The very fact that we have access to God's attention and presence should concentrate the thoughts and elevate the heart.

In short, the enlightenment privatized marriage, taking it out of the public sphere, and redefined its purpose as individual gratification, not any 'broader good' such as reflecting God's nature, producing character, or raising children. Slowly but surely, this newer understanding of the meaning of marriage has displaced the older ones in Western culture.

The two things we all want so desperately — glory and relationship — can coexist only with God.

Religion: 'My identity is built on being a good person.' Gospel: 'My identity is not built on my record or my performance but on Christ's.'

It is remarkable that in all of his writings Paul's prayers for his friends contain no appeals for changes in their circumstances.

As long as we think we are not that bad, the idea of grace will never change us.

Living is giving....If you spend your money on yourself, you are just surviving. But if you want your life to count, if you want to really live - give.