The Greatest Temptation for Those Zealous to Advance Christianity

A convicting quote from Jonathan Edwards, lightly modernized here by Ray Ortlund [1]:

Spiritual pride is the main door by which the devil comes into the hearts of those who are zealous for the advancement of Christianity.

It is the chief inlet of smoke from the bottomless pit, to darken the mind and mislead the judgment.

It is the main source of all the mischief the devil introduces, to clog and hinder a work of God.

Spiritual pride tends to speak of other persons’ sins with bitterness or with laughter and levity and an air of contempt. But pure Christian humility rather tends either to be silent about these problems or to speak of them with grief and pity.

Spiritual pride is very apt to suspect others, but a humble Christian is most guarded about himself.

He is as suspicious of nothing in the world as he is of his own heart.

The proud person is apt to find fault with other believers, that they are low in grace, and to be much in observing how cold and dead they are and to be quick to note their deficiencies.

But the humble Christian has so much to do at home and sees so much evil in his own heart and is so concerned about it that he is not apt to be very busy with other hearts.

He is apt to esteem others better than himself.

—Jonathan Edwards, “Thoughts on the Revival,” Works (Edinburgh, 1979), I:398-400.


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Article printed from Justin Taylor: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor

A Strong Woman v. A Woman of Strength

A strong woman works out everyday to keep her body in shape…
But a woman of strength builds relationships to keep her soul in shape.

A strong woman isn't afraid of anything…
But a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of fear.

A strong woman won't let anyone get the better of her…
But a woman of strength gives the best of herself to everyone.

A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids the same in the future…
A woman of strength realizes life's mistakes can also be unexpected blessings,
and capitalizes on them.

A strong woman wears a look of confidence on her face…
But a woman of strength wears grace.

A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey…
But a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong.

--- Copyright © 2005 Dee Cheeks

New Year, Old Goals

2010. Here to stay for 361 more days.

And I realize I don't have any new resolutions.
I have the same resolutions that I've had for almost 28 years.

I'm still working on them...and will be until my days here are over.

I want to love God more.

I want to be more like Jesus.

I want to love the people in my life much more as God loves them and much less as I usually do...which isn't very much like Him.

I want to grow in the knowledge of God.

I want to be passionate about the One who's worth being passionate about.

I want to find out more of what it means that God redeemed me.

And, yes, I'd like to eat better and exercise more.

(and maybe blog more.)

It's gonna be a great year...because He's a very, VERY big God.