Michael D. Welter

“Thomas à Kempis: Of what use is it to discourse learnedly on the Trinity, if you lack humility and therefore displease the Trinity? Lofty words do not make a man just or holy; but a good life makes him dear to God. I would far rather feel contrition than be able to define it. If you knew the whole Bible by heart, and all the teachings of the philosophers, how would this help you without the grace and love of God?[6]”
― Dallas Willard, Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God

“J. I. Packer, in his potent study of what the Bible teaches about God, develops the subtle distinction between knowledge about God (mind) and knowledge of God personally (mind and heart—as well as soul and strength). If eternity is eternal fellowship with the Father (and not a theology test), then we need to get started right now in knowing this One with whom we will share the table. As Packer says it, “The rule . . . is that we turn each truth that we learn about God into a matter for meditation before God, leading to prayer and praise to God.”
― Scot McKnight, Jesus Creed: Loving God, Loving Others

“We are all spiritually powerless, however, not just those who are physically addicted to a substance, which is why I address this book to everyone. Alcoholics just have their powerlessness visible for all to see. The rest of us disguise it in different ways, and overcompensate for our more hidden and subtle addictions and attachments, especially our addiction to our way of thinking.”
― Richard Rohr, Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps

“When you enter your own pain, you will be like Jacob wrestling with the angel. When you come away from the event, you will have two things—a healed wound and a new name (identity).”
― John Savage, Listening and Caring Skills in Ministry: A Guide for Groups and Leaders