Bob Goff is one of my favorite people. But while he is an incredible speaker, it is really hard to take notes and blog about his talks. They are filled with incredible quotes and hilarious stories that I’d never be able to duplicate. So here is my best effort at capturing his main points from his Orange Conference 2019 talk at the closing main session:
We can speak words of both love and truth. But we need to know Scripture in order to do that.
What God needs is people who know Scripture who will be available and speak words of love to them.
We need to know why we do what we do. If you want applause, join the circus. We do this because we want people to know the love of God.
Don’t let anything every get between you and Jesus or you and your spouse.
Using a puzzle metaphor: We need to deal with the pieces in the middle.
We need to enter into the mess and find out why they’re doing what they’re doing.
You want to dazzle Jesus? Go be you.
Yes, sometimes we should offer words of correction, but be sure they are laden with love.
The world is filled with difficult people. In fact, you’re one of them.
What it’s going to take to love people with more love is more faith.
Don’t tell people what to do. Tell them who they are.
And don’t let people or other things distract you. Keep your eyes on Jesus.
Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
If we want to be personal with everyone always, we’ve got to keep it authentic and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
Steve Cullum 