Book #1

Okay, so here at our training we're suppose to read a number of books and write about them as homework. I will be posting some thoughts I have about them after finishing them. The first book that we read was called. "Is that really you God."

This book is basically the story of how YWAM got started, stories from the first 20+ years of the ministry from the eyes of the founder Loren Cunningham, and their journey of learning to hear and obey God's voice. If some of you are wondering what YWAM is all about, and thinking "I have no idea what ministry Chrissy is involved in", this is the book for you. It's also the book for you if you want lots of stories/examples of hearing the voice of God and obeying/not obeying and the consequences.

One thing in the book that stood out to me was from Loren Cunningham's life and his family. Loren came from a line of christians in full time ministry. His grandfather felt called to preach and then his father and mother as well. At a young age Loren heard the Lord call him to preach and he gave his first sermon at the age of 13. What a blessing it was for Loren to have this legacy. It reminds me of the verse "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." He had the honor of growing up and having "this great cloud of witness" to encourage him in his relationship with God.

Another blessing that goes along with the first, he grew up learning Christian truths as a child; truths most people never learn. It's like the difference between a child growing up in a bilingual home verses a one language home. Speaking two languages to that child is like second nature and he doesn't even have to think about it. Where most people who grow up only having learned one language never learn a second and if they do, most of the time it they won't learn it as well.

It's amazing how God has used Loren for his kingdom and what he's accomplished and the people's lives he's impacted. Not only the people YWAM ministers to but the broken people who come here to "serve" like me. It's sort of crazy being here at the main base and reading all that was involved to get to the place YWAM is now. A lot of work, tears, joy, obedience, mistakes, prayer, and a simple trust in the Savior.

The book ended on this thought "This is what hearing God is all about, isn't it?" Getting to know God better."......