You may have done some really nifty things in life, but if you think they're going to get you into Heaven, forget it. The only way any of us are going to get in is by receiving God's gift of grace, which is available to every person.

Eternal values, not temporal ones, should become the deciding factors for your decisions.

Maturity is produced through relationships and community.

Instant obedience will teach you more about God than a lifetime of Bible discussions.

God is always more interested in why we do something than in what we do. Attitudes count more than achievements.

Failure isn't a character quality. It's just an event. How you respond to failure is your character.

God uses his Word, people and circumstances to mold us. All three are indispensable for character development. God's word provides the truth we need to grow, God's people provide the support we need to grow, and circumstances provide the environment we need to grow.