but the power of being emotionally stuck is far greater than the power of reason."2

reactionaries.

We frequently react to people who are destroying themselves; we react by learning to destroy ourselves.

Radical faith is bold. It's not squeamish, fundamentalist, judgmental, or blaming. It's courageous.

The worst aspect of caretaking is that we become and stay victims. I believe many serious self-destructive behaviors—substance abuse, eating disorders, sexual disorders—are developed through this victim role.

If we absolutely can't feel good about something we're doing, then we shouldn't do it - no matter how charitable it seems. We also shouldn't do things for others that they ought to and are capable or doing for themselves. Other people aren't helpless. Neither are we.

Who we are right now is okay.

You're down now, Jordan, but only for awhile. I think God is giving you a chance to really look at your life and decide just how you want to live it. That's right, said Kara. You can keep on living it for yourself or invite God to take over.

Creativity is just learning to do something with a different perspective.

Of Jesus Christ and my relationship to Him and remember that the One who created the universe can do anything. I also have evidence—my own experience—that God can do anything, because He changed me. From age 14, I began to focus on the future. My mother's lessons—and those of several of my teachers—were at last paying off.

Remaining a victim of circumstance is a state of being that we choose, a choice that — allows us to blame other people — lets us blame circumstances — permits us to avoid responsibility for our lives — encourages us to feel sorry for ourselves, and — guarantees that we will stay victims. No one has to be a victim!

Today many people in America slavishly devote themselves to a political party without engaging in critical analysis of whether the philosophies of that party are really in sync with their true values and with the betterment of their position in society. If decades of such devotion leads to more broken families, more out-of-wedlock births, more involvement with the criminal justice system, more poverty and more dependency on government, maybe it is time to ask whether such devotion is warranted.