Quotes and Commentary

To dare is to lose one's footing momentarily. Not to dare is to lose oneself. -Soren Kierkegaard

The great Danish philosopher knew that life is about stumbling and taking risks. Option #1: To stumble on the rugged trails of life. Option #2: To play it safe by lying down in a padded room and never leaving that room. Option #1 means you can stumble every once in a while and discover life. Option #2 means you won’t stumble, but you won’t discover life either.

You sit at the board and suddenly your heart leaps. Your hand trembles to pick up the piece and move it. But what chess teaches you is that you must sit there calmly and think about whether it's really a good idea and whether there are other, better ideas. -Stanley Kubrick


Like chess, the most important choices in life aren’t between good and evil, but between good and better. Significance and contentment in life are generally determined by our ability to choose between good and better.

The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare. -Juma Ikangaa

The world champion marathon runner knows that results don’t come in life without preparation. A competitive spirit means nothing without discipline and hard-work.

Humor is not the opposite of seriousness; humor is the opposite of despair. -Conrad Hyers

Humor isn’t trivial. It is a worldview. Sacred humor isn’t the cheap kind of humor that belittles others, it is the holy variety that builds community, captures hope, helps us understand who we are, and helps us understand who God is.

I could agree with you but we would both be wrong. –Craig Finnestad

I used this when talking to Amber shortly after we were married 14 years ago. I haven’t said it again since.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. –Ephesians 2:8

If this isn’t true, then no statement is less significant. If this is true then no statement is more significant. I believe it’s true!

The best is yet to come…

Craig