Book Review: Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit by Francis Chan

This is a wonderful book that reminds us of our true relationship with the Holy Spirit.
Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit
by Francis Chan

File Size: 1082 KB
Print Length: 186 pages
Publisher: David C. Cook (September 1, 2009)
Language: English
ASIN: B005MT8PUQ
Genre: Church Growth, Pneumatology, Theology
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

In the name of the Father, the Son, and ... the Holy Spirit. We pray in the name of all three, but how often do we live with an awareness of only the first two? As Jesus ascended into heaven, He promised to send the Holy Spirit—the Helper—so that we could be true and living witnesses for Christ. Unfortunately, today's church has admired the gift but neglected to open it.
Breakthrough author Francis Chan rips away paper and bows to get at the true source of the church's power—the Holy Spirit. Chan contends that we've ignored the Spirit for far too long, and we are reaping the disastrous results. Thorough scriptural support and compelling narrative form Chan's invitation to stop and remember the One we've forgotten, the Spirit of the living God.

Review:
Francis Chan shares his concerns that believers focus on God the Father and Jesus the Savior and forget that the Holy Spirit is available to give us power each and every day. Chan provides scripture noting that Jesus went away so that he could send the Helper in His place. The Holy Spirit dwells within us when we invite Him in. He is available to give us strength, comfort, and guidance for everyday living. And when we live with the Holy Spirit guiding our lives we should be reflecting His love, joy, peace and the other fruits of the spirit.

Chan encourages the Church and believers to remember to allow the Spirit to dwell and lead in our worship as well as our daily lives. We probably can recall that special event when we first felt the Spirit or received the gift of speaking in tongues. But those moments should not be limited to days in the past. They should be alive and real to us everyday. A sophisticated program should never replace the authenticity of the word and joy provided by the Holy Spirit. If we are willing to be open, we can actually feel the presence of the Holy Spirit, we might hear His quiet voice and we may even speak in heavenly tongues.

My friends in Ladies Book Club and I fully enjoyed reading this. It helped us to acknowledge the importance of allowing the Holy Spirit to be evident in our lives. I recommend this to readers who want to renew their awareness, and recognize their dependence, on the God who dwells with us, the Holy Spirit.

Source: Kindle Free TBR 2012. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019 Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer

This is a wonderful classic to help direct my life focus toward God.
The Pursuit of God
Written by: A. W. Tozer
Narrated by: Mark Moseley

Length: 3 hrs and 17 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:02-07-12
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Christian, Classic, Religion & Spirituality, Theology
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
During a train trip from Chicago to Texas in the late 1940s, A.W. Tozer began to write The Pursuit of God. He wrote all night, and when the train arrived at his destination, the rough draft was done. The depth of this book has made it an enduring favorite.
(P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Review:
This work confirms the other studies I have been enjoying. I have been participating in a small group study at church called Freedom Course. Its goal is to help the student to discern the difference between living in the tree of knowledge, which brings death, or living in the tree of life that brings freedom. I thought that this audio book would compliment the group study and my Bible reading and it certainly does.

The message is not new. It is Biblically based and although it was written by Tozer in the late 1940s, it is still sound teaching today. Tozer states there may be many who call themselves believers and Christians but there are really only a small group who pursue God. It is all around us… we are busy living our lives, raising our families, and doing our jobs. There is nothing wrong with that, but too often we forget the first priority which is to live our lifes, in all activities, as God directs. We need to learn to remove the excesses and minimize distractions of this world. This book goes through short chapters covering distinct areas in our lives that need to change direction to come into line with God’s will.

This classic message exhorts a deeper and closer walk with God. It is a work that I suspect I could listen to several times a year and benefit each time. I recommend this to seekers and to Christians serious enough to truly pursue God and a life directed in His will.

Audio Notes: Mark Moseley narrates the teaching and I enjoyed his direct reading which matched the appropriate emphasis intended by the author. An excellent job of delivery that enhanced the book experience for me.

 This is available for free in ebook HERE.

This is from my Audible TBR shelves (2012). It qualifies for Mount TBR and Audiobook Challenge.