The cross is the place where we find the freedom to accept ourselves without being proud and to challenge ourselves without being crushed.

It is impossible to forgive someone if you feel superior to him or her.

Ironically, the insistence that doctrines do not matter is really a doctrine itself

Just because you cannot realize your highest aspirations in work does not mean you have chosen wrongly, or are not called to your profession, or that you should spend your life looking for the perfect career that is devoid of frustration. ... You should expect to be regularly frustrated in your work even though you may be in exactly the right vocation.

I hate the moment when suddenly my anger turns into tears

A church must be more deeply and practically committed to deeds of compassion and social justice than traditional liberal churches and more deeply and practically committed to evangelism and conversion than traditional fundamentalist churches. This kind of church is profoundly counter-intuitive to American observers. It breaks their ability to categorize (and dismiss) it as liberal or conservative. Only this kind of church has any chance in the non-Christian west.

The world says you are loved because of what you do. Jesus says you can now do all things because you are loved.