Get off the Fence: Receiving God’s Fullness through Aligning the Heart and Mind

By Dr. Craig D. Kellogg

Get off the Fence is a gripping book that will inspire a heart of surrender to Christ, encourage a perspective to receive all God has for your life, heighten awareness of some of the enemy's favorite hidden and devious forms of attack, and challenge a personal self-reflection. Part One examines our roots and upbringing with the direction to use these roots as an influence rather than defining how we live our lives. This section also discusses the enemy's deception and how, without acknowledgment, we can be lured by his deceptive tactics. Part two is the preparation journey toward complete surrender to Christ, the exploration of hidden tactics such as pride, shame, and selfishness, and how these elements can block God's purpose for our lives. This part also talks about our longest journey, the 18 inches between our heart and mind, and how we can eliminate the travel time of this journey. Finally, part three focuses on a spirit of surrender with a post-surrender focus on receiving from God. God changes our perspectives, not our situations, and when we have a heart fully surrendered to God, our view of receiving all God has for our lives will wash all of our shame, pride, and selfishness away and line our hearts and mind toward God and His purpose for our lives. Get Off the Fence is gripping and will have you laughing, crying, and praying.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Oct 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9798385006878

Dr. Craig D. Kellogg

Craig Kellogg was raised in an Assembly of God home with strong Christian roots. Craig's adventurous and thrill-seeking lifestyle has caused him to toe the line in many facets of life, creating story after story of adventure. Craig graduated with a bachelor's degree in marketing from Evangel University. After graduation, he took a management position with a national restaurant chain, where he quickly advanced to an executive multi-level management position. After two gorgeous daughters were born and a divorce, Craig formally started his real estate career and now owns and operates a thriving real estate company. Craig's spiritual journey was a roller coaster most of his life with the successful facilitation of a highly attended weekly men's group, leader of various Church groups, speaking engagements, and heavy involvement in missions to a devastating result of poor choices which led to a low point where he finally allowed God to have all of him, surrender. Since a complete surrender, Craig married his precious wife, Sandy, and continued his education with a master's degree in organizational leadership and a doctorate in strategic leadership. Craig and Sandy enjoy their volunteer involvement with Convoy of Hope, cooking and entertaining, their involvement with small groups, their four daughters and grandchild, and just loving on people. Craig's hobbies include real estate projects and cars. Get off The Fence is inspired by Craig's alignment of his heart and mind with a total surrender to God's purpose for his life. This book will have you laughing, crying, and self-reflecting on your spiritual journey and what God wants you to receive.

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WestBow Press rev. date: 10/13/2023

To my daughters, Laklyn

and Lauren Kellogg,

who traveled to rock bottom with me and, not by choice,

continued to love me, forgiving me of my poor decisions;

to my sister, Mona Ellis, who has been my prayer warrior

and a vessel used by God throughout my life;

and to my precious and perfect wife, Sandy,

who followed God’s guidance and took a chance on me

after a fresh surrender and a résumé of poor choices:

I love all four of these fantastic women, who are central to my life,

and this book is dedicated to each of them.

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

In Memoriam

Introduction

Part 1. I Call Myself a Christian, But What Am I Missing?

Chapter 1    Our Roots: Do They Define Who We Are?

Chapter 2    Walk Too Close to the Fence, and Bad Seeds Will Blow Over

Chapter 3    Jumping the Fence to the Wrong Side Requires No Effort

Part 2. Enough Is Enough— I Want off This Fence!

Chapter 4    Perched on Top of the Fence? Call Help!

Chapter 5    You Can’t Stay On the Fence, So Which Side Will You Choose?

Chapter 6    Enough Is Enough!

Chapter 7    Surrender Carries You on to the Right Side of the Fence

Part 3. Effortlessly Harvesting on the Right Side of The Fence!

Chapter 8    The Balance and Self-Discipline of a Surrendered Life

Chapter 9    Receive His Fullness: God Flows through a Surrendered Heart

Chapter 10   Running on the Right Side of the Fence

My Prayer for You

Notes

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

First I want to acknowledge and thank the one I ignored, disregarded, and blocked throughout my life off and on—the one who forgives, loves, and shows me grace, the one who met me at the lowest point in my life and gave me strength like I have never felt: thank you, Jesus!

I want to thank my best friend, Sandy, my amazing wife, the one who always supports my ambitions, desires, and ADD way of doing things. I thank her for her patience and support through all the time I spent on school, research, and work instead of her. I thank God for Sandy, who carries Christ through her in every ounce of her being. Thank you, Sandy, for always trusting God with us, what He wants for us, and what He wants of us. I would not be the man I am today without you! Pursuing my further education was a long journey in a fresh marriage. Your sacrifices afforded me the opportunity to be obedient in blind faith and are appreciated beyond words. Sandy, I love you today more than yesterday!

I want to thank my daughter Laklyn, who is mature beyond her years. Laklyn, when you were in your most impressionable years, you witnessed your father at his lowest point in life, which was all self-induced. I am so thankful for our relational bond, and I pray that you live in a relationship with Christ with complete surrender. You are called by God! I also pray this book will touch you in ways beyond my imagination as you see the depth of what God has for each of us. I love you so much, Goose!

I want to thank my daughter Lauren, who also has the call of God on her life. Lauren, He wants to use you in ways you can’t imagine. You are gifted and talented in so many ways. At an impressionable age, you witnessed your father at his lowest and most vulnerable stage in life. You were the first to see me and spend time with me after my total surrender, and my prayer is the change you witnessed and continue to witness is the footprint you will choose to follow in your life. I love you so much, Abbey!

I want to thank Morgan and Jamie, Sandy’s daughters. Girls, you had to blindly trust your mother’s decision to marry me, and you welcomed me into the family with open arms. I am grateful to you both. You have had such a positive impact on my life, and I pray that your relationship with God will increase daily. I enjoy and love you both so very much.

I want to thank my sister, Mona. Oh, where do I begin? You have been not only my sister but a best friend, my spiritual mentor, my confidante, my dumping ground, and so much more. I have no words that will adequately articulate my gratitude for who you have always been in my life. Thank you most of all for your sincere prayers for me because they are the reason I allowed myself to get to the point of a genuine surrender. I thank you for everything, and I love you even more.

I want to thank my brother-in-law, Bart. You have been in my life for forty years and are a rock. Your servant attitude is beyond reproach, and you are so consistent. You have influenced me in so many ways, and I appreciate you, your wisdom, your patience, and your prayers. Bart, God has something special for you, and I pray this book will somehow speak to you. Thank you for your patience and for never complaining about Mona’s time with me through my journey. You are one of my life’s heroes. I love you, man!

I want to thank Scott and Christy Coleman. I love you both so much. Scott, you have been my best friend for many years and have witnessed my highs and lows, and you always remain true. Thank you! Christy, you are the one who is responsible for my recovery, and you never judged me. Thank you so much for all you have done for me and the genuine love, concern, and action you have given me. I love you both!

Thank you, Brad Rosenberg, for being you and consistently exemplifying Christ in your everyday life. You have been a friend, a pastor, a mentor, a coach, and a friend again. Thank you for seeing leadership in me and allowing me the opportunities you have for facilitation. I am proud and honored to have you in my inner circle. Thank you for showing Christ and never judging my poor choices. I can’t express how special you and Angie are to Sandy and me. You baptized my girls, you shared of yourself, you officiated our wedding, and you even came to visit me in jail! I love you, Brad!

A big thanks to Larry Lane, my man! Larry, since we connected in my youth and through all of my years on the fence, you always saw Jesus in me. Your faith in me gave me confidence and strength. You always stuck your neck out for me, and I could never ask for a better friend or spiritual mentor. Your perspective is one thing that stands out as special to me, and I cherish this about you. Thank you for your guidance, support, prayers, friendship, and everything you selflessly have done for me. I also thank you for the extra pillow in jail. Love you, man!

Thank you, Dr. Joshua Henson, professor at Southeastern University, for your patience, coaching, knowledge, and patience again. You have taught me more than I thought I could learn, and I am grateful for your assistance with this book.

I thank my nieces and nephews, Mona and Bart’s children: Matt, Marissa, Caleb, and Mikaela. I am honored to be called uncle to all of you, and I see God in you and your spouses. You have each spoken life to me in so many ways. Thank you for not passing judgment on me as you have lived through my ups and downs; thank you for your love and prayers. I love each of you so much!

One of my most enormous thank-yous goes to the guys in the Upper Room men’s group. Forgive me for not listing all your names, but I might miss one here or