Second love is the kind of love people have for each other after they’ve seen each other at their worst, after they’ve forgiven a few times and been forgiven, after they can take some pride in having survived together and some comfort in the knowledge that they will survive.

For one is free from it only when self-esteem is based on the authenticity of ones own feelings and not on the possession of certain qualities.

Successful people change in ways that allow them to continue to take advantage of their strengths while compensating for their weaknesses and unsuccessful people don’t.

We look for validation in amplifying the downfalls of others and our success of ourselves. Self-deception makes us think of ourselves as the hero of every story, always looking for more ways to make our successes seem more significant.

We now see people as reasons for celebration, as possibilities in the making, as fellow strugglers who sometimes fail miserably and do the darndest things, as opportunities to give and receive our common life in Christ.

Now Faith, in the sense in which I am here using the word, is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted in spite of your changing moods.

Whenever you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision.

The disciples have communion and fellowship in the Body of Christ. They live and suffer in bodily communion with him.

Our acts can be no wiser than our thoughts. Our thinking can be no wiser than our understanding.

Avoid warrants, as they complicate the whole thing.