{"id":9415,"date":"2015-09-11T06:21:57","date_gmt":"2015-09-11T11:21:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/?p=9415"},"modified":"2015-09-11T06:29:56","modified_gmt":"2015-09-11T11:29:56","slug":"book-review-for-the-love","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/?p=9415","title":{"rendered":"Book Review: For the Love"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Love-Fighting-Grace-Impossible-Standards-ebook\/dp\/B00QL9LFCG\/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1441754933&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=for+the+love\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone  wp-image-9416\" alt=\"book\" src=\"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/book.png\" width=\"280\" height=\"420\" srcset=\"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/book.png 400w, https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/book-200x300.png 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 280px) 100vw, 280px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>\u201cOne of the best parts of being human is other humans. It\u2019s true, because life is hard; but people get to show up for one another, as God told us to, and we remember we are loved and seen and God is here and we are not alone. We can\u2019t deliver folks from their pits, but we can sure get in there with them until God does. Live long enough and it becomes clear that stuff is not the stuff of life. People are. We need each other, so we probably ought to practice radical grace, because our well-flaunted opinions are cold companions when real life hits.\u201d<\/em><br \/>\n-Jen Hatmaker, <em>For the Love<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Love-Fighting-Grace-Impossible-Standards-ebook\/dp\/B00QL9LFCG\/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1441754933&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=for+the+love\" target=\"_blank\"><em>For the Love<\/em><\/a> by <a href=\"http:\/\/jenhatmaker.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Jen Hatmaker<\/a>\u00a0is a book that will have you laughing out loud to the point where the other people on the beach are staring at you&#8230;and in the next moment doing that ugly cry that you prefer to only do behind closed doors. \u00a0This book reads like a conversation with a dear friend sitting in her kitchen. \u00a0In fact, it would probably be a blast to gather up a group of your girlfriends and read these essays together. \u00a0<em>For the Love<\/em> is an honest look at what it means to truly fight for grace in the midst of a culture that&#8217;s pretty stingy in that area. \u00a0One of the most exciting qualities of God&#8230;and the heart of the gospel itself&#8230;is grace. \u00a0I love Bob Goff&#8217;s quote &#8220;Give love and grace away like you&#8217;re made of the stuff.&#8221; \u00a0The more grace we give to others, the more we are able to experience grace ourselves.<\/p>\n<p>This book is an awesome gift for a friend, mom, sister, or even that mom that you see at the grocery store that looks one step away from bonkers. \u00a0For the Love is like a life raft in the midst of the tide of life that can knock you down over and over again. \u00a0This life raft is full of grace&#8230;let it wash over you&#8230;.FOR THE LOVE.<\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li>God\u00a0has\u00a0always\u00a0made\u00a0the\u00a0most\u00a0sense\u00a0to\u00a0me\u00a0through\u00a0people,\u00a0His\u00a0image\u00a0bearers.\u00a0I\u00a0crave\u00a0dignity\u00a0and\u00a0healing\u00a0and\u00a0purpose\u00a0and\u00a0freedom\u00a0for\u00a0me\u00a0and\u00a0mine,\u00a0you\u00a0and\u00a0yours,\u00a0them\u00a0and\u00a0theirs.\u00a0I\u00a0want\u00a0us\u00a0to\u00a0live\u00a0well\u00a0and\u00a0love\u00a0well.\u00a0The\u00a0substance\u00a0of\u00a0life\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0stuff\u00a0or\u00a0success\u00a0or\u00a0work\u00a0or\u00a0accomplishments\u00a0or\u00a0possessions.\u00a0It\u00a0really\u00a0isn\u2019t,\u00a0although\u00a0we\u00a0devote\u00a0enormous\u00a0energy\u00a0to\u00a0those\u00a0goals.\u00a0The\u00a0fullest\u00a0parts\u00a0of\u00a0my\u00a0life,\u00a0the\u00a0best\u00a0memories,\u00a0the\u00a0most\u00a0satisfying\u00a0pieces\u00a0of\u00a0my\u00a0story\u00a0have\u00a0always\u00a0involved\u00a0people.\u00a0Conversely,\u00a0nothing\u00a0hurts\u00a0worse\u00a0or\u00a0steals\u00a0more\u00a0joy\u00a0than\u00a0broken\u00a0relationships.\u00a0We\u00a0can\u00a0heal\u00a0and\u00a0hurt\u00a0each\u00a0other,\u00a0and\u00a0we\u00a0do.<\/li>\n<li>This\u00a0is\u00a0why\u00a0we\u00a0live\u00a0and\u00a0breathe:\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0love\u00a0of\u00a0Jesus,\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0love\u00a0of\u00a0our\u00a0own\u00a0souls,\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0love\u00a0of\u00a0our\u00a0families\u00a0and\u00a0people,\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0love\u00a0of\u00a0our\u00a0neighbors\u00a0and\u00a0this\u00a0world.\u00a0This\u00a0is\u00a0all\u00a0that\u00a0will\u00a0last.<\/li>\n<li>One\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0best\u00a0parts\u00a0of\u00a0being\u00a0human\u00a0is\u00a0other\u00a0humans.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0true,\u00a0because\u00a0life\u00a0is\u00a0hard;\u00a0but\u00a0people\u00a0get\u00a0to\u00a0show\u00a0up\u00a0for\u00a0one\u00a0another,\u00a0as\u00a0God\u00a0told\u00a0us\u00a0to,\u00a0and\u00a0we\u00a0remember\u00a0we\u00a0are\u00a0loved\u00a0and\u00a0seen\u00a0and\u00a0God\u00a0is\u00a0here\u00a0and\u00a0we\u00a0are\u00a0not\u00a0alone.\u00a0We\u00a0can\u2019t\u00a0deliver\u00a0folks\u00a0from\u00a0their\u00a0pits,\u00a0but\u00a0we\u00a0can\u00a0sure\u00a0get\u00a0in\u00a0there\u00a0with\u00a0them\u00a0until\u00a0God\u00a0does.\u00a0Live\u00a0long\u00a0enough\u00a0and\u00a0it\u00a0becomes\u00a0clear\u00a0that\u00a0stuff\u00a0is\u00a0not\u00a0the\u00a0stuff\u00a0of\u00a0life.\u00a0People\u00a0are.\u00a0We\u00a0need\u00a0each\u00a0other,\u00a0so\u00a0we\u00a0probably\u00a0ought\u00a0to\u00a0practice\u00a0radical\u00a0grace,\u00a0because\u00a0our\u00a0well-flaunted\u00a0opinions\u00a0are\u00a0cold\u00a0companions\u00a0when\u00a0real\u00a0life\u00a0hits.<\/li>\n<li>We\u00a0need\u00a0to\u00a0quit\u00a0trying\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0awesome\u00a0and\u00a0instead\u00a0be\u00a0wise.<\/li>\n<li>What\u00a0does\u00a0this\u00a0season\u00a0require\u00a0of\u00a0you?<\/li>\n<li>When\u00a0I\u00a0see\u00a0another\u00a0woman\u00a0fighting\u00a0for\u00a0her\u00a0balance\u00a0beam,\u00a0I\u00a0am\u00a0inspired\u00a0because\u00a0if\u00a0she\u00a0has\u00a0permission,\u00a0then\u00a0I\u00a0do\u00a0too.\u00a0Wise\u00a0women\u00a0know\u00a0what\u00a0to\u00a0hold\u00a0onto\u00a0and\u00a0what\u00a0to\u00a0release,\u00a0and\u00a0how\u00a0to\u00a0walk\u00a0confidently\u00a0in\u00a0their\u00a0choices\u2014no\u00a0regrets,\u00a0no\u00a0apologies,\u00a0no\u00a0guilt.<\/li>\n<li>Don\u2019t\u00a0ever\u00a0confuse\u00a0the\u00a0two,\u00a0your\u00a0life\u00a0and\u00a0your\u00a0work.\u00a0That\u2019s\u00a0what\u00a0I\u00a0have\u00a0to\u00a0say.\u00a0The\u00a0second\u00a0is\u00a0only\u00a0a\u00a0part\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0first.\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0There\u00a0are\u00a0thousands\u00a0of\u00a0people\u00a0out\u00a0there\u00a0with\u00a0the\u00a0same\u00a0degree\u00a0you\u00a0have;\u00a0when\u00a0you\u00a0get\u00a0a\u00a0job,\u00a0there\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0thousands\u00a0of\u00a0people\u00a0doing\u00a0what\u00a0you\u00a0want\u00a0to\u00a0do\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0living.\u00a0But\u00a0you\u00a0are\u00a0the\u00a0only\u00a0person\u00a0alive\u00a0who\u00a0has\u00a0sole\u00a0custody\u00a0of\u00a0your\u00a0life.\u00a0Your\u00a0particular\u00a0life.\u00a0Your\u00a0entire\u00a0life.\u00a0Not\u00a0just\u00a0your\u00a0life\u00a0at\u00a0a\u00a0desk,\u00a0or\u00a0your\u00a0life\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0bus,\u00a0or\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0car,\u00a0or\u00a0at\u00a0the\u00a0computer.\u00a0Not\u00a0just\u00a0the\u00a0life\u00a0of\u00a0your\u00a0mind,\u00a0but\u00a0the\u00a0life\u00a0of\u00a0your\u00a0heart.\u00a0\u2014ANNA\u00a0QUINDLEN<\/li>\n<li>A\u00a0worthy\u00a0life\u00a0involves\u00a0loving\u00a0as\u00a0loved\u00a0folks\u00a0do,\u00a0sharing\u00a0the\u00a0ridiculous\u00a0mercy\u00a0God\u00a0spoiled\u00a0us\u00a0with\u00a0first.\u00a0(It\u00a0really\u00a0is\u00a0ridiculous.)\u00a0It\u00a0means\u00a0restoring\u00a0people,\u00a0in\u00a0ordinary\u00a0conversations\u00a0and\u00a0regular\u00a0encounters.\u00a0A\u00a0worthy\u00a0life\u00a0means\u00a0showing\u00a0up\u00a0when\u00a0showing\u00a0up\u00a0is\u00a0the\u00a0only\u00a0thing\u00a0to\u00a0do.\u00a0Goodness\u00a0bears\u00a0itself\u00a0out\u00a0in\u00a0millions\u00a0of\u00a0ordinary\u00a0ways\u00a0across\u00a0the\u00a0globe,\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0rich\u00a0and\u00a0poor,\u00a0the\u00a0famous\u00a0and\u00a0unknown,\u00a0in\u00a0enormous\u00a0measures\u00a0and\u00a0tiny,\u00a0holy\u00a0moments.\u00a0It\u00a0may\u00a0involve\u00a0a\u00a0career\u00a0and\u00a0it\u00a0may\u00a0not.\u00a0It\u00a0may\u00a0include\u00a0traditional\u00a0components\u00a0and\u00a0it\u00a0may\u00a0not.<\/li>\n<li>Visionary,\u00a0super\u00a0tapped\u00a0into\u00a0what\u00a0feels\u00a0like\u00a0your\u00a0life\u2019s\u00a0work,\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0wonderful.\u00a0Some\u00a0make\u00a0a\u00a0career\u00a0out\u00a0of\u00a0what\u00a0they\u00a0love.\u00a0But\u00a0your\u00a0calling\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0begin\u00a0and\u00a0end\u00a0with\u00a0your\u00a0job.\u00a0The\u00a0gutters\u00a0are\u00a0lined\u00a0with\u00a0folks\u00a0who\u00a0are\u00a0burnedout\u00a0from\u00a0the\u00a0frenzy\u00a0of\u00a0their\u00a0work.\u00a0Calling\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0big\u00a0umbrella\u00a0under\u00a0which\u00a0\u201ccareer\u201d\u00a0lives.\u00a0It\u00a0is\u00a0one\u00a0piece\u00a0of\u00a0your\u00a0assignment,\u00a0but\u00a0if\u00a0it\u00a0fizzles\u00a0or\u00a0bombs\u00a0or\u00a0shifts\u00a0or\u00a0disappears,\u00a0you\u00a0can\u00a0still\u00a0live\u00a0a\u00a0worthy\u00a0life\u00a0full\u00a0of\u00a0faith-prompted\u00a0deeds\u00a0and\u00a0goodness.<\/li>\n<li>God\u00a0created\u00a0an\u00a0entire\u00a0package.\u00a0It\u00a0all\u00a0counts.\u00a0There\u00a0are\u00a0no\u00a0throwaway\u00a0qualities.\u00a0In\u00a0fact,\u00a0those\u00a0qualities\u00a0might\u00a0point\u00a0you\u00a0in\u00a0just\u00a0the\u00a0right\u00a0direction.\u00a0Nothing\u00a0is\u00a0wasted:\u00a0not\u00a0a\u00a0characteristic,\u00a0preference,\u00a0experience,\u00a0tragedy,\u00a0quirk,\u00a0nothing.\u00a0It\u00a0is\u00a0all\u00a0you\u00a0and\u00a0it\u00a0is\u00a0all\u00a0purposed\u00a0and\u00a0it\u00a0can\u00a0all\u00a0be\u00a0used\u00a0for\u00a0great\u00a0and\u00a0glorious\u00a0good.<\/li>\n<li>Let\u00a0the\u00a0rest\u00a0of\u00a0us\u00a0grin\u00a0at\u00a0you\u00a0while\u00a0you\u00a0run\u00a0your\u00a0race.\u00a0Let\u00a0us\u00a0be\u00a0proud.\u00a0Let\u00a0us\u00a0be\u00a0inspired\u00a0and\u00a0grateful\u00a0that\u00a0God\u00a0made\u00a0you\u00a0to\u00a0do\u00a0this\u00a0thing\u00a0like\u00a0a\u00a0boss.\u00a0The\u00a0timing\u00a0is\u00a0never\u00a0right.\u00a0Forget\u00a0that.\u00a0It\u00a0rarely\u00a0just\u00a0falls\u00a0into\u00a0your\u00a0lap.\u00a0You\u00a0are\u00a0probably\u00a0not\u00a0guaranteed\u00a0success.\u00a0This\u00a0might\u00a0be\u00a0a\u00a0risk.\u00a0It\u00a0will\u00a0require\u00a0sacrifices\u00a0from\u00a0you\u00a0and\u00a0maybe\u00a0your\u00a0people,\u00a0and\u00a0you\u00a0might\u00a0step\u00a0out\u00a0on\u00a0shaky,\u00a0shaky\u00a0legs.\u00a0But\u00a0off\u00a0you\u00a0go\u00a0because\u00a0we\u00a0were\u00a0not\u00a0created\u00a0to\u00a0stand\u00a0still,\u00a0even\u00a0though\u00a0that\u00a0is\u00a0safe\u00a0and\u00a0familiar\u00a0and\u00a0you\u00a0are\u00a0guaranteed\u00a0never\u00a0to\u00a0fall\u00a0or\u00a0stumble\u00a0or\u00a0grow\u00a0weary.\u00a0We\u00a0were\u00a0made\u00a0to\u00a0run.\u00a0RUN.\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0grinning\u00a0at\u00a0you.\u00a0We\u00a0all\u00a0are.<\/li>\n<li>When\u00a0I\u00a0present\u00a0a\u00a0fabricated\u00a0version\u00a0of\u00a0myself\u2014the\u00a0self\u00a0who\u00a0knows\u00a0all,\u00a0is\u00a0ever\u00a0certain,\u00a0always\u00a0steps\u00a0strong\u2014we\u00a0all\u00a0lose,\u00a0because\u00a0I\u00a0cannot\u00a0keep\u00a0up\u00a0with\u00a0that\u00a0lie\u00a0and\u00a0neither\u00a0can\u00a0you.<\/li>\n<li>The\u00a0darkness\u00a0has\u00a0not\u00a0overcome\u00a0the\u00a0light,\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0light\u00a0is\u00a0ours.<\/li>\n<li>Show\u00a0up.\u00a0Be\u00a0seen.\u00a0Tell\u00a0the\u00a0truth.\u00a0Be\u00a0free.<\/li>\n<li>If\u00a0you\u00a0would\u00a0tell\u00a0a\u00a0friend\u00a0having\u00a0a\u00a0bad\u00a0mom\u00a0day,\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s\u00a0okay!\u00a0Your\u00a0kids\u00a0know\u00a0you\u00a0love\u00a0them.\u00a0Everyone\u00a0loses\u00a0it\u00a0sometimes.\u00a0Parenting\u00a0is\u00a0hard.\u00a0Tomorrow\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0new\u00a0day\u00a0.\u00a0.\u00a0.,\u201d\u00a0then\u00a0you\u00a0should\u00a0extend\u00a0that\u00a0same\u00a0compassion\u00a0to\u00a0yourself.<\/li>\n<li>Condemnation\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0trick\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0enemy,\u00a0not\u00a0the\u00a0language\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0heavens.\u00a0Shame\u00a0is\u00a0not\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0tool,\u00a0so\u00a0if\u00a0we\u00a0are\u00a0slaves\u00a0to\u00a0it,\u00a0we\u2019re\u00a0way\u00a0off\u00a0the\u00a0beaten\u00a0path.<\/li>\n<li>We\u00a0should\u00a0not\u00a0cushion\u00a0every\u00a0blow.\u00a0This\u00a0is\u00a0life.\u00a0Learning\u00a0to\u00a0deal\u00a0with\u00a0struggle\u00a0and\u00a0to\u00a0develop\u00a0responsibility\u00a0is\u00a0crucial.\u00a0A\u00a0good\u00a0parent\u00a0prepares\u00a0the\u00a0child\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0path,\u00a0not\u00a0the\u00a0path\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0child.\u00a0We\u00a0can\u00a0still\u00a0demonstrate\u00a0gentle\u00a0and\u00a0attached\u00a0parenting\u00a0without\u00a0raising\u00a0children\u00a0who\u00a0melt\u00a0on\u00a0a\u00a0warm\u00a0day.<\/li>\n<li>Could\u00a0we\u00a0identify\u00a0the\u00a0lies\u00a0fear\u00a0tells\u00a0us\u00a0and\u00a0do\u00a0the\u00a0courageous\u00a0work\u00a0of\u00a0parenting\u00a0against\u00a0the\u00a0grain?<\/li>\n<li>We\u00a0so\u00a0deeply\u00a0want\u00a0you\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0tender\u00a0toward\u00a0people.\u00a0Empathizing\u00a0is\u00a0key\u00a0to\u00a0a\u00a0wholehearted\u00a0life.\u00a0I\u00a0pray\u00a0for\u00a0your\u00a0kindness\u00a0more\u00a0than\u00a0your\u00a0success,\u00a0because\u00a0the\u00a0latter\u00a0without\u00a0the\u00a0former\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0tragedy.\u00a0God\u00a0measures\u00a0our\u00a0entire\u00a0existence\u00a0by\u00a0only\u00a0two\u00a0things:\u00a0how\u00a0we\u00a0love\u00a0Him\u00a0and\u00a0how\u00a0we\u00a0love\u00a0people.\u00a0If\u00a0you\u00a0get\u00a0this\u00a0right,\u00a0you\u00a0can\u00a0get\u00a0a\u00a0million\u00a0other\u00a0things\u00a0wrong.<\/li>\n<li>It\u00a0will\u00a0take\u00a0courage\u00a0to\u00a0live\u00a0truthfully,\u00a0but\u00a0do\u00a0the\u00a0hard\u00a0work\u00a0now\u00a0or\u00a0later\u00a0when\u00a0it\u00a0is\u00a0harder.\u00a0Some\u00a0folks\u00a0never\u00a0do\u00a0this\u00a0and\u00a0live\u00a0halfheartedly\u00a0their\u00a0entire\u00a0lives.<\/li>\n<li>Marriage\u00a0is\u00a0crazy\u00a0work,\u00a0but\u00a0it\u00a0is\u00a0good\u00a0work.\u00a0Two\u00a0people\u00a0must\u00a0regularly\u00a0get\u00a0over\u00a0themselves\u00a0and\u00a0fight\u00a0for\u00a0love.\u00a0There\u00a0is\u00a0no\u00a0coasting;\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0pretty\u00a0much\u00a0foot\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0gas\u00a0forever.\u00a0Some\u00a0parts\u00a0get\u00a0easier\u00a0and\u00a0others\u00a0get\u00a0harder.<\/li>\n<li>We\u00a0cannot\u00a0be\u00a0more\u00a0committed\u00a0to\u00a0our\u00a0methods\u00a0than\u00a0our\u00a0message.\u00a0Do\u00a0we\u00a0want\u00a0to\u00a0raise\u00a0disciples?\u00a0Then\u00a0pay\u00a0equal\u00a0attention\u00a0to\u00a0what\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0working\u00a0as\u00a0much\u00a0as\u00a0what\u00a0is.<\/li>\n<li>Kids\u00a0want\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0mentored,\u00a0not\u00a0ruled.<\/li>\n<li>A\u00a0youth\u00a0group\u00a0culture\u00a0geared\u00a0toward\u00a0entertainment\u00a0is\u00a0not\u00a0working.\u00a0Face\u00a0it:\u00a0We\u00a0cannot\u00a0out-entertain\u00a0the\u00a0world.\u00a0If\u00a0discipleship\u00a0programs\u00a0hinge\u00a0on\u00a0amusement,\u00a0they\u2019ll\u00a0come\u00a0now\u00a0but\u00a0won\u2019t\u00a0stay\u00a0later.\u00a0Why\u00a0would\u00a0they?<\/li>\n<li>Jesus\u00a0is\u00a0the\u00a0best\u00a0marker\u00a0that\u00a0exists,\u00a0so\u00a0let\u2019s\u00a0raise\u00a0Him\u00a0high.<\/li>\n<li>There\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0reason\u00a0He\u00a0created\u00a0community\u00a0and\u00a0told\u00a0us\u00a0to\u00a0practice\u00a0grace\u00a0and\u00a0love\u00a0and\u00a0camaraderie\u00a0and\u00a0presence.\u00a0People\u00a0soften\u00a0the\u00a0edges\u00a0and\u00a0fill\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0gaps.\u00a0Friends\u00a0make\u00a0up\u00a0some\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0best\u00a0parts\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0whole\u00a0story.<\/li>\n<li>Be\u00a0the\u00a0kind\u00a0of\u00a0friend\u00a0you\u00a0are\u00a0hoping\u00a0for.\u00a0Trust<\/li>\n<li>Come\u00a0near,\u00a0dear\u00a0one,\u00a0and\u00a0listen:\u00a0You\u00a0are\u00a0not\u00a0responsible\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0spiritual\u00a0health\u00a0of\u00a0everyone\u00a0around\u00a0you,\u00a0nor\u00a0must\u00a0you\u00a0weather\u00a0the\u00a0recalcitrant\u00a0behavior\u00a0of\u00a0others.\u00a0It\u00a0is\u00a0neither\u00a0kind\u00a0nor\u00a0gracious\u00a0to\u00a0enable.\u00a0We\u00a0do\u00a0no\u00a0favors\u00a0for\u00a0an\u00a0unhealthy\u00a0friend\u00a0by\u00a0silently\u00a0enduring\u00a0forever.\u00a0Watching\u00a0someone\u00a0create\u00a0chaos\u00a0without\u00a0accountability\u00a0is\u00a0not\u00a0noble.\u00a0You\u00a0won\u2019t\u00a0answer\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0destructive\u00a0habits\u00a0of\u00a0an\u00a0unsafe\u00a0person.\u00a0You\u00a0have\u00a0a\u00a0limited\u00a0amount\u00a0of\u00a0time\u00a0and\u00a0energy\u00a0and\u00a0must\u00a0steward\u00a0it\u00a0well.\u00a0There\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0time\u00a0to\u00a0stay\u00a0the\u00a0course\u00a0and\u00a0a\u00a0time\u00a0to\u00a0walk\u00a0away.<\/li>\n<li>If\u00a0we\u00a0must\u00a0stay\u00a0the\u00a0course,\u00a0compassion\u00a0helps\u00a0us\u00a0weather\u00a0the\u00a0road.<\/li>\n<li>Vulnerability\u00a0is\u00a0absolutely\u00a0transformative\u00a0and\u00a0creates\u00a0more\u00a0trust,\u00a0not\u00a0less.<\/li>\n<li>If\u00a0we\u00a0allow\u00a0people\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0human\u00a0and\u00a0God\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0God,\u00a0the\u00a0church\u00a0has\u00a0a\u00a0fighting\u00a0chance.\u00a0If\u00a0you\u00a0show\u00a0up\u00a0brave\u00a0and\u00a0true,\u00a0and\u00a0leaders\u00a0show\u00a0up\u00a0brave\u00a0and\u00a0true,\u00a0if\u00a0you\u00a0own\u00a0your\u00a0place\u00a0and\u00a0I\u00a0own\u00a0mine,\u00a0the\u00a0kingdom\u00a0will\u00a0break\u00a0through\u00a0in\u00a0every\u00a0possible\u00a0way.\u00a0God\u00a0is\u00a0big\u00a0and\u00a0good\u00a0enough\u00a0to\u00a0lead\u00a0us\u00a0all,\u00a0and\u00a0together\u00a0we\u00a0just\u00a0might\u00a0see\u00a0His\u00a0kingdom\u00a0come\u00a0on\u00a0earth\u00a0as\u00a0it\u00a0is\u00a0in\u00a0heaven.<\/li>\n<li>There\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0clear\u00a0correlation\u00a0between\u00a0how\u00a0we\u00a0treat\u00a0each\u00a0other\u00a0and\u00a0how\u00a0a\u00a0watching\u00a0world\u00a0will\u00a0feel\u00a0about\u00a0Jesus.\u00a0What\u00a0should\u00a0our\u00a0neighbors\u00a0deduce\u00a0from\u00a0our\u00a0loving-kindness\u00a0toward\u00a0one\u00a0another?<\/li>\n<li>Let\u2019s\u00a0treat\u00a0each\u00a0other\u00a0well,\u00a0making\u00a0more\u00a0space\u00a0for\u00a0every\u00a0sort\u00a0of\u00a0ragamuffin.\u00a0We\u00a0needn\u2019t\u00a0mistake\u00a0unity\u00a0with\u00a0uniformity;\u00a0we\u00a0can\u00a0have\u00a0the\u00a0first\u00a0without\u00a0the\u00a0second.\u00a0The\u00a0breadth\u00a0of\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0family\u00a0is\u00a0mercifully\u00a0wide.\u00a0Grace\u00a0has\u00a0no\u00a0discernment,\u00a0apparently.\u00a0Jesus\u00a0created\u00a0a\u00a0motley\u00a0crew,\u00a0plucking\u00a0us\u00a0from\u00a0every\u00a0context\u00a0and\u00a0inaugurating\u00a0a\u00a0piecemeal\u00a0clan\u00a0that\u00a0has\u00a0only\u00a0ever\u00a0functioned\u00a0with\u00a0mercy.\u00a0We\u00a0should\u00a0be\u00a0grabbing\u00a0hands,\u00a0throwing\u00a0our\u00a0heads\u00a0back,\u00a0and\u00a0laughing\u00a0that\u00a0God\u00a0saved\u00a0us\u00a0all,\u00a0because\u00a0surely\u00a0this\u00a0is\u00a0the\u00a0messiest\u00a0family\u00a0ever\u00a0and\u00a0He\u00a0loves\u00a0us\u00a0anyway.\u00a0Our\u00a0shared\u00a0redemption\u00a0should\u00a0keep\u00a0us\u00a0grateful\u00a0and\u00a0kind,\u00a0because\u00a0what\u00a0other\u00a0response\u00a0even\u00a0makes\u00a0sense?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><em>Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission\u2019s 16 CFR, Part 255 &lt;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.access.gpo.gov\/nara\/cfr\/waisidx_03\/16cfr255_03.html\">http:\/\/www.access.gpo.gov\/nara\/cfr\/waisidx_03\/16cfr255_03.html<\/a>&gt; : \u201cGuides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.\u201d<\/em><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cOne of the best parts of being human is other humans. It\u2019s true, because life is hard; but people get to show up for one another, as God told us to, and we remember we are loved and seen and God is here and we are not alone. We can\u2019t deliver folks from their pits, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,14,25,16,32,34],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9415","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bible-study","category-book-review","category-education","category-family","category-marriage","category-truth"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9415","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9415"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9415\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9415"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9415"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meganstrange.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9415"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}