Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Learn Success From Failure

I like this quote. : ) I snagged it off of Hope Road who I believe snagged it off of Girl Talk which, by the way, are both great blogs that you should check out.
“What is the use of regret unless we can rise by it to a better future? Sighs, which do not raise us higher, are an ill use of vital breath. Chasten yourselves, but be not discouraged. Gather up the arrows which aforetime fell wide of the mark, not to break them in passionate despair, but to send them to the target with direct aim, and a more concentrated force. Weave victories out of defeats. Learn success from failure, wisdom from blundering.” (Spurgeon on Spiritual Leadership by Steve Miller, p. 93)
It used to be a very great weakness of mine to dwell on my failures. I still don't like to fail very much AT ALL but at least I don't ALWAYS beat myself up for it. I'm so thankful that God is able to mature me and grow me!

And then as I was pondering quotes and scriptures, I had this thought--I like that sometimes quotes (and scripture) affirm the truth that I know, kind of like, 'Yes, see, you are on the right path!' or 'Don't you see and agree that God is good in that?!' Whereas other quotes (and scriptures) convict, in that they say, 'That path that you're walking? It's the wrong one'. : )

Friday, July 25, 2008

In Earnest

This quote at Of First Importance just filled my heart up with so much love and gratitude for the Holy Spirit. I want to see Him as 'in earnest' regarding His dealings me. I want to believe in the riches of His grace and the abundance of His loving-kindness. : )
“Perhaps much of our slow progress in the walk of faith is to be traced to our overlooking the love of the Spirit.

We do not deal with Him, for strength and advancement, as one who really loves us, and longs to bless us, and delights to help our infirmities (Rom 8:26). We regard Him as cold, or distant, or austere; we do not trust Him for His grace, nor realize how much He is in earnest in His dealings with us.

More childlike confidence in Him and in His love would help us on mightily. Let us not grieve Him, nor vex Him, nor quench Him by our untrustfulness, by disbelieving or doubting the riches of His grace, the abundance of His loving-kindness.”

—Horatius Bonar, “The Holy Spirit”

(HT: Of First Importance)

Friday, July 4, 2008

Dancing and Smuggling

Two great (recent) posts at Josh Harris' blog....

Dancing. So fun! You must check this out. Remember to turn off the HD when watching.

Smuggling Character
. Worthy of more investigation and possibly purchase of the recommended book.