“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”
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“Money cannot save you from tragedy, or give you control in a chaotic world. Only God can do that. What breaks the power of money over us is not just redoubled effort to follow the example of Christ. Rather, it is deepening your understanding of the salvation of Christ, what you have in him, and then living out the changes that that understanding makes in your heart—the seat of your mind, will, and emotions. Faith in the gospel restructures our motivations, our self-understanding and identity, our view of the world. Behavioral compliance to rules without a complete change of heart will be superficial and fleeting.”
― Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters
― Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters
“People who have never suffered in life have less empathy for others, little knowledge of their own shortcomings and limitations, no endurance in the face of hardship, and unrealistic expectations for life. As the New Testament book of Hebrews tells us, anyone God loves experiences hardship (Hebrews 12:1-8).”
― Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters
― Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters
“People "at the top" are eager to attribute their position to their own intellect, savvy, and hard work. The reality is much more complicated. Personal connections, family environment, and what appears to be plain luck determine how successful a person is. We are the product of three things- genetics, environment, and our personal choices- but two of these three factors we have no power over. We are not nearly as responsible for our success as our popular views of God and reality lead us to think.”
― Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters
― Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters
“Things do exist that are worth standing up for without compromise. To me it seems that peace and social justice are such things, as is Christ himself.”
― Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy
― Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy
Jess’s 2025 Year in Books
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