God is continually, literally, second-by-second covering our sin under His Son’s blood and forgiving us our sins. God cannot love us unless He forgives us and cannot forgive us without a commitment to love us.

We are not to work on the Sabbath because it takes us out of the play of joy. It is as bizarre as making love to your spouse, but getting out of bed during the process to cut your lawn or wash dishes. Such an offense would do far more than spoil the mood; it would be a direct assault on the integrity of joy, announcing that a mundane chore is more pleasurable than sexual joy with your spouse.

Hope is not mere optimism; rather, it is moving forward in anticipation of redemption in spite of the improbability of rescue.

Disillusionment takes us to the question: what does it profit a man if he gains this world and loses himself? And disillusionment exposes that while we were supposedly serving the kingdom, we somehow became the king, and when we thought we were following Jesus, we inexplicably made him a servant of our dreams. The only real tragedy is the leader who never allows disillusionment to wear him to a nub and expose the godlessness of his busyness.

A new story begins the moment an old one ends. But a denouement is a respite that calls us to stop the journey for a brief interlude – to eat, drink, sing, dance and tell our story to others.

The only parameter that is to guide our Sabbath is delight. Will this be merely a break or a joy? Will this lead my heart to wonder or routine? Will I be more grateful or just happy that I got something done?

It is not presumptuous to ask, ‘What is it that you see in me that brings you delight?

A leader – whether in the home, church, business, community, or government – has authority due to her role, but her positional power will not bring about good for individuals or organizations unless it is backed up by the capital of character.

The sole reason to serve as a Christian is Jesus, yet He is easily lost in the various activities that consume our days.

The desire for beauty, the hunger for union, the passion to be part of something greater than self, all arise out of our bent to worship.