Jonathan

“This temptation presents itself today. We can sit and watch the Twitter feed, critiquing the methods, models, and ministries of others; from the comfort of our couches we can speculate on how it could be done better. We can devise all kinds of theories, read all the right books, engage in online debate, blog our opinions, yet the whole time be disconnected from actually having skin in the game. Even when our heart is for God’s kingdom, if we are not careful we can find ourselves critiquing from the sidelines of God’s activity within history. There is a world of difference between pundits and prophets.”
― Mark Sayers, Facing Leviathan: Leadership, Influence, and Creating in a Cultural Storm

“Resting in the love of God doesn’t squelch ambition; it fuels it with a different fire. I don’t have to strive to get God to love me; rather, because God loves me unconditionally, I’m free to take risks and launch out into the deep.”
― James K.A. Smith, On the Road with Saint Augustine: A Real-World Spirituality for Restless Hearts

“That’s what we need to know more than anything: Christ’s love for rascals like us. So if your pastor labors to preach the gospel, listen to him. Deeply. Intently. Prayerfully. Even if you’ve heard the gospel a bazillion times. It is never wrong for him to remind you of it; in fact, it’s safe for you.”
― J.A. Medders, Gospel Formed: Living a Grace-Addicted, Truth-Filled, Jesus-Exalting Life