Peter Marshall

The proof of how real Jesus knew hell to be is that He came to earth to save us from it.

One person with a belief is equal to a force of ninety-nine who have only interests.

The continued appeal of anarchism can probably be attributed to its enduring affinity with both the rational and emotional impulses lying deep within us. It is an attitude, a way of life as well as a social philosophy. It presents a telling analysis of existing institutions and practices, and at the same time offers the prospect of a radically transformed society.

Whatever its future success as a historical movement, anarchism will remain a fundamental part of human experience, for the drive for freedom is one of our deepest needs and the vision of a free society is one of our oldest dreams. Neither can ever be fully repressed; both will outlive all rulers and their States.

With their concern for personal autonomy and individual freedom, anarchists more than any other socialists are aware of the inhumanity of both physical punishment and manipulative cure for anti-social members of the community. They look to reasoned argument and friendly treatment to deal with criminals and wish to respect their humanity and individuality.

May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please but as the opportunity to do what is right.

The world has enough women who know how to be smart. It needs women who are willing to be simple. The world has enough women who know how to be brilliant. It needs some who will be brave. The world has enough women who are popular. It needs more who are pure. We need women, and men, too, who would rather be morally right than socially correct.

May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.

Lord, where we are wrong, make us willing to change; where we are right, make us easy to live with.

Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned.

If you hug to yourself any resentment against anybody else, you destroy the bridge by which God would come to you.

We ministers have undoubtedly failed to connect and apply Christianity to the practical everyday problems of the average man. In this, we have failed to follow in Christ's footsteps. For the religion which He taught and revealed in His own life and ministry was an intensely practical and down-to-earth affair.

Teach us, O Lord, the disciplines of patience, for to wait is often harder than to work.

When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.

This is a day of little faith - of few convictions - a day when men seem to have no great causes and no great passions. So in frustration, in disappointment, they are inclined to say, 'You can't change human nature.' It is true that we cannot change human nature. But God can.

No tabloid will ever print the startling news that the mummified body of Jesus of Nazareth has been discovered in old Jerusalem. Christians have no carefully embalmed body enclosed in a glass case to worship. Thank God, we have an empty tomb. The glorious fact that the empty tomb proclaims to us is that life for us does not stop when death comes. Death is not a wall, but a door.

God will not permit any troubles to come upon us, unless He has a specific plan by which great blessing can come out of the difficulty.