Quotes from Charles R. Swindoll

I am often the brunt of my own humor.

When you have a sense of calling, whether it's to be a musician, soloist, artist, in one of the technical fields, or a plumber, there is something deep and enriching when you realize it isn't just a casual choice, it's a divine calling. It's not limited to vocational Christian service by any means.

As far back as I can remember, my mother would have me down by the bed at night with her, praying. I can still hear her voice calling my name to God and telling him that she wanted me to follow him in whatever he called me to do.

'We really shouldn't look like a church.' I've heard that so much I want to vomit. 'Why?' I ask. 'Do you want your bank to look like a bank? Do you want your doctor's office to look like a doctor's office, or would you prefer your doctor to dress like a clown?'

Sometimes I wake up before dawn, and I love sitting up in the middle of the bed with all the lights off, pitch-black dark, and talking to the Father, with no interruptions and nothing that reminds me that there's anything in life but me and Him.

What is God looking for? He is looking for men and women whose hearts are completely His - completely.

Who can ever measure the benefit of a mother's inspiration?

The past is over... forget it. The future holds hope... reach for it.

Patience is a bitter plant that produces sweet fruit.

It's the nature of the beast within us to keep going back to the familiar rather than to strap on faith and face the future.

Vision is the ability to see God's presence, to perceive God's power, to focus on God's plan in spite of the obstacles.

When we have God in clear focus, His powerful presence eclipses our fear.

God is a specialist at making something useful and beautiful out of something broken and confused.

God doesn't work on our timetable. He has a plan that He will execute perfectly and for the highest, greatest good of all, and for His ultimate glory.

God's heavenly plan doesn't always make earthly sense.

If you only knew what God had to take me through to get me to the place where he could use me to be a blessing to other people, I doubt whether you would be willing to pay the price.

The world has changed and it's going to keep changing, but God never changes; so we are safe when we cling to Him.

And when God steps in, His working is like the difference between a skyscraper and a star.

When God is involved, anything can happen. Be open. Stay that way. God has a beautiful way of bringing good vibrations out of broken chords.

I have tried and I cannot find, either in scripture or in history, a strong-willed individual whom God used greatly until He allowed them to be hurt deeply.

When the Lord makes it clear you're to follow Him in this new direction, focus fully on Him and refuse to be distracted by comparisons with others.

Confidence brings joy when we let God be God.

It's not enough merely to believe there is a God. You must believe in the God who is there.

Trusting God doesn't alter our circumstances. Perfect trust in Him changes us.