We're concerned with how things turn out; God seems more concerned with how we turn out.

Any discussion of how pain and suffering fit into God's scheme ultimately leads back to the cross.

The camera follows a young woman as she makes her way through the stands to an area set aside for repentance and conversion. But Jesus' stories imply that far more may be going on out there: beyond that stadium scene, in a place concealed from all camera lenses, a great party has erupted, a gigantic celebration in the unseen world.

If we insist on visible proofs from God, we may well prepare the way for a permanent state of disappointment. True faith does not so much attempt to manipulate God to do our will as it does to position us to do his will. As I searched through the Bible for models of great faith, I was struck by how few saints experienced anything like Job's dramatic encounter with God. The rest responded to the hiddenness not by demanding that he show himself, but by going ahead and believing him though he stayed hidden.

When we ignore the world outside the walls we suffer-as does it.

There is but one true Giver in the universe; all else are debtors.

Prayer is - keeping company with God.