the church was an international institution long before globalization.

Perhaps there is no more dangerous place for a Christian to be than in safety and comfort, detached from the suffering of others.

The Christian icon is not the Stars and Stripes but a cross-flag, and its emblem is not a donkey, an elephant, or an eagle, but a slaughtered lamb.

Most good things have been said far too many times and just need to be lived.

All around you, people will be tiptoeing through life, just to arrive at death safely. But dear children, do not tiptoe. Run, hop, skip, or dance, just don't tiptoe.

How can we worship a homeless man on Sunday and ignore one on Monday?

God comforts the disturbed and disturbs the comfortable.

When we ask God to move a mountain, God may give us a shovel.

There are some things to die for but none to kill for.

It is a beautiful thing when folks in poverty are no longer just a missions project but become genuine friends and family with whom we laugh, cry, dream and struggle.

I learned more about God from the tears of homeless mothers than any systematic theology ever taught me.

Hate is for sissies. Fight makes gentleman.

It is not great talents God blesses so much as likeness to Jesus.

McGough: I'm sorry. I'm afraid I've caught poetry. Mr Bones: Oh really? Well, don't worry, sir - I used to suffer from short stories. McGough: Really? When? Mr Bones: Oh, once upon a time...

At home the hateful names of parties cease, And factious souls are wearied into peace.

I sighed. "And what am I to you, Al?" "My maid," he said brightly. "Shall we do this?

Nonviolence requires great patience.

Biological evolution is too slow for the human species. Over the next few decades, it's going to be left in the dust.

We are the playthings of the gods.

The difference between an optimist and a pessimist? An optimist laughs to forget, but a pessimist forgets to laugh.

It saves a lot of trouble if, instead of having to earn money and save it, you can just go and borrow it.