God formed an alliance based on the world as it is, full of flaws, whereas prayer calls God to account for the world as it should be.

If your church conveys that spirit of condescension or judgment, it's likely not a place where grace is on tap.

As I read the Bible, it seems clear that God satisfies his "eternal appetite" by loving individual human beings. I imagine He views each halting step forward in my spiritual "walk" with the eagerness of a parent watching a child take the very first step.

Prayer is a declaration of dependence upon God.

Whatever else it is, the kingdom of God is decidedly not a call to violent revolution.

One who has been touched by grace will no longer look on those who stray as "those evil people" or "those poor people who need our help." Nor must we search for signs of "loveworthiness." Grace teaches us that God loves because of who God is, not because of who we are.

And perhaps, exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit may be our very best defense against a materialist view of mankind here on earth.