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Holy Ambition: Turning God-Shaped Dreams Into Reality

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This is a must read book inspiring you to move beyond the hohums into action for Christ. If you want to make a difference in your world for the kingdom, to be a person whom the Lord will strongly support then you'll want to read Holy Ambition. It will help you launch on a road to a life of significance and impact for the Lord.

Holy Ambition is a book all Christians should read. It talks about what it takes to make a difference for God. Chip Ingram, a teaching pastor on Living on the Edge and President of Walk Thru the Bible states that in order to make a difference for God, you need the following six steps,

1. developing a dislocated heart
2. experiencing a broken spirit
3. practicing a radical faith
4. creating a strategic plan
5. exercising a personal commitment
6. growing a couragous soul

Don't stop here. You may think you're not "good" enough to be used by God, but let me tell you, God uses ANYone at ANYtime, ANYwhere, so what does it mean to have a dislocated heart, a broken spirit or a radical faith? You will understand once you read this book.

I'm almost half way through already and let me tell you, in the four chapters that I have read so far, I am already moved by God. In that four simple chapters, I learn that we should live a life for God and give ourselves for Him, not the way we want, but the way HE wants. Notice this phrase, `it is not about you, it is about God.' All our treasures are stored in Heaven. Whatever you lose on earth for Him, is what you get back in Heaven. "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it." Luke 9:23-24 NIV.

What I learned most is, a Christian having a big house, a loving spouse, happy kids, nice cars and a 6-figure income doesn't mean anything to God. The question you should ask yourself...is that what God wants for us? Right now, the key is not what we want in life but what He wants for us. Don't get me wrong, it is not bad to have those treasures, but what is important is our intention. Why do you have them? Do you use them to satisfy yourself or used for serving God or helping others? If God asks you to give up everything (savings, assets, treasures) in order for you to follow Him, what would you do? These questions are not meant to scare you, because your answer doesn't affect me. It is for God. If you answer "no" to the last question, don't feel bad. We're on the same boat. Now is the time to ask God, "I am here for You, I am willing to take whatever you have for me, use me God."

You may think you have to be "good enough", well let me tell you folks, God will use you, me or even Chip Ingram himself no matter where we are in our Christian walk. It doesn't matter whether you're an amteur Christian or you're a faithful Christian, God will use you, in times you least expected at a place you wouldn't want to be. You don't have to be a good speaker or smart to be used by God, you just need to follow the six steps above and Ingram will teach you what it takes to make a difference for God and a great way to start...is by reading "Holy Ambition."

This book has been the most challenging book I have read since "Experiencing God" by Blackaby. It forces you to look at what it really means to live out your Christian faith and seek to make a difference for God in this world.

I am a pastor of a church and have given out at least 35 copies to individuals within our congregation. If a few people in a church could put these biblical views into practice, that church would impact its community and the world for Christ.

Move this book to the top of your "to read" list!

After seeing Chip Ingram at a conference, I was excited to get this book. If you are a Christian, just getting by ... read this book! It will challenge you, and make you re-think about your walk with Jesus. It is top notch, and lists many verses to study on the bible.

Get it, read it, and get closer to Christ!

Chip Ingram here presents six characteristics needed to develop what he calls "holy ambition." Holy ambition is defined as living a life that leaves a spiritual legacy in the lives of others. The six traits he offers are: a dislocated heart, a broken spirit, a radical faith, a strategic plan, a personal commitment, and a courageous soul.

Ingram weaves Scriptural passages together with his own experience to provide support and illustration for each characteristic he names. For the Christian reader who has digested numerous books on increasing devotion, there won't be any startling revelations here or radical insights. Instead, the value of Ingram's work is that he gathers together widely known Biblical passages on spirituality and organizes them in an easy-to-follow manner.

Want to live your life on the edge? Take your faith from the complacent, consumer mindset, mainstream, to the radical fringe
that live a life of impact and fruitfulness. Chip takes us out of our comfort zone using Nehemiah as our example and gives us practicle biblical teaching on how to find our "Holy Ambition"
Read and apply this,and your life will never be the same.
Get others in your church to read it and apply it and your church will never be the same. This is a must read for all who long to finish well and live a life of impact.

MY REVIEW

This is a wonderful Bible Study taken from the book of Nehemiah. The author's overall goal is to teach Christians how to live a life that Christ can use. Sometimes we think He can only use preachers, college graduates, bright and smart people, or those with a big name, but He is searching for anyone who will live totally whole heartily for Him. Chip Ingram gives us 6 steps to take to prepare for and engage in the Lord's service.
These six steps are:
Developing a Dislocated Heart
Experiencing a Broken Spirit
Practicing a Radical Faith
Creating a Strategic Plan
Exercising Personal Commitment
Growing a Courageous Soul

As I read and studied this book, the author brought out so many things that I hadn't thought about before. After reading each one of these chapters, I have a fresh insight of how our lives should be in order for God to use us effectively. In the chapter about Radical Faith, one paragraph that popped out at me was: "I believe if we'll step out- not only because we think we are special, but because of who God is and what He has promised - that God will show up! He will use you personally! He will move other believers to join you and do a work beyond your wildest dreams. That's what He's always done! If you step out in radical faith for God, you won't be disappointed. " (Page 93)

Another thing in the book was the heartwarming story of two sons encouraging the people going to the authors church to invite their parents to church because they were not Christians. The parents started coming, and shortly after, the mom was diagnosed with cancer. As Chip Ingram told how the church members took this couple under their wings, helping them in every way possible, I really realized, that's what God wants us to do as Christians. This is a way that He can use even the simplest things to reach others for His Kingdom. The awesome benefit from their commitment to help this family was to see both mom and dad accept the Lord as their Savior. What a Blessing!

I have heard Chip Ingram many times on his radio program, but this is the first of his books I have read. His writings are just as his preaching, even though this is a deep study from Nehemiah, he explains everything in a way even the young can understand. This very intelligent man teaches in a way the simplest person can know what God is saying in these verses.

I would recommend this book to any Christian wanting to have a better relationship with the Lord. One who wants to know the Lord deeper and wants to be used of the Lord in a mighty way.

This book way generously provided to me by Moody Publishing. I was not obligated to write a positive review of this book. The review, and opinions in the book are completely mine.

MORE INFO:
Moody Publishers
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Title: Holy Ambition: Turning God-shaped dreams into reality
Author: Chip Ingram
Publication Date: 2010

**Special thanks to Moody Publishing company for providing a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.**

I have listened to several of Chip Ingram's podcasts on iTunes, so when I saw this book come up for review from Moody I snatched the chance to read it. Last year my women's Bible study was learning about the book of Nehemiah and Ingram also uses Nehemiah throughout the book as an example of leadership.
For some reason I didn't realize this book was about leadership, otherwise I may not have chosen it for review. Whereas I think all of us are called to do the Lord's service I don't particularly think of myself as a leader. I'm one of those people that prefers to be working hard behind the scenes. Although I'm realizing that as a Sunday school teacher, homeschool co-op teacher, and even as a homeschool mom I may be called to more of a leadership role than I realize.
I did feel that many of the examples Ingram uses throughout the book were geared towards those in church leadership, a role I certainly don't intend to fill.
According to Ingram, Nehemiah shows a pattern for the steps those in leadership should follow:
Develop a dislocated heart
Experience a broken spirit
Practicing a radical faith
Creating a strategic plan
Exercising personal commitment
Growing a courageous soul

My favorite section was on developing a dislocated heart and experiencing a broken spirit. I feel so many books skip around the topic of repentance. I was so glad that Ingram shared how a broken spirit is one God can use. This is a principle I've definitely seen in my own life. And I've definitely noticed that the strongest leaders do have a sense of humility.
Although this book wasn't always as applicable to my personal life as I would have hoped, I did definitely glean some wisdom from it. I would recommend this book for those in Christian leadership.

This book makes it clear that ambition in God's economy is not a bad thing as long as it is for Love of God's purposes. You don't have to be famous, or popular. Just committed to God. :-)

Holy Ambition deals with the problem that most Christians, including myself, struggle with. How do we take all of our good thoughts and intentions and turn them into something concrete. Ingram gives illustrations that help us to sort through the noise of life and obtain some clarity. Along the way, he also takes away excuses and challenges the reader to make a difference.