"You're never too old to change, grow, transform. Never too old to be happy."
This quote from Mike Yaconelli emphasizes the idea that age is not a barrier for personal growth, change, or achieving happiness. It encourages us to embrace transformation throughout our lives, regardless of how old we are. The message is that it's never too late to pursue new experiences, learn new skills, or strive for happiness. This quote serves as a reminder that we should not limit ourselves based on age but rather see every stage of life as an opportunity for growth and joy.
"The Christian life is not a journey up but a journey across. It's a side trip into the heart of God."
Mike Yaconelli's quote suggests that the Christian life is less about achieving a higher spiritual state or ascending on some sort of moral ladder, but rather it's a deep exploration and connection with God. It implies that our focus should be on experiencing and understanding God, not on striving to improve ourselves in order to reach Him. In essence, this quote encourages us to prioritize a relationship with God over self-improvement, seeing the journey of faith as a side trip into His divine presence rather than an arduous climb toward perfection.
"Jesus didn't say, 'Follow to be safe.' He said, 'Follow me and find life.'"
This quote emphasizes that following Jesus is not just about safety or avoiding danger, but rather a pathway to finding a rich, fulfilling life. It encourages us to embark on a journey with Him for the purpose of experiencing an abundant existence, rather than simply playing it safe.
"Forgiveness means giving up all hope for a better past."
Mike Yaconelli's quote suggests that true forgiveness involves letting go of any expectation or hope for improvement in a past event or situation, acknowledging that it cannot be changed. It implies acceptance of the present state, focusing on healing, growth, and moving forward instead of dwelling on past mistakes or wrongs done to us. Forgiveness, in this context, is not just about pardoning an offender but also releasing oneself from the emotional burden of resentment and anger related to past transgressions.
"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him." (This quote is often attributed to John Piper, but Mike Yaconelli popularized it.)
This quote suggests that our greatest contribution to God's glory comes from finding deep fulfillment and satisfaction in Him. It implies that a life lived fully surrendered to God, where one finds joy, peace, and purpose in their relationship with Him, is the most powerful demonstration of His greatness. In other words, when we are truly satisfied in our faith, we radiate God's glory in all aspects of our lives.
For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a godly person. Yet when I look at the yesterdays of my life, what I see, mostly, is a broken, irregular path littered with mistakes and failure. I have had temporary successes and isolated moments of closeness to God, but I long for the continuing presence of Jesus.
- Mike Yaconelli
Not only are drinking, smoking, swearing, dancing and going to movies not issues... they simply do not matter. They matter to fundamentalists, of course, but to anyone else outside the church, they could care less whether we smoke or attend movies. Absolutely no one gives a tinker's damn whether I say 'tinker's damn' or not.
- Mike Yaconelli
When I was younger, I believed my inconsistency was due to my youth. I believed that age would teach me all I needed to know and that when I was older, I would have learned the lessons of life and discovered the secrets of true spirituality. I am older - a lot older - and the secrets are still secret from me.
- Mike Yaconelli
Boldness doesn't mean rude, obnoxious, loud, or disrespectful. Being bold is being firm, sure, confident, fearless, daring, strong, resilient, and not easily intimidated. It means you're willing to go where you've never been, willing to try what you've never tried, and willing to trust what you've never trusted. Boldness is quiet, not noisy.
- Mike Yaconelli
I came from a tradition where souls were a theological reality, not a faith reality. Souls were for saving, not for communing. Souls were for converting and, once they were converted, they were to be left alone. Souls were too mystical, too subjective, too ambiguous, too risky, too... well, you know - New Age-ish.
- Mike Yaconelli
I'm ready for a Christianity that 'ruins' my life, that captures my heart and makes me uncomfortable. I want to be filled with an astonishment which is so captivating that I am considered wild and unpredictable and... well... dangerous. Yes, I want to be 'dangerous' to a dull and boring religion.
- Mike Yaconelli
I'm unfinished. I'm unfixed. And the reality is that's where God meets me is in the mess of my life, in the unfixedness, in the brokenness. I thought he did the opposite, he got rid of all that stuff. But if you read the Bible, if you look at it at all, constantly he was showing up in people's lives at the worst possible time of their life.
- Mike Yaconelli
Looking back over the years, I realize the Bible isn't magic, but it is corrective; it isn't an answer book, it is a living book; it isn't a fix-it book, it is relationship book. When I confront God's word, I am confronted; when I read God's word, it reads me; when I seek God's presence, He seeks me.
- Mike Yaconelli
That's why we trust the Bible - it speaks to both realities: the unchanging human condition and the constantly changing cultural conditions. It speaks to all generations. We trust the Bible because it's the truth. It was the truth when it was written, and it is the truth now. It's the truth now because it's living truth.
- Mike Yaconelli
Pretending is the grease of non-relationships. Pretending is how you and I get through the day without ever having to know each other. When I walk in the room, you say to me, 'How are you?' Well, you don't want to know. And, frankly, I don't want to tell you. So I just say, 'Fine,' and you go, 'Fine.' And off we go.
- Mike Yaconelli
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