"In America, the first generation out of slavery invented jazz music. It is a free-form expression. It comes from the soul and it is true."

“The problem with Christian culture is we think of love as a commodity. We use it like money.”

“Well, a lot of times we are looking for a sign that tells us we're godly. We want to preach, or be a missionary or whatever, all to help ourselves believe that God is using us. We look everywhere but to God to make us feel godly. We try to convince others we are godly so that we can convince ourselves we are godly. The bottom line is that godliness is about relationship, not about image”

“I no longer think being in love is the polar opposite of being alone, however. I say that because I used to want to be in love again as I assumed this was the opposite of loneliness. I think being in love is an opposite of loneliness, but not the opposite. There are other things I now crave when I am lonely, like community, like friendship, like family. I think our society puts too much pressure on romantic love, and that is why so many romances fail. Romance can't possibly carry all that we want it to.”

“I think if you like somebody you have to tell them. It might be embarrassing to say it, but you will never regret stepping up.”

“Outside of God's perspective, even romance loses its significance. Not in riches or in romance do we find fulfillment, but in God.”

“Life is too complicated to use analogies to describe it.”