Thinking...

My mind has been swirling with many thoughts and ideas over the past couple weeks. Shall I get your mind swirling too? :)

Caution: The following quotes are in no way related. I very much enjoy the element of unpredictable-ness.

Historically, controversies that have swirled around the meaning and implications of the Gospel, far from damaging the Church, have contributed to its vitality. Like a refiner's fire, intense theological debate has resulted in clarified belief, common vision, and invigorated ministry.

~Parker Williamson

It is safe to assume that no one is born an atheist...[atheism] is deliberately blind to and suppresses the most fundamental instinct of man, the deepest needs of the soul, the highest aspirations of the human spirit, and the longings of a heart that gropes after some higher Being.

~L. Berkhof

Missionaries are very human folks just doing what they're asked. Simply a bunch of nobodies trying to exalt Somebody.

~Jim Elliot

What shall I say? A holy and good God has covered us with a dark cloud. O that we may kiss the rod, and lay our hands upon our mouths! The Lord has done it. He has made me adore His goodness, that we had him so long. But my God lives; and He has my heart. O what a legacy my husband, and your father, has left us! We are all given to God; and there I am, and love to be.

~Sarah Edwards (After the death of her husband, Johnathan Edwards)

The Spirit knows what the Father's will is, and He guides us in our prayers. Even when words are inadequate, He helps us by prayer "too deep for words". Think about how willing God is to help you, to aid you, to draw you to Himself.

~Elyse Fitzpatrick

"Slave" was the title by which "the great ones" of the Old Testament were known- Moses, Joshua, Caleb, the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Job, Isaiah, and the prophets. By choosing to take the title doulos, we set ourselves in the great succession of those who found their freedom and their peace and their glory in perfect submission to the will of God. The only greatness to which we Christians can ever aspire is that of being the slave of God.

~Elizabeth George

If one must choose between reading the new books and reading the old, one must choose the old: not because they are necessarily better but because they contain precisely those truths of which our own age is neglectful. The standard of permanent Christianity must be kept clear in our minds and it is against that standard that we must test all contemporary thought. In fact, we must at all costs not move with the times. We serve One who said, "Heaven and Earth shall move with the times, but My words shall not move with the times."

~C.S. Lewis

My Lord, I did not choose You,

For that could never be;

My heart would still refuse You,

Had You not chosen me.

My heart knows none above You;

For Your rich grace I thirst;

I know that if I love You,

You must have loved me first.

~Josiah Conder

Still with me? Good! Here's one more:

What soul that hath any acquaintance with these things falls not down with reverence and astonishment? How glorious is He that is the Beloved of our souls!...When...our life, our peace, our joy, our inheritance, our eternity, our all, lies herein, shall not the thoughts of it always dwell in our hearts, always refresh and delight our souls?

~John Owen

Hope you enjoyed that mish-mash of quotes as much as I have!

posted by Lydia