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Jesus may have participated in small talk ("Wow, it's way hot!) but given the nature of his mission and his short stay, he seems to have made every minute count for eternity. Every encounter seems to be in dead earnest. So what is our take away?
Recent Entries
Making Sense Of It AllJanuary 30, 2012
Where are things headed? Is there rhyme and reason to the endless cycle of summer, fall, winter and spring? Is there a plan in place, or is randomness the explanation?
Suffering Saints
January 25, 2012
We get nervous thinking about it - suffering for the sake of Christ. How necessary is it, and what does it produce in us?
George Herbert on Prayer Meetings
January 21, 2012
Prayer Meetings are a thing of the past. Or so it seems. What has been lost? Maybe more than we realize.
When Fear Is Good
January 7, 2012
NO FEAR, we are told. And the point is well taken. But fear can be healthy, at least when it comes to eternal matters.
Happy, Happy, Happy
January 4, 2012
The declaration of independence holds up the pursuit of happiness as a right. Did you ever consider the reading the bible might be the one source that will never let you down?
The Twelve Signs Of Grace
December 22, 2011
Self-examination is not easy to do. The tendency is to let ourselves off easy. But examine we must, for eternity is at stake.
"Ouch!!"
July 22, 2011
Spiritual pride is hard to detect. Jonathan Edwards gives some tips. The process can be painful, but necessary.
Redeeming Time
November 12, 2008
Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16
Matthew Henry (1662-1714) is best known for his Exposition of the Old and New Testaments. His biographer tells of how he guarded his time, and the older he got, the more careful he was to redeem Time. And when he wasted time, he complained about it.
Though he appreciated his friends, still often he emerged from an evening of entertainment regretting the time, with the moan of David on his lips, "O that I had wings like a dove, for then I would fly away and be at rest."
Once when with company he had frittered away a whole day to little obvious advantage, he wrote about it that night with much concern...
"I look upon this as a lost Day. Lord, forgive my trifling. I would rather preach Twice every day in the Week, than spend another Day so unprofitably."
William Wilberforce complained about "the temptations of the table," and bemoaned the endless stream of dinner parties, filled with vain and useless conversation.
"They disqualify me for every useful purpose in life, waste my time, impair my health, and fill my mind with thoughts of resistance before and self-condemnation afterward."
Thomas A'Kempis stated "as oft as I have been among men, I returned home less a man than I was before."
Henry Martyn, the brilliant missionary to India in the 1800's, identified the source of his spritual lethargy. "I no longer hesitate to ascribe my stupor and formality to its right cause - unwatchfulness in worldly company."
"I thought that any temptation arising from the society of the people of the world, at least of such as we have had, was not worthy of notice; but I find myself mistaken."
"The frequent occasions of being among them of late, have proved a snare to my corrupt heart. Instead of returning with a more elastic spring to severe duties, as I expected, my heart wants more idleness, more dissipation."
"David Brainerd in the wilderness - what a contrast to Henry Martyn! But, God be thanked, that a start now and then interrupts the slumber. I hope to be up and about my Master's business, to cast off the works of darkness and to be spiritually-minded, which alone is life and peace."
"But what a dangerous country it is that we are in; hot weather or cold, all is softness and luxury; all a conspiracy to lull us to sleep in the lap of pleasure."
"While we pass over this enchanted ground, call, brother (Rev. D. Corrie) whenever you can and ask, "Is all well?" We are as shepherds keeping watch over our flocks by night; if we fall asleed, what is to become of them!"
Matthew Henry (1662-1714) is best known for his Exposition of the Old and New Testaments. His biographer tells of how he guarded his time, and the older he got, the more careful he was to redeem Time. And when he wasted time, he complained about it.
Though he appreciated his friends, still often he emerged from an evening of entertainment regretting the time, with the moan of David on his lips, "O that I had wings like a dove, for then I would fly away and be at rest."
Once when with company he had frittered away a whole day to little obvious advantage, he wrote about it that night with much concern...
"I look upon this as a lost Day. Lord, forgive my trifling. I would rather preach Twice every day in the Week, than spend another Day so unprofitably."
William Wilberforce complained about "the temptations of the table," and bemoaned the endless stream of dinner parties, filled with vain and useless conversation.
"They disqualify me for every useful purpose in life, waste my time, impair my health, and fill my mind with thoughts of resistance before and self-condemnation afterward."
Thomas A'Kempis stated "as oft as I have been among men, I returned home less a man than I was before."
Henry Martyn, the brilliant missionary to India in the 1800's, identified the source of his spritual lethargy. "I no longer hesitate to ascribe my stupor and formality to its right cause - unwatchfulness in worldly company."
"I thought that any temptation arising from the society of the people of the world, at least of such as we have had, was not worthy of notice; but I find myself mistaken."
"The frequent occasions of being among them of late, have proved a snare to my corrupt heart. Instead of returning with a more elastic spring to severe duties, as I expected, my heart wants more idleness, more dissipation."
"David Brainerd in the wilderness - what a contrast to Henry Martyn! But, God be thanked, that a start now and then interrupts the slumber. I hope to be up and about my Master's business, to cast off the works of darkness and to be spiritually-minded, which alone is life and peace."
"But what a dangerous country it is that we are in; hot weather or cold, all is softness and luxury; all a conspiracy to lull us to sleep in the lap of pleasure."
"While we pass over this enchanted ground, call, brother (Rev. D. Corrie) whenever you can and ask, "Is all well?" We are as shepherds keeping watch over our flocks by night; if we fall asleed, what is to become of them!"
