Because of the Cross, God can be both just towards sin and yet mercifully justifying to sinners.

If God does not have our highest allegiance, we will use prayer to try to get things that have that designation.

The church is not a museum for pristine saints, but a hospital ward for broken sinners.

When Jesus looked down from the cross, he didn't think “I am giving myself to you because you are so attractive to me.” No, he was in agony, and he looked down at us - denying him, abandoning him, and betraying him - and in the greatest act of love in history, he STAYED. He said, “Father, forgive them, they don't know what they are doing.” He loved us, not because we were lovely to him, but to make us lovely.

Suffering is unbearable if you aren’t certain that God is for you and with you.

Money isn't an idol. It just shows you where your idols are.

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