While most run from the pain of a shattered dream, Pete Wilson turns into the uncertainty of Plan B, to be transformed by God instead.
Most people gravitate towards anything and everything to make sure Plan A gets executed in their lives.
So, when I got my hands on a review copy of author Pete Wilson‘s debut book Plan B, I was part skeptical and part intrigued.
By the time I finished the first chapter, I knew Plan B was going to be different. This was a book about discovering faith when we least expect it.
Today’s Special Blend Interview guest is Pete Wilson.
Pete Wilson is a Christian blogger at WithoutWax and Senior Pastor at Crosspoint Church. Pete has been married to his wife Brandi for 12 years and they have three boys – Jett (8), Gage (6), and Brewer (3).
I sat down with Pete in today’s digital interview, to get a closer view into his thoughts on the reality of broken dreams, failed plans and the transforming power of Jesus Christ.
I hope you enjoy this special glimpse with Pete Wilson into the newly published book Plan B!
** Book Giveaway **
Today is also your chance to win a copy of Pete Wilson’s book, Plan B!
Enter the Plan B Book Giveaway at the end of today’s interview!
~~~~~
Hi Pete,
Thanks for taking the time to sit down with me virtually for this interview. I’ve been a reader of your blog, Without Wax, since last September 2009. I just happened to land on your blog the day you submitted your 60,000 word manuscript for Plan B.
It got me curious. One thing I noticed right away– checking out your blog– was your writing style. Down to earth and direct.
“While I desire to lead, love, and parent with humility and approachability my desire to be “right” can make me come across as arrogant and self righteous.” ~ Pete Wilson on WithoutWax
1. What person or experience influenced this level of personal transparency in how you relate publicly?
For a pastor, that level of vulnerability in posts like Need To Be Right seeems pretty bold.
I think John Ortberg has been a great influence on me when it comes to being open and honest about my faults.
I’ve been listening to his messages and reading his books since college and I’ve always loved the authenticity that he leads with.
Someone once said, “You can only be loved to the extent that you are known.”
So with that in mind I try to live my life as honestly as I know how.
What a great quote. John Ortberg’s The Life You’ve Always Wanted is a fave. Not only that, John’s pastoring at Menlo Park Presbyterian, which is right in my back yard here in California.
~~~~~
2. How did you come to choose the topic of broken dreams for your first book, Plan B?
Plan B was originally a sermon series in our church.
The response was huge. There were so many people dealing with Plan B’s in their life and they wanted to go deeper with the subject.
I honestly felt like I had a personal responsibility to study this topic further.
So I did. It became a small passion of mine and the book was the result.
It’s awesome you stepped up to put out an honest and encouraging book like Plan B.
~~~~~
3. Did you experience more than one Plan B moment in your life?
My life has been full of them.
Probably the first significant one was my parents getting a divorce when I was 16.
Allowing that experience to pull me closer to God really set a framework for which I have viewed other crises in my life.
Not long after I was married, my wife also experienced a miscarriage.
“This was a moment that really tested my faith in a way I had never been tested. Once again the crisis eventually led to a new understanding of God in my life.”
I believe in life that we face many different Plan B’s. Some are obviously bigger than others, but our response is what matters most.
We have an opportunity to choose intimacy with God over our circumstances in every situation and that’s what I wanted to share with people that I learned.
It’s powerful to see the lessons you’ve lived integrated into the messages you preach.
~~~~~
4. One of my favorite chapters was “Whiplash”. How has going through Plan Bs yourself and with others affected how you make decisions about new ventures? Do you find yourself more cautious or free?
I think I’m more free.
I’ve learned that God is going to allow me over and over again to step out into the unknown.
I’m not always going to get what I want, but who I’m becoming is in fact more important than where I’m going.
I often find myself in situations where if I look at the circumstances, it appears as if God is not there.
However, I’m learning that God is most powerfully present, even when he seems most apparently absent.
You’re describing a freedom that we can’t possibly capture by our own making, but we all long to see it come alive in our everyday lives.
~~~~~
5. What has encouraged you to embrace the discomfort of unresolved problems or circumstances in your life?
If God can bring Joseph through being thrown in a well, beat up by his brothers, a false rape accusation, and a prison sentence, then I am pretty sure he can take care of my “problems” as well.
I’m not saying that should make it easier, but being reminding of God’s faithfulness in the past points me to God being faithful in my current circumstances.
There is a direct correlation between crisis and transformation and I’ve gotten to the point where I truly want to become the person God intended when He thought me into existence.
Joseph is the best — talk about a bad case of Plan B whiplash!
~~~~~
6. How do you think a church community or friendships among believers would change, if we grew more accepting of the ideas that Plan Bs happen and faith takes time?
Community inside so many of our churches is surface level at best.
People are afraid to admit that life hasn’t turned out the way they had planned. People are afraid to admit they feel God has disappointed them. People feel the pressure to paint a picture that everything is going great.
Yet the reality is that authentic community is most often built inside of shattered dreams.
When we allow people to see our hurts and disappointments community is almost instantaneous.
I hope we can all be inspired to be a part in daring that kind of community to happen through us. It’s a piece of heaven on earth.
~~~~~
7. Between pastoring, working with a large ministry staff, starting new ministries, blogging, writing – being husband and daddy – how do you unwind and recharge? Do you even sleep?
Believe it or not, I do sleep.
I have an amazing family and they are what replenish me.
I am so blessed to go home every night to 3 crazy boys and my beautiful wife. It’s just a balance.
I’m so honored to be in ministry, but I quickly learned that you have to keep a healthy balance and find something that replenishes you physically, mentally and spiritually.
Watching movies can be an incredible escape for me.
I also enjoy just about anything outside.
“I love camping, hiking and fly fishing. In fact, that’s my life long dream. I want to pastor a small church in Wyoming and run a fly shop on the side.”
Sounds like the movie A River Runs Through It, except yours would mix in God, your family and ministry.
~~~~~
8. If you had carte blanche and could vacation anywhere, where would you go and what would you do?
Fiji. But I really don’t know why.
I love the idea of a beautiful beach, a good book, and complete seclusion.
Hey, aren’t you a fan of the TV series Lost?
~~~~~
9. Before we wrap up our time together, I want to thank you for your challenging blog post, Engage or Withdraw.
You shared in the post that you felt nudged to engage in a relationship, sit down and tell them the “doubts creeping into (your) mind and heart.”
How did it go?
It went really well I believe.
I’ve had to do this over and over again with family, friends and staff members.
I’m always thankful I took the time to engage, even if it didn’t turn out the way I had hoped.
~~~~~
10. It’s easier for me to withdraw than engage. What would be your word of encouragement for a reticent, recovering people-pleaser like me?
You are so asking the wrong person.
I’m a life long people pleaser. It’s a constant problem for me.
On a really honest day, I would admit to you that this is really just a form of narcissism in my life.
Quite simply, my advice to myself and to you is get over it.
Get over yourself. You’re not going to please everyone all the time. It’s impossible.
You definitely barista a hot shot of faith!
~~~~~
Thank you Pete for spending a few moments here at Faith Barista!
Someone once said, “You can tell a lot about a man by the company he aspires to keep: the famous and the successful — or the broken and the hurting? If it’s the latter, it’s a good sign that that person values Jesus as the only priority in their lives.”
You mentioned in the book that you love being around broken people because of how they bless you.
May God continue to bless you, as you continue to discover God’s best work through the Plan Bs, in you and in others.
~~~~~
If you liked what you caught in today’s interview, there’s more where that came from — Go now and order a copy of Plan B!
You’ll love it so much, you will want a second copy to give to a friend!
SSOO, what better way to get that extra copy than by winning it in today’s Plan B Book Giveaway?!
** PLAN B BOOK GIVEAWAY **
Thomas Nelson is giving away copies of Plan B to THREE Faith Barista readers who will be randomly selected to win a copy of Pete’s book.
ENTER TO WIN: 3 Winners will be chosen!
BY SUNDAY 5/23/10 – Midnight:
Comment below with your favorite quote from today’s interview. You’re entered!
EXTRA ENTRIES:
1. Go on Twitter and send the tweet below out to your peeps. Comment *a second time* that you’ve tweeted. You’re entered – again!
Find God’s Best Work In Your Plan B http://bit.ly/aQEycG Comment & win @pwilson’s new book, Plan B (via @TheBonnieGray)
2. Share this post on Facebook. Click the Share icon below. Comment *a third time* that you’ve Facebooked. You’re entered again!
THREE WINNERS:
Thank you for everyone’s entries!
Congratulations to the three winners have been selected by random using the random integer generator are:
Karen (ddnkd)
Sandra Heska King
Hayley Bevel
If you enjoyed today's interview, you may also be interested in: Plan B: Putting Down My Magic Slate We're currently in the middle of a new series, Living Your Story. So, jump on board -- SUBSCRIBE NOW to get the next post in these series directly in your mailbox via email (click here) or RSS (click here) news reader.
143 Comments
My favorite quote is “I’m so honored to be in ministry, but I quickly learned that you have to keep a healthy balance and find something that replenishes you physically, mentally and spiritually.” Being a youth pastor’s wife, placing myself and my family in ministry I could not agree more.
Thanks for sharing this book with all of us.
I facebooked.
I like two: “We have an opportunity to choose intimacy with God over our circumstances in every situation” AND “God is most powerfully present, even when he seems most apparently absent.”
sounds like a great book. I can sure relate to accepting Plan B….thanks for the encouragement!
.-= Mari Larkin´s last blog ..Good start to the week =-.
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Glynn Young. Glynn Young said: Pete Wilson is interviewed on "Plan B" by @TheBonnieGray at Faith Barista. http://bit.ly/chULGQ […]
My favorite quote is the whole answer to question six:
“Community inside so many of our churches is surface level at best.
People are afraid to admit that life hasn’t turned out the way they had planned. People are afraid to admit they feel God has disappointed them. People feel the pressure to paint a picture that everything is going great.
Yet the reality is that authentic community is most often built inside of shattered dreams.
When we allow people to see our hurts and disappointments community is almost instantaneous.”
I have been learning to be real and share hurts and dissappointments with others at my church. It has helped me be closer to people and to be closer to God. This book sounds inspired that people need to realize.
.-= Katie´s last blog ..Walking in the Light =-.
I told about it on facebook.
.-= Katie´s last blog ..Walking in the Light =-.
I told about it on facebook
This spoke to me:
‘People are afraid to admit that life hasn’t turned out the way they had planned. People are afraid to admit they feel God has disappointed them. People feel the pressure to paint a picture that everything is going great.
Yet the reality is that authentic community is most often built inside of shattered dreams.’
My favorite quote is about being a people pleaser and how that is a form of narcissism. Being a people pleaser myself, I can relate. This issue is what God is having me deal with
right now.
“We have an opportunity to choose intimacy with God over our circumstances in every situation and that’s what I wanted to share with people that I learned.” Seems to sum it all up.
.-= peacebringer´s last blog ..Musing on the Ascension and waiting =-.
My favorite quote – “I’m not always going to get what I want, but who I’m becoming is in fact more important than where I’m going.” True words!
.-= Shelli @ Hopefully Devoted´s last blog ..One Thousand Gifts :: How to Overcome Discontentment =-.
My favorite quote is the answer to your question, “It’s easier for me to withdraw than engage. What would be your word of encouragement for a reticent, recovering people-pleaser like me?”
You are so asking the wrong person. I’m a life long people pleaser. It’s a constant problem for me. On a really honest day, I would admit to you that this is really just a form of narcissism in my life. Quite simply, my advice to myself and to you is get over it. Get over yourself. You’re not going to please everyone all the time. It’s impossible.
You know I needed to read that! 🙂
.-= Joy´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – The Cat Caught a Bird =-.
I’m not always going to get what I want, but who I’m becoming is in fact more important than where I’m going.
Best quote ever!
I shared this post on Facebook before I even finished reading it!!! 😀
.-= Joy´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – The Cat Caught a Bird =-.
I tweeted this interview and giveaway. Thanks to you and to Thomas Nelson for giving copies away!
.-= Joy´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – The Cat Caught a Bird =-.
“People feel the pressure to paint a picture that everything is going great.”
This is so very true in every day life. When asked how we are, we usually auto reply fine, even if our world is falling apart. We don’t want others to know that we are really a mess and can barely hold it together.
So many of the things in this post spoke to me. I really need to read the book!
facebooked the post
My favorite quote:
“I often find myself in situations where if I look at the circumstances, it appears as if God is not there.
However, I’m learning that God is most powerfully present, even when he seems most apparently absent.”
I also like his quote from the Community question.
.-= LaTanya´s last blog ..Old Navy: $1 Flip Flops on 5/22 =-.
I would love to win this book! I would love to have learn how to accept the fact that Plan A failed and that Plan B is better than Plan A could have been. I am a people pleaser and seem to feel that I fail everyone. My life is in transition right now and I think that this book would be just what I need. Even if I don’t win I will be purchasing this book.
.-= Mindy May´s last blog ..Dear Lord, I mean Jesus =-.
Favourite quote, because I find it to be true in my current situation: “I’m not saying that should make it easier, but being reminding of God’s faithfulness in the past points me to God being faithful in my current circumstances.”
I tweeted!
.-= Mindy May´s last blog ..Dear Lord, I mean Jesus =-.
I tweeted this interview and giveaway; Thank you to Pete for persevering with the study of this particular topic and kicking us off on our personal journey towards our own to truly become the person God intended each and every one of us to be when He thought us into existence.
It was hard to pick only one quote–there are so many great ones! I need to read that book!
Anyway, here’s the one quote I chose:
“There is a direct correlation between crisis and transformation and I’ve gotten to the point where I truly want to become the person God intended when He thought me into existence.”
Thanks so much for introducing us to this man and his book.
“I’m not saying that should make it easier, but being reminding of God’s faithfulness in the past points me to God being faithful in my current circumstances.”
I am always amazed that we want God to make things easier when ther is no evidence of that in the Bible. However, we ask away. I need to remember that God gives us the ability to withstand and actaully learn something in the process.
* a third time*
My favorite quote is “Get over yourself. You’re not going to please everyone all the time. It’s impossible.”. Being a people pleaser myself this speaks volumes.
Great interview!
Favorite quotes:
“I’m not always going to get what I want, but who I’m becoming is in fact more important than where I’m going. ”
And:
“I’m a life long people pleaser. It’s a constant problem for me.
On a really honest day, I would admit to you that this is really just a form of narcissism in my life.
Quite simply, my advice to myself and to you is get over it.
Get over yourself. You’re not going to please everyone all the time. It’s impossible.”
For much of my life, I’ve considered the life of Joseph – what he went through and the ultimate fruition of God’s plan. My favorite quote is:
“If God can bring Joseph through being thrown in a well, beat up by his brothers, a false rape accusation, and a prison sentence, then I am pretty sure he can take care of my “problems” as well.”
My “problems”, as big as they may seem, don’t compare to the scale of what Joseph faced. This realization helps me keep things in perspective and to hold on to God’s promises.
Sounds like a great book – and one that we could all benefit from reading!
*a second time*
*a third time*
While not a tweeter, I Facebooked!
“There is a direct correlation between crisis and transformation and I’ve gotten to the point where I truly want to become the person God intended when He thought me into existence.”
It really speaks to where I am now- I feel I’m in the gray area between crisis and transformation, but stuck.
Great Interview! Sounds like a terrific book!
I tweeted. 🙂
Great interview and I would love to have this book (not that I don’t already have a stack of books to read). I tweeted the post as well. Thanks Bonnie! 🙂
.-= jasonS´s last blog ..Believing in vs. Knowing God =-.
I actually stopped to write this one down: “Yet the reality is that authentic community is most often built inside of shattered dreams.”
I can’t wait to read this book!!
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..Bringing Up Baby (1938) =-.
This really resonated with me:
“If God can bring Joseph through being thrown in a well, beat up by his brothers, a false rape accusation, and a prison sentence, then I am pretty sure he can take care of my “problems” as well.”
Thanks for the wonderful interview, Bonnie. Can’t wait to check out the book!
.-= Meg´s last blog ..Random Tuesday Text =-.
There’s something about “allowing God to work” even when our first, best plans have gone awry. I think of King David. I’m sure killing Uziah and stealing his wife wasn’t part of God’s plan. And he lost a baby for it. BUT, the second child from that unholy union was Solomon — who was also in the lineage of our Savior. Amazing how God works things out. I think this book will be a great read.
.-= David @ Red Letter Believers´s last blog .."How did I get here?" Lessons from someone who lost his way =-.
“Yet the reality is that authentic community is most often built inside of shattered dreams.”
I loved that quote! 🙂
.-= Kevin M.´s last blog ..Book giveaway: Transforming Church in Rural America =-.
I tweeted it!
.-= Kevin M.´s last blog ..Book giveaway: Transforming Church in Rural America =-.
I shared it on Facebook too! 🙂
.-= Kevin M.´s last blog ..Book giveaway: Transforming Church in Rural America =-.
This quote is great – one I hope I remember always, because it’s absolutely true even if it’s hard to remember in the midst of a Plan B moment:
I’m not always going to get what I want, but who I’m becoming is in fact more important than where I’m going… I’m learning that God is most powerfully present, even when he seems most apparently absent.
Thanks for the interview!
This one spoke to me ~ “I’m not saying that should make it easier, but being reminding of God’s faithfulness in the past points me to God being faithful in my current circumstances.”
I think that sometimes, as Christians, we expect God to make everything easier and that’s just not how it works. A great reminder for me!
Brightest blessings,
Pat
.-= Pat´s last blog ..~ Inspiration ~ =-.
I especially connected with what Pete said about the community within the church:
Community inside so many of our churches is surface level at best.
People are afraid to admit that life hasn’t turned out the way they had planned. People are afraid to admit they feel God has disappointed them. People feel the pressure to paint a picture that everything is going great.
Yet the reality is that authentic community is most often built inside of shattered dreams.
When we allow people to see our hurts and disappointments community is almost instantaneous.
I hope we can all be inspired to be a part in daring that kind of community to happen through us. It’s a piece of heaven on earth.
Plan B sounds a lot like the Al Anon philosopy. I agree that lots of people within the walls of the church are hurting but are afraid to let anyone know. Why? There’s a false belief that Christians don’t have problems and don’t have heartache. I’ve seen hurting people ignored and the ‘super’ Christians ‘run’ the church pushing the hurting to the periphery. I learned not to let anyone know when you are hurting because a lot of people come to hide in the church and are not equipped with the compassion to fight faith battles. I used to say they cower in the shadow of the cross. A minister once told my mother that I ministered to the people who really needed it. But I seemed I was the only one who really did and I became resentful and told God that I could not take care of everyone. I’ve seen the ‘perfect’ Christians cathect the rich and talented and leave the ordinary, struggling person to grieve alone. During the time I encountered a very difficult journey, one of these perfect Christians scoffed me with sarcastic remarks that cut deep into an already battered soul. I was angry about that for a very long time, but I am learning to forgive. This is the only way. God will bring healing to me and strengthen me for His ministry. Christ was wounded deeply on the cross for our redemption. I can certainly survive and surmount any woundings I have encountered.
favorite quote, I think: ” Get over yourself. You’re not going to please everyone all the time. It’s impossible.”
I know that and yet I still think I’m responsible to make everyone happy (I know even God doesn’t do that, so why do I think I have to??)
My life is so broken right now – -I am seeking grounding. I’m hoping this book gives me some encouragement and some hope!
There is a direct correlation between crisis and transformation and I’ve gotten to the point where I truly want to become the person God intended when He thought me into existence.
This quote says it all….”If God can bring Joseph through being thrown in a well, beat up by his brothers, a false rape accusation, and a prison sentence, then I am pretty sure he can take care of my “problems” as well. “
I enjoy the enter I’ve never heard of the book or auther but I will definitely be checking out his blog. So much of what he said rings true for me but I’d say my favorite quote is “People are afraid to admit that life hasn’t turned out the way they had planned. People are afraid to admit they feel God has disappointed them. People feel the pressure to paint a picture that everything is going great.”
.-= Wanda´s last blog ..You’re Unforgettable =-.
What a wonderful interview Bonnie! I just love the idea of this book. Heydon and I are SO living our Plan B! From the Army and Army life to living out in the country and art. I would love to read this book!! My favorite quote is, “but being reminding of God’s faithfulness in the past points me to God being faithful in my current circumstances.”… love that!
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..cross =-.
“I’m not saying that should make it easier, but being reminding of God’s faithfulness in the past points me to God being faithful in my current circumstances.”
“We have an opportunity to choose intimacy with God over our circumstances in every situation…” This so hit home with me, because I always tend to wallow in self pity instead of choosing God. Wow what if the next time I choose God! Thanks I am excited to read this book and tell my friends and family about it. Marie
“I’m not always going to get what I want, but who I’m becoming is in fact more important than where I’m going.”
I tweeted it @TheBonnieGray. I’m Panda444.
Debbie
.-= Debbie´s last blog ..Word Filled Wednesday ~ Be Still =-.
“I’m so honored to be in ministry, but I quickly learned that you have to keep a healthy balance and find something that replenishes you physically, mentally and spiritually.”
I loved this quote.
Debbie
.-= Debbie´s last blog ..Word Filled Wednesday ~ Be Still =-.
I Facebooked a link on my profile. Btw, is that a word? 🙂
Blessings,
Debbie
.-= Debbie´s last blog ..Word Filled Wednesday ~ Be Still =-.
“our response is what matters most”
Thanks!
This was a great interview, Bonnie.
My favorite part was:
“What would be your word of encouragement for a reticent, recovering people-pleaser like me?
You are so asking the wrong person.
I’m a life long people pleaser. It’s a constant problem for me.
On a really honest day, I would admit to you that this is really just a form of narcissism in my life.
Quite simply, my advice to myself and to you is get over it.
Get over yourself. You’re not going to please everyone all the time. It’s impossible.”
Admitedly it STUNG but the truth often does.
.-= Melinda Lancaster´s last blog ..Flashbacks =-.
My favorite quote would be: “Once again the crisis eventually led to a new understanding of God in my life.”
That is a great way to think about a crisis while it’s happening: what can I learn about God in this?
Thanks for the chance to win a book.
.-= Carol H.´s last blog ..This is a test… but who is being tested? =-.
Yet the reality is that authentic community is most often built inside of shattered dreams.
I especially like the quote about “Joseph is the best – talk about a bad case of Plan B whiplash!” It is a real encouragement to be reminded that God is in control in the Plan Bs of our lives.
Your advice “Get over yourself. You’re not going to please everyone all the time. It’s impossible.” is so true as sometimes, even after you have given your best, it can still be misunderstood, especially when you are in the ministry and working with people from all works of life who have undergone different experiences, beliefs and who have differing expectations.
“However, I’m learning that God is most powerfully present, even when he seems most apparently absent.”
This really spoke to me. How many times does it feel like God isn’t there. He is, and He is working on our behalf. We have to have faith that this is true.
~Jennifer
I tweeted it! (@jenniferajanes)
~Jennifer
I “Facebooked” it! 🙂
~Jennifer
I have the book. Tattered and scribbled as it already is. Praying for those who will ultimately win these copies. Great interview!
.-= Sandra Heska King´s last blog ..Let It Be =-.
Tweet!
Hard to choose a favorite, but I can relate to the following…“I’m not always going to get what I want, but who I’m becoming is in fact more important than where I’m going.” Being a parent and a caregiver to a special needs child, I can easliy relate to Plan B and “who I’m becoming” God is good, and I am comforted daily by his transforming grace! My son has strengthed my FAITH and is a daily reminder of the same kind of unconditional LOVE we are offered freely by our Heavenly Father. So I agree, it’s more about the journey not the destination. Ready or not, I am all about embracing Plan B’s so I must get a copy of this book!
Thanks for having this interview, I love to watch the sprouts from all the seeds of Faith that are being scatterd by this online community.
[…] ~ Click Here To Enter! ~ Catch My Interview with Author Pete Wilson & Win a Copy of Plan B: What Do You Do When God Doesn’t Show Up The Way You Thought He Would? […]
“When we allow people to see our hurts and disappointments community is almost instantaneous.”
So true!
I have to also say that I loved the John Ortberg quote…“You can only be loved to the extent that you are known.”
I loved reading this interview…thanks for introducing me to Pete Wilson! Y’all are both awesome!
.-= Kristen@Moms Sharpening Moms´s last blog ..Coming to God With My Needs =-.
Already reading the book…already encouraging many others to read it also. Hoping these winning copies make it into the hearts of those whom need it the most.
One of my favorite quotes(p.87): “We must decide if we are going to put our faith in what God does or in who God is.”
This is my favorite quote and my current struggle! “We have an opportunity to choose intimacy with God over our circumstances in every situation and that’s what I wanted to share with people that I learned.” Would love to win a copy of this book to encourage me in pursuit of intimacy of God in challenging circumstances. Thanks for the great interview!
Lucy
My favorite quote is: “If God can bring Joseph through being thrown in a well, beat up by his brothers, a false rape accusation, and a prison sentence, then I am pretty sure he can take care of my “problems” as well. ” I really like being reminded that God has brought so many people through so many trials and tribulations, that my Plan B is so minor in comparison that He can and will help guide me through.
This one is my favorite: “I believe in life that we face many different Plan B’s. Some are obviously bigger than others, but our response is what matters most.
We have an opportunity to choose intimacy with God over our circumstances in every situation and that’s what I wanted to share with people that I learned.”
“Get over yourself. You’re not going to please everyone all the time. It’s impossible”
by far my favorite. any middle-child, people pleaser would love this comment.
My favorite quote was,” People are afraid to admit life has turned out the way they had planned”. So true for all of us .
I liked when he talked about being a people-pleaser and how that trait was really a form of narcissism. Amen, Brother! I am also a huge John Ortberg fan. My favorite book of his is “If You Want To Walk On Water, You Have To Get Out of the Boat.”
People are afraid to admit that life hasn’t turned out the way they had planned. People are afraid to admit they feel God has disappointed them. People feel the pressure to paint a picture that everything is going great.
SO TRUE!
My favorite quote? These are the people God gives me, the broken and hurting. Sometimes it is truthfully exhausting. This quote brought me back to asking myself who I really want to look like at the end of the day.
“You can tell a lot about a man by the company he aspires to keep: the famous and the successful — or the broken and the hurting? If it’s the latter, it’s a good sign that that person values Jesus as the only priority in their lives.”
J
my fave: “the reality is that authentic community is most often built inside of shattered dreams.”—so TRUE.
Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
I also shared on Facebook
Fav quote – “Quite simply, my advice to myself and to you is get over it.
Get over yourself. You’re not going to please everyone all the time. It’s impossible.”
My favorite quote from the interview was this:
I’ve learned that God is going to allow me over and over again to step out into the unknown.
I’m not always going to get what I want, but who I’m becoming is in fact more important than where I’m going.
I often find myself in situations where if I look at the circumstances, it appears as if God is not there.
However, I’m learning that God is most powerfully present, even when he seems most apparently absent.
SO TRUE! I would love to read this book!
“There is a direct correlation between crisis and transformation and I’ve gotten to the point where I truly want to become the person God intended when He thought me into existence.”
To me, THAT describes the freedom God intended us to live in.
With my husband out of work for the past year, no unemployment checks, losing our home, and still waiting on God for our next pastoral ministry position, I can relate to this….
“I often find myself in situations where if I look at the circumstances, it appears as if God is not there.
However, I’m learning that God is most powerfully present, even when he seems most apparently absent.”
I can’t wait to read this book!
Shared on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/courtney.fanning
.-= Courtney´s last blog ..Show some love for my new blog! =-.
“When we allow people to see our hurts and disappointments community is almost instantaneous.” So true.
The quote that really moved me was:
“Community inside so many of our churches is surface level at best.
People are afraid to admit that life hasn’t turned out the way they had planned. People are afraid to admit they feel God has disappointed them. People feel the pressure to paint a picture that everything is going great.
Yet the reality is that authentic community is most often built inside of shattered dreams.
When we allow people to see our hurts and disappointments community is almost instantaneous.”
My favorite:
I’m not always going to get what I want, but who I’m becoming is in fact more important than where I’m going.
I posted this on Facebook!
My favorite quote is….I believe in life that we face many different Plan B’s. Some are obviously bigger than others, but our response is what matters most.
“I love the idea of a beautiful beach, a good book, and complete seclusion.”
This sounds perfect right now.
My favorite quote:
People are afraid to admit that life hasn’t turned out the way they had planned. People are afraid to admit they feel God has disappointed them. People feel the pressure to paint a picture that everything is going great.
I facebooked a third time.
I love this: “We have an opportunity to choose intimacy with God over our circumstances in every situation…”
I would LOVE to win this book! Thanks for the chance!
My favorite quote: “People are afraid to admit they feel God has disappointed them. People feel the pressure to paint a picture that everything is going great.”
That is me. I am even afraid to admit it to myself sometimes, and then when I finally do admit my disappointment with God I feel like I betrayed Him, or I don’t really believe in Him, or something like that. I could go on, but won’t.
Thanks for the chance to win this book. I can’t tell you what it would mean to me.
missyolivo@hotmail.com
My favorite quote was “I’m not always going to get what I want, but who I’m becoming is in fact more important than where I’m going” This is my life and it was not an easy lesson to learn. I still struggle with it as I tend to be a bit of a control freek. But God hasn’t given up on me yet.
“There is a direct correlation between crisis and transformation and I’ve gotten to the point where I truly want to become the person God intended when He thought me into existence.”
.-= Jordan´s last blog ..Pecan trees and coffee nips. =-.
I shared this on Facebook.
“I have an amazing family and they are what replenish me. “
Thanks you for writing your book – Plan B My favorite quote from the interview is “I’m not always going to get what I want, but who I’m becoming is in fact more important than where I’m going.” It spoke volumes to me.
Loved the interview. My favorite quote is, “People are afraid to admit that life hasn’t turned out the way they had planned. People are afraid to admit they feel God has disappointed them. People feel the pressure to paint a picture that everything is going great.”
We are afraid to let our true selves show, but only if we would let out the pain we could touch each other with truth and really heal the pain. Then we could rejoice in being able to bless each other in a meaningful way.
“However, I’m learning that God is most powerfully present, even when he seems most apparently absent.”
I also read a similar statement on his blog (which I found through your interview) I am intrigued and would very much like to read this book!
Thanks for the interview and for the Giveaway
I tweeted (Creators Palette)
Don’t remember ever having a Plan A. Guess that means I live in Plan B.
I shared this on my Facebook
When we allow people to see our hurts and disappointments community is almost instantaneous.
I had so many favorite quotes from this. I honestly want to rush out and buy this book right now! But if I had to choose, I really like this quote:
“There is a direct correlation between crisis and transformation and I’ve gotten to the point where I truly want to become the person God intended when He thought me into existence.”
It hits close to home for me because of transformation I’ve been through in one a health crisis, and it also holds me accountable to embrace future crises instead of running from them, which I’m prone to do.
.-= Kim Trick´s last blog ..Taste Test: Purevia Sweetener =-.
And I added on Facebook! Thanks for so many opportunities to enter. 🙂
.-= Kim Trick´s last blog ..Taste Test: Purevia Sweetener =-.
I’m not always going to get what I want, but who I’m becoming is in fact more important than where I’m going.
I often find myself in situations where if I look at the circumstances, it appears as if God is not there.
However, I’m learning that God is most powerfully present, even when he seems most apparently absent.
Oh how I love the above quote. I really want to read this book. I have walked through some seriously hard stuff in the last few years. Three miscarriages, almost losing a child right after she was born, foreclosure on a house, business changes for my husband…..Oh so many plan B’s. At times especially when we walked through facing similar things we had walked through before I really had a hard time hoping and praying and Believing God was faithful. But it is true these hardships are about what I am becoming. It has been so difficult but yes these trials and hardships make me more dependent on God. And even when I “feel” God isn’t there….the truth is He is and has always been faithful.
I am a Type A person. I feel like much of my life has been Plan B, but it was never that for God. He knew it all before I was in existence. He is my Plan A. I desire for my heart to be so aligned with His that my will is His will.
“There is a direct correlation between crisis and transformation and I’ve gotten to the point where I truly want to become the person God intended when He thought me into existence.”
I really liked the quote “We have an opportunity to choose intimacy with God over our circumstances in every situation and that’s what I wanted to share with people that I learned.”
In every circumstance we have a choice to choose intimacy with God or to choose to reject God.
I think this book has so much more to offer and would love to read it.
I think my favorite quote is “Get over yourself.” Because that is something we all need to hear. All the time.
My favorite was “Get over yourself. You’re not going to please everyone all the time. It’s impossible.” That’s very real and very true!
I’m not always going to get what I want, but who I’m becoming is in fact more important than where I’m going. Wow! That really struck a chord with me. Thanks for a chance to win!
.-= Britiney´s last blog ..Birthday Card & Other Stuff =-.
I’m watching the profession I’ve been a part of for the last 13 years fall apart. I read something the other day about how just weathering adversity was a waste. We will miss something God had planned if we just duck and cover through the trial. The quote “I believe in life that we face many different Plan B’s. Some are obviously bigger than others, but our response is what matters most.
We have an opportunity to choose intimacy with God over our circumstances in every situation and that’s what I wanted to share with people that I learned.” reminded me of that. This looks like a great book. I actually thought Pete Wilson looked familiar and realized his church was the one I contacted in Nashville about my sister when she was looking for a church home. His church in Nashville looks like the one I attend in Georgia and I felt they would welcome her.
.-= Kim´s last blog ..Trusting God =-.
What a great interview.
Thanks for the chance to win.
My favorite quote is: “You can only be loved to the extent that you are known.”
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..2010 Summer Book Challenge =-.
“There is a direct correlation between crisis and transformation and I’ve gotten to the point where I truly want to become the person God intended when He thought me into existence.”
.-= Janet´s last blog ..Facebook Giveaway =-.
I tweeted.
@FrugalFocused1
.-= Janet´s last blog ..Facebook Giveaway =-.
It’s eerie how much I relate to the comment, “I’m a life long people pleaser. It’s a constant struggle for me.” Hmmm…my thoughts exactly!
“Get over yourself. You’re not going to please everyone all the time. It’s impossible.”
Thank you!
“When we allow people to see our hurts and disappointments community is almost instantaneous.” BINGO!
I’ve learned that God is going to allow me over and over again to step out into the unknown. I’m not always going to get what I want, but who I’m becoming is in fact more important than where I’m going.
THIS is by far my favorite quote – so very true!!
“People are afraid to admit that life hasn’t turned out the way they had planned. People are afraid to admit they feel God has disappointed them. People feel the pressure to paint a picture that everything is going great.”
This is my favorite quote… so true. And such a barrier to authentic community…
Lovely interview. My favorite quote: “…find something that replenishes you physically, mentally and spiritually.”
I love the quote “You can only be loved to the extent that you are known.” Makes me want to dig dipper into my relationship with God so that I can grow as a person in Christ. I am excited about this book and am going out to buy!! I love the way Pete Wilson speaks so honestly and from the heart and in such a humble way.
I facebooked this interview also!!
“I love the idea of a beautiful beach, a good book, and complete seclusion.” Exactly my kind of vacation!!!
.-= debianne´s last blog ..Out of the box…my box! =-.
Great interview! My fav quote was “….Yet the reality is that authentic community is most often built inside of shattered dreams. When we allow people to see our hurts and disappointments community is almost instantaneous.”
Yes that one did it for me…..a “people-pleaser” myself, it is so incredibly difficult for me to be open and real with others. Way too scary to let them get to know the “real” me…..too many faults, too many hang-ups. Withdrawing is easier for me because there’s no risk involved.
This sounds like an awesome book!
~Amy
My favorite quote (amongst many) would have to be, “God is most powerfully present, even when he seems most apparently absent”.
I wish I could put in to words what this means to me – to have a loving God who doesn’t look at my self-inflicted situation and walk away, but ALWAYS remains by my side – carrying me out of the valley and up the mountain to the other side.
I enjoyed the interview with Pete Wilson and look forward to reading his book, Plan B. I can definitely relate to Plan B’s, and have begun to think of them as God’s Plan A.
It was difficult to choose one quote, but I have a lifetime of experience with this one:
“I’ve learned that God is going to allow me over and over again to step out into the unknown.”
My steps into the unknown have taken me down this path too:
“I often find myself in situations where if I look at the circumstances, it appears as if God is not there.”
I’m also learning to not trust appearances, or how it may “seem” to be:
“However, I’m learning that God is most powerfully present, even when he seems most apparently absent.”
He said He would never leave us. He means it! I’m still learning to remember that, regardless of how the circumstances may seem.
.-= Sharon´s last blog ..Memories of Mom – Priceless Moments, Eternal Lessons =-.
I tweeted this!
.-= Sharon´s last blog ..Memories of Mom – Priceless Moments, Eternal Lessons =-.
I shared this with my friends on Facebook.
.-= Sharon´s last blog ..Memories of Mom – Priceless Moments, Eternal Lessons =-.
I loved when he said, “you have to keep a healthy balance and find something that replenishes you physically, mentally and spiritually” It is so true and so hard to find!
“There is a direct correlation between crisis and transformation and I’ve gotten to the point where I truly want to become the person God intended when He thought me into existence.”
Since I’m in the middle of Plan B, I would love to read this book…and pass it on to some others in the middle of their Plan B also.
Facebooked!
My favorite quote was:
Quite simply, my advice to myself and to you is get over it.
Get over yourself. You’re not going to please everyone all the time. It’s impossible.
This speaks to me: “If God can bring Joseph through being thrown in a well, beat up by his brothers, a false rape accusation, and a prison sentence, then I am pretty sure he can take care of my “problems” as well.”
I love how God reminds me of this even when I am reading a blog.
“Allowing that experience to pull me closer to God really set a framework for which I have viewed other crises in my life. ”
I love that in the midst of things not going right / as planned / as expected, the result was to get closer to God, rather than run away or blame Him for something that can ultimately result in an even better relationship with our Creator if we let it.
.-= Chris Thomas´s last blog ..International Wild Equid Conference =-.
My favorite quote is: “We have an opportunity to choose intimacy with God over our circumstances in every situation…”
I don’t always have control over my circumstances but the way I respond to them is up to me. I can choose to turn to God or I can focus on my situation–too often I turn to God after I’ve tried to fix things on my own.
Great interview!
I tweeted!
“Yet the reality is that authentic community is most often built inside of shattered dreams. When we allow people to see our hurts and disappointments community is almost instantaneous.”
so true! i definitely have experienced this in my own life. thank you for introducing this book!
My favorite quote is,
“Yet the reality is that authentic community is most often built inside of shattered dreams.”
Nothing will pull people together like adversity (if approached correctly–It could otherwise divide). Experiencing ordeals and supporting each other through them makes the closest of friends.
I hate the notion of faking that everything is going well, because it’s a giant facade screaming, “I don’t bloody need you” at people who could probably lend a hand, hence real community.
Even if I don’t win a book, I’ll probably buy one based on this. Wonderful, Bonnie!
.-= Jake´s last blog ..Like a River =-.
I shared on facebook, but I’ve never twitterd before and don’t know how to do it?? This book sounds good and I am sharing it with a friend going through a difficult time right now. I pray my friends on facebook check out the site and I am going to buy Plan B to read for myself and for my friend. Thank you for sharing your faith and encouragement. May God continue to use you to bless others.
6. How do you think a church community or friendships among believers would change, if we grew more accepting of the ideas that Plan Bs happen and faith takes time?
Community inside so many of our churches is surface level at best.
People are afraid to admit that life hasn’t turned out the way they had planned. People are afraid to admit they feel God has disappointed them. People feel the pressure to paint a picture that everything is going great.
Yet the reality is that authentic community is most often built inside of shattered dreams.
When we allow people to see our hurts and disappointments community is almost instantaneous.
I hope we can all be inspired to be a part in daring that kind of community to happen through us. It’s a piece of heaven on earth.
This was my favorite comment and it is so true!! Thanks so much for sharing, I plan on buying the book even if I do not win it!!
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