Periodically people have asked me if we could do an online bookclub to discuss a book that challenges us to go deeper and further with God. I finally decided my life will never get simpler where I have a free month on the calendar to explore. So we’re diving in. Together.
I’m so excited about exploring the idea of dreaming and living God-sized dreams in community. If you’re here, you know we’re going to spend this month discussing You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream by Holley Gerth. I’m excited about this book. As I’ve read it I’ve found myself nodding along to so much of what she says.
Even if you haven’t bought the book, I hope you’ll go to Holley’s website and work with us through the Go Deeper Guide. I’ve bought a great plaque, Holley’s pitching in an autographed book, and I’ll have signed bookplates, too. Stay tuned for details.
So to kick this off right: from Chapter 1:
What would you add to this list? I think one I’ve battled and really see in a lot of women is the idea that dreaming is selfish. If God created us for a specific purpose, why do we think we don’t get to chase that vision.
Now let’s look at it from the other side. How would you counter one of these? One thing I’d say about #2 is that God won’t call us into an area that He won’t fully equip us for the battle and dream.
Holley challenges us to create a vision board. Now I know some of us can whip out a vision board in about two minutes. Others of us will take a couple weeks. I encourage you to begin praying over what should be on your vision board. I’m going to create a pinterest board where we can post these to encourage each other. You can also post them on Facebook. Just be sure to tag me so I can see it!
So what did you think of the first chapter?
Schedule:
This week Chapters 1 & 2
November 8-14 chapters 3 & 4
November 15-21 chapters 5 & 6
November 22 – 29 chapters 7 & 8
November 30 – December 5 chapters 9-11
Are you reading the book and participating in the bookclub? Be sure to let me know here, so I can keep you informed and send you a signed bookplate from the author.
Comments 23
My book just came in! I won’t be able to start reading it until early next week, but I’m really looking forward to it. 🙂
Author
So glad your book arrived, Jill! Jump in when you can.
Love the quote on pg. 11 (Kindle version): “It’s about tenaciously believing you’re made for more. ‘… more of Jesus, more of what he’s created you to be, more of what he’s called you to do.'”
That pretty well sums it up and squashes my personal lie, “Dreaming is selfish.”
Author
That is such a good quote, Angie! We so easily buy into the lie that dreaming is selfish because it focuses on a desire we have. But I think it’s important for others to see that we are chasing hard after God and what He wants in our lives.
Well, I don’t have the book yet…. but I really want to get it eventually because I believe that God is starting to show me some things that He will eventually want me to do… and some of that is agreeing with those God-sized dreams. So, for me, the opinion I had on the poll isn’t that it is selfish, because I believe a God-sized dream is a gift given to us… however, number two is where I struggle because I think there has to be an agreement in my heart with this dream, and I am honestly still a bit afraid that I can’t actually do it, even though, I know God can. So, that is where I stand… now, what in the world is a “vision board”? 🙂
Author
Such a great point, Jennifer. There is risk involved in accepting the challenge to a God-sized dream.
I am ordering mine for Kindle today and will get started. As for the poll, and what I answered, Jennifer Mull stated exactly what I feel…so I will just “ditto” her comment!
Author
So very glad you’re joining in Brittany. Those lies we tell ourselves and listen to are so powerful. There’s nothing quite like exposing them to bring freedom as we replace the lie with the truth!
I have loved jumping into this book, Cara. I love Holley’s writing voice — so conversational.
I also enjoyed when she asked us what were some of our dreams when we were a kid.
I fell into the “I don’t have time to dream” lie without even realizing it. It’s kind of like how I sometimes let all the to-do’s and must-do’s squeeze out having fun.
A favorite quote from chapter 1: “Every dream or desire you have that comes from God is an invitation for more intimacy with him.”
I love the promise tucked within that quote.
Author
So glad you’re on this journey with me, friend. I’m going to share some of the stories about how God has brought me full circle back to dreams I had as a kid. Real quickly: writing. Wanted to write and started writing books at about 14. The other: teaching in universities. That was my stated career goal as a 17 y.o. college sophomore. Then I went to law school and thought that dream had been traded for another. Now…well, I teach graduate classes at a Big Ten University’s business school. I’d missed that last one until I read chapter one.
Author
Oh, and I agree her writing voice is great. It’s like we’re sitting down to coffee and having an intimate conversation!
I honestly am struggling to believe I can dream. It was completely crushed out of me as a child. And I’ve been a bit busy raising 7 children to even entertain such an idea. I keep trying to really believe this could be for me. It’s for others. Not me.
Author
There are seasons where our dreams have to lie dormant. Ask God what His dream for you is and if there is anything you can do now to get ready for the time you can chase your dreams. Is there a book you can read? Something like that you can do to prepare?
Renee,
I can relate well to where you are… I have 8 kids, and depending on your children’s ages and stages, it may be really easy right now to put any thought of having a dream or exploring a dream on the backburner… there was even a period of time I felt like I forgot “myself” and who I was apart from being a mom because it was an all-consuming job…
But now, my oldest three are adults, I have teens, pre-teen, school age and preschooler, (and I am a homeschool mom) but no toddlers or babies, and am finally feeling less stressed and exhausted about my life ( a GOOD life, but an overwhelmed life) and suddenly, old dreams are popping up in my head… and new dreams that I wouldn’t have dared to explore are coming to mind…
So realize that there are different dreams for different seasons in your life. A momma of a large family sometimes has to dream a bit differently from other women her age…. sometimes I can’t relate at all with other moms my age… nor the ones who are younger than me… it can be hard and lonely at times, but I am very blessed too.
Author
I couldn’t agree more, Jennifer. Each dream has its season. And sometimes we have to wait for the right time. Other times we need to get moving.
I enjoyed the first chapter. I also felt confronted by the fact that I have not fully given myself over to pursuing my dreams. I toe-dip in the pool of dreaming. Like anyone, I have had my share of struggles in life; however, I have also had many blessings. The one thing that has been on my heart for many years, and I believe is from God, is to write encouragement to women. Ironically, I feel somewhat disqualified because I’ve had so many struggles. The sentence “Did God really say you have what it takes” hit me in the gut. I’m all too acquainted with that sentence. I love this: “‘Your dreams aren’t about you,’ I say. ‘They are about what God wants to do in his kingdom through you.'”
Author
I love that sentence, too! It’s about partnering with God to accomplish His purposes on earth. So glad you’re joining us, Susan!
Thank you so much for sharing this book, Cara! You are a gift! Cheering you and your fellow dreamers on…
I stumbled across your page and book study today. I am assuming anyone can join in? Is your blog mainly where we need to go each week or is there a FB page also? I have read Holley’s books and thank God for putting them into my hands. I have been wanting to find a book study on this book and excited to read it again! This book really helped me understand that we may have more than one dream and that there are seasons for them. It has given me the courage to start pursuing some of those dreams and being content to let some lie dormant.
Author
Amy, I’m so glad you found us and will join in! For this study the posts will be here on my blog. I just started a Google form, so you can let me know if you want me to email you as the posts go live! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ildeNNI-wQtu4xzgieODo8_6lSqV3O_1TJ5peLgg9Ck/viewform
My favorite quote from Chapter One was, “There is always enough time in our day to do God’s Will.” It was part challenging and part freeing because, I can release the things in my day that are not God’s Will. What does this activity have to do with God’s plan? How will this activity support me in God’s purpose for me?
I was also encouraged that I don’t have to do it all today, but just work toward it. I loved the concept of getting prepared for it. Preparation is not a waste of time, it’s not useless. It’s foundational and required for pulling it off with excellence!
I’m looking forward to digging deeper into this book! Thanks Cara!
I found the statement “Every dream or desire you have that comes from God is an invitation for more intimacy with him” very inspiring. I know I am closest to His heart when I’m depending on Him completely; when my self sufficiency has finally slipped away. But I struggle with two lies, “I don’t have what it takes”, and “It’s too late.” I also have trouble knowing for sure when a dream is from God, and not my pride or over-zealous self speaking for Him!
Author
Betty, I struggle with the same thing. Thanks for joining in!