Heath Adamson

Summary: Using Jesus' encounter with the demoniac who ran toward him, the author encourages us that as we pursue God, we may have the intimate relationship with God we desire.

There are many things we chase after in our lives. All these may distract us from the pursuit it is most worthy to chase after--the pursuit of God. Heath Adamson contends that the sacred chase is unlike any other we may pursue:

"There is a mind-blowing, never-ending connection with God available to everyone right now. I am not necessarily talking about meeting God so you can go to heaven after you die. That is of primary importance, don't get me wrong, for eternity is long, and your eternal salvation cost God all: his Son.

"What I am referring to is the audacious pursuit of God and God's reckless love for you--what I call the sacred chase. Perhaps you think of salvation in Christ like a door. Once you walk through that door, you will discover how unsearchable the love and promises of God are for you....Pursuing this is worth all your efforts. When deep connection and friendship with God is someone's desire, I have never seen that someone walk away disappointed" (pp. 12-13).

The author contends that we might know an intimacy with God that surpasses comprehension, but that we must choose to pursue it without hindrance or distraction. He challenges us to give up pursuing Christianity to pursue Christ--to move beyond institutions and agendas to pursue a person. He encourages us that God will welcome us from wherever we are coming.

In the remaining chapters of the book, Adamson centers his focus on the demoniac whose name was Legion. One of the critical observations is that the many, with all his wounds and torments, runs toward Jesus. He hears Jesus say, "what is your name?" Jesus gives him total liberation, sending the demons into pigs rather than letting them wander, and possibly return. He leaves a man clothed and in his right man, one who encourages the people in his town to also engage in the sacred chase, which they do the next time Jesus visits Gadara.

In between discussions of the narrative of Legion, Adamson illustrates principles with life stories and other narratives in scripture. He holds forth the question of will we pursue the intimacy with God that we long for and encourages us that we will be more than met in our chase.

Adamson writes well and compellingly. The only thing I found missing was the idea that as we pursue God, we will find that God has been pursuing us. Perhaps Adamson didn't want to spoil the surprise, and he does encourage us that God will meet us. But the truth at least that I found was that the Lord was the "hound of heaven" pursuing me before I ever pursued him. I found myself thinking as I read this book, "who is chasing whom?"

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions I have expressed are my own.… (més)

I had won an advance paperback copy of this book from the publisher through a giveaway they had on GoodReads, and the following is my honest opinion.

It's easy to imagine a devil-possessed individual singing Amazing Grace once they've allowed themself to accept the Lord into their once decrepit life and lifestyle. Those of us who have already gone from merely having a simple relationship with the Lord to one that is more intimate and are always already to proclaim it by singing What a Friend We Have in Jesus:

What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
And what a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer

It, however, is regrettable how so many Christian are confused regarding the level of their relationship with the Lord. Their confusion is rooted in all of the worldly distractions they've got in their perceived Christian lifestyle. They're eager to attain a more intimate relationship with Him but are clueless as to how to do it. The author of this book, Heath Adamson, seeks to enlighten his readers regarding this desired relationship by skillfully interweaving his life experiences and others with biblical stories that most Christians already know from the Sunday School classes they had as children.

Add to this, the addition of scripture, and the apparent result is the realization that anyone with a hunger for religion in their life has the capacity of conquering their despair, their embarrassment, and justification of not having the Lord being a part of their lives. And by inspiring his readers to follow the Lord regardless of their current relationship status, that they'd be able to see their redemption as an entranceway in discovering the Lord's love in a more noticeable realization.

For wanting his readers to achieve a deeper connection to the Lord so that they can sing Amazing Grace in regards to their spiritual transformation, I've given Mr. Adamson the 5 STARS he's garnered from this voracious reviewer of nonfiction Christian books.… (més)