I grew up fundamentalist, evangelical, Protestant. Those are my roots, and they are good roots. But it means the Pharisees are my people. I grew up with an image of God that was not helpful -- largely the face of my father expanded.

Once you have hierarchy you need rules to protect and administer it, and then you need law and the enforcement of the rules, and you end up with some kind of chain of command or system of order that destroys relationship rather than promotes it. Hierarchy imposes laws and rules and you end up missing the wonder of relationship that we intended for you.

The arrival of the unforeseen reveals the depths of one's heart.

I really do believe that God is love, one of deep affection and grace and forgiveness and inspiration.

It is remarkable how a seemingly insignificant action or event can change entire lives.

And when you learn, over the course of your life, that it's not about pleasing God, it's about learning how to trust God. That's a huge watershed, because trust is a whole different ballgame than appeasement or pleasing.

The 'will to power and independence' has become so ubiquitous that it is now considered normal.