It's Only Theory Until You Do It: A Story of Faith, Hope, and Adventure to Help You Embrace Your God-Given Destiny

by Doug Stanton, Karen Stanton

Doug Stanton with his wife, Karen, and three children, Krystal, Sharna, and Daniel, left their homeland of Australia to answer the call of God on their lives. In this book Doug shares the amazing adventures that took them around the world and touched the lives of thousands of people. He shares the secrets of the Kingdom of God that were revealed during this journey.

Many people study the Bible and imagine doing more for God, but very few let go of a normal life to have an extraordinary life. Doug challenges us, as does the Word of God, to let go of our natural life to gain our potential supernatural life. All you believe is only theory until you do it. The Word of God that we say we believe is only empowered when we step out and do what we believe. Then faith is activated, the Word is experienced, and it becomes you. Jesus said we will do greater works than even He did. He commanded us to lay hands on the sick so they will recover. If we believe this is true and don’t do it, it is still only a theory. A belief in truth, but unproven in and through our lives.

Travel with Doug through many ups and downs and see how God worked all things together for good to allow his little Aussie family to birth revivals that have impacted cities, regions, and multitudes of churches. The promises of the Bible are real, powerful, and must be experienced to change our lives and destinies.

If you are hungry to do more with your life, you will be encouraged and equipped through this book to allow your dream and destiny in God to come to pass.

ENDORSEMENTSI was first exposed to Doug and Karen Stanton’s ministry in 1995. Over those years I witnessed countless people being healed spiritually, emotionally, and physically, including myself and my family. Doug’s ministry stirred me to grow in my ability to preach the simplicity of a Christ-centered gospel that helped people discover their identity in Christ. His ministry training meetings helped many local ministers grow in their preaching and impartation, and helped many believers grow in confidence and the ability to take the gospel into their spheres of influence. While hosting them in Elk River, we became close friends with the Stanton family. Doug and Karen modeled how to keep a healthy balance of ministry, marriage, and family. The Stantons’ ministry has had a very positive and long-lasting impact on many places all throughout the state of Minnesota. I have no doubt that impact will continue for many years to come! —Pastor Bob Pullar, Living Waters Church, Elk River, MN

I have known Doug Stanton since I was a teenager. I consider him one of my closest mentors and friends. The wealth of wisdom that he has from all the places God has taken him all over the world is completely invaluable. He has been a bright light in this era for me, to see the life of Christ lived out through Doug. This book offers life experiences married with Scripture to show the life that wins by following Christ. Through the ups and downs, and through everyday pressure, this book offers comfort and, at the same time, some fatherly instruction on how to overcome in life. You will be inspired, moved, and greatly challenged, and in the end, you will be changed. —Roy Fields, Run With Fire Ministries

I thank God for using Doug Stanton as that voice in my own life. I remember the moment when I first heard the passion for revival that came from his heart and it immediately resonated with my own. Ever since that time, I personally have had a greater hunger for something that cannot be satisfied with anything other than the fullness of the Holy Spirit. I have also seen the release of a corporate, united desire for a regional, transforming move of God’s presence as more and more are renewed in seeking a revival that can only come from the heart of the Father.

287 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 25, 2023

About the author

Doug Stanton is a journalist, lecturer, screenwriter, and author of the New York Times bestsellers In Harm’s Way and Horse Soldiers. His newest book is The Odyssey Of Echo Company. Horse Soldiers is the basis for a Jerry Bruckheimer-produced movie by the same name, starring Chris Hemsworth and Michael Shannon, to be released by Warner Bros. in 2018. In Harm’s Way spent more than six months on the New York Times bestseller list and became required reading on the US Navy's recommended list for officers. Horse Soldiers was featured on the front page of the Sunday New York Times Book Review.

Stanton has appeared on numerous TV and radio outlets, including NBC’s “Today,” CNN, Imus In The Morning, Discovery, A&E, Fox News, NPR, MSNBC’s Morning Joe, and NBC’s Nightly News, and has been covered extensively in prominent publications, including the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, New York Times. Drawing on his experiences working in the U.S. and overseas, and with contacts in various branches of the U.S. military and government, Stanton lectures nationally to corporate and civic groups, libraries, writing & book clubs, and universities about current events, international affairs, politics, and writing.

Stanton says that he writes and talks about “existential moments when ordinary men and women are forced to adapt and make extraordinary decisions at the least likely moment. That’s when change happens, whether we like it or not.” He has written on travel, sport, entertainment, and history, and his writing has appeared in Esquire, Outside Magazine, Smart, Men’s Journal, the New York Times, TIME, Newsweek, and the Washington Post.
Stanton’s Horse Soldiers was also a best-seller on lists in USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Entertainment Weekly, Publisher’s Weekly, and IndieBound. Horse Soldiers was named a “Notable Book” by the New York Times, and it was chosen as a “Best Book” by Publishers Weekly, The Christian Science Monitor, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.com.

Stanton attended Interlochen Arts Academy, Hampshire College, and received an MFA from the Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa, where he graduated with coursework in both fiction and poetry workshops.

He lives in Michigan with his wife, Anne Stanton, and their three children. Visit www.dougstanton.com and www.nationalwritersseries.org. Follow Doug on Twitter @dougstantonbook and Instagram @dougstantonwriter.