Looking for an audacious faith?

In "Sun Stand Still" Pastor Steven Furtick challenges us to develop an audacious faith.  I was a little skeptical at first as to where this might lead, but upon reading his book I wholeheartedly agree.  Furtick is taking the basis of his book from the story of Joshua.  Joshua had the pleasure of leading the people of God after Moses had died, a task that I'm sure not too many envied.  But Joshua was the leader that was able to lead the people of God into the promised land after wandering in the desert for forty years.  During one of the many battles that he lead the army into, he had the audacity to pray that God would make the sun to stand still in the sky, and God granted this request which allowed Joshua and his army to gain victory.  It is this simple prayer that Joshua prays that Furtick uses to awaken his reader to the promises that God wants to unleash on His people.  This does not refer or in any way mimic the slick packaging of the prosperity gospel, but instead Furtick is concerned with how the people of God can make a difference in the world around them.

I think the strength of this book is found in the ease and clarity of the writing and the stories that Furtick shares of those in his church that have prayed Sun Stand Still prayers in their lives and how God answered them.  I really appreciated his emphasis at the end of the book on how the journey is just as important as the destination and that getting to the destination is always a process.  It is easy to read a book like this and then get caught up in the success stories and lose sight of the process and journey that it took to get there.  There are many resources on the website for the book that will help with small group discussions and other messages from the author.

On a personal note, one of my best friends from college attends Elevation church in Charlotte and has nothing but positive things to say about his church and the work they are doing in the Charlotte area.  If the basis of the ministry of Elevation church is founded in the frame of mind that this book portrays I can totally see why this is the case.  I believe there are even greater things in store for this pastor, his church and those who will join in the movement of God with an audacious faith.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.