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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Strike the Mark: Was It a Total Win or Epic Fail

by Chautona Havig · 12 Comments

Maybe it’s because it’s a spiritual discipline that I never felt like I developed well. Or, perhaps it’s just because I’m older and, prayerfully more mature. Whatever the reason making prayer a bigger part of my spiritual life became a huge priority in the past few years.

I suspect, however, the fact that I spend six to ten hours a night in a prayer house—a space dedicated to conversation with God.

So, when the opportunity to read and review a book about prayer came along, I signed up and requested a review copy of Strike the Mark by James W. Goll.

Strike the Mark: Was It a Total Win or Epic Fail

Strike the Mark: Was It a Total Win or Epic Fail

I need to be honest up front. I’d only made it a few paragraphs into the introduction before I knew this wasn’t the book for me. In fact, if I hadn’t requested a review copy and committed to reviewing it, I would have set it aside then.

If you are of the “Word of Faith” movement who is strongly in favor of things like the “Toronto Blessing,” please know that this may not be a review you want to read. It will likely offend you, and I don’t want to do that. Still, I have to be honest in what I see and why I do and do not like what I read and agree to review.

The first thing that struck me in this book was the author stating, right up front, that he “prayed in tongues” for about six to twelve hours a day, every day, for three months. That kind of hyper-specificity bothered me because for someone writing a book about prayer, the author seems to start off ignoring one of the primary things Jesus taught us about prayer. In Matthew six, He says to do what this man did at first—go into his house, his private place, and pray in private.

And yet, here we are in a book about prayer, ignoring one of Jesus’ specific instructions. Had he said, “After a time of concentrated prayer by myself and others…” I would have had no quibble. I don’t think Jesus was telling us we should pretend we don’t pray or anything. Just making that clear.

Before I go further, I need to point out something. I am not going to list everything I had a problem with in this book. One, I don’t have the time to devote to it, and two, I think it would be crossing over from warning to attacking. I do not want to do that. So note that for everything I do mention taking issue with, there are several more that I didn’t.

“Strike the mark.”

One of my biggest problems with the book came in the early chapters. This quote illustrates it best.

Not all prayers will be spoken in our native language, or any language at all. Sometimes we pray deep prayers that are not in understandable language, or not even in words at all. We may groan or weep or wrestle or travail. Many times, we may pray (or sing) in tongues. This kind of Spirit-led praying is guaranteed to strike the mark every time. (emphasis mine).

My problem with that isn’t even about the whole groaning and travailing and tonguing… It’s that last line that I take issue with. I’m sorry, but I consider it borderline heretical.

You see, prayer is our communication with the Lord. We pray TO HIM. Period. So, unless God is not God anymore, and has lost His power to receive what we send heavenward, prayers always strike the mark.

Mr. Goll seems to consider prayers that “strike the mark” as only those that do what we want or think the Lord wants them to. In other words, prayers that are “successful.”

I think Anthony Hopkins’ portrayal of what C. S. Lewis had to say about prayer covers what I understand Scripture to say much better.

Whose word stands, anyway?

Mr. Goll has an eleven-step formula for YOU to decree something to be. Not God, you. This is what he says:

“But if you pay the price of meeting the conditions, you will be able to effectively decree a thing. Notice that it does not say, “God will decree a thing.” You will do it yourself., with your own mouth and by your own faith. This is not too much to expect for someone who is sold out to God. In fact, it is your birthright.”

I could go on, but I won’t. Honestly, after chapter two or three, I felt like I would be giving this book a one-star rating. I hate even thinking of that. But honesty… As I told a friend, “If I can find anything good in it, I’ll be thrilled to give it two stars at this point.”

Well, I did. I found good stuff in here.

My favorite chapter was chapter five. In it, the author addresses sin, repentance, forgiveness. While he didn’t say anything startlingly new and insightful, I didn’t expect that. Those are foundational Christian principles. He did, however, give timely reminders of things we often kind of take for granted once we’ve been Christians for a while.

Later in chapter ten, he says something I can stand 100% behind.

It’s so good, so strong, so beautiful in its simplicity.

When the Holy Spirit convicts you, do not try to hide behind excuses. Simply confess your sins and repent, asking God to forgive both your sinful actions and your wrong motives. You may need to ask others to forgive you, too. Then ask God to help you change your behavior and tendencies. Never feel condemned with what has surfaced, simply thank the Lord for showing you what was in your heart, and ask Him to help you do something about it. Continue to serve Him, immersing yourself in His Word and surrounding yourself with other believers who are serious about walking in righteousness.”

Unfortunately, Strike the Mark was a fail for me. I want to leave a “recommended for” option, but I just can’t in good conscience recommend it. There are too many things in it that are extra-Biblical at best and others that, if they don’t cross into heresy, are close enough to make me uncomfortable.

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Comments

  1. James Robert says

    May 18, 2019 at 2:23 am

    Thank you so much for taking time to bring to our attention another great read. I enjoy these tours and finding out about many terrific books.

    Reply
  2. Chautona says

    May 17, 2019 at 2:51 pm

    It was what some believers in it consider to be a Spirit-outpouring revival characterized by shaking, “holy laughter,” and “barking”

    Reply
  3. Ryoko L Yaryan says

    May 17, 2019 at 9:47 am

    I have to laugh at myself. I searched on line for the quote about prayer by Anthony Hopkins. And C’s Lewis
    It want until later when I went back to your post that I realized what I thought was an add was the clip from the movie! Thank you! I appreciate your review. It was balanced and fair with Biblical support. Thank you for your forthrightness.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      May 17, 2019 at 7:49 pm

      Oops… I can see how it wasn’t clear! EEEP!

      Reply
  4. Rita Wray says

    May 17, 2019 at 9:35 am

    Sounds like a good book.

    Reply
  5. Chrys Mosley says

    May 17, 2019 at 7:39 am

    This is just another man centered, man glorifying prescription for your best life now. God is a God of order, not chaos. I believe in tongues but not in gibberish. There are times and places I could see the gift of tongues being given. In places where missionaries go and there is a common language barrier. But the stuff that is being touted as spiritual tongues is just leading unwise people further from the true God. If I wasn’t sure God is sovereign, hopelessness would take over. But He is and nothing takes Him by surprise. All things will be seen clearly in His time.

    Reply
  6. Andrea Stoeckel says

    May 17, 2019 at 7:06 am

    Doesn’t sound like something I’d like at all. Thanks for your honesty with these reviews. It’s what reviewers strive for.

    Reply
  7. Vicki H says

    May 17, 2019 at 6:34 am

    I guess I’ve never understood the concept of what “speaking in tongues” means exactly. Anyone care to explain this to me? I read a comment on FB about someone being baptized and came up, from the water, speaking in tongues. I’ve always found that odd but maybe because I just don’t get it. Help, please? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Vicki H says

      May 17, 2019 at 6:35 am

      PS. I’ve also never heard of the “Toronto Blessing”. Anyone?

      Reply
    • Ava Kinsey says

      May 17, 2019 at 8:44 am

      Depends on who you ask. I was always taught that in Acts, speaking in tongues meant that there was one who spoke in a known language so that the hearer (someone fluent in that language) could understand {the Gospel and be saved}. On the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), Peter and the other disciples were filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues (languages); later it says that “every man heard them speak in his own language.” Without understanding, honestly and bluntly, it’s a bunch of nonsense. Because, otherwise, what’s the point?

      Thanks for the review, Chautona. I always appreciate your honest takes on books to be aware of.

      Reply
    • Chautona says

      May 17, 2019 at 2:48 pm

      I believe Scripture is clear that “tongues” refers to languages. In fact, that is what the Greek word means. Some believe in a “heavenly language” that erupts spontaneously when filled with the Holy Spirit. I disagree. For one reason, because interpretation was required, but is rarely employed, especially during private prayers.

      Reply
      • Vicki H says

        May 17, 2019 at 2:55 pm

        Thank you to both of you. This Toronto Boessing sounds like the devil incarnate but just my opinion. Huh. I knew the tongues were languages but just didn’t know what ones, etc. Will have to ponder this.

        Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
byChautona Havig

I had a chat with actor and author Henry O. Arnold a while back, and boy did we have a lot of fun. His Song of Prophets and Kings series features the advent of Israel’s kings from Samuel’s birth through David hiding from Saul (so far) and onward. Listen in as we chat about his most recent release, The Singer of Israel.

 

note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

What Made David Such a Man after God’s Heart?

I think this series will show us. I love that Henry O. Arnold started back at Samuel’s story to prepare us for the story of arguably the most influential king of Israel. Yes, Solomon was the wisest and richest, but David offered something that Solomon didn’t have. He was an average guy—a shepherd, no less—chosen by God to lead his country.

In a sense, it’s kind of the ancient Jewish version of a poor, everyday guy growing up to become President of the United States. If you know what I mean.

This five-book series is available as an eBook, in print, and as an audiobook, too! Henry read a snippet of it to us, and boy you get a feel for his love of Scripture and God’s people as he reads.

And if that wasn’t enough, he even gave us a hint of his upcoming Christian suspense/thriller “series. He says he has two books planned for sure, so… at least a duology, but maybe we can talk him into a trilogy at least? Get those odd numbers and everything?

The Singer of Israel by Henry O. Arnold

A singer’s voice inspires a troubled nation…A shepherd’s courage vanquishes a giant

The last official act of the prophet of Yahweh was to secretly anoint a replacement for the king of Israel who has been brought low by an unbalanced mind. The great prophet of Israel lives in fear of the wrath of the king. Then out of the hills of Bethlehem emerges the last-born son of a family of shepherds to become the unforeseen hero of Israel.

When David sings of the glory of Yahweh, this shepherd wins the hearts of the royal family and restores King Saul’s troubled mind. But when the singer/shepherd defeats the champion of the Philistines in single combat, David becomes forever known as “the giant slayer.” Saul quickly sees that David is now a threat to his kingdom and secretly plots to have him killed.

David may be the champion of the people of Israel, but he must live under the constant threat of Saul’s wrath until he is finally forced to flee for his life.

The Singer of Israel is a tale of triumph and tribulation, deepest love, and burning rivalries; the new epoch is given a voice…and it is The Song of Prophets and Kings.

You can learn more about Henry on this WEBSITE.

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Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
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