Some who attempt prayer never have the sense of anyone listening on the other end. They blame themselves for doing it wrong.... Prayer requires the faith to believe that God listens.

The giants of the faith all had one thing in common: neither victory nor success, but passion.

Jesus reserved his hardest words for the hidden sins of hypocrisy, pride, greed and legalism.

Parents learn the uses of power and its limits. They can insist on certain outward behavior but cannot change inner attitudes. They can require obedience but not goodness - and certainly not love.

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

Release what is good.

In no other arena is the church at greater risk of losing its calling than in the public square