There is a joy available that the deepest grief cannot put out. No circumstance or person can take away the joy God gives.

This is the humbling truth that lies at the heart of Christianity. We love to be our own saviors. Our hearts love to manufacture glory for themselves. So we find messages of self-salvation extremely attractive, whether they are religious (Keep these rules and you earn eternal blessing) or secular (Grab hold of these things and you’ll experience blessing now).

Discipleship is not an option. Jesus says that if anyone would come after me, he must follow me.

Jesus's teaching consistently attracted the irreligious while offending the Bible-believing , religious people of his day.

The best things that have been written, almost, are by Catholics during the counter Reformation: Ignatius of Loyola, St. Francis de Sales, John of the Cross, St. Theresa of Бvila.....great stuff.

Out of the cross comes the resurrection. Out of weakness comes real strength.

Adam wasn't lonely because he was imperfect but because he was perfect. The ache for friends is not the result of sin.