A disciple is one who thinks, feels and acts like Jesus Christ. It is being conformed to the image of Christ as Romans 8:28-29 states-that God's No.1 purpose in our lives is to make us like Jesus.

Character is never built in a classroom; it is built in the circumstances of life.

Little people belittle people. Great people make people feel great.

Taking risks in older age is more courageous because you have more to lose. When you have nothing, you have nothing to lose.

The more God gives you, the more responsible he expects you to be.

We do not serve a distant and detached God who spouts encouraging cliches safely from the sideline. Instead, he enters into our suffering. Jesus did it in the Incarnation and his Spirit does it in us now. God will never leave us alone in our suffering.

If you are a member of a small group or class, I urge you to make a group covenant that includes the nine characteristics of biblical fellowship: We will share our true feelings (authenticity), forgive each other (mercy), speak the truth in love (honesty), admit our weaknesses (humility), respect our differences (courtesy), not gossip (confidentiality), and make group a priority (frequency).