“they don’t want to draw our attention primarily to these extraordinary moments, as great as they are, they’re much more interested in drawing attention to weakness”

“when you name that ‘thorn in the flesh’ in your life...maybe realize this principle...that our power might be reaching in perfection precisely in and because of this ‘thorn in the flesh’”

“the Nazarenes do not perceive the fundamental truth about Jesus because they are afraid to accept the fundamental truth about themselves, that we do not deserve the incarnation”

“To listen to another person’s pain is to show them love and to show them acceptance. To be listened to by another is to receive love and to receive acceptance.”

“it’s a mistake on our part to suppose that the view we have of Christ and what he asks of us is perfect and that there is nothing more for us to learn. On the contrary, we need to be open to learning new things from Christ.”

“It seems that for whatever reason they could not get past the fact that divine God-sourced wisdom, power and authority can coincide with ordinariness, with this rather ordinary man”

“Who am I not hearing because I think I know what the other is saying? To whom and to what am I closed?”

“When we encounter rejection, it is probably necessary that we question as we feel the sting of it, then look at what God’s standard is”

“We must realize that God’s power is always available to transform even the people we see as most unlikely”

“Our egos are more than ready to provide the incentive to confront others, but only the Spirit can provide the humility and mercy to do so with compassion”

“Why do we do this…put down someone who we see as stepping out above what we think they should be capable of? Maybe it is easier to cut someone down than to accept what we see. It makes us feel like we have the inside track by blocking someone else.”

“It is as though we are prepared for God to work wonders anywhere except on our own doorstep. Would it be too threatening to acknowledge God’s power at work so close to home?”

“Faith is the means by which we accept the gift of God. God may give, but we have to accept. The people of Nazareth would not accept the gift of God among them.”

“The more I reflect on life and look at my weakness, the more I turn to Christ for His guidance and strength, and the more I long for Him.”

“Ezekiel, Paul, and Jesus of Nazareth...Out of powerlessness arose the conviction that God’s grace would be sufficient for them and that, united with the sufferings of their people, the hearts of others would be touched in a way that would give rise to an amazing faith.”

“The next time we are tempted to think that we know all there is to know about Jesus, let us pause for a moment and think again. Let us dare to take a second look, and strive to live the Gospel at a deeper level”

“God created us as human beings. He loves us as human beings, even to the point of becoming one.”

“Human beings think that God is contrary. But human beings manage to be pretty contrary where listening to God’s word is concerned.”

“Our strengths tend to lead us to ourselves. Our weaknesses lead us to Christ. For when we have to face something that we are poor at, something that we know it is difficult or impossible for us to do, it is in that moment that we know that we must turn and ask help of another.”

“God does not deal with puppets, he doesn’t want us to be puppets. God wants us fully engaged, listen now, cooperating with his purposes.”

“Authentic prophecy, when you’re speaking the word of God, always comes from the spirit of God”

“prophesy means speaking God’s truth. You all got that responsibility in your own way, according to your own talents.”