If we are serious about loving God, we must begin with people, all people. And especially we must learn to love those that the world generally discards.

Nobody lives up to the norms that God had in mind when he first created human beings.

I hate how hard spiritual transformation is and how long it takes. I hate thinking about how many people have gone to church for decades and remain joyless or judgmental or bitter or superior.

A bad sermon is like a car wreck - everyone slows down to see what happened.

To become grateful, I must learn that I can handle disappointment and delayed gratification with grace and perseverance. This is why practices such as fasting and simplicity are such powerful tools for transformation. The experience of frustration and disappointment is irreplaceable in the development of a grateful heart.

There is no way for a human being to come to God that does not involve surrender.

Willpower is trying very hard not to do something you want to do very much.