Bianca Juarez Olthoff - Play with fire: discovering fierce faith, unquenchable passion, and a life-giving God

Everyone needs a friend like Bianca. Im certain my mind would explode if I had two. She isnt 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 isnt afraid to live her life as if Gods promises are really true, rather than a bunch of right-sounding doctrine we interact with by just agreeing. This isnt just a book about Biancas journey. Its an invitation to yours. Its not a trail of bread crumbs Bianca is giving us, its a box of matches. She dares us to light the first one, throw it back in the box weve made of our faith, and see what happens next.

Bob Goff, New York Times bestselling author of Love Does

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

-Kari Jobe

En fuego! Bianca is on fire. Her words form a pathwaythrough her own journeyto freedom and transformation. Her raw honesty and unwavering belief in Gods plan for your life is contagious, and Im excited to see how this book sparks a wildfire of faith.

Jen Hatmaker, speaker and New York Times bestselling author of For the Love

Change and transformation isnt 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, Im 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, bestselling author, teacher, and founder of A21 and Propel Women

Having the privilege of being one of Biancas 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.

Jennie Finch, USA Olympic Softball Gold Medalist

When someone reads Bible Scriptures regarding fire, they usually interpret them within the context of sin or damnation. However, Biancas clear voice in Play with Fire is carefully crafted to convey Gods 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! Ive witnessed my daughter transform into a woman of strength and integrity, and that is nothing short than going through a refining fire.

Pancho Jurez, Pastor, Calvary Chapel, Montebello, California

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

Lisa Bevere, Messenger International, bestselling author of Lioness Arising, Kissed the Girls and Made Them Cry, and Fight Like a Girl

Beyond the narrative, the humorous anecdotes, and personal stories, Play with Fire is proof of Gods redeeming love. I was reminded that firethose painful moments in lifecan 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!

Jasmine Star, Branding Strategist and Marketing Consultant

Play with Fire will make you laugh, make you cry, and open your eyes to the power of God to transform your life. Bianca Jurez 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 cant put it down!

Alli Worthington, author of Breaking Busy: How to Find Peace and Purpose in a World of Crazy

We are not defined by the fires we go through. We are defined by the fire inside of us. In Play with Fire Bianca Jurez Olthoff empowers women with a catalytic, Christ-centered, Bible-based infusion of passionate truth poised to awaken the fuego of God. Bianca does not only teach on fire, she is on fire for Christ, a fire that ignites her to do justice and change the world.

Rev. Dr. Samuel Rodriguez, President of National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, Lead Pastor of New Season Worship

Bianca lives with a sincere fire for God deep in her bones. The beauty of reading her words is that same passionate fire catches in our hearts. Prepare to want more of God. Prepare to change as Gods fire spreads in and through you.

Jennie Allen, founder of IF:Gathering, author of Restless and Anything

When you play with fire, you can definitely get burned, or you might just get healed. With raw honesty, Bianca unfolds her personal journey of her time in the driest desert place. Her story of walking through the fires of life and its purifying refinement led her to the belief that her God is not only with her, but hears her, sees and loves her dearly. She discovered, as will we, that in the desert we can have abundance and in the fire we experience the presence of God like never before.

Shelley Giglio, Chief Strategist, sixstepsrecords and Co-founder, Passion Conferences/Passion City Church

ZONDERVAN

Play with Fire

Copyright 2016 by Bianca Jurez Olthoff

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

ePub Edition July 2016: ISBN 978-0-310-34525-1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Olthoff, Bianca, author.

Title: Play with fire: discovering fierce faith, unquenchable passion, and a life-giving God / Bianca Olthoff.

Description: Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2016.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016017736 | ISBN 9780310345244 (softcover)

Subjects: LCSH: Olthoff, Bianca. | Christian biographyUnited States.

Classification: LCC BR1725.O6175 A3 2016 | DDC 277.3/083092 [B]dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016017736

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any otherexcept for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

The author is represented by Alive Literary Agency, 7680 Goddard Street, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80920, www.aliveliterary.com.