Flattery is saying something nice in order to help yourself. Encouragement is saying something true in order help someone else.

God is not a magic eight ball we shake up and peer into whenever we have a decision to make. He is a good God who gives us brains, shows us the way of obedience, and invites us to take risks for him.

Just about the worst thing a leader can nurture in his heart is self-pity. And just about the worst thing a leader can do in front of his people is murmur and complain.

Christianity is so much more than getting your doctrine right, but it is not less.

The Christian's comfort: I am not my own. I do not make my own rules or create my own identity. There is one who made me and can save me.

If you find yourself mistreated, misunderstood, and mocked as a Christian, take heart, for so they did to the Christ.

You can think too highly of your interpretations of Scripture, but you cannot think too highly of Scriptures interpretation of itself. You can exaggerate your authority in handling the Scriptures, but you cannot exaggerate the Scriptures authority to handle you. You can use the word of God to come to wrong conclusions, but you cannot find any wrong conclusions in the word of God.