Courageous Living: Dare to Take a Stand by Michael CattMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Michael Catt is the Pastor of the church that has made the movies, "Flywheel," "Facing the Giants," "Fireproof," and "Courageous." This book is a book written as a resource for the message in the movie. I have read several of Michael's books. He does a great job reinforcing the truths of Scripture. He uses lots of quotes from others as well as giving Scripture support for the principles taught. I will leave one quote from the book for you to think about: "Instead of cowering to the pressures of this culture, Christians need to become a force for positive peer pressure. We need to break out of the box and drop the baggage. Boxes are designed for storage and shoes not saints."
View all my
Below are a few quotes from this book:
Instead of cowering to the pressures of this culture,
Christians need to become a force for positive peer pressure. We need to break
out of the box and drop the baggage. Boxes are designed for storage and shoes,
not saints. p. 6
I’m praying for God to raise up a generation who will
venture out and discover the view is worth the climb. God longs to find a man
or woman He can trust with a great opportunity. p. 7
The choices we make determine the roads we take. Choices
have consequences and reveal our true character. p. 8
Sometimes God has to slow us down to get our attention. Jim
Elliot said, “I think the devil has made it his business to monopolize on three
elements: noise, hurry, crowds….Satan is quite aware of the power of silence.”
When Moses left the wilderness, he was a man on a mission. p. 30
Martin Luther said there are only two days that matter: this
day and that day. If you aren’t living this
day for Christ, you won’t be ready to face Him on that day. p. 31
Adrian Rogers said, “God showed up and said to Joshua, ‘I
didn’t come to take sides, I came to take over.’” p. 38
John Blanchard says, “God thinks most of the man who thinks
of himself the least.” p. 48
Humility is not thinking poorly of oneself, but rather it
means not thinking of oneself at all. p. 48
Gary Inrig said, “One of the great truths of Scripture is
that when God looks at us, He does not see us for what we are, but for what we
can become, as He works in our lives. Other people look at us and see our flaws
and failings. God looks at us and sees our possibilities, through His
transforming presence.” p. 48
Hudson Taylor said, “All of God’s great men have been weak
men who did great things for God because they reckoned on His being with them;
they counted on His faithfulness.” p. 54
God is not looking for great
people; He’s looking for available people who will follow Him. p. 57
God will use you publicly if you allow Him to tutor you
privately. p. 82
The person of courage is willing to face the consequences of
his decisions. We may stand alone, but we are never alone. p. 83
Vance Havner said, “If you lack knowledge, go to school. If
you lack wisdom, get on your knees!” p. 84
Billy Graham said, “Courage is contagious. When a brave man
takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.” p. 85
The New Rebellion Handbook defines courage as a
“willingness to go the distance when the vision has faded, when you’re weary,
when no one is there to cheer you on. Courage is an enduring commitment to be
your true self when no one is looking and you’re facing intimidation….Courage
has many faces. Is yours one of them?” p. 85
We need the fire of the Spirit and the showers of revival.
p. 92
Teddy Roosevelt said, “It is not the critic who counts; not
the man who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds
could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in
the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives
valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again, because there is no effort
without error and shortcoming; who does actually try to do the deed; who knows
the great enthusiasm, the great devotion and spends himself in a worthy cause;
who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.
Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious
triumphs even though checkered by failure than to rank with those poor spirits
who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that
knows neither victory nor defeat.” p. 105
Our standard is not Hollywood; it’s Him. p. 107
When you walk with God, you’ll anger those who don’t. p. 110
If you are doing God’s will, expect opposition. p. 110
Chuck Swindoll said, “Part of the unwritten job requirements
for every leader is the ability to handle criticism. That’s part of the
leadership package. If you never get criticized, chances are you aren’t getting
anything done.” p. 112
Jonathan Accuf writes, “Hate from others is like moss, it
can only grow on stagnant objects. “The motion of following your calling repels
hate.” p. 114
Roy Laurin writes, “Never stop working to fight. Be ready to
fight and repel the invader but always keep up the work. A man’s greatest
defense is the work he is doing. If he constantly answers the attacks made on
him he cannot work and if he doesn’t work he will not be able to fulfill the
purpose of his life. p. 114
We don’t have time for average. Average is climbing halfway
up the mountain and stopping. It’s as close to great as it is to bad. p. 128
To order this book click here!
