“If I were you," he said with a wink and a smile as his eyes swept over those who's started the discussion, "I would waste far less time ragging on religion and find out just how much Jesus wants to be your friend without any strings attached. He will care for you and if given a chance will become more real to you than your best friend, and you will cherish him more than anything else you desire. He will give you a purpose and a fullness of life that will carry you through every stress and pain and will change you from the inside to show you what true freedom and joy really are.”

“Whatever it is you are really desiring, give it away. If it's companionship, give it to someone else, and just listen to them and be there. If it's money, give it to someone who is less fortunate. If it's encouragement, give it to others. If it's friendship, become the best friend you can be to others. If it's time, serve others with your time. You will be amazed to see how much more of everything you have when you are willing to freely give.”

“What you need to drive out an old passion, is a new passion, a greater passion. What you need is an over-mastering positive passion. [...] Just as Rachel was Jacob's over-mastering passion, the passion of his life, Jesus is our "Rachel". To the degree, that you see Jesus on the cross, loosing absolutely everything for you, He will become a beauty to you, He will become so beautiful in your eyes that you'll be able to change these things that controlyou now, they'll loose their power.Do you know how to work on your heart like that? It's only by rejoicing in and resting in what Jesus Christ has done for you. Then you can replace your idols. And if you really want to change and want to pound the Gospel more deeply into your heart - Jesus Christ must become your over-mastering positive passion.”

“Daniel, he said. I would have you follow me.Master!....I will fight for you to the end!.My loyal friend, he said, I would ask something much harder than that. Would you love for me to the end?...I don't understand, he said again, You tell people about the kingdom. Are we not to fight for it?The kingdom is only bought at a great price, Jesus said. There was one who came just yesterday and wanted to follow me. He was very rich, and when I asked him to give up his wealth, he went away.I will give you everything I have!....Riches are not keeping you from the kingdom, he said. You must give up your hate.”

“26 Thought-Provoking Questions:1. if you could own any single object that you don't have now, what would it be?2. if you could have one superpower, what would it be?3. if you could meet anyone in history, who would you choose and what would you ask them?4. if you could add one person to your family, who would it be?5. if you could be best friends with anyone in the world, who would you pick?6. if you could change anything about your face, what would it be7. if you could change anything about your parents, what would it be?8. if you could fast-forward your life, how old would you want to be and why?9. what is the one object you own that matters more to you than anything else?10. what is the one thing in the world that you are most afraid of?11. if you could go to school in a foreign country, which one would you pick?12. if you had the power to drop any course from your curriculum, what would it be?13. if you caught your best friend stealing from you, what would you do?14. if you had a chance to spend a million dollars on anything but yourself, how would you spend it?15. if you could look like anyone you wanted, who would that be?16. if you were a member of the opposite sex, who would you want to look like?17. if you could change your first name, what name would you chose?18. what's the best thing about being a teen?19. what's the worst?20. if someone you like asked you out on a date, but your best friend had a crush on this person, what would you do?21. what is the worst day of the week?22. if you had to change places with one of your friends, who would you chose?23. if you could be any sports hero, who would you like to be?24. what's the one thing you've done in your life that you wish you could do over differently?25. what would you do if you found a dollar in the street? what if you found $100? $10,000?26. if you had a chance to star in any movie, who would you want as a costar?”

“If you merely pretend that you enjoy God or love Him, He knows. You can't fool Him; don't even try. Instead, tell Him how you feel. Tell Him that He isn't the most important thing in this life to you, and that you're sorry for that. Tell Him that you've been lukewarm, that you've chosen ___________ over Him time and time again. Tell Him that you want Him to change you, that you long to genuinely enjoy Him. Tell Him how you want to experience true satisfaction and pleasure and joy in your relationship with Him. Tell Him you want to love Him more than anything on this earth. Tell Him you want to treasure the kingdom of heaven so much that you'd willingly sell everything in order to get it. Tell Him what you like about Him, what you appreciate, and what brings you joy. 'Jesus, I need to give myself up. I am not strong enough to love You and walk with You on my own. I can't do it, and I need You. I need You deeply and desperately. I believe You are worth it, that You are better than anything else I could have in this life or the next. I want You. And when I don't, I want to want You. Be all in me. Take all of me. Have Your way with me'.”