Is That Really You, God (Loren Cunningham)

Travis Piepho
Book Report
Is That Really You, God
Loren Cunningham gave us a background of his life and taught about the foundations of his beliefs, while explaining his life mission and work. He gave an inspirational story of trust in God’s providence and guidance over the course of our life journeys. Cunningham focused on the value of life and the work that God can do though any believer. He made many practical connections to life with the guidance of God’s Spirit, which made Christianity much more real. We can all live the way Cunningham did and still have our own unique story, while in fellowship with Christ.
The three principles from “Is That Really You, God” that spoke directly to me were: hearing the voice of God, peace, and joy. I found that all of these principles were encompassed inside the theme of trust in our God. If we are willing to daily die to ourselves and stand upon, or trust in, the “Rock” that Christ freely gave us when he died for us, then we can live lives that are filled with God’s voice, peace and joy that comes from the soul.
The theme of trust was so significant in this book that I am continually reminding myself of the imperative nature of believing that I can “stand” and forever follow Christ. This brings us to the first principle of trusting that we can hear God speaking to us. He speaks to us in impressions, in dreams, visions, words, conversation, Scripture and in thousands of other ways, who am I to put the creator of the universe in a box. I found that after reading about this principle being so prevalent in how Cunningham lived. I found that I have found many verses popping out to me about hearing Gods voice as I read his Scripture. Verses like Luke 10: 5-6 when Jesus commissions missionaries he tells them to say, “peace to this house. And if a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, your peace will return to you.” This scripture captivated me. In my interpretation it shows that an impression will occur to these missionaries about whether or not the man of the house either received their peace or will give them peace as they stay in that place. This supports Cunningham’s story about listening to the impression that his first purchase of the ship for YWAM was going to rob Jesus of his glory. To show in how many ways God’s voice pops out to me in Scripture I already found another instance in Luke 11: 13, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.” I learned that God speaks through his Holy Spirit. Loren Cunningham always asked the Holy Spirit to do something for him and I interpreted that he heard the Lord by the Holy Spirit living inside of Him. The last supporting scripture I found for hearing God’s voice was in Luke 5: 5-11. Jesus showed the disciples that he was to be trusted and was their lord by performing a miracle for them. Cunningham had a miracle performed for him, when, without directions he found the woman whom he was looking for, in the middle of L.A!
Even during the hard times in his life Loren Cunningham experienced the peace of Christ. John 5 demonstrates the freedom in Christ that Cunningham found, he was able to do anything that God called him to do because he was at peace with the fact that God’s work is true and will not return empty. Cunningham was made alive in Christ and lived his entire life in peace because of the gift that God gave to all when he gave his son in our place (John 3:16). Lastly, Cunningham found peace that passes all understanding because in all that he did he trusted and had faith in his Lord’s love for him.
The last principle that I took from this book was joy. Loren Cunningham has lived his life with joy because he identifies in Christ (Ephesians 2: 21-22). He always allowed the living Spirit of his Lord to dwell inside of his Spirit and create inner joy. He also found joy because he always followed God’s rules for Holy Living and when he made mistakes he repented and continued to be a vessel for Christ (Colossians 3). Lastly, Cunningham never gave his mind to the evil one and always dwelled upon his Father in heaven (Philippians 4:8).
I am encouraged by Cunningham’s example and will apply these truths to my life by standing upon Christ and always trusting in Him. I will die to myself everyday and always seek Him.
The most meaningful event in this book was when Loren and his wife found that woman in L.A. because they blindly trusted in God as their guide. I find that to be very encouraging to me personally because as long as I trust in Him I will not live a fruitless life.