Scouting the Divine Quotes

“Jesus knew that many of his listeners believed the old wineskin (or way of doing things) was good enough. They were comfortable with their beliefs and practices, but Jesus hadn't come to patch up old religious traditions. He was offering a new garment, a new wineskin, a way of life that didn't abolish the old ways, but fulfilled them.

The teaching illuminated my own need to remain pliable before God. I realize that I must have a softer housing for my growing faith, one that can flex and change as God is at work inside of me. All too often I find myself clinging to that which is comfortable and familiar, rather than embracing the challenges that emerge with change and growth. Sometimes I shy away from people who have strong views that differ from mine, even though sharing a great conversation... could temper both our viewpoints and deepen our relationship. Why do I run away from strong opinions and potential conflict? Am I too comfortable and unwilling to change? Such a realization highlights the need for the Spirit in my life not just to discern and distinguish, but also to illuminate and invite me to move forward into the fullness of life with him." -Scouting the Divine”
― Margaret Feinberg, Scouting the Divine: My Search for God in Wine, Wool, and Wild Honey

“And God did not just ask for the perfect sheep; He also wanted its wool. Deuteronomy 18:4 instructs shepherds to give the first shearing of the sheep as on offering to God. Above the crackling warmth radiating from the stove, I read the verse aloud to Lynne. "Is a first shearing a once-in-a-lifetime offering?" I asked. "Yes, everybody wants the first shearing, especially if it's from one of your best lambs. The first shearing is the finest fleese that's used to the best clothes...to ask for that is a real sacrifice." ... For the first time in a long while, maybe ever, I had felt with my own hands what God desired from sacrifice. It was nothing like what I expected...In asking for the first fleece, God isn't asking for the biggest. He wants to smallest and the softest. He doesn't want more-He wants the best." -Scouting the Divine”
― Margaret Feinberg, Scouting the Divine: My Search for God in Wine, Wool, and Wild Honey

“Once they respond to my beckoning I have them forever,” she said as Swan rested her tiny head in the palm of Lynne’s hand.”
― Margaret Feinberg, Scouting the Divine: Searching for God in Wine, Wool, and Wild Honey

“didn’t plan to spend this amount of time these past weeks,” Lynne said. “But I have learned a lot. I know my sheep and they know me, but this was a different kind of knowing. Because of what we’ve been through, there’s a greater trust between Piaget and me than with the other sheep.”
― Margaret Feinberg, Scouting the Divine: Searching for God in Wine, Wool, and Wild Honey

“Though I had read the story many times before, I never realized until that moment that shepherds carefully keep track of their flocks by constantly counting, continually checking.”
― Margaret Feinberg, Scouting the Divine: Searching for God in Wine, Wool, and Wild Honey

“Shepherds often slept across the openings of their homemade sheepfolds, guarding the animals from predators and thieves with their own bodies. When Jesus describes himself as “the door” of the sheepfold in John 10:9, he is painting a rich portrait of being both protector and provider.”
― Margaret Feinberg, Scouting the Divine: Searching for God in Wine, Wool, and Wild Honey

“Life without the gift of rest is merely existing without being able to enjoy the bouquet of all we have been given. Just as the fruit of Kristof's vines eventually suffered without respite so did the fruit of my own life.”
― Margaret Feinberg, Scouting the Divine: My Search for God in Wine, Wool, and Wild Honey