And that's what true leaders do. They unfold the lives of others and help them reach their God-given potential.

We are not empathetic creatures naturally, so we must work at it.

Let me repeat: The principles taught in this book will work only when they come from the heart. I am not advocating a bag of tricks. I am talking about a new way of life. Talk about changing people. If you and I will inspire the people with whom we come in contact to a realization of the hidden treasures they possess, we can do far more than change people. We can literally transform them.

when the time comes for you to make an ask, there is someone there to lend a hand.

They sought small, meaningful ways to leave people a little better.

have discovered from personal experience that one can win the attention and time and cooperation of even the most sought-after people by becoming genuinely interested in them.

The adult members of churches today rarely raise serious religious questions for fear of revealing their doubts or being thought of as strange. There is an implicit conspiracy of silence on religious matters in the churches. This conspiracy covers up the fact that the churches do not change lives or influence conduct to any appreciable degree.

So the call to "give an account" is, first, not a call to beat unwilling people into intellectual submission, but to be the servant of those in need, often indeed the servant of those who are in the grip of their own intellectual self-righteousness and pride, usually reinforced by their social surroundings.

Tolerance is not indifference, but a generous regard and even provision for those who differ from us on points we deeply care about.

Crucifixion is an interesting thing. It is hard to do by yourself. In fact, it is impossible.

As you engage with others, ask Jesus to bless them. You can consciously will the peace, joy, and confidence that you are experiencing to pass from you, like "living waters," to those with whom you are interacting.

We don't consume the merits of Christ or the services of the church. We are participants, not spectators.