Category Archives: Quotes
Spurgeon on Missional Living
Stand in the stream and fish. Many preachers are utterly ignorant as to how the bulk of people are living; they are at home among books, but quite at sea among men, What would you think of a botanist who seldom saw real flowers, or an astronomer who never spent the night with the stars? Would they be worthy of the name of men of science? Neither can a minister of the gospel be anything but a mere empiric unless he mingles with men and studies character for himself. Read men as well as books, and love men rather than opinions, or you will be inanimate preachers.
– Charles Spurgeon in Lectures to My Students.
“the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah” – Jonah 1:17
This Sunday, we will begin a series of messages at our church on the Old Testament book of Jonah. We will not be covering the science of how a man can live in the belly of a whale or fish for three days. If you are one that must have scenarios here are a few informative articles on the question:
– Jonah and the Great Fish by Don Landis
– Jonah in the Whale by Jimmy Williams
I personally like the humorus story of the atheist who asked a lady if she really believed the Bible to be true.
“Yes,” said the lady.
“Then.” Said the atheist, “tell me how a whale swallowed Jonah, as a whale’s stomach is no bigger than a man’s head.”
“I don’t know,” said the lady: “but when I get to Heaven I will ask him.”
“What if Jonah is not there,” said the atheist.
“Then you can ask him,” said the lady.
Smile.
A Passion for Holiness
“Resolved, Whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then, both carefully endeavour to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.” (Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards, #24, read them all here)
Creation Quote
“That God created us from dust is no reason to treat another person like dirt” – Source Unknown
Taken from a devotional I’m using called Daily Walk from Walk Thru the Bible.
“You can’t love Jesus and hate His wife”
Insightful article by Ed Stetzer on the church (click here). The church is the Bride of Christ. Why do so many seem to be content on harming instead of helping churches? A few quotes from the article:
Paul was willing to take a beating for the church because Jesus submitted to a brutal murder “to make her (the church) holy, cleansing her in the washing of water by the word. He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and blameless.” (Ephesians 5:26-27 HCSB)
Seems like fewer and fewer people are willing to take the church seriously, let alone take a beating for her.
If you claim to be a disciple of Jesus, then love his wife. Don’t be guilty of going to great lengths to show your love for Christ while ignoring, marginalizing, or attacking the Bride.
You can’t love Jesus and hate His wife.
Read the whole article. Also check out Ed Stetzer’s blog.
Criticism Quote
Great quote concerning a leadership constant: Unfounded Criticism.
“Little men with lots of time find it easy to discover faults in great men with little time.” – Hershael York
Find the whole article here.
Are We Confusing Our Kids?
It’s ok Son, everybody does it.
by Jack Griffin
When Johnny was six years old he was with his father when they were caught speeding. His father handed the officer a twenty dollar bill with his driver’s license. “It’s OK son,” his father said as they drove off. “Everybody does it.”
When he was, he was present as a family council presided over by Uncle George on the surest means to shave points off the income tax return. “It’s OK, kid,” his uncles said. “Everybody does it.”
When he was 9, his mother took him to his first theater production. The box office man couldn’t find any seats until his mother discovered an extra $5 in her purse. “It’s OK, son,” she said. “Everybody does it.”
When he was 12, he broke his glasses on the way to school. His Aunt Francine persuaded the insurance company that they had been stolen and they collected $75. “It’s OK, kid,” she said. “Everybody does it.”
When he was 15, he made right guard on the high school football team. His coach showed him how to block and at the same time grab the opposing end by the shirt, so the official couldn’t see it. “It’s OK, kid,” the coach said. “Everybody does it.”
When he was 16, he took his first summer job at the supermarket. His assignment was to put the overripe strawberries on the bottom of the boxes and the good ones on top where they would show. “It’s OK kid,” the manager said. “Everybody does it.”
When he was 18, Johnny and a neighbor applied for a college scholarship. Johnny was a marginal student. His neighbor was in the upper three percent of his class but he couldn’t play right guard. Johnny got the scholarship. “It’s OK, son,” his parents said. “Everybody does it.”
When he was 19, he was approached by an upperclassman who offered the test answers for $50. “It’s OK kid,” he said. “Everybody does it.”
Johnny was caught and sent home in disgrace. “How could you do this to your mother and me?” His father said. “You never learned anything like this at home.” His aunt and uncle were shocked.
If there’s one thing the adult world can’t stand, it’s a kid who cheats…
From: The Power of Ethical Management, Peale and Blanchard.
Lane Corley 