All In

Since I started working at NCC two months ago, reading Mark's books have become personal. I have loved his writing style since I discovered his books years ago, but now I better understand what he is sharing because I see it in real life. His love and passion for his family, Jesus, and the Church are the real deal.

His latest book, All In, was quite the sucker punch (as described in his own review).

Here are some of my favorite quotes:

"We want everything God has to offer without giving anything up" (25).

"Which do you love more: the dream God gave to you or the God who gave you the dream? Is your dream a means of glorifying God? Or has the dream become the end goal and God is the means of fulfilling it" (45)? Ouch. This was the point of the book that I had to shut it and process.

"What got you to where you are may not get you to where God wants you to go next" (55).

In chapter six, Mark mentions the protege program (which I am now a part of!). "We have a protege program at National Community Church. It's a one-year unpaid internship, which presents a huge financial challenge given the cost of living in DC. Proteges have to raise their own support to come. But if they are willing to make the financial sacrifice, they will get a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And God has a way of honoring those who are willing to give up a paycheck to pursue His calling (61). God has been so faithful to provide for me.

"We Facebook more than we seek His face. We text more than we study The Text. And our eyes aren't fixed on Jesus. They're fixed on our iPhones and iPads -- emphasis on 'i' Then we wonder why God feels so distant" (77).

I feel like if I keep going, I will give away all the good stuff... So I recommend you grab a copy of it for yourself!