You're here, you're breathing, you are the recipient of an extraordinary act of generosity called life.

Any time someone makes you feel guilty about how you are living, that is part of the old system (pre-Christ).

Many people confuse religion with God and walk away from them both. The point isn't Christianity, the point is being a Christian.

[The Bible] has to be interpreted. And if it isn’t interpreted, then it can’t be put into action. So if we are serious about following God, then we have to interpret the Bible. It is not possible to simply do what the Bible says. We must first make decisions about what it means at this time, in this place, for these people.

The cross is God taking on flesh and blood and saying, Me too.

A good sermon is going to disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed. It inspires you. It provokes you. It should make your soul soar.

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.