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Chasing Daylight: Seize the Power of Every Moment

Review

Chasing Daylight: Seize the Power of Every Moment

Erwin Raphael McManus, author of UPRISING and THE BARBARIAN WAY, fills readers with hope and motivation in CHASING DAYLIGHT: Seize the Power of Every Moment. Previously published as SEIZING YOUR DIVINE MOMENT, the book challenges readers to look at their dreams through God's lenses and reflect on their true calling.

In nine fast-paced chapters, McManus walks people through the process of coming to terms with a major change in their life and helps readers recognize the relationship between initiative, passion and God. Throughout the book he tackles tough questions, including how to know if a dream or passion is really from God, how to step forward in confidence and courage, and how to know if we're in God's will.

McManus points to two practical dimensions of faith that he calls "first-dimension" and "second-dimension" faith. The first dimension includes stepping out into an area that is within reach or within the realm of possibilities. For example, God asks us to do something he has asked us to do before, or something that is outside our personal comfort zone but that he's done in the lives of countless others. The second dimension is more challenging. It requires us to step into the realm of impossibilities and of things we've never seen done before, except that we feel God's leading to move forward. This book is an invitation to grasp both first-dimension and second-dimension living.

Writes McManus, "This relationship between faith and uncertainty is inescapable. What required faith for you yesterday may become commonplace for you tomorrow. Although they are still expressions of your faith, they are no longer the challenges that launch you to a new-faith experience. While at first simply trusting God to take you outside your experience is a huge leap of faith, eventually God will expect more of you. Remember, faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

Throughout the book, the author draws from his own experiences as well as those of friends, family and members of his congregation. The result is both a personal and vulnerable account of the author's own spiritual journey. In addition, the book is packed with biblical stories; you'll read about everyone from Moses to Jonathan to Jesus.

The writing itself is tight, packed with countless observations, insights and details. McManus is a writer whose words and pace are fast. He writes as if he can't get the words on the page quickly enough. Thoughts are racing. Ideas must be captured. If they aren't captured on paper soon, then they'll evaporate. So it's with a passionate intensity that McManus records his ideas. The approach is surprisingly easy to follow and memorable.

Overall, this is a great book. Designed for thinkers but accessible to all, it is a must-have for those who feel stuck in their spiritual journey or hunger for more. CHASING DAYLIGHT is a passionate answer to anyone who has ever longed to see more of God in their life.

Reviewed by Margaret Feinberg on January 10, 2006

Chasing Daylight: Seize the Power of Every Moment
by Erwin Raphael McManus

  • Publication Date: January 10, 2006
  • Genres: Christian, Christian Living
  • Paperback: 259 pages
  • Publisher: Thomas Nelson
  • ISBN-10: 0785281134
  • ISBN-13: 9780785281139