Dare to dream those Lion-sized dreams

What if you started running toward the Lion instead of away from it? Yeah, no one in his right mind would do that, or would he? Mark Batterson, in his latest book Chase the Lion: If Your Dream Doesn't Scare you, It's too Small (Multnomah, 2016) tells the story of someone who did just that. Actually he continues the story that he started 10 years ago. The story of Benaiah, son of Jehoiada was told in the book In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day.

                In that book Batterson told a tale of courage that most of us would call something else. Benaiah followed a lion and when the lion fell into a pit, Benaiah jumped in with him to get the kill. This is not a story like Daniel and the Lion's Den, there was no messenger from God who kept the Lion's mouth shut until someone rescued Benaiah, nope, Benaiah went into the pit and did what he had to do.

                This sequel if you will tells other stories, stores of other heroes from the Bible, and from the author's own life. Batterson tells stories of people who had big dreams and because they believed that those dreams were from God, they were willing to follow them, to chase the lion, if you will.

                I have enjoyed reading other books by Mark Batterson--he has written several, and Chase the Lion is no exception. Looking over the pages of notes I took while reading this book, I find lessons in theology, in church life, in leadership, as well as lessons learned, and a great deal of encouragement for those who are face with dreams that are much bigger than they know what to do with.  In that case, Batterson encourages the reader, the dreamer to count the cost, pay the price and repeat as necessary. 

This book is scheduled for release on September 6^th.  If your dreams scare you, you need to get this book. If you're an ordinary dreamer, this book might just help you to dream bigger and scarier dreams, and if you're afraid to dream, reading this book might just bring out in you the courage that you never knew you had.

I received and Advance Review Copy of this book in exchange for writing this review. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are my own.