Mike Erre - Astonished: Recapturing the Wonder, Awe, and Mystery of Life with God

To our new family at EvFree Fullerton:

As we journey together, may we never lose our sense of awe and wonder at what God has done for us in Jesus

Contents

ASTONISHED

Published by David C Cook

4050 Lee Vance View

Colorado Springs, CO 80918 U.S.A.

David C Cook Distribution Canada

55 Woodslee Avenue, Paris, Ontario, Canada N3L 3E5

David C Cook U.K., Kingsway Communications

Eastbourne, East Sussex BN23 6NT, England

The graphic circle C logo is a registered trademark of David C Cook.

All rights reserved. Except for brief excerpts for review purposes,

no part of this book may be reproduced or used in any form

without written permission from the publisher.

The website addresses recommended throughout this book are offered as a resource to you. These websites are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement on the part of David C Cook, nor do we vouch for their content.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

LCCN 2014930108

ISBN 978-1-4347-0537-2

eISBN 978-1-4347-0752-9

2014 Mike Erre

Published in association with Yates & Yates, www.yates2.com.

The Team: Alex Field, John Blase, Amy Konyndyk, Nick Lee, Tonya Osterhouse, Karen Athen

Cover Design: Nick Lee

Cover Photo: Shutterstock

First Edition 2014

Photo by Becky Lew Photography

Mike Erre is senior pastor of First Evangelical Free Church in Fullerton, California. He has previously served at both Mariners Church and Rock Harbor Church in Orange County. A graduate of Talbot School of Theology, Mike speaks at universities and conferences around the country. This is his fifth book.

Visit DCCeBooks.com for more great reads.

What people are saying about

ASTONISHED

Mike Erre sets the record straight with a thoroughly biblical and honest look at the unpredictable, untamed, glorious God of Scripture. Read this book, and youll know your Lord better.

Larry Osborne, author and pastor of North Coast Church

Astonished pushes us headfirst into the deep end. Reading this book is like drowningand loving every minute of it. Dont read this book if you want a tame, docile, safe vision of God. Do read this book if you want to be overwhelmed with the glory of who God is.

John Mark Comer, pastor for teaching and vision at Bridgetown: A Jesus Church

Mike Erre is a young voice worth listening to. He will punch you in the gut while also patting you on the back. Expect to be challenged, inspired, and equipped.

Brad Lomenick, author of The Catalyst Leader

Mike has made a great contribution in Astonished by rescuing us from being underwhelmed by the lesser god of our own making and dropping us in the midst of a vision of God that is more and more and more of all that we would ever hope God would be.

Rick McKinley, pastor of Imago Dei Community

Astonished is a stirring, valuable call for the church to embrace a sense of wonder, awe, and astonishment in its worship of God. Packed with wise scriptural commentary, engaging personal stories, and the passion youd expect from a book about Gods mind-boggling complexity, Astonished is a must-read for anyone who feels stagnant, stuck, or complacent in their faith.

Brett McCracken, author of Gray Matters and Hipster Christianity

This book opened my eyes and inspired my heart for God Himself. What more can I say?

Chip Ingram, author of True Spirituality and teaching pastor at Living on the Edge

If youve grown weary of a tame, domesticated, objectified, overmarketed, American-dream Jesus and instead long to be gripped by the awe and resplendent wonder of the resurrected and exalted Christ, Mike Erre has some thoughts for you to ponder. Astonished presents the gospel as it was meant to be.

Barry H. Corey, president of Biola University

Astonished is a deeply moving and provocative look at discovering awe and wonder in the unlikeliest of places.

Steve Carter, teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church

Mike Erre cheers us on to pursue a life of faith, mystery, and wonder in our great Father!

Dave Gibbons, founder of Newsong and Xealots.org

SECTION 1

THE NATURE OF GOD

SECTION 2

THE NATURE
OF FAITH
(AND WHY WE DONT LIKE IT)

SECTION 3

THE FAITH-FILLED LIFE

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

A big thank-you to:

Curtis Yatesfor believing

Don, Alex, John, and the wonderful folks at David C Cookfor their expertise and hard work

The elders, staff, and community at EvFree Fullertonfor daring to dance together

Justina, my sweet lovefor your blessing

Nathan, Hannah, and Sethfor the best study breaks ever

To my many mentors in the way of Jesus: Im inevitably fearful that I havent fully given credit to the many authors, speakers, pastors, professors, and friends who have shaped my thinking over the years. Where your thinking ends and my thinking begins remains fuzzy. I have long abandoned the idea that I have any original thoughts.

Introduction

THE GOD WHO GETS BIGGER

This is a book about the wildness of God and the adventure of faith.

In C. S. Lewiss Prince Caspian, four British schoolchildren find their way into the magical land of Narniawhere animals talk and the land is ruled by the great lion Aslanand embark on a series of adventures that parallel different aspects of biblical faith. Aslan is the Christ figure in the series, and through him, Lewis makes many insightful points about the nature of God and faith.

One of the most profound moments in Prince Caspian occurs when the youngest child, Lucy, sees Aslan after searching for him for a long time:

Aslan, Aslan. Dear Aslan, sobbed Lucy. At last.

The great beast rolled over on his side so that Lucy fell, half sitting and half lying between his front paws. He bent forward and just touched her nose with his tongue. His warm breath came all round her. She gazed up into the large wise face.

Welcome, child, he said.

Aslan, said Lucy, youre bigger.

That is because you are older, little one, answered he.