These criminals represent us. One of them recognized Jesus for who he was and received him; Jesus promised that when he died he would be in heaven with him. The other man rejected Jesus and closed his heart. Unlike the first criminal, when he died he didn't go to heaven. He went to hell. In that sense, these two men on either side of Jesus are just like every person. We either embrace Christ as our Savior and spend eternity with him, or we reject him and say, 'I don't believe it. I'll have nothing to do with.' And these people spend eternity separated from him.

Don't lean on your own understanding. If your trust in God is limited by your understanding of His ways, you will always have a limited trust.

In a society where rationality has ruled so long, the church frequently fails to see that in forsaking the weekly pursuit of the transcendent, we have given up the only ground that was uniquely ours in this world. In attempting to make the church something that can attract and add value to secular mind-sets, we have turned our backs on our one true proposition - transcendence.

Do the things you used to do, and you'll feel the feelings you used to feel.

If He wasn't going to use that hard thing for your good, it wouldn't have happened. He had to sign off on every single thing that touches your life.

I want to be a part of the grand plan. Being on board with God's objectives means I understand that this is not about me.

While we wait, God builds our faith in His promises.