Expectation

"Faith expects from God what is beyond all expectation." — Andrew Murray

Doubt

"Those who doubt most, and yet strive to overcome their doubts, turn out to be some of Christ's strongest disciples." — Selwyn Hughes

Standard of Truth

"Let's not drag God's standard of truth down to our level of performance." — Morris Vendon

Serving God

"What is it to serve God and to do His will? Nothing else than to show mercy to our neighbor. For it is our neighbor who needs our service; God in heaven needs it not." — Martin Luther

God's Hands

"I have held many things in my hands, and have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess." — Martin Luther

Forgiveness

"The man who refuses to forgive destroys the bridge over which he himself must cross." — John Iverson

Being Qualified

"God doesn't call people who are qualified. He calls people who are willing, and then He qualifies them." — Richard Parker

Importance

"Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important." — C. S. Lewis

Bits & Pieces

"Perhaps the transformation of the disciples of Jesus is the greatest evidence of all for the resurrection." — John R. W. Stott

"The cross symbolizes a cosmic as well as historic truth. Love conquers the world, but its victory is not an easy one." — Reinhold Niebuhr

"We are all healers who can reach out and offer health, and we are all patients in constant need of help." — Henri Nouwen

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." — Abraham Lincoln

"The national anthem of hell is, "I Did It My Way."" — Peter Kreeft

Writing

For all you writers out there, you know who you are: "See, as I know it, the only reasons to write are personal ones. If we are looking for acceptance or praise or affirmation from our readers, we are burdening them with something they cannot give us. Our readers don’t heal our wounds. 

No, we need to write because it is what makes us feel alive, what gives us peace, what helps us think, what lets us disappear, what makes us who we are. All the rest – sales and readers, views and subscriptions – that’s bonus. It’s the writing that matters." Andi Lit

From Me

Heard Anne Lamotte say today (on NPR) that God's job is to help us. I know what she was trying to say, but it just sat a little odd on me. He is so awesome and mysterious. I don't want to ever start thinking of Him as a short-order cook in my problem cafe. - Carolyn Evaine Counterman

Compassion

The value of compassion cannot be over-emphasized. Anyone can criticize. It takes a true believer to be compassionate. No greater burden can be borne by an individual than to know no one cares or understands.

-- Arthur H. Stainback

God's Canvas

We must offer ourselves to God like a clean, smooth canvas and not worry ourselves about what God may choose to paint on it, but at each moment, feel only the stroke of His brush.

      -- Jean Pierre de Caussade

Answering Prayer

God usually answers our prayers so much more according to the measure of His own magnificence, than of our asking, that we do not recognize His benefits to be those for which we sought Him.

-- Coventry Patmore

Faith

Till men have faith in Christ, their best services are but glorious sins.
      -- Thomas Brooks