Some might say that Francis is a bit of an idealist in
thinking that one life can really make a dent in the world. But I would say that Francis is the ultimate
realist. Meaning, someone who believes
that God is really who He says He is and that the true reality of this life is
to follow Him wholeheartedly. p.12,
Chris Tomlin
When you get your own universe, you can make your own
standards. When we disagree, let’s not
assume it’s His reasoning that needs correction. p.24
When I am consumed by my problems – stressed out about my life, my family, and my job – I
actually convey the belief that I think the circumstances are more important
than God’s command to always rejoice. In
other words, that I have a “right” to disobey God because of the magnitude of
my responsibilities. p.29
Worry implies that we don’t quite trust that God is big
enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what’s happening in
our lives.
Stress says that the things we are involved in are important
enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace toward others, or our tight
grip of control. p.29
Basically, these 2 behaviors communicate that it’s okay to
sin and not trust God because the stuff in my life is somehow exceptional. Both worry and stress reek of arrogance. They declare our tendency to forget that
we’ve been forgiven, that our lives here are brief, that we are headed to a
place where we won’t be lonely, afraid, or hurt ever again, and that in the
context of God’s strength, our problems are small indeed. p.30
The irony is that while God doesn’t need us but still wants
us, we desperately need God but don’t really want Him most of the time. p.42
O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied
me and made me thirsty for more, I am painfully conscious of my need for
further grace, I am ashamed of my lack of desire, O God, the Triune God, I want
to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more
thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray
Thee, so that I may know Thee indeed.
Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, “Rise up my love, my fir one,
and come away.” Then give me grace to
rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long. p.67, A.W. Tozer
His counsel wasn’t to “try harder”, but rather to let Him
in. p.70
As we begin to focus more on Christ, loving Him and others
becomes more natural. As long as we are
pursuing Him, we are satisfied in Him.
It is when we stop actively loving Him that we find ourselves restless
and gravitating toward other means of fulfillment. p.71
This is true joy in life, the being used up for a purpose
recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of nature instead of
a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the
world will not devote itself to making you happy. p.73, George Bernard Shaw
Never make principle out of your experience; let God be as
original with other people as He is with you.
p. 109, Oswald Chambers
You do not need to preach to your pastor or congregation;
you simply need to live out in your daily life the love and obedience that God
has asked of you. p.113
Q: What do you tell people who say that you are taking the
Bible too literally?
A:
If someone told me that I took the Bible too literally, I would really get them
to question their own heart. I would ask them if they really believed that
we’re not supposed to take it that literally, or if it’s the influence of other
believers who say we’re not supposed to. I like to get people to think for
themselves and not just go with the flow. When believers are alone with the
Word, they come to the same conclusion that I do. Crazy Love appeals to
thoughts that all Christians have had when they’re alone with God, and they
realize that they are supposed to take Scripture literally. These are the
things they should do.
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