Forgotten God by Francis Chan

Having grown up in a fairly conservative Christian denomination, there seemed to be little talk about what following the Holy Spirit was like.  Sometimes, following the Holy Spirit seemed to be nothing more than reading the Bible and putting the principles to practice as though living a Christian life was done with enough brain power, will power and elbow grease. Sometimes, following the Holy Spirit was tied with the controversy charismatic gifts of healing and speaking in tongues and so there seemed to be a disconnect with the HS and everyday living.

Francis Chan in Forgotten God does a great job at putting the teachings of the Holy Spirit is small and understandable terms.  He uses examples in his own life and stories of other people to illustrate this relationship all Christians have with the Holy Spirit.  It is quite amazing to pause and think that I have the Spirit of God living in me right now.  It is quite embarrassing and shameful as a sinful human to think that I have the Spirit of God living in me right now as well.  And yet it is also quite humbling to think that the Spirit of God loves me, guides me, takes care of me and I have so often lived my days in the tragic neglect of His power and presence.  I have perhaps been guilty of Paul’s warning of people who have the form of godliness, but have refused to live by the power that brings true Godliness (2 Tim. 3).

I highly recommend this book as well as His other book, Crazy Love.  They are books that deserve not to be read in a day or a week, but to be read and then meditated on slowly.  As a pastor, I’m challenged to live my life according to this knowledge as well as help lead a church to do the same.  I’ll just end with a quote from the book:

God is not interested in numbers.  He cares most about the faithfulness, not the size, of His bride.  He cares about whether people are lovers of Him.  And while I might be able to get people in the doors of a church or auditorium if I tell enough jokes or use enough visuals, the fact remains that I cannot convince people to be obsessed with Jesus.  Perhaps I can talk people into praying a prayer, but I cannot talk anyone into falling in love with Christ.  I cannot make someone understand and accept  the gift of grace.  Only the Holy Spirit can do that.  So by every measure that actually counts, I need the Holy Spirit. Desperately (p. 143).