The truth is that when it comes to suffering, if we do not go to our graves in confusion, we will not go to our graves trusting. Explanations are a substitute for trust.

Whatever we may mean by 'Christian growth,' it is ultimately this: less faith in me, more faith in God.

The people who have taught me the most about grace are those who have blown it so bad that they know how much they need it.

A preacher who doesn't believe he's that bad will attract people who don't think they're that bad. And that's bad.

The bad news that we are all guilty is met with the best news that God loves and forgives guilty people.

Nothing makes me want to obey more than knowing that God unconditionally loves me and forgives me even when I disobey.

Because the church has moved away from the gospel anytime you move away from the gospel, you at the same time move toward pretense, you move toward image-keeping, you move toward the need to pretend.