Oh, but is it possible', thinks the misgiving heart, `that so holy a God should accept such a prayer?' Yes, he will accept that which is his own, and pardon that which is ours.

It does not matter as much what bad is in us as what is good; not what corruptions remain but how we regard them; not what our particular failings are so much as what the thread and tenor of our lives are, for Christ's displeasure of that which is wrong in us does not turn to his hatred of us but to his victory over all of our weaknesses.

Everyone knows about the problem, but no one talks about it openly.

Your deepest, darkest sins and your shameful secrets are simply irrelevant when it comes to the counterintuitive, ecstatic announcement of the gospel. So are your goodness, your rightness, your church attendance, and all of the wise, moral, mature decisions you have made and actions you have taken.

Forgiveness is unilateral. God isn't waiting for us to get it together, to clean up, shape up, get up - God has already done it.

I didn't think about its being wrong to go in and try on the brooch; but I see now that it was and I'll never do it again. That's one good thing about me. I never do the same naughty thing twice

Forgive me for being so ordinary while claiming to know so extraordinary a God.

It is when we notice the dirt that God is most present in us; it is the very sign of His presence.

I see the necessity of preaching a full and present salvation from all sin.

Having asked God for forgiveness, accept release, then truly forgive yourself and turn your back definitely on the matter.

You're only as sick as your secrets.

Wondering if God loves us when we're cheating? Oh, but why he lets us feel things, if it's wrong.