“it’s not enough for Christians merely to recognize that the world isn’t what it ought to be and that people are suffering in ways they shouldn’t have to suffer.” Instead, our “sorrow and indignation” should prompt us to act in ways that “subvert” that brokenness.”

“His way to bless us is not always the way we want. What is good to Him may not always look good to us.”

“If you have a picture of the way you think things should be, tear it up.”

“We ask for forgiveness. And we forgive others who ask us. In that way we can experience healing, healing in our souls.”

“Whether it's a Christian or a non-Christian, there's nothing like suffering to show us how small, needy, and not in control we are. Suffering has a way of sobering us up to the realization that we can't make it on our own, that we need help, that we're broken.”

“Right now there are thirty-one satellites zipping around the world with nothing better to do than help you find your way to the grocery store.”

“I cadged a complimentary green matchbook with a gold bird icon from the Bell canning jar. Later we'd use the matches to light our spliffs. My fingertips tapped the stem to the gizmo that dinged a bell. Nobody came out. Wrong signal, so I did two bell rings. No response prompted me to tap out a series of bell rings.”