A life of gratitude to God for being saved is far more pleasing than a life based on self-righteousness over being good.

Prayer is our way of entering into the happiness of God himself

How could you possibly know that no religion can see the whole truth unless you yourself have the superior, comprehensive knowledge of spiritual reality you just claimed non of the religions have?

God made you to love him supremely, but he lost you. He returned to get you back, but it took the cross to do it. He absorbed your darkness so that one day you can finally and dazzlingly become your true self and take your seat at his eternal feast.

Most people in the world believe that if there is a God, you relate to God by being good. Most religions are based on that principle, though there are a million different variations on it...But they all have the same logic: If I perform, if I obey, I’m accepted. The gospel of Jesus is not only different from that but diametrically opposed to it: I’m fully accepted in Jesus Christ, and therefore I obey.

Suffering dispels the illusion that we have the strength and competence to rule our own lives and save ourselves.

There's nothing that makes you more miserable (or less interesting) than self-absorption .