“Alex had cooked, and coaxed, and helped Mark form borders around the shapeless days. Alex had given meaning to the word "servant".”

“For the Arab, the past does not merely live. The past defines the present.”

“Mark felt eyes on him as tight as a sniper's aim.”

“Normal Iraqi etiquette was forgotten the moment drivers sat behind the wheel.”

“His eyes touched lightly, and passed on.”

“He used a minimum of words and no inflection whatsoever. It was a policeman's manner of speaking, direct and unadorned.”

“Jesus-shaped spirituality hears Jesus say "believe and repent," but the call that resonates most closely in the heart of a disciple is "follow me." The command to follow requires that we take a dai...”

“The engine that drives all your activities is hope. What you hope in shapes you.”

“I assumed my first undivided responsibility.”

“O heavenly Father,protect and bless all thingsthat have breath: guard themfrom all evil and let them sleep in peace.”

“When we retire at night, we constructively review our day. Were we resentful, selfish, dishonest or afraid? Do we owe an apology? Have we kept something to ourselves which should be discussed with ...”

“God help us to live slowly:To move simply:To look softly:To allow emptiness:To let the heart create for us.Amen.”