Larry Asplund

“To suggest, therefore, that as Christians we should support the state of Israel because it is the fulfilment of prophecy is, in a quite radical way, to cut off the branch on which we are sitting. It is directly analogous to the mistake of the Galatians, who thought that if they were members of Abraham’s family they should go the whole way and get circumcised. It is similar to the mistake of which the Reformers accused the mediaeval Catholics, of supposing that in every Mass they were actually re-crucifying Jesus, when Jesus’ death had been once and for all, never to be repeated, on Calvary. It is a way of saying that in the cross and resurrection God did not actually fulfil his whole saving purpose; that Jesus did not in fact achieve the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecy; that his resurrection was not the start of God’s new age; that Acts is wrong, Romans is wrong, Galatians is wrong, the letter to the Hebrews is wrong, Revelation is wrong. Say that if you like, but don’t claim to be Christian in doing so.”
― N.T. Wright, The Way of the Lord: Christian Pilgrimage Today

“Right where we are this moment, in the midst of whatever loneliness we may be facing, God meets us and holds out a hand of friendship. At the heart of the Christian faith lies an extravagant, grace-filled, and mind-blowing offer. God passionately longs to be friends with us.”
― Trevor Hudson, Beyond Loneliness: The Gift of God's Friendship

“Learn to listen! The voice inviting you is voiceless. Most ancient of all voices! Enticing voice without words! Listen from within the cells of your being. From the marrow of your bones, listen. From the deepest source of your life, listen. A holy vibration, a gentle movement, a persistent tugging—summons you into the deepening places. Learn to go deep! Like waves of the sea you are being pulled back into the depth. Embrace the depths! Deep calls unto Deep! There is a depth in you to which you must return. Most silent of all calls! A voice without words calls you to the deepening places. Learn to abide! Remain in Christ as Christ remains in you. Be like a sponge. Soak up the Word of God. Absorb it. Make the Word your home. Live in the Word! Abide! Dwell! Inhabit! Reside! Trust the deepening places. Learn to be silent! Silent as the leaves that fall, silent as the blossoming flowers, silent as the moment before dawn! You are being summoned into the temple of silence. Practice silence, for this voiceless voice can be heard only in the shrine of silence. You are being chosen for the deepening places.”
― Macrina Wiederkehr, Abide: Keeping Vigil with the Word of God

“I believe the wilderness is an invitation from the Holy Spirit, a gorgeous, rowdy invitation to the life you never dreamed possible, a more welcoming sort of party with a few quiet corners for good conversation. It seems to me that we’re desperate for some gentleness, compassion, wide-open space, and kindness.”
― Sarah Bessey, Field Notes for the Wilderness: Practices for an Evolving Faith