My parents were both very intellectually honest, straightforward, and for them, faith meant that you were fully engaged.

We often rush through the experiences that have the greatest shift.

One of the oldest aches in the bones of humanity is loneliness. I mean it's one of the things that goes way back; loneliness is not good for the world. And so, whoever you are, gay or straight, it is totally normal, natural, and healthy to want somebody to go through life with. It's central to our humanity.

One truth is that suffering raises profound questions with the universe. The other truth is that grace, gift and generosity also raise profound questions.

Why blame the dark for being dark? It is far more helpful to ask why the light isn’t as bright as it could be.

When someone sets out to be controversial or provocative or shocking as an end in itself, I don't think that's a noble goal.

I embrace the term 'evangelical,' if by that we mean a belief that we together can actually work for change in the world, caring for the environment, extending to the poor generosity and kindness, a hopeful outlook. That's a beautiful sort of thing.