I've read her blog a couple times and I knew that she was a pastor's wife, that they adopted a child, and that there was a reality TV show about their family... but I had no idea that she was an OBU graduate who lived in Tulsa and taught school in Jenks for several years before they moved to Texas! Fun. :)
Anyway, here are my 10 Favorite Quotes from this book:
1. "There is a Biblical benchmark I now use... if it isn't true for a poor single Christian mom in Haiti, it isn't true. If a sermon promises health and wealth to the faithful, it isn't true, because that theology makes God an absolute monster who only blesses rich westerners and despises Christians in Africa, India, China, South America, Russia... and everywhere else a sincere believer remains poor. If doctrine elevates a woman's married-with-children status as her highest calling, it isn't true, because that omits single believers, widows, the childless by choice or fate or loss... Theology is either true everywhere or it isn't true anywhere."
2. "Maybe your best thing won't draw a paycheck, but it is how you shine and glow and come to life and bless the world. Play your note... Run your race. Stop minimizing what you are good at and throw yourself into it with no apologies. Do you know who will do this for you? No one. You are it."
3. "With every I am here and I've been there and You aren't alone and God has this, your scary truth gets less terrifying, less overwhelming, less paralyzing... You are 2 Corinthians 4, because although this darkness pressed you so hard, it did not crush you. You are not destroyed. You see that in the light. You are still standing... The darkness has not overcome the light, and the light is ours. Show up. Be seen. Tell the truth. Be free."
4. "When people fail you - and they will - Jesus is ever faithful. When circumstances tank - and they will - Jesus will hold you fast. He is the most trustworthy, dependable Savior, and you will never be alone... He is enough for you. No one is safer. No one loves you more. No one will lead you better."
5. "So those are my dreams for you: Be kind. Be you. Love Jesus. That's about it." (chapter to her kids)
6. "Truthfulness hurts for a minute, but silence is the kill shot."
7. "I am over all the drama; give me kindness any old day. Treating your husband like a good friend will preserve your marriage forever... Every single person has a downside, including you. The grass is not greener anywhere. Every marriage includes two sinful, aggravating human beings. Grace is our only hope."
8. "If they don't love Jesus and people, it matters zero if they remain virgins and don't say the F-word. We must shepherd their hearts, not just their hemlines."
9. "Finally, let's give them substance... A youth group culture geared toward entertainment is not working. Face it: We cannot out-entertain the world. If discipleship programs hinge on amusement, they'll come now but won't stay later. Why would they?"
10. "No community is an agenda, an outlet, or a lesson, and its people are not photo ops... We mustn't use the sorrow of another to reinforce our joy, even unintentionally... We cannot go a mile wide and an inch deep in community development, because these are people, not projects. Pick your mission and invest with all your guts... If your trip is born out of relationship, then it will be a treasure to all involved."
Finally, HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY to my awesome, adventurous, handsome, and always entertaining nephew, the Jaceman!!
Here's a collage of me and Jace in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015! =)
And a Jace-in-the-Box collage (in 2012, 2013, and 2015... then him with his favorite Jack-in-the-Box Christmas gift in 2014!!)
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