More Barbarian Way Thoughts

I've been reading The Barbarian Way by Erwin McManus. From my recent reading, here are some quotes from the book that I have found thought provoking. If they sound interesting, consider reading the book, it's great.

• "We build churches that become nothing more than hiding places for the faithful while pretending that our actions are for the good of the world. Or we choose political and secular vehicles to try to advance our cultural values, strangely attempting to make unbelieving people act like civilized believers."
  
  
• "Not long ago Aaron asked me, "Dad, would you purposefully put us in danger?" "Yes," I answered, "of course." Without blinking an eye his response was simply, "That's what I thought. I was just making sure."
  
  
• "When we fear Him, we in essence begin to live a life where we are fearless."
  
  
• "I explained to him (his son Aaron) that was his choice, but this is what would happen. If he rejected the voice of God and chose to disobey His guidance, his heart would become hardened, and his ears would become dull. And if he continued on this path, there would be a day when he would never hear the voice of God. There would come a day when he would deny that God even speaks or has ever spoken to him. But if he treasured God's voice and responded to Him with obedience, then his heart would be softened, and his ears would always be able to hear the whisper of God into his soul."
  
  
• ""Dad, I think that if I had not been raised in a Christian home, I would not be a Christian," he (Erwin's son Aaron) said. You can imagine the rush of emotions going through me. It took all the restraint I had to not panic and stay calm. "Why do you think that?" I asked as if his statement had no emotional effect on me. Aaron continued, "I have way too many doubts and questions." "Oh," I said, sounding as relieved as I could. "I have those too. So what are you going to do?" I'll never forget Aaron's answer. It was one of the clearest confirmations that my son was not an unwilling member of a religion, that he, too, was a true barbarian. "Well, I've met God. So what are you supposed to do?" I affirmed, "That's a dilemma, isn't it?""