Quotes from John Eldredge

Notice that the older brother can't receive the father's generosity; he's closed off, curtained off, by his attention to Self. This is the hidden danger I spoke of: the stubborn life of the Self. The Exalted Me, unsubmitted and unsurrendered to the rule of Christ in me.

Restored in you, to be renewed in you, to receive from you.

The worst blows typically come from family.

A workspace with minimal distractions A daily walk (many would write in the morning, stop for lunch and a stroll, spend an hour or two answering letters, and knock off work by two or three in the afternoon) A clear dividing line between important work and busywork Limited social lives.

Christianity is not a set of convictions—it is a truth. The most offensive thing imaginable.

Faith is something that looks backward - we remember the ways God has come through for his people, and for us, and our belief is strengthened that he will come through again. Love is exercised in the present moment; we love in the now. Hope reaches into the future to take hold of something we do not yet have, may not even see.

Yet this is the world God has made—a world that requires us to live with risk. Because God wants us to live by faith.

Positive barometers, too, wonderful things;

O merciful God, come to me in this place, this very place in my heart. I give this to you. I choose you over Eve. I choose your love and friendship and beauty. I give my aching and longing and vulnerable heart to you. Come, and heal me here. Sanctify me. Make me whole and holy in this very place.

Like my evening walk.

Turn your phone off at 8:00 p.m. Give yourself some evening time for real things. And banish all technology from your bedroom.

As did Jesus, when he said to his dear ones, "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves" (Matt. 10:16). The metaphor so perfectly describes our situation we almost want to smile—like when the young bride and groom are waving good-bye and the grandfather leans over to the grandmother and whispers, "They have no idea what they've just gotten themselves into." The humor of absurd understatement.