Those who believe they have pleased God by the quality of their devotion and moral goodness naturally feel that they and their group deserve deference and power over others. The God of Jesus and the prophets, however, saves completely by grace. He cannot be manipulated by religious and moral performance--he can only be reached through repentance, through the giving up of power. If we are saved by sheer grace we can only become grateful, willing servants of God and of everyone around us.

If you have to run away from something that used to be an idol, you're actually still enslaved by it. It's still controlling you.

Christmas means Jesus came down and got involved in suffering. He hears your cries.

Whatever you base your life on--you have to live up to that. Jesus is the one Lord you can live for who already died for you.

The gospel is an exclusive truth but it's the most inclusive exclusive truth in the world.

The cross is the place where the Judge takes the Judgment.

[Spiritual friendship] is eagerly helping one another know, serve, love, and resemble God in deeper and deeper ways.