Ponderings & Wanderings

I've clearly not been writing very much lately; life's been a busy blur (we moved again-- didn't see that coming, but the landlord sold our old apmt; and I'm now in the third trimester with our much-anticipated little man)... but I have been reading much. And we did get a fun and colorful Easter picture of our family (hooray!):


Here are some quotes on random topics from things I've been reading; maybe one or more will ruminate in your brain or be a challenge to you, as they have been for me.

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ON HOW WE APPROACH & READ SCRIPTURE:

"When a [Christian] can read his Bible with no spiritual taste, or when he searches it, not with a sincere desire to know the mind of the Spirit in order to [walk] a holy and obedient walk, but with a merely curious or literary taste and aim, it is a sure evidence that his soul is making but a retrograde movement in real spirituality.

Nothing perhaps more strongly indicates the tone of a believer's spirituality, than the light in which the scriptures are regarded by him." ~Octavius Winslow

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ON HOW WE ESTEEM GOD'S WORD IN OUR LIVES:

"The Bible characterizes a genuine believer as not merely an admirer of God's truth, but one who LOVES it." ~From Donald S. Whitney's book, "Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health"

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ON CHILD REARING & DISCIPLINE:

"If a child has done wrong, a child needs talking to; BUT, NO parent ought to talk to a child while that parent is unable to talk in a natural tone of voice, and with carefully measured words. ...If a parent is tempted to speak rapidly, multiply words, or show an excited state of feeling, the parents first duty is to gain entire self-control." ~From Lou Priolo's book, The Heart of Anger

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ON EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN:

"Is the education our children are receiving on par with their potential? ... [and] up to par with who they were born to become?" ~From Oliver van DeMille's book, A Thomas Jefferson Education

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ON QUARRELS AND DISAGREEMENTS WITHIN THE BODY OF CHRIST:

"Watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine you have been taught; avoid them!" ~Romans 16:17

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ON OUR CHARACTER AS CHRISTIANS:

"Christians are Christlike: none deserve the name of Christians that are not so in their prevailing character. ...The branch is of the same nature with the stock and root, has the same sap, and bears the same sort of fruit. The members have the same kind of life with the head.

It would be strange if Christians should not be of the same temper and Spirit that Christ is of; when they are His flesh and His bone, yea are one spirit (1 Cor 6:17), and live so, that is is not they that live, but Christ that lives in them." ~Jonathan Edwards

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ON WEARINESS AND GRACE FROM GOD:

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." ~Jesus, Matthew 11: 28-30

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Something I'm learning in this season of life is that the "bar" is high for us as believing mothers... and we are to be faithful, to be steadfast, to be light that shines brightly. And at the very same time, His grace rises even higher, and He is gentle with us. He does not expect perfection from us, and He helps us to be what we need to be. He knows that we are dust... that we are weak and weary and frail. He offers grace in our time of need. God is so very good to us.

Grace and Peace to you!