Our tendency in the midst of suffering is to turn on God. To get angry and bitter and shake our fist at the sky and say, "God, you don't know what it's like! You don't understand! You have no idea what I'm going through. You don't have a clue how much this hurts." The cross is God's way of taking away all of our accusations, excuses, and arguments. The cross is God taking on flesh and blood and saying, "Me too.
Rob BellBefore anything else, you have received breath - the gift of life itself. The first word about you is GIFT.
Rob BellFor a lot of people in our world today, God has become about believing the right stuff so you don't get in trouble.
Rob BellIf we are serious about loving someone, we have to surrender all the desires within us to manipulate the relationship.
Rob BellI got into pastoring because of the art form. I started a church, but I felt the art form needed to be freed for all people. A particular religion over others was never interesting to me. I wanted to talk to people about what it means to be alive and what it means to be human.
Rob BellIt is trusting that I am loved. That I always have been. That I always will be. I don't have to do anything. I don't have to prove anything, or achieve anything, or accomplish one more thing. That, exactly as I am, I am totally accepted, forgiven, and there is nothing I could ever do to lose this acceptance.
Rob Bell