Grace & Peace PGH

"The Christian community declares by its existence, by its liturgy and worship, by the daily lives of its members the mighty deed of Christ's resurrection, which reveals the praiseworthy character of God." —Karen H. Jobes

"How is it possible that the gospel should be credible, that people should come to believe that the power which has the last word in human affairs is represented by a man hanging on a cross? I am suggesting that the only answer, the only hermeneutic of the gospel, is a congregation of men and women who believe it and live by it." —Lesslie Newbigin

"A man was meant to be doubtful about himself, but undoubting about the truth; this has been exactly reversed. Nowadays the part of a man that a man does assert is exactly the part he ought not to assert—himself. The part he doubts is exactly the part he ought not to doubt—the Divine Reason." —G.K. Chesterton

"Affirming that God doesn't love us on the basis of our keeping within his paths does not require us to act as though he has left us without good direction... Grace does not forbid giving directions, promises, corrections, and warnings. Only cruelty would forbid such help." —Bryan Chapell

"Behind that there was something else at work, beyond any design of the Ring-maker. I can put it no plainer than by saying that Bilbo was meant to find the Ring, and not by its maker. In which case you also were meant to have it. And that may be an encouraging thought." —J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring.

"To be born is to enter existence in a new world. Physical birth brings us into a world that will eventually perish. Spiritual birth is into a world where there is hope for the future..." —I. Howard Marshall

"Our true identity is found in accepting our status as creatures of [the] infinite Creator God and rooting our sense of identity in his. Our identity is an identity derived." —Dick Keyes

"There are two ways to slide easily through life: to believe everything or to doubt everything. Both ways save us from thinking." —Alfred Korzybski

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. -Matthew 2:1-12

"You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in You." —St. Augustine