Flattery has a short battery life, but reminding people they are amazing and precious and wanted and works of art can truly change their lives.

There's no authoritarian structure at Reed College, but the education is conservative. So what you have is a lot of students who are very authentically looking for truth.

How disappointing would it be get to heaven and find out God created life to be enjoyed while all we did was worry?

My Sunday school teachers had turned Bible narrative into children's fables. They talked about Noah and the ark because the story had animals in it. They failed to mention that this was when God massacred all of humanity.

I think that's the true litmus test for someone who has become closer to Jesus: their heart is more loving, accepting, childlike, less believing that they have all the answers and more believing in Him.

The mountains themselves call us into greater stories.

I need for there to be something bigger than me. I need someone to put awe inside me; I need to come second to someone who has everything figured out.