Play with Fire: Discovering Fierce Faith, Unquenchable Passion, and a Life-Giving God

by Bianca Juarez Olthoff

Overview

Raw, real, and relatable, this book is your guide to navigating life's fires. Bianca Olthoff is here to show that our struggles and hardships may be the fire that refines us instead of destroys us, brings us hope instead of despair, and leads us right into the arms of a God who loves us.

Play with Fire, the debut book by popular speaker and teacher Bianca Juarez Olthoff, is the reminder that God isn't waiting until you have more resources or a spouse or a job so he can use you. He's ready to use you now.

Using the mythical creature, the Phoenix, which was also referenced by early church leaders, she parallels this story with God's work in her own life, highlighting the beauty of reinvention with fire as both the impetus and the method for change. Olthoff reminds us that we serve a God who is redemptive and can take the worst situations and use them for His glory.

Play With Fire is a Bible-infused message that will help women discover:

• The way out of the middle is moving forward

• The personal and powerful nature of the Holy Spirit

• The power and sacrifice of transformation

• The unique calling and purpose of life involves transformation

With Olthoff's distinct style, strong storytelling gifts, and powerful bible teaching, Play with Fire will remind readers that God has huge dreams for them. In Bianca's words, "He's whispering in the wind and speaking through the fire and shouting in silence the extraordinary dream He is birthing in you. His dream for you is far greater than the dream you have for yourself. It's not your identity or income or influence that will make this happen. Like Zechariah 4:6 says, "'It's not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord." It's time to play with fire.

Study guide and video study also available.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780310345244
Publisher:	Zondervan
Publication date:	08/30/2016
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	507,485
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Bianca Juárez Olthoff is a Bible-teaching, word-slanging Mexi Rican who is passionate about raising up a generation of people passionate about Jesus Christ. As an author and speaker, she knows the power of words and wields them wisely. As a church planter and leader, she is committed to proclaiming the gospel domestically and internationally.

For more information, follow along on social media or visit Bianca Olthoff.com.

Table of Contents

Prologue: The Legend of the Phoenix 11

Part I

Chapter 1 The Crisis 15

Chapter 2 God, Are You There? 19

Chapter 3 Chosen 27

Chapter 4 Reinvention 35

Part II

Chapter 5 Breaking 47

Chapter 6 Falling 59

Chapter 7 Retreat 65

Chapter 8 God Hears 77

Chapter 9 Holy Spirit 83

Part III

Chapter 10 Enter the Fire 93

Chapter 11 Crying Out 101

Chapter 12 Surrender 111

Chapter 13 Promises of God 123

Chapter 14 Community 135

Chapter 15 Hearing from God 145

Chapter 16 Empowered 157

Chapter 17 Refined 169

Chapter 18 Made New 177

Epilogue: The (Imperfect) Promised Land 187

Afterword 191

Acknowledgments 193

For Further Reading 197

Appendix: Spiritual Gifts 199

Editorial Reviews

06/13/2016
Part memoir and part spiritual growth guide, Olthoff’s debut reminds readers of the idea that God’s biggest desire for their lives is to know him personally. Olthoff, who is chief storyteller for the A-21 Campaign and creative director for Propel Women, parallels the story of the Israelites with a season of her own life when she struggled to hear God amid the voices of her own perfectionism and the pain of watching her mother battle cancer. Her voice comes alive as she tells of growing up in Los Angeles and moving through seasons of faith and doubt as she reached her 20s with dreams of the life she wanted. Drawing on her own story and scripture, Olthoff encourages readers to allow the Holy Spirit to transform them from the inside out, replacing hopelessness with an awareness of all that God can do through a life surrendered to his desires. Olthoff’s transparency is natural, and her ability to tie in Biblical principles that undergird her discussion of transformation and the Holy Spirit make this work deeply rooted and engaging. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

Change and transformation isn’t easy, but using her personal story and the stories of others throughout the Bible, Bianca shares with us ways to not only survive the flames of life, but THRIVE in the midst of trials. As a mentor and guide in her life, I’m excited that Bianca shares her journey to help others become the people God has called them to be through understanding the power of the Holy Spirit. Not only has Bianca written about the transforming power of God, she has lived it out.

Christine Caine

Beyond the narrative, the humorous anecdotes, and personal stories, Play with Fire is proof of God’s redeeming love. I was reminded that fire—those painful moments in life—can refine or ruin me, but God will see to walking me through. Bianca wrote her story with grace and care as further proof that all things work together for the glory of the kingdom. Such an inspiring read!

Branding Strategist and Marketing Consultant Jasmine Star

When someone reads Bible Scriptures regarding fire, they usually interpret them within the context of sin or damnation. However, Bianca’s clear voice in Play with Fire is carefully crafted to convey God’s holy presence and the divine power to change the inner life of sincere seekers desiring a radical change. As her father and pastor, I am wholesomely proud of her work! I’ve witnessed my daughter transform into a woman of strength and integrity, and that is nothing short than going through a refining fire.

Pancho Juárez

Everyone needs a friend like Bianca. I’m certain my mind would explode if I had two. She isn’t afraid to run with knives, grab her knees and jump off big cliffs, or see how thick the ice is by running out on it. She also isn’t afraid to live her life as if God’s promises are really true, rather than a bunch of right- sounding doctrine we interact with by just agreeing. This isn’t just a book about Bianca’s journey. It’s an invitation to yours. It’s not a trail of bread crumbs Bianca is giving us, it’s a box of matches. She dares us to light the first one, throw it back in the box we’ve made of our faith, and see what happens next.

New York Times bestselling author of Love Does Bob Goff

En fuego! Bianca is on fire. Her words form a pathway— through her own journey—to freedom and transformation. Her raw honesty and unwavering belief in God’s plan for your life is contagious, and I’m excited to see how this book sparks a wildfire of faith.

speaker and New York Times bestselling author of F Jen Hatmaker

Play with Fire will make you laugh, make you cry, and open your eyes to the power of God to transform your life. Bianca Juárez Olthoff has the rare ability to weave beautiful Biblical truth into her own story of transformation. You will love the power and freshness that Bianca teaches with. Play with Fire is the book you stay up late to finish because you can’t put it down!

author of Breaking Busy: How to Find Peace and Alli Worthington

Having the privilege of being one of Bianca’s best friends since high school, I saw firsthand how she has loved, lived, and led as Jesus did. Her book, Play with Fire, brings a real, transparent truth with a splash of her quirky sense of humor. These are a few of the qualities that I love about her! I pray this book will ignite a fire in your life and encourage you to trust the Lord through the flames and enter into your own “Promised Land” in full faith.

USA Olympic Softball Gold Medalist Jennie Finch

I love this book written by my fiery Puerto Rican sister, Bianca! Her transparent stories will stir your passion and position you to f lourish amid the fires of chaos, exhaustion, and confusion.

Lisa Bevere

Bianca, thank you for being so vulnerable and sharing your story as well as the truths you’ve discovered along the way. This book is a treasure. If you’re experiencing a struggle, desire to know God on a more passionate level, or simply want to be encouraged, you’ve found the perfect book!

Kari Jobe

When someone reads Bible Scriptures regarding fire, they usually interpret them within the context of sin or damnation. However, Bianca’s clear voice in Play with Fire is carefully crafted to convey God’s holy presence and the divine power to change the inner life of sincere seekers desiring a radical change. As her father and pastor, I am wholesomely proud of her work! I’ve witnessed my daughter transform into a woman of strength and integrity, and that is nothing short than going through a refining fire.

Pancho Juárez

Play with Fire will make you laugh, make you cry, and open your eyes to the power of God to transform your life. Bianca Juárez Olthoff has the rare ability to weave beautiful Biblical truth into her own story of transformation. You will love the power and freshness that Bianca teaches with. Play with Fire is the book you stay up late to finish because you can’t put it down!

author of Breaking Busy: How to Find Peace and –Alli Worthington

En fuego! Bianca is on fire. Her words form a pathway--- through her own journey---to freedom and transformation. Her raw honesty and unwavering belief in God’s plan for your life is contagious, and I’m excited to see how this book sparks a wildfire of faith.

speaker and New York Times bestselling author of F –Jen Hatmaker