To be a Christian is a standing, a legal position. It means to be a child of God. You are or you are not, there is no try.

Jesus lost all his glory so that we could be clothed in it. He was shut out so we could get access. He was bound, nailed, so that we could be free. He was cast out so we could approach. And Jesus took away the only kind of suffering that can really destroy you: that is being cast away from God. He took so that now all suffering that comes into your life will only make you great. A lump of coal under pressure becomes a diamond. And the suffering of a person in Christ only turns you into somebody gorgeous.

Truth without love is imperious self-righteousn ess. Love without truth is cowardly self-indulgence .

The world is polarizing over religion. It is getting both more religious and less religious at the same time.

Christmas is an invitation by God to say: Look what I've done to come near to you. Now draw near to me...I want to be a friend.

Just because you can't see or imagine a good reason why God might allow something to happen doesn't mean there can't be one.

The best people often have terrible lives. Job is one example, and Jesus—the ultimate ‘Job,’ the only truly, fully innocent sufferer — is another.