this book.

3

Jun 20, 2011

On the front end, I feel it's only fair to admit that when I first received this book, I was not a big fan of Steven Furtick. In my admittedly limited experience with the young megachurch pastor, I had found him to be brash, over-the-top, and borderline arrogant... not exactly qualities I look for in a preacher. Of course, I have generally found that it hasn't been an issue with whathe has said so much as howhe has said it ( this video is a good example).

Since my problems with Furtick have been On the front end, I feel it's only fair to admit that when I first received this book, I was not a big fan of Steven Furtick. In my admittedly limited experience with the young megachurch pastor, I had found him to be brash, over-the-top, and borderline arrogant... not exactly qualities I look for in a preacher. Of course, I have generally found that it hasn't been an issue with what he has said so much as how he has said it ( this video is a good example).

Since my problems with Furtick have been primarily about his methods rather than his message, I was interested to see how he came across in his first book. I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, and hoped this new medium would help me to understand what he's really about.

The premise of the book is that most Christians fail to live life to the fullest, and never take advantage of the awesome power that is available to us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and access to the Father through prayer. Furtick's main Scriptural text for the book is Joshua 10 , where Joshua commands the sun to stand still. His assertion is that God wants to answer "Sun Stand Still" prayers for all his children, and stands ready to do so if only we will come boldly before the throne and ask God for the impossible. There are positives and negatives in the way the book works this out.

First, the bad: Unfortunately, much of Furtick's bravado comes through in his writing, leading passages of this book to be almost maddeningly unreadable. From his overuse of the word "audacious" to his exhortation that people stop praying stupid, timid prayers, I found my eyes rolling several times. Also, at points this book sounded very much like the self-help pseudo-spiritual nonsense of prosperity preachers like Joel Osteen (whom Furtick has defended on multiple occasions ). If I hadn't been provided a free copy of the book for review purposes, I probably would not have continued.

Thankfully, I'm glad I did, because it turns out there is also a lot of good in this book. Once I got over my bias against Furtick's writing style, I began to realize that there is some theological depth here where it is lacking in the type of guys who usually write books like this. Just because many books and sermons about praying for God's miraculous intervention make claims beyond what Scripture supports doesn't mean that the basic idea isn't biblically sound. After all, we do worship a God who is capable of stopping the sun and "able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think" ( Ephesians 3:20 ). Personally, I do have a tendency to pray safe, timid prayers rather than trust God to supply all my needs.

Where this book is at its best is in a chapter a little past the halfway mark called "When the Sun Goes Down". It was here I felt the book hit a turning point, and I actually quite enjoyed the rest of it. In this chapter, Furtick balances out the "pray with bold expectation" sentiment with the reality that "sometimes — a lot of times, honestly — it goes the other way. Sometimes the sun doesn't stand still. Sometimes the sun goes down... sometimes the sun keeps sinking down, down, down, and no amount of hoping, fasting, or right living seems to stop it." This is where the prosperity theologians go badly wrong. Many times, our prayers are not answered (or the answer is no), no matter how fervently we trust in God. It can really shake one's faith. What do we do then?

Furtick's answer is right on: keep trusting God, and look for ways to glorify Him through your setback. The rest of the book includes many practical suggestions for improving one's prayer life. These suggestions are good ones, and were personally challenging. Readers are directed to "reconcile your dreams with God's desires", using God's Word as a measuring stick for whether our prayers are according to God's will. We are also to "push while you pray", meaning that often the answers to our prayer often require taking action even while praying that God would act.

As Furtick points out, there is a process between the promise and the payoff, and it is often during this process that God is seen and felt most powerfully. The type of prayers which require a miracle are frequently accompanied by uncertainty, anxiety, change, and sacrifice, but these are the very things that form our character and deepen our walk with the Lord.

My final analysis? While I still don't like Furtick's style, I recognize that there is plenty of room in God's Kingdom for different methods. I still question some of his teaching, but finished this book encouraged that there is much more to Steven Furtick than I had previously given him credit for. I would not recommend this book for those whose discernment I do not trust, but there is much to be gleaned here. I look forward to seeing what comes of Furtick's ministry, as he is still only 30, and has many years of preaching and (hopefully) growing ahead of him.

Thanks to Waterbrook Multnomah for providing a free review copy of this book. I was not obligated to write a positive review. ...more

5

Jun 01, 2011

Amazing and challenging. This book is a poke on our backs so we start paying attention to the life we're living. Is it a faith driven life, or a fear driven life?
Its encouraging to read that it is possible to live a life of audacious faith, and this way have the best life God has planned for us. Amazing and challenging. This book is a poke on our backs so we start paying attention to the life we're living. Is it a faith driven life, or a fear driven life?
It´s encouraging to read that it is possible to live a life of audacious faith, and this way have the best life God has planned for us. ...more

1

Feb 01, 2015

Ugh....I started this book after hearing an associate pastor at my church preach an uplifting message from it and while I HAD been enjoying it, I felt pretty slimey about the pastor who wrote it after I read [quite a bit more] about him (here's a bizarre starting point: http://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/christ...) -- a great reminder to do my homework when it comes to finding authors whose messages I want to follow as they relate to my faith.

3

Nov 04, 2011

Such an inspiring and motivating book, written in a way that is relatable, easy to read and Biblically-founded. I was also pleased that Furtick had a vision for this novel, used Joshua as the main biblical parallel and did not stay from this vision or Joshua's audacious faith example.

Parts of this book led me to tears in recognizing God's goodness and at other times because of how much I know I need to change in my own life.

I've been following Christ for more than several years now and found Such an inspiring and motivating book, written in a way that is relatable, easy to read and Biblically-founded. I was also pleased that Furtick had a vision for this novel, used Joshua as the main biblical parallel and did not stay from this vision or Joshua's audacious faith example.

Parts of this book led me to tears in recognizing God's goodness and at other times because of how much I know I need to change in my own life.

I've been following Christ for more than several years now and found this to be a beneficial read, one that I am and have been looking to apply practically in my own life.

I was skeptical at first with the U2 and Bono references, but upon finishing this book, I can't wait to hand this book off to someone else to read! ...more

1

Jan 29, 2013

Read this, if only to gain exposure from a mega church but don't read this to learn. There were a few things I found uncomfortable with this pastor and his church that lean toward the unhealthy.

A church is not successful based on its numbers.
A healthy church has the majority, if not all serving. His church is 12,000 and only a few thousand serve.
He mentioned that he doesn't even know the roles in his church. The pastor needs to know each person, because in the end he is accountable for his Read this, if only to gain exposure from a mega church but don't read this to learn. There were a few things I found uncomfortable with this pastor and his church that lean toward the unhealthy.

A church is not successful based on its numbers.
A healthy church has the majority, if not all serving. His church is 12,000 and only a few thousand serve.
He mentioned that he doesn't even know the roles in his church. The pastor needs to know each person, because in the end he is accountable for his flock.
Serving in the church is the direct affect of salvation. He mentioned that his performers performed, and then were saved a few months later.

It a lot of I, me, look what I did.

And I'm only halfway though the book. ...more

4

Feb 13, 2016

"Jesus didn’t die on a part-time cross. He doesn’t love us with a part-time love. He doesn’t cover us with a part-time pardon for sins. There’s no such thing as a part-time Christian, and there’s no such thing as part-time ministry."

"Complete confidence in the competency of Christ matched with sincere humility. This is the only formula for authentic audacious faith."

Sun Stand Still is about intense radical faith. Based Joshua's prayer that resulted in God keeping the sun in the sky for an extra "Jesus didn’t die on a part-time cross. He doesn’t love us with a part-time love. He doesn’t cover us with a part-time pardon for sins. There’s no such thing as a part-time Christian, and there’s no such thing as part-time ministry."

"Complete confidence in the competency of Christ matched with sincere humility. This is the only formula for authentic audacious faith."

Sun Stand Still is about intense radical faith. Based Joshua's prayer that resulted in God keeping the sun in the sky for an extra day Furtick talks through what is looks like to pray you're own "sun stand still prayer."

What I like most about this book is that it doesn't just stop at "here is how to pray." It walks through actions to take, things to do, steps to follow your faith. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a "God helps those that help themselves" talk, it's a process, a discussion on what living a life knowing that God can, and will if you ask according to his will, perform miracles in your life. ...more

4

Dec 22, 2010

"God is great. God is good." A simple prayer. A child's prayer. But this is the building block to what author Steven Furtick calls "audacious faith" in his book *Sun Stand Still.*
The premise of his book comes from the Old Testament story of Joshua and the taking of Jericho. Joshua had faith-an "audacious faith"- and he prayed an impossible prayer that only God could answer. That is the type of prayer life we are to have as Christians.
The author uses many stories and examples in a conversation "God is great. God is good." A simple prayer. A child's prayer. But this is the building block to what author Steven Furtick calls "audacious faith" in his book *Sun Stand Still.*
The premise of his book comes from the Old Testament story of Joshua and the taking of Jericho. Joshua had faith-an "audacious faith"- and he prayed an impossible prayer that only God could answer. That is the type of prayer life we are to have as Christians.
The author uses many stories and examples in a conversation style of writing to get his point across. Furtick's writings are not mired in a deep theological discussion, rather he provides plenty of scriptural references for further research and study. He calls the audience to become prayer warriors through an "audacious faith" and Sun Stand Still prayers.
I would diffidently recommend this book to new believers, need-a-jump-start believers, and die-hard believers. Really any believer will find nuggets of truth that speak to the heart. If nothing else find out the meaning to an "audacious faith."
So pick up a copy of the book. And begin your journey of deepening your faith and praying a Sun Stand Still prayer. Your world will never be the same.
"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review." ...more

4

Dec 07, 2010

"Audacious faith" - that is the key phrase in Steven Furtick's Sun Stand Still: What Happens When You Dare to Ask God for the Impossible . The subtitle says it all - What Happens When You Dare to Ask God for the Impossible. The story of Joshua asking God to cause the sun to stand still in the sky, that the Lord's words may come to pass, is that backdrop to this challenging, inspiring book. In the same way that Joshua possessed an audacious faith to ask God for what seemed impossible, we are to "Audacious faith" - that is the key phrase in Steven Furtick's Sun Stand Still: What Happens When You Dare to Ask God for the Impossible . The subtitle says it all - What Happens When You Dare to Ask God for the Impossible. The story of Joshua asking God to cause the sun to stand still in the sky, that the Lord's words may come to pass, is that backdrop to this challenging, inspiring book. In the same way that Joshua possessed an audacious faith to ask God for what seemed impossible, we are to live a life of this same type of faith. What are you expecting God to do in your life? Are your expectations vague? Or are they too simple? Maybe you are expecting God for something that really doesn't impact anyone around you? God desires to do more than we can imagine! Furtick pushes you to dream way beyond the ordinary, and to consider believing God for the impossible - which, to God, is anything but!

This book challenged me in areas of my life that are currently in question. As I closed the book, there was a stirring in my soul - down in my gut (and no, it was not dinner). I want to believe God for things that I have previously only dreamed of! Do I have enough faith to truly believe they will happen?! Let's find out! ...more

4

Mar 13, 2018

A very easy-to-read book, but to its merit, not its fault. I think that this book is great for those who feel like they are in a spiritual or prayer rut, and are looking for how to grow in their faith. This book may not have been terribly deep on a theological sense, but it inspires and encourages readers to live their faith. Rather than keeping it all in ideological headspace, Furtick gets practical and gives rubber-meets-the-road advice for your life.