I always need reminding that I can’t earn God’s help, and mere “self improvement” never works. God gave me a free gift of His love to propel my soul into union with His life and goodness. God and God alone is my reason, hope, and power for change. …All this through my favorite North African dead guy from 1600 years ago. He, too, read: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation… training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age” (Titus 2:11-12).