When you have a sense of calling, whether it's to be a musician, soloist, artist, in one of the technical fields, or a plumber, there is something deep and enriching when you realize it isn't just a casual choice, it's a divine calling. It's not limited to vocational Christian service by any means.

Give us an intense distaste for things that displease You and a renewed pleasure in things that bring You honor and magnify Your truth.

Fortunately Jesus didn't leave [the disciples]-or any of us-without hope or direction. Where we fail, Jesus succeeded. The only One who as able to recognize and follow His purpose from the beginning was Jesus. He alone was able to obey consistently and please God completely. And His divine mission was to make a way for each of us to do the same.

The secret of living a life of excellence is merely a matter of thinking thoughts of excellence. Really, it's a matter of programming our minds with the kind of information that will set us free.

Refuse to let your situation determine your attitude.

It's the nature of the beast within us to keep going back to the familiar rather than to strap on faith and face the future.

The wonderful thing about God is he knows what we need to persuade us.