“Jesus is no genie in a lamp. All the happy thoughts and positive thinking in the world will not keep life from being life. I've come to believe that, as big risks offer the potential for great reward or great failure, the biggest waves bring the swiftest undertow. As I learned to accept this principle rather than fight it, a deeper understanding of the call to perseverance, which appears so frequently in the Bible, emerged. As I learned to persevere, something mysterious began to happen: the more difficult things became, the deeper I looked at myself, sought God's guidance, and let go. It is like the scripture that reads, "And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” CharacterHopePerseveranceHoly SpiritTribulation Book:Flirting with Faith: My Spiritual Journey from Atheism to a Faith-Filled Life Source: Flirting with Faith: My Spiritual Journey from Atheism to a Faith-Filled Life
“... we had to let it go. We had to be willing to lose it all, even if it came to foreclosing on our house, moving into a rental apartment, and starting over. God was not just asking us for a commitment, we were being called to complete, ego-busting surrender.” GodLetting GoCommitmentSurrender Book:Flirting with Faith: My Spiritual Journey from Atheism to a Faith-Filled Life Source: Flirting with Faith: My Spiritual Journey from Atheism to a Faith-Filled Life