What some now call 'emerging Christianity' or 'the emerging church' is not something you join, establish, or invent. You just name it and then you see it everywhere- already in place! Such nongroup groups, the 'two or three' gathered in deep truth, create a whole new level of affiliation, dialogue, and friendship.

God seems to be about turning our loves around and using them toward the great love that is their true object.

Silence is the necessary space around things that allows them to develop and flourish without my pushing.

Nature religions, for example, speak of summer, fall, winter, and spring. They see the downward path as the necessary prelude to any kind of upward path again. Our vocabulary is different. We Christians speak of the death and resurrection of Jesus. But unfortunately, we've projected it all onto Jesus and it didn't become a life agenda for the rest of us.

When we fail we are merely joining the great parade of humanity that has walked ahead of us and will follow after us.

Advent is not about a sentimental waiting for the Baby Jesus.

God, give me a good humiliation every day. It's good for the soul and it's good for the ego.