I don't believe that prayers actually change God's mind - if there is a God - but I liked praying for people in need. It was like moral weightlifting. I tend to be self-obsessed, and it was nice to get out of my brain once in a while.

Behavior shapes beliefs.

Sometimes miracles occur only when you jump in.

I was what they call 'skinny fat' - a body that resembled a python after swallowing a goat.

I love to live things, so I wanted to immerse myself and get into the mindset - and sandals - of my forefathers.

Probably 90 percent of our life decisions are powered by the twin engines of inertia and laziness.

It comes back to the old question: How can the Bible be so wise in some places and so barbaric in others? And why should we put any faith in a book that includes such brutality?