I actually think one of most profoundly and deep pastoral moments between a pastor and his church is what happens between them before God in the context of preaching.

Your identity is firmly anchored in Christ's accomplishment, not yours; his strength, not yours; his performance, not yours; his victory, not yours.

The people who tend to be the most gracious are those who know how badly they need grace

Legalism says God will love us if we change. The gospel says God will change us because He loves us.

God's acceptance of us cannot be gained by our successes nor forfeited by our failures.

God's ability to clean things up is infinitely greater than our ability to mess things up.

The desperate addict is closer to the heart of grace than the devout moralist.

Here's one way I can know that I've forgotten the gospel of grace: when your sin bothers me more than my sin.

Christianity is not about good people getting better. It is good news for bad people coping with their failure to be good.

If people knew the REAL us, they would run. God knows, stays, and loves.

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

I won't lie to you. There is always a cost. All I can gurantee is that it will be the right thing.""It's insane, " he says, but without vehemence."It's faith, " I say.

Still, we're less betrayed by others, it seems, than by our own hopes and dreams.

Scientists say that human beings are made of atoms, but a little bird told me that we are also made of stories

DoveWing (talking to LoinBlaze): You got somthing wrong, what you said to ToadStep. You are the hero.

My father taught me that losing your temper is a self-indulgent act.

I have a very varied taste in music. Everything from rap to classical to Latino to Rat Pack to jazz.

Maybe that was how it was with all first loves. They own a little piece of your heart, always.

The cries of the dead are terrible indeed; you should try not to hear them.

If you wait until you are ready, it is almost certainly too late.

I love nature but against my better judgment.