James G.

“Reconciling conflict is not about knowing or feeling. It is about obeying and being. That is, holiness is a craft, a discipline that requires a community of others to practice. We cannot be holy alone.”
― James Van Yperen, Making Peace: A Guide to Overcoming Church Conflict

“In particular, they seem to have interpreted Jesus’s crucifixion within a much bigger—and perhaps more dangerous—story than simply the question of whether people go to “heaven” or “hell.” That question, in fact—to the astonishment of many people—is not what the New Testament is about. The New Testament, with the story of Jesus’s crucifixion at its center, is about God’s kingdom coming on earth as in heaven. This is, after all, what Jesus taught his followers to pray.”
― N.T. Wright, The Day the Revolution Began: Reconsidering the Meaning of Jesus's Crucifixion

“Coming from circumstances of privilege and opportunity does not guarantee success as God defines it, nor does being raised in circumstances of abuse and poverty consign someone to failure. In any circumstance, at any time, anyone can choose to follow Jesus. In that moment, the external circumstances pale in comparison to the inner resources that knowing and following Jesus provides.”
― Kenneth H. Blanchard, Lead Like Jesus: Lessons from the Greatest Leadership Role Model of All Time

“Called people, on the other hand, believe everything is on loan. They believe their relationships are on loan; they know that we have no guarantee we will see those we love tomorrow. Called people also believe their possessions are on loan and are to be held lightly, to be enjoyed and shared with an open hand. Finally, called people believe their positions are on loan from God and the people they are attempting to influence. Rather than protecting what they own, called leaders act as good stewards of what has been loaned to them.”
― Kenneth H. Blanchard, Lead Like Jesus: Lessons from the Greatest Leadership Role Model of All Time