Tim Stevens - Marked by Love: It’s the Only Thing That Matters

As I read this book, I thoughtits about time! And frankly, I couldnt put it down. I lost track of the times I said, What? or Wow! Tim is real, relatable, unfailingly honesta breath of fresh air in what is often a stale Christian publishing culture. This is about character development instead of image manage- ment! Its about time.

Ray Johnston, Senior Pastor of Bayside Church

Tim outlines the simplicity and complexity of being marked by love, and why it should be the hallmark of those of us who follow Jesus. Im so grateful for Tims voice and for this book.

Carey Nieuwhof, Author and Founding Pastor
of Connexus Church

For the last thirty years of pastoring churches and studying the Bible, I have looked for the core message that all others center around. My good friend, Tim Stevens, has found it. While I have benefited from everything that Tim has written over the years, this book has the greatest potential to really change a life, a family, a neighborhoodthe entire world. Tim is about to take you on a wonderful, authentic ride. Enjoy the journey; embrace the invitation to be marked by love.

Randy Frazee, Pastor and Author
of What Happens After You Die

The game has changed for sharing faith. Old methods are out, and its time for a new approach. Ive had the privilege of work- ing alongside Tim for several years now. Watching how he works, treats people, and mirrors Jesus in life, I can attest that he lives a life marked by love. I cant think of anyone better suited to help reshape the conversation about sharing faith than Tim. Read this book, and youll be better prepared for the new day that is dawning.

William Vanderbloemen, Founder and CEO
of Vanderbloemen Search Group

Marked by Love took me on a journey through the life, thoughts, and spiritual pilgrimage of Tim. Hes an engaging writer, but while I journeyed with Tim, something was resonating in my own heart, stretching me in a good way. I too want to be marked by love. Thank you, Tim, for a timely perspective reminder.

Ron Edmondson, CEO, Leadership Network

Any author this honest deserves to be read. Tim Stevens vulner- ability had me hooked from the first page. A book this relevant and practical must be readand then read againwhich Ive just done. Anyone who shows up at church the next time I preach is going to be encouraged to buy his or her own copy. Im holding on to mine!

Dr. Bob Laurent, Author of Thin Places and Teaching Pastor
of Granger Community Church

A good book is a curious thing. Whether it speaks to a felt need or awakens one, a good book comes alongside us like an old friend. It makes us think. It makes us feel. Marked by Love is a good book that does both. Rather than swiping through Tims new book, skimming from point to point, I sat with my old friend and read for a while. I recommend you do the same.

Dr. Mark Beeson, Founding Pastor
of Granger Community Church

This is a one-of-a-kind read worth adding to your bucket list. Its an unpredictable, honest collection of short stories from one manexecutive, husband, father, friend, brother, and pastor who takes a second look at the essentials of his faith and vulner- ably reveals what he wins and loses along the way. Its not full of easy or safe topics, but every page grew my intellectual, emotional, and spiritual capacity. I set the book down grateful and motivated to take a second look at my own list of essentials and what to do about it.

Kem Meyer, Communications Advocate and
Author of Less Chaos. Less Noise.

2018 by Tim Stevens

Print ISBN 978-1-68322-655-0

eBook Editions:
Adobe Digital Edition (.epub) 978-1-68322-930-8
Kindle and MobiPocket Edition (.prc) 978-1-68322-931-5

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Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the H OLY B IBLE , N EW I NTERNATIONAL V ERSION . NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked MSG are from THE MESSAGE. Copyright by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Published in association with The Blythe Daniel Agency, P.O. Box 64197, Colorado Springs, CO 80962-4197.

Cover Design: Greg Jackson, Thinkpen Design

Published by Shiloh Run Press, an imprint of Barbour Publishing, Inc., 1810 Barbour Drive, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683, www.shilohrunpress.com

Our mission is to inspire the world with the life-changing message of the Bible.

Printed in the United States of America.

To my dad:

He was a man who showed me how to love every day.

As I watched him love my mom, sacrificially giving of
himself to her, never raising a voice in anger for fifty-eight
years of marriage, I learned how to love my wife.

I watched him lead and serve his coworkers well as
a businessman for decadesand I learned what
a true servant leader looks like.

I watched Dad help widows, neighbors, friends,
and familyhe taught me what it looks like
to put others needs above my own.

I saw him treat everyone with respect, refusing to gossip
or slander or judge someone because they were different.

Dad faithfully lived a life marked by love for seventy-seven
years. His legacy lives on in my life and the words
Ive written in this book.

R OSS S TEVENS
19422018

H ave you read the news? Have you seen the headlines? The world is a mess. It is chaotic and frazzled and sometimes evil and unfair. Abuse is rampantagainst women, against children, against those who appear weak. The trafficking of humans has never been higher. Right here in America, men and women are dying alone in the streets because they dont have the means to provide for themselves or access basic medical care.

World leaders, who are supposed to be leading us to a more peaceful place, taunt each other with threats of nuclear destruction. Political leaders use social media to destroy the reputations of those with whom they disagreethis happens so often it no longer surprises us. Sides are polarized and hate oozes out of people on all extremes as they verbally undress and then skin and gut their opponents.