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In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day
Your greatest regret at the end of your life will be the lions you didn't chase. You will look back longingly on risks not taken, opportunities not seized, and dreams not pursued. Stop running away from what scares you most and start chasing the God-ordained opportunities that cross your path. In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day is inspired by one of the most obscure yet courageous acts recorded in Scripture, a blessed and audacious act that left no “Benaiah chased a lion down into a pit. Then, despite the snow and slippery ground, he caught the lion and killed it� (2 Samuel 23:20 -21). Unleash the lion chaser within! What if the life you really want, and the future God wants for you, is hiding right now in your biggest problem, your worst failure…your greatest fear? Story Behind the Book“Our best days often start out as our worst days. And our greatest opportunities are often disguised as our biggest problems. You can land in a pit with a lion on a snowy day, and it will seem like the end of the road. But God is in the recycling business. He recycles past experiences and uses them to prepare us for future opportunities. That is the story of my life. And that is the story of your life. Look in the rearview mirror long enough and you’ll see that God has purposely positioned you everywhere you’ve been—even when it seemed you’d taken a wrong turn.� —Mark Batterson
124 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2006
774 people are currently reading
5,289 people want to read
About the author
Mark Batterson
186books1,082followersMark Batterson is the lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC. One church in seven locations, NCC owns and operates Ebenezers Coffeehouse, The Miracle Theatre, and the DC Dream Center. NCC is currently developing a city block into The Capital Turnaround. This 100,000-square-foot space will include an event venue, child development center, mixed-use marketplace, and co-working space. Mark holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Regent University and is the New York Times best-selling author of seventeen books, including The Circle Maker, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, Wild Goose Chase, Play the Man, Whisper, and, most recently, Double Blessing. Mark and his wife, Lora, live on Capitol Hill with their three children: Parker, Summer, and Josiah.
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October 23, 2018
WOW! An exhilarating must-read-slowly (to enjoy this at maximum!)!
Can I post a bunch of excerpts around my workplace? (It would be the most loony thing I've ever done and would make every workday full of joy). Hmmm, I'm seriously considering it.
How come that I've NEVER, ever, right until now, seen anything from this author?
Q:
Embrace relational uncertainty. It's called romance.
Embrace spiritual uncertainty. It's called mystery.
Embrace occupational uncertainty. It's called destiny.
Embrace emotional uncertainty. It's called joy.
Embrace intellectual uncertainty. It's called revelation. (c)
Q:
To the infinite, all finites are equal. (c) Actually, yeah.
Q:
God is in the business of strategically positioning us in the right place at the right time. (c)
Q:
God is in the résumé-building business. He is always using past experiences to prepare us for future opportunities. (c) Hilarious.
Q:
What sets lion chasers apart isn’t the outcome. It’s the courage to chase God-sized dreams. (c)
Q:
The author gives an interesting naval etymology of the word "opportunity". It referred to days in which sailing ships had to wait outside a port for the appropriate tide, which then was their chance until the next tide. (c)
Q:
Any detail can be magnified to reveal even more detail ad infinitum. The technical term is “infinite complexity.� Fractals are the theological equivalent of what theologians call the incomprehensibility of God. Just when we think we have God figured out, we discover a new dimension of His kaleidoscopic personality. (c)
Q:
They thrive in the toughest circumstances because they know that impossible odds set the stage for amazing miracles. (c)
Q:
Dreaming big enables you to fail forward. (c)
Q:
Your focus determines your reality. (c)
Q:
Medvec studied Olympic medalists and discovered that bronze medalists were quantifiably happier than silver medalists. Here's why: Silver medalists tended to focus on how close they were to winning gold, so they weren't satisfied with silver; bronze medalists tended to focus on how close they came to not winning a medal at all, so they were just happy to be on the medal stand. (c)
Q:
One of the most exhilarating things in the world is doing something that no one thinks you can do. (c)
Q:
Can I post a bunch of excerpts around my workplace? (It would be the most loony thing I've ever done and would make every workday full of joy). Hmmm, I'm seriously considering it.
How come that I've NEVER, ever, right until now, seen anything from this author?
Q:
Embrace relational uncertainty. It's called romance.
Embrace spiritual uncertainty. It's called mystery.
Embrace occupational uncertainty. It's called destiny.
Embrace emotional uncertainty. It's called joy.
Embrace intellectual uncertainty. It's called revelation. (c)
Q:
To the infinite, all finites are equal. (c) Actually, yeah.
Q:
God is in the business of strategically positioning us in the right place at the right time. (c)
Q:
God is in the résumé-building business. He is always using past experiences to prepare us for future opportunities. (c) Hilarious.
Q:
What sets lion chasers apart isn’t the outcome. It’s the courage to chase God-sized dreams. (c)
Q:
The author gives an interesting naval etymology of the word "opportunity". It referred to days in which sailing ships had to wait outside a port for the appropriate tide, which then was their chance until the next tide. (c)
Q:
Any detail can be magnified to reveal even more detail ad infinitum. The technical term is “infinite complexity.� Fractals are the theological equivalent of what theologians call the incomprehensibility of God. Just when we think we have God figured out, we discover a new dimension of His kaleidoscopic personality. (c)
Q:
They thrive in the toughest circumstances because they know that impossible odds set the stage for amazing miracles. (c)
Q:
Dreaming big enables you to fail forward. (c)
Q:
Your focus determines your reality. (c)
Q:
Medvec studied Olympic medalists and discovered that bronze medalists were quantifiably happier than silver medalists. Here's why: Silver medalists tended to focus on how close they were to winning gold, so they weren't satisfied with silver; bronze medalists tended to focus on how close they came to not winning a medal at all, so they were just happy to be on the medal stand. (c)
Q:
One of the most exhilarating things in the world is doing something that no one thinks you can do. (c)
Q:
June 4, 2012
I don't know WHEN I'm going to learn the lesson, but writing book reviews alone has called my attention to the fact that I've got some serious heart work to do as relates to pre-judging (I think we actually call that 'prejudice' :-( ). Here I am again, beginning a book review with a disclaimer that I didn't want to read the book. Good grief. Mental note to self: let's be done with this snobbish attitude.
So In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day seemed like a terrible title. And I was given the book for free. And the physical format of the book made me think it was sort of a throw-away devotional book, a token gift. So it had three strikes against it. But I can't just toss a book without giving it a shot. So I mentally gave it one chapter to prove itself before I donated it to those who can't afford good books. (Sad, what am I DOING harboring these attitudes?!?).
Let's indulge ourselves in the ultimate readers' sin, let's skip to the end of this review: In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day is one of my Top Ten books of all time. I know it's colored by the fact that it hits right where God's already talking in my life, but even without that lens, this is the BEST book I've read so far about what a LIVING FAITH looks like. In a family full of 'fighters', I inherited the 'flight' gene. When times get tough, the tough get going and the weak run away. And, dang it, I'm that person too often. This book holds the key to conquering that weakness.
You COULD read it in a week, easy. But you SHOULD read it slower. It's packed full of a vibrant faith that breaks the chains of control, self-reliance, risk-aversion, settling for less, etc...that so many of us Christians suffer from. When we consider the giants of the faith, none of them sat in their pews, waiting for God to show up, and yet isn't that our default setting? I don't want to be that person, and truthfully, I don't know one Christian who DOES! And yet I, like so many others, either lack the faith or the understanding of the power of that faith to BE spiritual giants. No need! If you want a spiritual shot in the arm, if you want to know how to begin building that potential in your life, then you want to read In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day.
And, oh-by-the-way, the name got redeemed when I learned it's based on a biblical story I've read before but totally MISSED the point of. Dang. How many other things are tucked away in there like this that I'm missing! Guess I'd better end this review with a recommendation of another book :):
So In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day seemed like a terrible title. And I was given the book for free. And the physical format of the book made me think it was sort of a throw-away devotional book, a token gift. So it had three strikes against it. But I can't just toss a book without giving it a shot. So I mentally gave it one chapter to prove itself before I donated it to those who can't afford good books. (Sad, what am I DOING harboring these attitudes?!?).
Let's indulge ourselves in the ultimate readers' sin, let's skip to the end of this review: In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day is one of my Top Ten books of all time. I know it's colored by the fact that it hits right where God's already talking in my life, but even without that lens, this is the BEST book I've read so far about what a LIVING FAITH looks like. In a family full of 'fighters', I inherited the 'flight' gene. When times get tough, the tough get going and the weak run away. And, dang it, I'm that person too often. This book holds the key to conquering that weakness.
You COULD read it in a week, easy. But you SHOULD read it slower. It's packed full of a vibrant faith that breaks the chains of control, self-reliance, risk-aversion, settling for less, etc...that so many of us Christians suffer from. When we consider the giants of the faith, none of them sat in their pews, waiting for God to show up, and yet isn't that our default setting? I don't want to be that person, and truthfully, I don't know one Christian who DOES! And yet I, like so many others, either lack the faith or the understanding of the power of that faith to BE spiritual giants. No need! If you want a spiritual shot in the arm, if you want to know how to begin building that potential in your life, then you want to read In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day.
And, oh-by-the-way, the name got redeemed when I learned it's based on a biblical story I've read before but totally MISSED the point of. Dang. How many other things are tucked away in there like this that I'm missing! Guess I'd better end this review with a recommendation of another book :):
October 22, 2018
Another amazing book by Mark Batterson! The text and message is encouraging. Every chapter drives home the point to open yourself to opportunities, to take risks and to seize the moment! It's a good book to read no matter where you are in life. The stories he shares are riveting and effective. This book will get you off your feet and moving in the path of your Divine destiny!
December 24, 2010
I had this book highly recommended by everyone that I talked to throughout my training. Unfortunately I can't say I would overly recommend this book. It's based off of one passage in the old testament and although it plays very strongly to our emotions about not being afraid and taking on the lions in our lives, there is very little meat here which is kind of what I am looking for when I go to read Christian literature. So if you want something that inspires you to live a crazy life, this book can be that book, but if you are looking for biblical truths, look somewhere else.
August 8, 2018
I liked reading this book. There were lots of one-liners that grabbed my attention and a few concepts which challenged my thinking. And it was cool to learn from a man in the Bible whom we rarely hear about.
But I was disappointed about the lack of depth in this book. I felt like it could be condensed into half the length; it got repetitive. It wasn't really biblically solid/supported, and there were quite a lot of assumptions about Benaiah's story.
Overall, I'm glad to have read this book, and there are sections I'll be going back through, but it could've been more.
But I was disappointed about the lack of depth in this book. I felt like it could be condensed into half the length; it got repetitive. It wasn't really biblically solid/supported, and there were quite a lot of assumptions about Benaiah's story.
Overall, I'm glad to have read this book, and there are sections I'll be going back through, but it could've been more.
August 22, 2013
What a fun book to read. I actually got ticked off when the phone rang a few times, so I apologize to those who called while I was reading this book...I know they could hear frustration in my voice. Think about it for a moment...when you were a child and you were out playing an intense game of tag or something else so fun that you were laughing and screaming with joy as you ran...and then some obnoxious adult called you home in the middle? You got pissed. I could give this book 5 stars just for the fun aspect alone...but that is merely surface pleasure.
The true joy of "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day" is the celebration of the child-like qualities we each have within us and the authors ability to help fellow humans re-connect with the zaniness within us. He refers to his favorite word, "Neoteny" or "the retention of youthful qualities by adults." This is our connection with the Divine through our Souls. This connection is what enables us to chase lions without caring what others think...and we celebrate our union with whatever Divinity we know in our Souls to be true. This book speaks to me on a personal level with reference to my sailing adventure a couple of years ago. People accused me of having a "death wish" and my response was always, "no...I have a Life wish." The author speaks to this as well...apparently, I am a Lion Chaser.
In a similar vein to John Eldredge's book, "Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul", Mark Batterson takes us on a wild trip to understanding how we are wired to be...well..."not boring." The two books, if read near each other in time will help create greater Strength within your Core and with what you believe. Both books come from Christian teaching, but neither are too in your face about it. In fact, both books speak to why I have steered away from Christianity over the last 30 years of my life. Church was always boring, as were the people who were in Leadership. Jesus was always preached to me as being a weakling...a meek little lamb. Think about it...Jesus was a carpenter before electricity and Dewalt tools. The Dude made things with his physical strength...Jesus was most likely a "cut" tough guy who nobody would attempt picking a fight with. Mark Batterson focuses on the aspects of biblical characters who did some intense things...things which most modern humans would call them crazy and stupid for doing. For me at least, Religious beliefs matter not when it comes to this book. Reading books like this gives me hope if humans can regain a connection with the child within us...regain a connection with the Divine Spark...we can all get past Religions and simply reconnect with God no matter what name you declare to be connected with It. The biggest lesson the author hits on is facing whatever fears you have about anything and going for it. Chasing your Dreams whatever they are...no matter how crazy or stupid someone else thinks about you and your Dreams and Passions. Focus on your positive and loving connection with the God of you and go chase whatever it is that you want to chase the most...whatever it is that scares the you know what out of you.
This was an easy 5 stars...I wrote all over the margins and filled a page with quotes in the back of the book. Add the book to your Library and have some fun. I'm gonna go play my dog, Lucky now. Peace.
The true joy of "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day" is the celebration of the child-like qualities we each have within us and the authors ability to help fellow humans re-connect with the zaniness within us. He refers to his favorite word, "Neoteny" or "the retention of youthful qualities by adults." This is our connection with the Divine through our Souls. This connection is what enables us to chase lions without caring what others think...and we celebrate our union with whatever Divinity we know in our Souls to be true. This book speaks to me on a personal level with reference to my sailing adventure a couple of years ago. People accused me of having a "death wish" and my response was always, "no...I have a Life wish." The author speaks to this as well...apparently, I am a Lion Chaser.
In a similar vein to John Eldredge's book, "Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul", Mark Batterson takes us on a wild trip to understanding how we are wired to be...well..."not boring." The two books, if read near each other in time will help create greater Strength within your Core and with what you believe. Both books come from Christian teaching, but neither are too in your face about it. In fact, both books speak to why I have steered away from Christianity over the last 30 years of my life. Church was always boring, as were the people who were in Leadership. Jesus was always preached to me as being a weakling...a meek little lamb. Think about it...Jesus was a carpenter before electricity and Dewalt tools. The Dude made things with his physical strength...Jesus was most likely a "cut" tough guy who nobody would attempt picking a fight with. Mark Batterson focuses on the aspects of biblical characters who did some intense things...things which most modern humans would call them crazy and stupid for doing. For me at least, Religious beliefs matter not when it comes to this book. Reading books like this gives me hope if humans can regain a connection with the child within us...regain a connection with the Divine Spark...we can all get past Religions and simply reconnect with God no matter what name you declare to be connected with It. The biggest lesson the author hits on is facing whatever fears you have about anything and going for it. Chasing your Dreams whatever they are...no matter how crazy or stupid someone else thinks about you and your Dreams and Passions. Focus on your positive and loving connection with the God of you and go chase whatever it is that you want to chase the most...whatever it is that scares the you know what out of you.
This was an easy 5 stars...I wrote all over the margins and filled a page with quotes in the back of the book. Add the book to your Library and have some fun. I'm gonna go play my dog, Lucky now. Peace.
August 4, 2018
IN A PIT WITH A LION ON A SNOWY DAY is the first book I read by Dr. Mark Batterson. My son read it before I did, then my sixteen year old daughter read it, and now finally I was able to finish it (I started it a long time ago, but it was taken away from me by children so they could read it.)
I was fascinated by the quotes I read from this book on twitter and I finally went and looked it up on Amazon and bought a copy (so I am a verified buyer, if Amazon kept track of that back then).
This is based on an obscure passage of scripture, which I went and looked up and read several times, asked my pastor husband about, and studied up on myself. And this book IN A PIT WITH A LION ON A SNOWY DAY tells some of Dr. Batterson's stories about starting his church, dreaming big, reaching for the dreams, and basically chasing down the lions that want to kill your dreams and killing them.
My son and daughter and I all greatly enjoyed this book and I bought two more books by Dr. Batterson to read. My daughter said "Mark Batterson is quickly becoming my favorite nonfiction writer." I said "You mean, pastor?" And she said "No, writer. I've never been to his church." Me neither. So yes. He is definitely ranked among my favorite nonfiction writers too.
IN A PIT WITH A LION ON A SNOWY DAY is a great read, encouraging, motivating, and inspiring. If you haven't read it yet, you'll want to. Highly recommended.
I bought a copy of this book, all opinions are my own and I was not required to write a review.
I was fascinated by the quotes I read from this book on twitter and I finally went and looked it up on Amazon and bought a copy (so I am a verified buyer, if Amazon kept track of that back then).
This is based on an obscure passage of scripture, which I went and looked up and read several times, asked my pastor husband about, and studied up on myself. And this book IN A PIT WITH A LION ON A SNOWY DAY tells some of Dr. Batterson's stories about starting his church, dreaming big, reaching for the dreams, and basically chasing down the lions that want to kill your dreams and killing them.
My son and daughter and I all greatly enjoyed this book and I bought two more books by Dr. Batterson to read. My daughter said "Mark Batterson is quickly becoming my favorite nonfiction writer." I said "You mean, pastor?" And she said "No, writer. I've never been to his church." Me neither. So yes. He is definitely ranked among my favorite nonfiction writers too.
IN A PIT WITH A LION ON A SNOWY DAY is a great read, encouraging, motivating, and inspiring. If you haven't read it yet, you'll want to. Highly recommended.
I bought a copy of this book, all opinions are my own and I was not required to write a review.
February 28, 2022
This book came highly recommended by a motivational speaker that came to my job. This book was very good. I needed the reconnection to how life is and how it gets worse based on what we allow to control our outcomes and our environment. Every one will be or has been in a pit with a lion on a snowy day. No matter what your pit, your lion or your snowy day was; how did you get through it? Naturally, each reader will get different things from this book. The true key is how will you use this information in the future.
After reading this book, it prompted me to want to read more by this author. I cant wait to read, 'Chasing the Lion'..
After reading this book, it prompted me to want to read more by this author. I cant wait to read, 'Chasing the Lion'..
May 29, 2024
This book is so gooddddd!!! When reading or listening to it, make sure to have a pen and paper near by to take notes! This book is an amazing with helping anyone who is in the process of chasing a dream or in the middle of making a big decision. Or even to just establish yourself as a daughter and a son of God and that we have authority on this earth!!!
November 16, 2013
First, I'll start out with some positives. Mark Batterson is an engaging and entertaining writer, meaning, he writes in a way that really keeps your attention, makes you laugh, and puts things into easy to remember terms and phrases. God used this book to challenge me to live more by faith, trusting God to help me step out and do those things which at first glance seem impossible. He gives a good emphasis and section on what we pray for and how we pray. He also seems to have a genuine love for Jesus Christ and a desire to trust Him throughout all of life's circumstances and challenges.
On the other hand, I wasn't too excited about his multiple quotes and references to various psychologists and psychology in general. The way he quoted certain psychologists, leads the reader to believe he highly respects their work and calling, when, in reality, psychology is man's best effort as solving the problems of man (sin) apart from God. I would be more encouraged had he been pointing to pastoral counseling, pastors, evangelists and influential teachers/preachers of God's Word over psychologists. As far as content, Batterson seems to re-tell the same thing in different ways, seems like, so, in a sense, I could have read the first chapter and gotten the gist of most of the book. I wouldn't recommend it to new believers, since there are some things that could trip them up, theologically and philosophically. At times, he appears to be flippant and trite with his references to the Christian life God, and Jesus Christ.There was also one point, when talking about people taking risks and trying to attain their dreams and goals, where he legitimizes believers having a goal to get on American Idol one day. I realize as believers, we may differ on this, but just the title 'American Idol' should tell you something. How do you encourage a believer in your church to become an 'American Idol' one Sunday, and the next be preaching against idolatry? There are more than a few of these kinds of things which come up in the book, which for me, make me less likely to recommend this book to other believers. He has a lot of neat, memorable, pithy statements for life that he lives by and has passed along to his kids, but yet, they don't necessarily have biblical grounding. Not that Christians can't have neat, memorable, pithy statements as part of life, but maybe leave those out of a Christian living book? There were other things which just did not seem appropriate in the context of this book and the Bible passage in 2 Sam 23 which most of this book was based on. Also, and I know I may be getting picky here, but, being an expository preacher myself, while much of what Batterson had to say about Benaiah was biblical, I'm not sure that 'how to survive and thrive when opportunity roars' is the point of the passages in 2 Sam 23 and I Kings.
Overall, I found value in the reading of this book. It introduced me to an author/pastor I'd never heard about, and to how God has used him and grown him in various ways through his Christian walk. I'm sure I'll see Batterson in Heaven one day, and he sounds like a genuine believer, but I'm not sure I'll be jumping to read his next book.
On the other hand, I wasn't too excited about his multiple quotes and references to various psychologists and psychology in general. The way he quoted certain psychologists, leads the reader to believe he highly respects their work and calling, when, in reality, psychology is man's best effort as solving the problems of man (sin) apart from God. I would be more encouraged had he been pointing to pastoral counseling, pastors, evangelists and influential teachers/preachers of God's Word over psychologists. As far as content, Batterson seems to re-tell the same thing in different ways, seems like, so, in a sense, I could have read the first chapter and gotten the gist of most of the book. I wouldn't recommend it to new believers, since there are some things that could trip them up, theologically and philosophically. At times, he appears to be flippant and trite with his references to the Christian life God, and Jesus Christ.There was also one point, when talking about people taking risks and trying to attain their dreams and goals, where he legitimizes believers having a goal to get on American Idol one day. I realize as believers, we may differ on this, but just the title 'American Idol' should tell you something. How do you encourage a believer in your church to become an 'American Idol' one Sunday, and the next be preaching against idolatry? There are more than a few of these kinds of things which come up in the book, which for me, make me less likely to recommend this book to other believers. He has a lot of neat, memorable, pithy statements for life that he lives by and has passed along to his kids, but yet, they don't necessarily have biblical grounding. Not that Christians can't have neat, memorable, pithy statements as part of life, but maybe leave those out of a Christian living book? There were other things which just did not seem appropriate in the context of this book and the Bible passage in 2 Sam 23 which most of this book was based on. Also, and I know I may be getting picky here, but, being an expository preacher myself, while much of what Batterson had to say about Benaiah was biblical, I'm not sure that 'how to survive and thrive when opportunity roars' is the point of the passages in 2 Sam 23 and I Kings.
Overall, I found value in the reading of this book. It introduced me to an author/pastor I'd never heard about, and to how God has used him and grown him in various ways through his Christian walk. I'm sure I'll see Batterson in Heaven one day, and he sounds like a genuine believer, but I'm not sure I'll be jumping to read his next book.
Want to read
July 12, 2020Synopsis from Amazon:
Your greatest regret at the end of your life will be the lions you didn't chase. You will look back longingly on risks not taken, opportunities not seized, and dreams not pursued. Stop running away from what scares you most and start chasing the God-ordained opportunities that cross your path. In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day is inspired by one of the most obscure yet courageous acts recorded in Scripture, a blessed and audacious act that left no regrets: “Benaiah chased a lion down into a pit. Then, despite the snow and slippery ground, he caught the lion and killed it� (2 Samuel 23:20 -21). Unleash the lion chaser within!
What if the life you really want, and the future God wants for you, is hiding right now in your biggest problem, your worst failure…your greatest fear?
Story Behind the Book
“Our best days often start out as our worst days. And our greatest opportunities are often disguised as our biggest problems. You can land in a pit with a lion on a snowy day, and it will seem like the end of the road. But God is in the recycling business. He recycles past experiences and uses them to prepare us for future opportunities. That is the story of my life. And that is the story of your life. Look in the rearview mirror long enough and you’ll see that God has purposely positioned you everywhere you’ve been—even when it seemed you’d taken a wrong turn.�
—Mark Batterson
April 11, 2011
OK, this book is just too much fun. It’s easy to read, encouraging, challenging, and did I say fun?
Here are a few quotes to give you the flavor.
1. The more we grow, the bigger God should get. And the bigger God gets, the smaller our lions will become.
2. God planned for every contingency you might ever encounter, before the beginning of time.
3. First John 4:18 describes the end goal of our relationship with God: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.� The goal of love is fearlessness! . . . That is the essence of faith.
4. Here is one of the biggest mistakes many of us make in our relationship with God: We focus our energies on telling God exactly what to do, how to do it, and when to do it. In fact, we repeat ourselves over and over again just to make sure God didn’t miss any of the important details. But what if, instead of spending all of our energy making plans for God, we spent that energy seeking God?
5. The issue is this: How big is your God?
Wow, I loved this book!
Danielcooley.com
Here are a few quotes to give you the flavor.
1. The more we grow, the bigger God should get. And the bigger God gets, the smaller our lions will become.
2. God planned for every contingency you might ever encounter, before the beginning of time.
3. First John 4:18 describes the end goal of our relationship with God: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.� The goal of love is fearlessness! . . . That is the essence of faith.
4. Here is one of the biggest mistakes many of us make in our relationship with God: We focus our energies on telling God exactly what to do, how to do it, and when to do it. In fact, we repeat ourselves over and over again just to make sure God didn’t miss any of the important details. But what if, instead of spending all of our energy making plans for God, we spent that energy seeking God?
5. The issue is this: How big is your God?
Wow, I loved this book!
Danielcooley.com
June 27, 2011
I had a difficult time rating this book. I enjoyed the concepts discussed but did not enjoy reading the book. I really like the concept of chasing God given opportunities and Batterson does a great job exploring this idea. His points to remember at the end of the chapter are well worth the price of the book. I consider this a must read for someone who is failing to see or failing to seize opportunities in his or her life.
However, I do not like his writing style and I do not agree with his interpretation of 2 Samuel 23:20-23. I'm not sure why he believes Benaiah chased the lion into the pit. 2 Samuel does not state that he chased the lion. We do not know why the lion was in the pit or why Benaiah went down into the pit to kill it. Surely there is another example in the Bible that would fit his topic without using so much creative interpretation.
However, I do not like his writing style and I do not agree with his interpretation of 2 Samuel 23:20-23. I'm not sure why he believes Benaiah chased the lion into the pit. 2 Samuel does not state that he chased the lion. We do not know why the lion was in the pit or why Benaiah went down into the pit to kill it. Surely there is another example in the Bible that would fit his topic without using so much creative interpretation.
February 20, 2022
Benaiah chased a lion down into a pit. 2 Samuel 23:20-21
What is the life you really want? Is it hidden in your biggest problem, your worst failure, your greatest fear?
I love the encouragement this book gives. The illustrations bring each point to life and drills home the message. I read this book years ago, and now I'm listening to it again. I'm sure I'll revisit it again in the future. It's that good.
What is the life you really want? Is it hidden in your biggest problem, your worst failure, your greatest fear?
I love the encouragement this book gives. The illustrations bring each point to life and drills home the message. I read this book years ago, and now I'm listening to it again. I'm sure I'll revisit it again in the future. It's that good.
August 15, 2019
This book contains a lot of quotable material, and so much of the message resonated with me at a deep level. I don’t think it was an accident I began reading this book, because it corresponds to other things going on in my life. This is a book I’d enjoy revisiting.
August 6, 2016
Mark Batterson’s meditation on 2 Samuel 23:20-21, which alludes to a lion killing done by a valiant but otherwise forgotten member of King David’s bodyguard named Benaiah, proves the truth of 2 Timothy 3:16 (“All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching…�). The book is from the same publisher that six years before had given Bruce Wilkerson a chance to thrust 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 into brief notoriety with his bestselling The Prayer of Jabez, so it’s easy to see how Batterson’s manuscript won a hearing for itself. WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers, a division of Random House, caters to authors with a talent for addressing religious themes in nonthreatening ways.
Its roots in a book about divine justice throughout the Jewish transition from rule by judges to rule by kings notwithstanding, “In a Pit with a Lion…� is a pep talk for Christians. Profound truths in the manuscript share space with vaporous inanities: On the one hand, Batterson points out that we tend to rank miracles according to what we think is their degree of difficulty, forgetting that “to the infinite, all finites are equal.� It is wonderful to be reminded of that, and also of the fact that we are, as he puts it, “called to chase lions� rather than cower before them.
On the other hand, the ahistorical flippancy of some over-caffeinated passages can be aggravating. One example: “I’m not sure how the [Day of Pentecost recorded in the Acts of the Apostles] started,� Batterson writes, “but I’m pretty sure the disciples hit the snooze button three times before rolling out of bed, sang in the shower, put their pants on one leg at a time, brewed coffee, and read the Jerusalem Post.�
Paragraphs like that make my teeth hurt. If you want to say that God works in surprising ways, there are better ways to do it than with strained attempts to turn early Christians or their Jewish forebears into hipsters. Batterson might argue the point, but I am not reassured by the fact that the website for his Washington D.C. church asserts that it is “absolutely orthodox in doctrine [but] a little unorthodox in practice.� Lex orandi, lex credendi, Brother � it’s a truism that built cathedrals without trapping anyone inside them, as the history of hospitals, universities, soup kitchens, and agriculture in the West makes clear.
At the risk of sounding like someone yelling, “Hey kid! Get off my lawn!,� I can’t help but notice that Batterson the church-planting wunderkind tips his hand by spelling “bogeyman� with two o’s, as though it were a word derived from dance in the Seventies rather than from the “bogeys� (radar or visual contacts of unknown identity) which fighter pilots hunted long before songs like “Boogie Wonderland� sold any records. That said, small blame to Batterson for something his editor should have caught. The pastor who strives to sanctify movie theaters and coffee shops tends to get the bigger things right: it’s not every personal growth handbook that makes canny use of both Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle and Edward Lorenz� not-just-meteorological “butterfly effect� to suggest that “a relationship with God will complicate your life, but it will complicate your life in ways it should be complicated.�
Batterson explains how prayers create cognitive categories, and why “neoteny� (the retention of youthful qualities by adults) is a praiseworthy thing. His attempt to distinguish “good ideas� from “God ideas� falls flat, as does his cringe-making assertion that Jesus threw a “temple tantrum,� but as the author himself would cheerfully admit, when you chase lions, the lions sometimes win.
To his credit, Batterson has trained himself to err on the side of enthusiasm, and there is something perceptive in his assertion that “faith is the willingness to look foolish.� That insight pays unacknowledged homage to G.K. Chesterton’s quip that “Angels can fly because they can take themselves lightly.�
This book is ultimately a declaration that we are made to face challenges, and a justification for becoming what Theodore Roosevelt called “the man in the arena.� Think carpe diem, repackaged for Millennial audiences intrigued by the possibility of leveraging an obscure scriptural passage into a personal credo that paws into the cerebral cortex more softly than, for example, the Nicene Creed.
Some of Batterson’s theology is under-developed and some of his advice is redundant, but he also salts the manuscript with insights like this defense of Saint Peter, which offsets several cheesy references to “Lion Chasing 101� in my mind: “Peter gets a bum rap. Peter is the disciple who denied Christ three times, but he was [also] the only one who got close enough to Jesus to get caught [in the Holy Thursday dragnet].�
It’s a fair point, and a reminder that Christians are blessed with plenty of role models to emulate.
Its roots in a book about divine justice throughout the Jewish transition from rule by judges to rule by kings notwithstanding, “In a Pit with a Lion…� is a pep talk for Christians. Profound truths in the manuscript share space with vaporous inanities: On the one hand, Batterson points out that we tend to rank miracles according to what we think is their degree of difficulty, forgetting that “to the infinite, all finites are equal.� It is wonderful to be reminded of that, and also of the fact that we are, as he puts it, “called to chase lions� rather than cower before them.
On the other hand, the ahistorical flippancy of some over-caffeinated passages can be aggravating. One example: “I’m not sure how the [Day of Pentecost recorded in the Acts of the Apostles] started,� Batterson writes, “but I’m pretty sure the disciples hit the snooze button three times before rolling out of bed, sang in the shower, put their pants on one leg at a time, brewed coffee, and read the Jerusalem Post.�
Paragraphs like that make my teeth hurt. If you want to say that God works in surprising ways, there are better ways to do it than with strained attempts to turn early Christians or their Jewish forebears into hipsters. Batterson might argue the point, but I am not reassured by the fact that the website for his Washington D.C. church asserts that it is “absolutely orthodox in doctrine [but] a little unorthodox in practice.� Lex orandi, lex credendi, Brother � it’s a truism that built cathedrals without trapping anyone inside them, as the history of hospitals, universities, soup kitchens, and agriculture in the West makes clear.
At the risk of sounding like someone yelling, “Hey kid! Get off my lawn!,� I can’t help but notice that Batterson the church-planting wunderkind tips his hand by spelling “bogeyman� with two o’s, as though it were a word derived from dance in the Seventies rather than from the “bogeys� (radar or visual contacts of unknown identity) which fighter pilots hunted long before songs like “Boogie Wonderland� sold any records. That said, small blame to Batterson for something his editor should have caught. The pastor who strives to sanctify movie theaters and coffee shops tends to get the bigger things right: it’s not every personal growth handbook that makes canny use of both Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle and Edward Lorenz� not-just-meteorological “butterfly effect� to suggest that “a relationship with God will complicate your life, but it will complicate your life in ways it should be complicated.�
Batterson explains how prayers create cognitive categories, and why “neoteny� (the retention of youthful qualities by adults) is a praiseworthy thing. His attempt to distinguish “good ideas� from “God ideas� falls flat, as does his cringe-making assertion that Jesus threw a “temple tantrum,� but as the author himself would cheerfully admit, when you chase lions, the lions sometimes win.
To his credit, Batterson has trained himself to err on the side of enthusiasm, and there is something perceptive in his assertion that “faith is the willingness to look foolish.� That insight pays unacknowledged homage to G.K. Chesterton’s quip that “Angels can fly because they can take themselves lightly.�
This book is ultimately a declaration that we are made to face challenges, and a justification for becoming what Theodore Roosevelt called “the man in the arena.� Think carpe diem, repackaged for Millennial audiences intrigued by the possibility of leveraging an obscure scriptural passage into a personal credo that paws into the cerebral cortex more softly than, for example, the Nicene Creed.
Some of Batterson’s theology is under-developed and some of his advice is redundant, but he also salts the manuscript with insights like this defense of Saint Peter, which offsets several cheesy references to “Lion Chasing 101� in my mind: “Peter gets a bum rap. Peter is the disciple who denied Christ three times, but he was [also] the only one who got close enough to Jesus to get caught [in the Holy Thursday dragnet].�
It’s a fair point, and a reminder that Christians are blessed with plenty of role models to emulate.
December 11, 2024
From day one I've prayed that God would put In a Pit in the right hands at the right time. So a book sold is really a prayer answered. And God has answered that prayer more times than I can count.
Please add me to your list of people reading this book at the right time. When my boss said that we would be reading this book as a department devotional, I was skeptical. I had no idea how I could learn much from a few verses in 2 Samuel about a man who killed a lion (in a pit on a snowy day). But the timing of this book could not have been more perfect. Evan as I spread out the book out over a few months, each chapter seemed to land at precisely the moment that I needed to read it.
It took me a few chapters to get used to Batterson's voice and writing style. He has a way of writing that feels, dare I say, more progressive than other Christian authors that I have read. There is nothing inherently wrong with this, and I actually found it easier to connect Batterson's (sometimes) outlandish analogies to my own life. Once I had adjusted to his unique style, I found In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day very charming and refreshing.
May 7, 2013
When I finished reading this book, I really felt different. I felt like this book gave me enough inspiration to make some changes in my life. And that in doing so, I will allow God to do some amazing things that I’ll be able to share with others.
Topics also included in this book include prayer and how there are different ways to pray in the same situation to yield better results; how our view of God impacts our lives, how the path to our dreams is sometimes comprised of opportunities along the way that we may not necessarily recognize…but how chasing every opportunity is the best way to catch a lion–which is a way for us to serve God by doing great things!
Batterson explains the value in taking risks very well. He paints a bigger picture of our lives the way that God sees them and the way that we should also see them. What may be a fork in the road to us, is a simple stepping stone toward greater things. Through stories of personal experiences and those of his friends, he gives plenty of examples of how one small choice changed a person’s life when you’re focused on chasing lions. He reminds us that, with God on our side, anything can happen!
I read this book in about 3 days. It’s one of those books you just don’t want to put down. Not only was it one of the most enjoyable, inspirational books I’ve ever read, but it was also a very easy read and flowed very nicely. This genre of reading is one of my favorites. It’s important to know that there are ways to achieve big goals in live and this book makes the reader feel like dreams are attainable. It’s not just another self-help book by any means. But rather, it conveys a healthy perspective that enables the reader to feel as though one can lead an amazing life AND have priorities in order.
I highly recommend In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day to anyone who wants to enjoy life, do more, and live life to the absolute fullest. Batterson explained so many great principles and perspectives that challenged my older way of thinking. There is enough insight in this book to change your life, which is something that can’t be said for just any book. I think this book would offer a positive impact to your life despite what lion challenges lie ahead of your path. It’s very easy to identify with and the stories shared throughout compliment the message very well.
The biggest lesson I learned from this book:
Sometimes I thought it was selfish to take risks and go after great things. But that’s what God wants. He’s given us desires and talents and abilities for a reason. Our success in life is His success. By accomplishing great things, we’re creating a story worth sharing. We’re telling the world that God can do wonderful things, even through everyday people.
Full review (longer version) available on my website!
Topics also included in this book include prayer and how there are different ways to pray in the same situation to yield better results; how our view of God impacts our lives, how the path to our dreams is sometimes comprised of opportunities along the way that we may not necessarily recognize…but how chasing every opportunity is the best way to catch a lion–which is a way for us to serve God by doing great things!
Batterson explains the value in taking risks very well. He paints a bigger picture of our lives the way that God sees them and the way that we should also see them. What may be a fork in the road to us, is a simple stepping stone toward greater things. Through stories of personal experiences and those of his friends, he gives plenty of examples of how one small choice changed a person’s life when you’re focused on chasing lions. He reminds us that, with God on our side, anything can happen!
I read this book in about 3 days. It’s one of those books you just don’t want to put down. Not only was it one of the most enjoyable, inspirational books I’ve ever read, but it was also a very easy read and flowed very nicely. This genre of reading is one of my favorites. It’s important to know that there are ways to achieve big goals in live and this book makes the reader feel like dreams are attainable. It’s not just another self-help book by any means. But rather, it conveys a healthy perspective that enables the reader to feel as though one can lead an amazing life AND have priorities in order.
I highly recommend In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day to anyone who wants to enjoy life, do more, and live life to the absolute fullest. Batterson explained so many great principles and perspectives that challenged my older way of thinking. There is enough insight in this book to change your life, which is something that can’t be said for just any book. I think this book would offer a positive impact to your life despite what lion challenges lie ahead of your path. It’s very easy to identify with and the stories shared throughout compliment the message very well.
The biggest lesson I learned from this book:
Sometimes I thought it was selfish to take risks and go after great things. But that’s what God wants. He’s given us desires and talents and abilities for a reason. Our success in life is His success. By accomplishing great things, we’re creating a story worth sharing. We’re telling the world that God can do wonderful things, even through everyday people.
Full review (longer version) available on my website!
August 9, 2016
While I agree with this book's premise that we should go boldly forth in faith to do what God has called us to do, it reads more like an inspirational self-help book, and one that is overlong at that.
Batterson has a very colloquial writing style that I think woks better in sermons than in writing, at least for me. He also extrapolates a lot from scripture, not just from the passage about Benaiah that he titles the book on, but many others. There are also a lot of cherry-picked Bible verses, like Ecclesiastes 11:1 ("Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again"), which Batterson says is a cure for perfectionism (I don't see it) and a call to throw caution to the wind. But the verse which follows seems to say the exact opposite--excercise caution: "Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth." So one complaint is his exegetical techniques.
Another critique that I have of the book is how it talks about our dreams and destinies and how people he knows have found fulfillment in their lives. The people in his church do not seem to suffer hardship after chasing lions, though there are many Christians in the world who do, and most of the ones in scripture. In that way, a book with Christ at its core should be boldly different from a secular book, but this one doesn't seem fundamentally different, except that it talks about God. For example, one of the many passages that made this seem like a self-help book is: "I'm convinced that the only thing between you and your destiny is one small act of courage. One courageous choice may be the only thing between you and your dream becoming reality."
If you are interested in a book that is calling you to get out of your comfort zone and pursue God, I would recommend . It is a more difficult read, but more concise and God-centered.
Batterson has a very colloquial writing style that I think woks better in sermons than in writing, at least for me. He also extrapolates a lot from scripture, not just from the passage about Benaiah that he titles the book on, but many others. There are also a lot of cherry-picked Bible verses, like Ecclesiastes 11:1 ("Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again"), which Batterson says is a cure for perfectionism (I don't see it) and a call to throw caution to the wind. But the verse which follows seems to say the exact opposite--excercise caution: "Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth." So one complaint is his exegetical techniques.
Another critique that I have of the book is how it talks about our dreams and destinies and how people he knows have found fulfillment in their lives. The people in his church do not seem to suffer hardship after chasing lions, though there are many Christians in the world who do, and most of the ones in scripture. In that way, a book with Christ at its core should be boldly different from a secular book, but this one doesn't seem fundamentally different, except that it talks about God. For example, one of the many passages that made this seem like a self-help book is: "I'm convinced that the only thing between you and your destiny is one small act of courage. One courageous choice may be the only thing between you and your dream becoming reality."
If you are interested in a book that is calling you to get out of your comfort zone and pursue God, I would recommend . It is a more difficult read, but more concise and God-centered.
October 19, 2010
I honestly didn't really even want to read In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day by Mark Batterson, but I think God wanted me to read it. I should say I did want to read it, but only because I like to stay up on popular Christian trends and this book kept popping up on my radar. Recently I found out my coworker had ordered it and she offered to let me read it when she was done. I jumped on the opportunity to read the book without actually having to buy it.
My goal was to try to read through it relatively quickly so that I could move on to something I actually wanted to read and return my borrowed copy. A few days ago I began reading and once I got past the first couple chapters (I got the premise right away and didn't really need 40 pages to drive it home) it wasn't so bad . At least three times while reading I decided I was just going to stop where I was an return the book, but for some reason (stubbornness probably) I kept on. In spite of my indifference, The Holy Spirit used In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day 's purpose to challenge me. The book is basically about springing to action when God puts something on your heart. I'm pretty sure I've played it safe for far too long and if I'm really called by God the way I like to think I am, I need to get off my tail and let God use me to make some things happen.
The book is fairly solid, placing lots of emphasis on prayer and dependency on God. Batterson had some great personal examples, but surprisingly I didn't feel like he focused on himself or his church too much. If I never hear about "a lion in a snowy pit" again it still might be too soon, but even with that minor (repetitive) annoyance, I was still challenged, motivated and a little inspired. I'm glad I read it.
My goal was to try to read through it relatively quickly so that I could move on to something I actually wanted to read and return my borrowed copy. A few days ago I began reading and once I got past the first couple chapters (I got the premise right away and didn't really need 40 pages to drive it home) it wasn't so bad . At least three times while reading I decided I was just going to stop where I was an return the book, but for some reason (stubbornness probably) I kept on. In spite of my indifference, The Holy Spirit used In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day 's purpose to challenge me. The book is basically about springing to action when God puts something on your heart. I'm pretty sure I've played it safe for far too long and if I'm really called by God the way I like to think I am, I need to get off my tail and let God use me to make some things happen.
The book is fairly solid, placing lots of emphasis on prayer and dependency on God. Batterson had some great personal examples, but surprisingly I didn't feel like he focused on himself or his church too much. If I never hear about "a lion in a snowy pit" again it still might be too soon, but even with that minor (repetitive) annoyance, I was still challenged, motivated and a little inspired. I'm glad I read it.
June 2, 2018
This is an awesome book about facing problems head on. I personally loved how the author used that short blip of a story in the Old Testament as the baseline of this book. It was an all-odds-stacked-against-Benaiah kind of moment, but God used the victory as a stepping stone for greater roles that Benaiah played later on.
There were several great points made throughout the book, but one of my favorites was along these lines. Before you woke up this morning, the Holy Spirit was interceding to the Father for you. Long after you go to bed tonight, the Holy Spirit will be interceding for you. How can you do anything less than chase ferocious lions when you have that kind of prayer support system behind you?!
The only reason this is getting 4 stars is because I felt like a lot was repetitive. I listened to this audio book while also reading the physical copy of Mark's other book, The Circle Maker (also a good book). Many of the same personal stories were in both books, and within this one book, there seemed to be a lot of repetitive telling of the story of Benaiah. If I'd put 6+ months between the reading of these books, instead of reading them simultaneously, I might have been more inclined to dole out that 5th star!
There were several great points made throughout the book, but one of my favorites was along these lines. Before you woke up this morning, the Holy Spirit was interceding to the Father for you. Long after you go to bed tonight, the Holy Spirit will be interceding for you. How can you do anything less than chase ferocious lions when you have that kind of prayer support system behind you?!
The only reason this is getting 4 stars is because I felt like a lot was repetitive. I listened to this audio book while also reading the physical copy of Mark's other book, The Circle Maker (also a good book). Many of the same personal stories were in both books, and within this one book, there seemed to be a lot of repetitive telling of the story of Benaiah. If I'd put 6+ months between the reading of these books, instead of reading them simultaneously, I might have been more inclined to dole out that 5th star!
October 9, 2016
This book is written around two fairly obscure verses in the Bible. 2 Samuel 23:20-21 state: There was also Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant warrior from Kazbeel. He did many heroic deeds, which included killing two of Moab's mightiest warriors. Another time he chased a lion down into a pit. Then, despite the snow and slippery ground, he caught the lion and killed it. Another time armed only with a club, he killed a great Egyptian warrior who was armed with a spear. Benaiah wrenched the spear from the Egyptian's hand and killed him with it.
The lesson learned from Benaiah is to seize God ordained opportunities and act upon them. Don't let fear of any kind stop you. I don't have a fear in doing so. I want to do God's will for my life. My biggest issue is knowing what God's will for my life is. I have always struggled hearing the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit. I need to put myself in prayer mode on a continuous basis and look for God's guidance. This has never been easy for me. I pray that God makes His path for me clear.
The lesson learned from Benaiah is to seize God ordained opportunities and act upon them. Don't let fear of any kind stop you. I don't have a fear in doing so. I want to do God's will for my life. My biggest issue is knowing what God's will for my life is. I have always struggled hearing the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit. I need to put myself in prayer mode on a continuous basis and look for God's guidance. This has never been easy for me. I pray that God makes His path for me clear.
August 6, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book. The folks that had negative reviews because they were disappointed that Batterson was able to pen an entire book from one little verse, makes me wonder if they have ever been impacted by one little verse or one little phrase before they decided to write their review. I have often heard the small still voice of God from one small, often hidden verse or at times even just a small phrase or single word from a verse. I guess the soil of my heart was tender and ripe for the message of this book. I am in the middle of a job transition and feel like I chased a lion into a pit because on the surface nothing about what I'm doing makes sense. But with my prayer radar in full gear and being willing to take a God risk, this lion chase does not need to make sense. I completed this book feeling encouraged and full of hope about what God is doing in my life. I look forward to the next lion chase!
April 15, 2025
I've been encouraged to read this book for the past few years and for some reason I haven't tried up until now. Perhaps on of Batterson's most popular books (a toss up between this one and Circle Maker); In a Pit deals with opportunity, courage, and no regrets. Just those thoughts alone should attract any reader: we all have opportunities, we all want courage, and who wants regrets. Mark Batterson brings his readers through the journey of Benaiah from the unknown to commander of the Army of Israel. His writing contains scripture, personal stories, as well as facts and information from the plethora of books he enjoys reading. Overall this is a very positive and encouraging read. At times I do believe he takes too much liberty with the Bible characters (imaging details or backstories that are not necessarily recorded) but that could his way of trying paint a better picture; however it can take way away from the meaning. Really good read.
November 4, 2017
Mr. Batterson uses the few verses of the story of Benaiah, the lion killer and bodyguard of David, as a springboard to encourage and inspire Christians to take great risks in life and for the kingdom of God. The book is definitely more motivational in flavor than educational so those who are committed to exegetical purity will probably have a hard time with it.
If you're looking for encouragement and wanting to flan the flames of your faith you may want to add this one to your list.
"Most of us want absolute certainty before we step out in faith. We love 100% money back guarentees. The problem is this - it takes faith out of the equation. There is no such thing as risk-free faith and you can't experience success without risk of failure." - Mark Batterson
If you're looking for encouragement and wanting to flan the flames of your faith you may want to add this one to your list.
"Most of us want absolute certainty before we step out in faith. We love 100% money back guarentees. The problem is this - it takes faith out of the equation. There is no such thing as risk-free faith and you can't experience success without risk of failure." - Mark Batterson
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November 12, 2013The author can convey deeper Truth, routing in the sovereignty and omnipotence of God with a penchant for bumper sticker aphorisms and at the analogies. If he doesn't challenge you to take more risks and just about more deeply interesting God and what would otherwise be impossible, you weren't listening.
I also appreciated the ballasts in Batterson's boat. I appreciated his general fund of knowledge in a wide variety of areas, including science, and his capacity to use these fields for illustrations of the cats were short cruise he was trying to convey. For instance, he relates the brain's capacity to find patterns in the familiar with the power of habitual prayer.
I also appreciated the ballasts in Batterson's boat. I appreciated his general fund of knowledge in a wide variety of areas, including science, and his capacity to use these fields for illustrations of the cats were short cruise he was trying to convey. For instance, he relates the brain's capacity to find patterns in the familiar with the power of habitual prayer.
March 17, 2021
Did you know that Batterson is the leader of National Community Church in Washington DC?
Did you know this book's title is "In a Pit With a Lion On a Snowy Day?"
If not, you'll know for sure by the end of this book. At one point I considered turning his repetition of the book's name into a drinking game. Given what the Bible has to say about drunkenness, I decided against it.
This is an okay book with okay information. 2.5 Stars. Perhaps the mentions were more obvious because I listened to the audiobook, but it made me feel like the author found his title to be super clever. Or maybe had a word count minimum and kept repeating himself to boost his #s.
Did you know this book's title is "In a Pit With a Lion On a Snowy Day?"
If not, you'll know for sure by the end of this book. At one point I considered turning his repetition of the book's name into a drinking game. Given what the Bible has to say about drunkenness, I decided against it.
This is an okay book with okay information. 2.5 Stars. Perhaps the mentions were more obvious because I listened to the audiobook, but it made me feel like the author found his title to be super clever. Or maybe had a word count minimum and kept repeating himself to boost his #s.
October 18, 2014
Batterson took an interesting verse that deserves some attention and made a long, bad eisegesis out of it. While full of decent anecdotes, the book was chock-full of pre-suppositions that were not based on Scripture. A different anecdote or verse about courage could have written the exact same book. It's a pop-psychology, you-can-do-it-fest in the same spirit as the Prayer of Jabez fad.
Again, it is a good verse. It does need attention. Benaiah was courageous (presumably). But this book does not follow.
Again, it is a good verse. It does need attention. Benaiah was courageous (presumably). But this book does not follow.
August 27, 2016
What a delightful book that inspires you to take life by the horns and get after it. I was challenged and inspired to believe and go after more, even in adversity. Sometimes along life's journey, you encounter a defining moment. I read this book in the midst of one of my defining moment, and I chose to jump in the pit with the lion, and things turned out extraordinarily well. This book was one of the reasons.
June 26, 2018
This book has a few good points, but many times the author interjects his opinion and own interpretation of biblical events without providing scriptural backing. It feels like he is trying to play on emotions in order to get people to act. Also, there isn’t a lot of emphasis on seeking what glorifies God, but instead the book focuses on chasing your personal lions, so you can be a success, with God almost being an afterthought.
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