Pursuing God can become an obsession. At least that is what Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of noted American evangelist Billy Graham (and the late Ruth Bell Graham) had to say when interviewed about her latest book, “The Magnificent Obsession: Embracing the God Filled Life.” Released in August, my wife recently obtained a copy of her book, meeting Anne face to face at a book signing this past Saturday in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Anne wrote The Magnificent Obsession to explain her desire to grow closer to God, citing a yearning for something more, well beyond a simple emotional desire. Using words such as “heart hunger” to describe how she felt, Anne turned to her Bible to find God. But it wasn’t enough to read scripture – Anne had to apply what she read to her own life.

A Friend of God

Mrs. Lotz cited Abraham as a Bible character worth emulating. Indeed, Exodus 33:11 has this stunning account on how God viewed his relationship with Abraham:

“The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.”

Applying the Bible Personally

Still, Anne wanted to know God just as Abraham did which meant lifting those words up off of the Bible, applying it to her life, living it out one step at a time, choice by choice by choice. What began as a simple move to pursue God soon became an obsession – a good one at that – which has led to where Mrs. Lotz is today – all consumed by the love of God. Ultimately, Anne believes that her relationship with God will also be defined by Him as a friendship.

The Magnificent Obsession, however, isn’t about Anne alone. Rather, it is her attempt to demonstrate to the reader that God’s relationship with Abraham wasn’t meant to be unique. Despite her own failures – yes, Anne is not the perfect Graham offspring – lessons have been learned during tough times as well as those times she defines as successful.

Just Give Me Jesus

Mrs. Lotz is the founder of AnGeL Ministries, which is “…committed to giving out messages of Biblical exposition so that God’s Word is personal and relevant to ordinary people.” The author of ten books, including her bestselling “Just Give Me Jesus,” Anne lives in Raleigh with her husband, Dr. Dan Lotz.

Popularity: 7% [?]

We Christians can look at things all wrong. No, I don’t mean that we’re wrong in our faith as pertaining to knowing that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world. Rather, we can sometimes look at a certain passage of scripture and miss an important point.

Now allow me to say this – it is through the work of the Holy Spirit where we’re able to understand the Bible in the first place, as He empowers us to understand (grasp) what has been written. John 14:26 says, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” Reading isn’t enough; comprehending what we’ve read is where it’s at.

Doubting Thomas

Even the novice amongst us has probably heard the term “Doubting Thomas” before, alluding to a passage in John 20:24-29 where this follower of Jesus misses His post-resurrection visit to His disciples. Thomas heard their stories, but that wasn’t good enough for him – he needed to see and touch Jesus for himself!

Poor, Thomas – he is like so many of us! I believe that Thomas had great faith, because he stayed faithful while Jesus was tried, convicted and crucified. I’m sure that when he had learned that all of the other disciples had seen Jesus there was a lot going through his mind – after all, THEY got to see and touch Jesus which affirmed their faith, while he had to take them at their word!

Doubting John the Baptist

We’ve been reading through the Gospel of Luke on Sunday mornings at our church. Our pastor, Rodney Finch, recently preached a sermon titled, “The Virus of Doubt.” The primary text used was Luke 7:18-35 which gave an account of John the Baptist sitting in prison, doubting if Jesus was, indeed, the Expected One (Savior).

How odd – John had already been paving the way for Jesus for some time, introducing Him to the world in John 1 as the Lamb of God. He KNEW who Jesus was, but as our pastor shared, he had his doubts too. Who wouldn’t? He was imprisoned for rebuking Herod who took Herodias to be his wife who belonged to Herod’s brother, Philip.

Knowing that Jesus had already healed the sick, raised the dead, freed the captives and done so many other miracles, John was probably wondering why he was still languishing in prison. Yet, when this message was brought to Jesus, our Savior didn’t rebuke John for his unbelief:

Then Jesus answering said to them, “Go your way, and tell John what things you have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he, whoever shall not be offended in me.” Luke 7:22-23

Not A Personal Savior?

We may believe that Jesus came so that he might be our “personal savior” a teaching rampant in the church today. While the “personal” aspect sounds lovely, in actuality Jesus is the Savior of the world. 1 John 4:14 says, “And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.” John wasn’t going to be freed from prison (saved), in fact he would eventually have his head cut off! The fact John wasn’t rescued meant that God had another plan for him – eternal life.

Jesus did respond to John by reminding him to stay the course. Can I be perfectly frank with you? We all struggle with whatever difficulties come our way, but sometimes those same problems can wear us down when they continue on and on and on…. I’m sure that John thought that he’d be sprung from prison by Jesus, instead he was left there and martyred. John died knowing that Jesus was the world’s Savior, but he wasn’t saved from a gruesome death.

The Savior of the World

Nothing I’ve said is meant to diminish who Jesus is, rather to bring some clarity to our doubts as well as to our expectations. Though I don’t look at the “personal savior” teaching as heresy, it can lead some believers to becoming discouraged if certain expectations aren’t being met. In John the Baptist’s case Jesus did relay an answer, though it might not have been the words he expected (or wanted) to hear.

We need to trust the Holy Spirit to teach us and guide us no matter how difficult the situation we’re in. Unfulfilled expectations can lead to doubt, but if we’re able to look beyond our present circumstances, we can see that Jesus is, indeed, the Savior of the world!

Photo Credit:  Stephen J. Sullivan

See Also — The Blind Shall See (Matthew 11:5)

Popularity: 11% [?]

Widely credited with helping John McCain beat out Mitt Romney as the Republican candidate for president in 2008, by taking votes away from Romney, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee remains a favorite with people who are known as “values voters.” In a recent straw poll conducted at Value Voters Summit in Washington, DC last week, Huckabee beat out all challengers as the crowd favorite to represent the Republican Party in 2012.

Looking Ahead to 2012

Though President Obama has been in office a mere eight months, conservative and faith-based voters are already looking ahead to the next campaign. Huckabee, who currently hosts a one-hour variety show on FoxNews every Saturday night, has successfully expanded his influence among some voters though he hasn’t announced his plans for the next election. Likely, by early 2011, those plans will become known, starting what will certainly be a lengthy and perhaps acrimonious campaign season.

Huckabee garnered twenty-eight percent of the votes with former Massachusetts governor Romney finishing second with 12.4% of the vote. Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty and former Alaska governor Sarah Palin pulled down 12.23% and 12.06% of the vote. Close behind was Indiana congressmen Mike Pence with 11.89% of the vote. Newt Gingrich, Bobby Jindal, Rick Santorum, and Ron Paul each received votes with five percent of those who voted choosing “undecided.”

Pastor Mike Huckabee

Former governor Huckabee’s star has been rising for some time among Republicans, particularly those who identify themselves as evangelical or “born again” Christians. Huckabee served as Arkansas governor from 1996 to 2007, stepping down in order to run for president. A former Baptist pastor and leader of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention from 1989 to 1991, Huckabee has been credited with mending race relations, by encouraging his white congregation to accept black members.

Besides identifying a leading candidate for president, 40% of the two thousand social conservatives who attended the summit said that abortion was their most important issue when selecting a candidate. 18% identified religious liberty, 7% same-sex marriage while 6% said that tax cuts was the most important issue to them.

The 2009 Value Voters Summit began on Friday, September 18th and wrapped up on Sunday morning, September 20th. The Family Research Council, led by Tony Perkins, hosted the event which was held at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in our nation’s capitol. Rep. Michelle Bachmann, actor Stephen Baldwin, Star Parker, Ken Blackwell and Bill O’Reilly were among the people who spoke this year.

Popularity: 10% [?]