Welcome to Litsy!

Page 287

Paul and I walk Danielle out to her car and they exchange a close hug. Danielle gives me a hug too, but it's one of those "old friend" types of hugs, not like the "I can't wait to see you, my heart is aglow with passionate fire" hug she gave Paul. Oh well. Maybe there's a gal waiting for me in Colorado.

Page 228

I guess I've always hoped that earnestly seeking God would bring joy. And I still believe it does. But it also brings sorrow and anger and hardship. This seems to be part of how God works with people. Even among the saints you see the full gamut of emotion. We learn from the pain of life as well as the pleasure. Perhaps we even learn more from the pain.

Page 218

They'd get a good laugh at my expense, but it wouldn't bother me. The uncomfortable moments in a person's life make great stories down the road. Life would be boring without moments like this.

But I do not want to be a clone of church culture. Not do I want to offend it just to demonstrate my individuality. I want to be what God wants me to be. So I must think scripturally about things...

So what does godliness look like? How does it sound and what does it wear? Does a good Christian girl want a man who is godly, or does she just want a man who wears Dockers and plaid shirts and gets along well with the pastor, good golf game and all?

Page 74

It is as if the church is ashamed to present the Gospel for what it is. We've got to water it down and tiptoe around the complicated passages. It is one thing to be seeker-sensitive and another to be silly.

Pg 50

A true friend; someone who knows me and loves me anyway. You know, like when I'm through putting my best foot forward, she's still there, still the same...But all-in-all, there's got to be some sort of soulmate thing going on. That's gonna take work, I think. There are some people in this world who love their spouse because they provide them with the life they want, and there are others who love their spouse just because they've chosen to.

Page 48

His tone turns mellow. "I guess I'm looking for what any guy is looking for. I want a companion, you know. Just someone to share life with. I want her to be my biggest fan and I want to be her biggest fan, too. I want us to raise kids in a home where they know their parents are in love with each other, with them, and with God. I guess that's all I want."

An honest, thought-provoking and enjoyable read about a couple of friends, an old Volkswagen van, and the American West. Don's view of God and his Christianity are translucent and genuine. And his poetic approach to writing and his humor are good parallels to Paul's deeper, less direct style of communication, which complement each other very well.