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“I can’t give you the world, Rachel, but I’ll give you all I got.”
― Katie McGarry, Crash into You

“ “Rachel...you need help.â€�
I laugh and it’s the same bitter laugh I remember him giving when we met so many weeks ago. “So do you.�
“I love you.� Isaiah says it so simply that my heart soars and sinks at the same time.
“I love you,� I whisper. “Did you ever think that loving someone could hurt so bad?�
Isaiah shakes his head and stares out the window.
“What’s going to happen to us?â€� I ask. Because I don’t know how the two of us can continue forward. Isaiah refuses to let me in. It’s sort of cruel. He’s brought me close with his stories of his childhood and with his words of love, but he can’t relinquish control. I refuse to be with someone who won’t treat me as an equal.”
― Katie McGarry, Crash into You

“My fingers draw up her back and tangle into her hair. “They’ll never separate us.â€�
“N±ð±¹±ð°ù,â€� she repeats.
Our lips crush together, our bodies pressed tight. An inferno of lips and hands and movements that continues to grow in heat. The blanket falls away as Rachel slides her legs so that she straddles me. On the verge of burning up completely, I groan and cling to her small frame. Her hands drift under my shirt, leaving a singeing trail.
We’ve become a wildfire. Almost unstoppable. I kiss her neck and the beautiful sounds escaping her mouth encourage me further. My hands skim under her shirt, up her back, linger for seconds near her bra, and I gently nip her ear when I feel lace.
Images pour into my mind of what she’d look like with her shirt off, then her jeans. My fist traps strands of her hair. “I want you, Rachel.�
And because I do, I kiss her fully on the mouth—nothing left to the imagination. Every fantasy becomes a reality with that one embrace.”
― Katie McGarry, Crash into You

“ “Sit with me,â€� Isaiah says. As I move to rest next to him, he stops me. “Not there. Here.â€� He motions to the spot between his legs.
Awkwardly, I settle in front of him. Isaiah, the king of secure, waves off any distance between us as he gathers me into the safe shelter of his body. The blood pulses faster in my veins. I like being this close to him. Maybe a little too much.
“You’re beautiful.� His breath tickles the skin behind my ear, and the small hairs stand on end with the joyous sensation. “You’re smart and funny. I love how your eyes shine when you laugh.�
He glides his fingers against my skin causing an addictive tingling. “I love how you lace your fingers and brush your hair from your face when you’re nervous. I love how you offer yourself so completely to me—no fear. You’re loyal and strong.�
“I’m not strong.� I cut him off. The panic attacks confirm that. Unable to be near him anymore, I attempt to untangle myself from him, but Isaiah becomes a solid wall around me and I jerk in his arms in protest.
His tender hold tightens, and the words feel like poetry because of the deep, soothing way he speaks. “You’re wrong. I see you exactly as you are.â€� ”
― Katie McGarry, Crash into You

“Fire can destroy, but it can also create-provide warmth, protection.”
― Katie McGarry

“The entire room turns and stares. There’s no doubt what they see—ripped jeans, a black T-shirt, tattoos and earrings. I don’t care what they see. All I care about is what she sees: a person unwelcomed or the guy she loves.
A tear flows down her face, and the hand wrapped at her waist tells me she’s paralyzed. In a long gold ball gown that’s more skirt than dress, Rachel is truly the angel I believe her to be. A man in a tuxedo stands. “Son, I think you have the wrong room.�
“No. I don’t.� I stride between the tables, keeping my eyes locked with hers. The closer I get, the more she straightens. Her hand falls from her stomach, and the tear clears from her face. Rachel gazes at me as if I’m a dream. I extend my hand, palm out. “I need help.�
Her blue eyes lose their glaze, and the hue of violet I love so much returns. “So do I.â€� ”
― Katie McGarry, Crash into You

“16. Christians should never consult astrologers, psychics, or those who practice witchcraft (see Isaiah 47:13-14). They are usually phonies who only pretend to have extrasensory powers. But in some cases, they are working in cooperation with Satan. Rather than tamper with this evil world, the one true God wants us to bring our needs, problems, and decisions to Him. He has promised to lead us into all truth (see John 8:32).”
― James C. Dobson, Life on the Edge: The Next Generation's Guide to a Meaningful Future

“Out of the bottomless profundities the gigantic tail seems spasmodically snatching at the highest heaven. So in dreams, have I seen majestic Satan thrusting forth his tormented colossal claw from the flame Baltic of Hell. But in gazing at such scenes, it is all in all what mood you are in; if in the Dantean, the devils will occur to you; if in that of Isaiah, the archangels.”
― Herman Melville, Moby-Dick or, The Whale

“I touch the double row of silver hoop earrings hanging from his left ear, trail along his jawline, his neck, down his shoulder, to the flaming tail of the dragon on his arm. He leans into the caress, and my own body feels on fire with the continued way his eyes gaze upon me. The first moment I saw him, the night people clamored over each other to step out of his way, I was frightened. The guy with earrings and tattoos and an energy radiating danger. Now—inside and out—all I see is beauty.”
― Katie McGarry, Crash into You

“Cupping her face, I reclaim her lips and gently guide her body next to mine on the bed. Rachel’s tank rides up and my fingers explore the satin skin of her belly. There are so many places I long to go, so many places I crave to take her.
“I want to go further,� she whispers. When I skim the waistband of her pants, her breathing hitches.
Further. Damn, my entire body responds. I don’t miss the way her hand fidgets with the hem of her shirt. Scared I’ll spook her, I don’t push her too far, but I’m all for reading body language. I place my hand over hers and her smile appears.
“You sure?� I ask. I kiss each and every centimeter of her exposed skin as I move up her tank. I linger over the material of her bra and Rachel fists the sheet with both hands. She’s so damn hot I’m about to forget slow and go for fast.
But I ignore those urges and guide the material up and over her head. I don’t know what the hell I did to have such a beautiful creature in my bed, but she’s here and I’m going to spend tonight worshipping this gift in front of me.”
― Katie McGarry, Crash into You

“I should run, but I’m paralyzed by the sight of him. Even moving slowly, Isaiah possesses the prowess of a panther. His muscles pronounced in the easy way he strides. The set, determined gaze on me as his prey. This only proves how weak I am. Like the animal on the verge of being devoured in the wild, I stand here stunned by his dangerous beauty.”
― Katie McGarry, Crash into You

“Craving a physical connection, I slide my finger along the back of Rachel’s hand. She’s asleep. Has been for a while. Curled in the fetal position in the middle of my bed, Rachel wears the mask of a ravaged person. Somehow, I missed the signs: dark circles under her eyes, the clothes that once fit perfectly now hang, her skin so pale it’s translucent.”
― Katie McGarry, Crash into You

“Foolishly, the people continue to seek a military alliance and a political solution. The people in captivity may not be too different from people today. If people in contemporary society spent as much time praying for God's mercy as they did watching television and listening to political rants, society might be more stable. Busyness, noise, and distrust abound. But, the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel said, "In returning and rest shall you be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength" (Isaiah 30:15). Do you rest in the Lord? Do you spend quiet time with Him? Is your strength found in trusting in the Lord or in others? "Therefore, the Lord waits to be gracious to you; therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him (Isaiah 30:18)." Take some time to wait on God.”
― Monsignor Charles Kosanke, Come & See Catholic Bible Study: Isaiah

“She broke my heart. My mother broke my heart. If I love Rachel she’ll have more power than both of them combined because this overwhelming pulse in my body...this overwhelming need to protect her and hold her close...
I nuzzle into her hair and close my eyes, inhaling the sweet scent of jasmine. I should let her go, let her go, just let her go. Walk away now. Hang on to what’s left of my sanity.
But as Rachel presses tighter to me, I know I’m too far gone to stand a chance alone. I’m in love, f*cking in love, and I pray to the God that abandoned me years ago that He doesn’t use this to destroy me. “I love you.â€� ”
― Katie McGarry, Crash into You

“Her soft lips kiss my jaw and my body temperature spikes. Holding on to Rachel is like holding on to a flame. It’s a soothing burn and an addictive burn. Her kiss is pure fire.”
― Katie McGarry, Crash into You

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.”
― Isaiah 43:2

“I am 'the voice of one crying out in the desert,
"Make straight the way of the Lord,”
― Anonymous, The New American Bible

“In other words, this servant would offer God an absolutely obstruction-free "void" within the realm of the human world and history, wherein God may act as the "Creator" of a new world, his world, the way he wants it: where the impossible is daily bread, and in place of the present reality in which the barren one cannot possibly conceive, "the children of the barren one are more than those of the one that is married.”
― Paul Nadim Tarazi, The Chrysostom Bible - Isaiah: A Commentary

“But now, thus saith the Lord â€� that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed thee; I have called thee by name; thou art mine.”
― Anonymous, The Holy Bible: King James Version

“The Heaven is my throne and the earth my footstool. Where is the House that you may build for Me?”
― Anonymous, Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures

“I am ‘the voice of one crying out in the desert,
“Make straight the way of the Lord,”
― Anonymous, The New American Bible

“Throughout these oracles [Isaiah 13-18] against the many nations is the underlying revelation that God is over ALL the nations. And one day all nations will turn to Him.”
― Charles Kosanke, Come and See: Isaiah

“God would give the people a place of rest after their exile from their homeland. He instructed the prophets and people to wait on Him. "For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be your strength' (Isaiah 30:15)." But the leaders and people would not listen to the Lord. Instead of waiting on the Lord and trusting in God alone, they sought political alliances with former enemies, like Egypt, to offer them protection. It should come as no surprise that failure to trust God and wait on Him, but seeking political alliances proved disastrous. Failing to trust God can also prove disastrous today!”
― Monsignor Charles Kosanke, Come & See Catholic Bible Study: Isaiah

“Any person who is oppressed and heavy laden may be tempted to manipulate his situation to find an expedient political or practical solution. However, trusting in the Lord and waiting on Him in obedience brings lasting peace and comfort. Because they will not listen and refuse to hear God, they will wallow in confusion. The lies and double-speak of politicians and self-seeking leaders echo across the centuries.”
― Monsignor Charles Kosanke, Come & See Catholic Bible Study: Isaiah

“The complaint of God that hearts drift far away from Him, must be addressed by each and every man, woman, and child in every age and generation. The people in exile refused to repent and give their hearts entirely to God. Lip service to God, adherence to the commandments out of fear, and rote knowledge of spiritual things didn't work in Isaiah's time. Neither did it work in Jesus' time. And it won't work today either. God wants your heart. Only you can give your heart to Him. He has given each human being free will. He won't force anyone to love Him. He only asks and invites. He gives everything and waits for each person's individual response. Mary said yest to God, even when she didn't fully understand His plan. Jesus said yes to the Father, knowing the cost he would pay to purchase our salvation. What should you do?”
― Monsignor Charles Kosanke, Come & See Catholic Bible Study: Isaiah

“The complaint of God that hearts drift far away from Him, must be addressed by each and every man, woman, and child in every age and generation. The people in exile refused to repent and give their hearts entirely to God. Lip service to God, adherence to the commandments out of fear, and rote knowledge of spiritual things didn't work in Isaiah's time. Neither did it work in Jesus' time. And it won't work today either. God wants your heart. Only you can five your heart to Him. He has given each human being free will. He won't force anyone to love Him. He only asks and invites. He gives everything and waits for each person's individual response. Mary said yes to God, even when she didn't fully understand His plan. Jesus said yes to the Father, knowing the cost He would pay to purchase our salvation. What should you do?”
― Laurie Watson Manhardt, Ph. D., Come and See: Isaiah

“My mind is confused, I shudder in panic. My night of pleasure has turned into terror. Setting the table to let the watchmen watch, eating and drinking, “Arise, officers, anoint the shield.â€� For thus said my Lord to me: Go, station the lookout, and let him tell what he sees. He will see a pair of horsemen...and he will call out like a lion. My lord, I stand on the lookout constantly during the day, and I am stationed at my post all the nights. Behold, it is coming: a chariot with a man, a pair of horsemen. Each says loudly, “It has fallen! Babylonia has fallen!”
― Seth Rogovoy, Bob Dylan: Prophet, Mystic, Poet

“Dark days lie ahead, my dear, but a light has dawned in the distance. Oh that it were in our days... But Light is coming. The Mighty God is coming. His zeal will perform this. He will do it, and it will come to pass.”
― Emmanuel Onimisi, The Faces of Christmas

“Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished. (Isaiah 51:6)”
― King James Version, King James Holy Bible: KJV Authorized, Old and new Testements

“Every one of the great revolutionists, from Isaiah to Shelley, have been optimists. They have been indignant, not about the badness of existence, but about the slowness of men in realizing its goodness. The prophet who is stoned is not a brawler or a marplot. He is simply a rejected lover. He suffers from an unrequited attachment to things in general.”
― GK Chesterton