In Love's service, only wounded soldiers can serve. - Brennan Manning, Abba's Child: The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging

"Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion."

"Live in the wisdom of accepted tenderness. Tenderness awakens within the security of knowing we are thoroughly and sincerely liked by someone...Scripture suggests that the essence of the divine nature is compassion and that the heart of God is defined by tenderness."

"As we come to grips with our own selfishness and stupidity, we make friends with the impostor and accept that we are impoverished and broken and realize that, if we were not, we would be God. The art of gentleness toward ourselves leads to being gentle with others -- and is a natural prerequisite for our presence to God in prayer."

"Our identity rests in God's relentless tenderness for us revealed in Jesus Christ."

"we unwittingly project onto God our own attitudes and feelings toward ourselves... But we cannot assume that He feels about us the way we feel about ourselves -- unless we love ourselves compassionately, intensely, and freely."