Believers are never told to become one; we already are one and are expected to act like it.

Like art, like music, like so many other disciplines, prayer can only be appreciated when you actually spend time in it. Spending time with the Master will elevate your thinking. The more you pray, the more will be revealed. You will appreciate not only the greatness of prayer, but the greatness of God.

What a way to learn great theology! That's what comes to mind whenever I sing one of those old hymns. "And Can It Be" is like putting the doctrine of salvation to music. "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" is a melodic lesson in grace. No wonder good hymns make for strong faith!

In the Christian faith, God really puts suffering front and center. He doesn't get squeamish about it.

One problem I have with faith-healing is that it tends to be focused only on the physical aspect of healing. But Jesus always backed away when people came to him only to get their physical needs met. My goodness, he was ready to have you lop off your hand! His real interest was in healing the soul.

Heartache forces us to embrace God out of desparate, urgent need. God is never closer than when your heart is aching.

God's purpose in increasing our trials is to sensitize us to people we never would have been able to relate to otherwise.