Experience has taught me that the Shepherd is far more willing to show His sheep the path than the sheep are to follow. He is endlessly merciful, patient, tender, and loving. If we, His stupid and wayward sheep, really want to be led, we will without fail be led. Of that I am sure.

The deepest lessons come out of the deepest waters and the hottest fires.

The way we live ought to manifest the truth of what we believe. A messy life speaks of a messy and incoherent faith.

A little quiet reflection will remind me that yes to God always leads in the end to joy.

Faith receives, day by day, what a loving Heavenly Father apportions.

Do you often feel like parched ground, unable to produce anything worthwhile? I do. When I am in need of refreshment, it isn't easy to think of the needs of others. But I have found that if, instead of praying for my own comfort and satisfaction, I ask the Lord to enable me to give to others, an amazing thing often happens - I find my own needs wonderfully met. Refreshment comes in ways I would never have thought of, both for others, and then, incidentally, for myself.

To be a follower of the Crucified means, sooner or later, a personal encounter with the cross. And the cross always entails loss.