Quotes from Timothy S. Lane

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Imagination is not the ability to dream up things that aren't real; it is the ability to see what is real but often unseen. As Eugene Peterson says in Subversive Spirituality, for a Christian whose hope is in an invisible God, seeing the unseen is essential. 24 Hebrews 11 calls this faith.

If you choose to face conflict head on, it is full of risks and the potential for great hurt, but it can also be redemptive.

Imagination opens things up so that we can grow into maturity—worship and adore, exclaim and honor, follow and trust. Explanation restricts and defines and holds down; imagination expands and lets loose. Explanation keeps our feet on the ground; imagination lifts our heads into the clouds. Explanation puts us in harness; imagination catapults us into mystery. Explanation reduces life to what can be used; imagination enlarges life into what can be adored.

At some point, every relationship brings you to the end of yourself, and with God there is no healthier place to be. When I am willing to confess how weak I am, I am most ready to reach out for the grace that can only be found in Christ. He was willing to follow his Father's plan and become weak so that, in our moments of weakness, we could receive his strength.

Or do you move into conflict with a God-centered perspective?

Along with that, the Bible continually reminds us that God sends the uncomfortable grace of trial not to crush or discourage us, but to mature and refine us. As we are realistic about difficulty, that needs to be our hope.

Our typical response to conflict is to point the finger at our opponent.

frustrated relationship

I wanted to serve, but it had to be on my terms and on my time schedule.

This is the ground on which we build all relationships. Every time you are tempted to shun another believer, remember that the Father, Son, and Spirit were torn asunder so that you might be united.

We have been chosen from the mass of humanity to live in an intimate union with Christ. It is amazing even to be tolerated by God. It would be an honor simply to be invited to the wedding! It is beyond comprehension to be the beloved bride of the King of kings and Lord of lords! When you understand this, you can't help but live life aware of the honor, privilege, and blessing that are yours.

Without a biblical model to explain the place relationships should have in your life, you will likely experience imbalance, confusion, conflicting desires, and general frustration.

Paul and Silas sang hymns in the Philippian jail. You can only do that if you have remembered that your welfare and freedom are in the hands of an all-powerful God who is your Father. Much of the drama of God's people is a drama of identity.

Our personal transformation must be worked out within the family of God. The gospel is not only more clearly perceived and experienced within community; it is the basis for the community!

When I see my identity in Christ, God's presence and provision, and what he is doing in the process, I am willing and able to do things I wouldn't do otherwise.

What you are about to read is a book on relationship that was written in relationship.

Who is God using in your life this way?

What resulted from our collaboration is not just an examination, but an actual example of broken people in broken community experiencing the reconciling grace of God.

Remember, you can't avoid conflict, but it can be a place where amazing growth takes place!

The Bible is the only reliable source for these life-interpreting facts.

However, problems arose when we, as two leaders who had known each other only from a safe distance, began working together in the same room!

Knowledge of doctrine is not the same as Christian maturity and victory over sin.

God is the only properly functioning community in the universe