Philippians

“At least five times the Christian faith has to all appearances gone to the dogs. In each of these five cases it was the dog that died.” 

G.K. Cheserton

“The lizard you can take in your hands, yet it is in kings’ palaces.” 

Proverbs 30:28

“The church shall never perish!
Her dear Lord to defend,
To guide, sustain, and cherish,
Is with her to the end;
Though there be those that hate her,
And false sons in her pale,
Against a foe or traitor,
She ever shall prevail.” 

Samuel Stone, “The Church’s One Foundation”

“I wish you’d see yourself as beautiful as I see you. Why can’t you see yourself as beautiful as I see you?” 

The Avett Brothers, “Will You Return?”

“This life, therefore, is
not righteousness but growth in righteousness,
not health but healing,
not being but becoming,
not rest but exercise.
We are not what we shall be, but we are growing toward it.
The process is not yet finished, but it is going on;
This is not the end, but it is the road.
All does not gleam in glory, but all is being purified.” 

Martin Luther

“Oh! I am my beloved’s
And my beloved is mine!
He brings a poor vile sinner
Into His house of wine
I stand upon His merit
I know no other stand
Not e’en where glory dwelleth
In Emmanuel’s land.” 

Anne Cousin, “The Sands of Time are Sinking”

“If we know that we are loved – that someone is looking at us – then we can give love; then we can look at others . . . This is not new behavior for God. He has looked at people with compassion for centuries. When the Israelites were enslaved, God said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt . . . and I am concerned about their suffering” (Exodus 3:7). Jesus’ eyes give God a face.” 

Paul Miller

“Behold the One beholding you, and smiling.” 

Anthony De Mello

“Grace is God loving, God stooping, God coming to the rescue, God giving himself generously in and through Jesus Christ.” 

John Stott