Were it not for the shepherds, there would have been no reception. And were it not for a group of stargazers, there would have been no gifts.

I believe for God not to allow pain to happen in the world is for Him to extract free will from the world.

I choose gentleness... Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

When grace happens, generosity happens. Unsquashable, eyepopping bigheartedness happens.

It was a matter of going back through a lot of sermons and remembering the questions and conversations, where these ideas came from. So the book [Max on Life] is really kind of a second chance to answer these questions.

I'm a preacher first and a writer second, although my role is changing a bit at the church. I'm going to bring on a co-teacher, but I'll still be a pastor and a writer.

A woman's heart should be so hidden in God that a man has to seek Him just to find her.