The dominant characteristic of an authentic spiritual life is the gratitude that flows from trust — not only for all the gifts that I receive from God, but gratitude for all the suffering. Because in that purifying experience, suffering has often been the shortest path to intimacy with God.

To lend each other a hand when we're falling, perhaps that's the only work that matters in the end.

The way you are with others every day, regardless of their status, is the true test of faith.

The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.

Jesus comes for sinners, for those outcast...and those caught up in squalid choices and failed dreams.

A trusting heart is forgiven and, in turn, forgives.

Put bluntly, the American church today accepts grace in theory but denies it in practice. We say we believe that the fundamental structure of reality is grace, not works - but our lives refute our faith.