The most comfortable and joyful of all things

Here's Jonathan Edwards' conclusion -

I am now come to the next point, which is to show that the exercise of virtue and religion makes youth the more pleasant in all the circumstances and concerns in it. Herein greatly has the advantage over a course of youthful vanity, for the pleasures of that are exceedingly unsteady and inconstant; they serve them only for a moment.

Here particularly, young people's exercise of religion would sweeten both their company and their solitude. It would sweeten their company in that it would render it more pleasant. There is nothing got by extravagance and lewdness in company. Company is not the more pleasant for it; vain and vicious mirth does company no good; it neither adorns it nor enlivens it. How needless and to no purpose it is. Ecclesiastes 2:2: "I said of laughter, it is mad, and of mirth, what doeth it?" Young people do the devil all that service gratis; they get nothing by it for the present; they undo themselves without so much as getting any pleasure by it presently.

It would be abundantly sweeter if they were virtuous in company; it would be more rational, more becoming reasonable creatures. Their own reason would approve of it; they would be glad when they reflected and thought on it. Everyone's mind would approve of it.

It is a strange notion that many young people have that company will be the worse for being virtuous. Vice is the most useless thing in the world. In company it does no good in any way. They may have free conversation without it; and virtue would sweeten all that is said and done. It would make all the more pleasant company one to another; it would supply them with the most pleasant and entertaining subjects of conversation.

The exercise of this would also sweeten solitude and retirement. Oftentimes those who live viciously and appear very merry in company are afraid of solitude; they don't love to be much in retirement for they have nothing to entertain them. And when they are alone, reason and conscience are apt to be in exercise, which greatly disturbs their peace. But those young people who walk in the ways of religion and virtue have wherein to rejoice and entertain their minds both alone and in company. 'Tis pleasant to them oftentimes to be alone, for then they have the better opportunity to fix their minds on divine objects, to withdraw their minds from worldly things, and the more uninterruptedly to delight themselves in divine contemplations and holy exercise and converse with God.

Christ sometimes calls forth such young persons from the company and noise of the world in such language as that found in Song of Soloman 7:11-12: "Come, my beloved....."

It sweetens both business and diversion. To walk in the ways of piety and Christianity is the way to have the sensible presence of God, the light of His countenance, and the testimony of His favor, which is enough to sweeten everything to them. If a person has good evidence that his sins are forgiven, that he is at peace with God, is the object of God's love, and has within him the quietness and cheerfulness wherever he is and whatever he is about. 'Tis enough to make hard labor easy, and he may well do whatsoever he does cheerfuly who does it to the Lord and not to man (Ephesians 6:7)

The exercise of religion would even sweeten young people's diversions as it would regulate them according to the rules of religion and virtue, and would direct them to suitable and worthy ends and make them subservient to excellent purposes. What has been already said of earthly enjoyments and company is true of diversions, that they are abundantly sweetest when virtue moderates and guides them.

It sweetens what is present, and also the thoughts of what is to come. When young people spend their youth in sin and vanity, it gives them no pleasure but in what is present; it has a tendancy to make the prospect of that which is future uncomfortable and terrible. And therefore such young people are not wont to think much of what is future; such thoughts are very disagreeable to them, so that they do what they can to shut them out of their minds. But when young people walk in the ways of virtue and Christianity it not only gives them abundantly the most pleasant enjoyment of the present time, but renders the prospect of what is to come exceedingly comfortable and joyful.

They who spend their youth in the exercise of true religon may think of old age with comfort. If they should live to it, they may have reasonable comfort in all the changes of it, and have just cause to think of death with comfort. Such persons may think of eternity with unspeekable joy. We are born for an eternal duration; those who are young now have had their beings but a little while, and they will have those beings to all eternity. Religon will give rational comfort and joy; let them look as far forward as they will in this endless duration. And those things which are most terrible to wicked young people, that is, death, judgement, and eternity, may well be and often are the most comfortable and joyful of all things to them.

(To the Rising Generation, pp. 49-51)

I know, I'm a slacker...

Sorry to my 3 readers for not posting what I promised today - I was out and about and my blog slipped my mind....{those who know me well wouldn't be surprised :-)} So to make amends, I am including below one of my favorite quotes from Ben Franklin -

If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing.

Boy, how did he come up with all those cool sayings?

The Fruit of the Love of God

Here's the second reason Jonathan Edwards gives for why young people are happiest when they commit themselves to godliness-

I come now to show that walking in ways of religion and virtue doesn't hinder young people's comfort in outward enjoyments, but promotes it. It gives them a far more excellent kind of pleasure, more sweet and satisfying delights than the world can afford, but the enjoyment of these things doesn't rob young people of pleasure in outward things, but helps it.

Religion doesn't forbid the use of outward enjoyments, but only the abuse of them. It doesn't forbid the enjoyment of outward good things, for they were made to be received with thanksgiving, but only forbids the vicious and irregular manner of enjoying them. There is a way of enjoying outward things that is not disagreeable to the commands of God.

Outward enjoyments are much sweeter, and really afford more pleasure, when regularly used than abused. Temporal good things are never so sweet, they are never taken with so good a relish, as when they are taken with innocence and in the way of virtue. Vice destroys the sweetness of outward enjoyments. So much as men transgress divine rules by taking outward enjoyments in a forbidden way, and so much as they go beyond the bonds of temperance and moderation in the enjoyment of them, so much is abated from the relish of them. Vice mixes a bitterness in enjoyments and causes a sting to be with the honey. When we enjoy outward good things with innocence, and agreeably to the rules of God's Word, we then enjoy them with peace in our minds; but when they are viciously used, the pleasure is attended with inward remorse. Such a one does not have the approbation of his own conscience in what he enjoys. In order to a person's having any quietness, he must stupify himself and suppress the exercises of reason and keep himself from reflecting otherwise, he can enjoy his pleasures with no peace.

Besides, when a person who walks in the ways of holiness has the pleasures of outward enjoyments, he has this to give a sweetness and relish, that he has it as the fruit of the love of God.

(To the Rising Generation, pp 47-48)

Tomorrow will bring the final reason.....

Warning - what follows is a boring philosophical post

This year I've been introduced to the study of philosophy, and have discovered that it's not quite as dry as I thought it was. I actually now really, really, really like it. Nota bene to the 3(-/+) readers of my blog - you shouldn't run, hide, gasp in horror etc. upon reading this because, really, have I ever attempted to lead you to believe that I'm normal?

So lately I read about this man named Heraclitus and his particular order of philosophy. Essentially, what he believed is that everything is constantly changing. People change - we grow older every second, we learn new things, we grow, (vertically till some point in our teenage years; horizontally from then on) etc. Nature obviously changes too. Heraclitus is most famously known for his phrase, "It is not possible to step in the same river twice." So by tomorrow, according to Heraclitus, everything in existence will be different than it is today. Everything changes, and if something doesn't change, it doesn't exist.

If you're a true Christian, it's impossible to fully agree with this philosophy. Those who do, are at best, dangerous heretics, and at worst, atheists. One of the most fundamental Christian doctrines is the immutability of God, or in everyday phraseology, His unchangeable-ness. I don't think I need to provide Scriptures to back this up - its pretty self-evident. So, with that in mind, the reason why an advocate of Heraclitus' philosophy would be at best a dangerous heretic is because they would be denying God's immutability. What a scary version of Christianity that would be! The purest version of this philosophy would probably then involve being an atheist - if you believe in a God who doesn't change, you believe in a God who doesn't exist, and since Heraclitus' followers believe everything changes, they must then believe God doesn't exist.

Thinking about all this makes me more grateful for who God is. If reality was the way Heraclitus envisioned it to be, what would be the point in believing in a god who never stayed the same? Who or what could you trust? How could you be certain of anything if even a god is a different god tomorrow than they are today? Thankfully, that's a situation which will never exist, and that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8

Pleasures of the Most Excellent Kind

[Because this is a rather long section in the book, I'm only including the main points Jonathan Edwards makes on the topic.]

By embracing religion and virute, young people may obtain the greatest beauty and most excellent ornaments. One way in which young people are wont to seek pleasure is in adorning themselves, endeavoring to recommend themselves in a fine appearance. Youth is a time wherein nature is in its bloom,and young people are often wont to value themselves by their beauty and place their happiness much in outward ornaments. But by embracing true religion and virtue, they would have the graces of God's Spirit, the beauty and ornaments of angels, and the love image of God. They might obtain that which would render them far more lovely than the greatest outward beauty possible; they might obtain that beauty which would render them lovely in the eyes of all wise men, the angels of heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the great God Himself. They would have those ornaments of the mind that are more beautiful and glorious than the robes of princes.

By walking in the ways of true religion and virtue, young people will obtain the sweetest pleasures, the sweetest delights of love and friendship. A life of true religion and virtue is a life of divine love, a life of love to God, a love which affords greater pleasures by far than that of earthly lovers. A life of love is the sweetest life in the world; but no love affords such pleasures as love to God. Divine love is an affection that is of a more sublime and excellent nature than love to an earthly object; it is a purer flame, and the pleasure it affords is a purer stream.

Young people, by walking in the ways of true piety, obtain the sweetest gratification of appetite, not of carnal, sensual appetites, but of those that are more excellent, of spiritual and divine appetites, holy desires and inclinations; those that, as they are more excellent in themselves, are more suitable to the nature of man and are far more extensive, so are capable of gratification and enjoyments more exquisite, sweet and delightful.

Those young people that walk in the ways of religion and virtue have the most pleasant company. Young people commonly seek pleasure in company, and oftentimes spend much of their time in mirth among their companions. But none have such delightful company as those who live in the exercise of holiness and virtue, for they have their conversation in heaven (Philippians 3:20). The Lord Jesus Christ has become their Friend and Companion. Oftentimes, when they are alone and seem to the world to spend their time solitarily, they indeed have company enough; it is their delight to withdraw from all the world the more freely and intimately to converse with Jesus Christ. When someone has a dear friend that he greatly sets his affection upon, he does not much want other company; it will be a pleasure to him to be withdrawn from others and the more fully and freely to enjoy intercourse and conversation with him.

Thus young people, by walking in the ways of religion and virtue, obtain pleasures of the excellent kind.

"Your Best Life Now"

Jonathan Edwards:

The most direct way that young people can take to spend their youth pleasantly is to walk in the ways of virtue and piety. This may seem very strange, and a great deal paradoxical to many young people, but I hope to make it very evident in the following method:

I would show, first, that spending youth in the practice of religion and virtue is the way to obtain pleasures that are vastly more excellent than are to be found in the way of sin and vanity.

Second, such a course doesn't destroy young people's comfort, or outward enjoyments, but adds to them.

Third, it makes youth the pleasanter in all the circumstances and concerns of it.

(Taken from To the Rising Generation, page 43)

Reason # 1 explained tomorrow....

Olympia Morata - Part 2

Among the strangers who had come to the University of Ferrara to study was a German, named Andrew Grunthler. Through Sinapius he had heard of Olympia. He learned to admire, then to love her. He sued for her hand, and she accepted and they were married in 1549. The prayers of the Little reformed church of Ferarra went up for this young couple, that God's blessing might rest upon them. She wrote a hymn on the occasion, which reads like an ode of Pindar, only it had a Christian instead of pagan theme running through it. It reads thus:

O Almighty God, King of kings, Creator of man and woman, Thou who gavest to the first man a companion that the race of mortals might not perish; Thou who hast willed that the soul brought out from humanity should be the mystic bride of Thine own Son, and that that divine Son should give his life for her, oh, shed peace and blessing upon these two now united before Thee.

But the dangers were gathering around the little reformed church of Ferarra. The pope would not allow a Protestant church in Italy. Grunthler, therefore, prepared to leave and return to Germany, to seek a place in some university. He left behind him his wife, as he feared the journey over the Alps in the cold winter would be too severe for her. He returned several months afterward, and then took her with him away from Ferarra. They started in June, (155o), accompanied by her brother, Emilio, aged eight years. They traveled through the Tyrol, passing the imperial army, and finally arrived safely at Augsburg. There the Fugger brothers were the rich merchants, who led the trade and art of the city. They had heard of Olympia's fame. They gave her a splendid welcome, and she and her husband had a charming sojourn there. They then went to Wurzberg, where her brother had an accident, in which he was saved from death by a seeming miracle. While praying with his companion, he fell suddenly from an elevated gallery headlong on the rocks below. They thought him killed, but, strange to say, he was not injured. She said she saw in it how God gives His angels charge over those who are His saints. Then, with her husband, she went (1551) to Schweinfurth, whose senate called him as a physician to the Spanish soldiers. So Olympia, the great classic scholar, was compelled to let her talents blush unseen in a poor country village. Her stay, however, was made pleasant by the education of her brother and by the kindness of the Protestants of the town, especially the pastor. Here she translated into Greek many of the Psalms and attended to the education of her brother.

But alas! the place that they expected to be the refuge for them, proved to be the place of greatest danger. The tide of war swept into this town. Margrave Albert of Brandenburg happened to chose Schweinfurth as the place in which to defend himself against the Emperor. The neighboring princes of the empire combined to destroy him. Thus the inhabitants of the town were compelled to suffer most terribly for a quarel to which they were strangers. The seige began April, 1553, and lasted 14 months. It was a terrible experience. The walls and houses were continually battered by the enemy's artillery. The citizens feared to go outside of their dwellings, yet met death sometimes in their houses. Bands of the enemy would at times override the town, and forcing themselves into the houses, would compel the owners to give them their money. These scenes became more terrible every day. Famine added its horrors to the war, and pestilence followed famine, until it cut off 1/2 of the population. In the midst of all these horrors her courage did not forsake her. She wrote: "Under the weight of so many evils we have found consolation only in prayer and meditation upon the holy Word." Her husband caught the fever, and, alas! all his medicines with which to allay it were exhausted. It seemed as if nothing short of a miracle could save him. Olympia went to One who was better than medicine - the Hearer and Answerer of prayer. Her prayers were answered, and, lo! her husband was saved! This gave her courage. The Lord, who had cared for, and spared, her husband, would certainly care for them in the seige.

Crowning Knowledge

Thomas Watson again:

Human learning is of good use to prepare for the study of better things, as a coarser dye prepares the cloth for a richer and deeper dye. But the fault is when the study of Christ is neglected. The knowledge of Christ ought to have the pre-eminence. It was surely not without a mystery that God allowed all Solomon’s writings about birds and plants to be lost, but what he wrote about spiritual wisdom to be miraculously preserved, as if God would teach us that to know Christ (the true Wisdom) is the crowning knowledge (Proverbs 8:12).

What is Godliness? part 2

4. Godliness is an extensive thing

It is a sacred leaven which spreads itself into the whole soul: "May the God of peace sanctify you wholly" (1 Thess. 5:23). There is light in the understanding, order in the affections, pliableness in the will, exemplariness in the life. We do not call a black man white, because he has white teeth. He who is good only in some part is not godly. Grace is called "the new man" (Col. 3:10), not a new eye, or tongue—but a new man. He who is godly is good all over; though he is regenerate only in part—yet it is in every part.

5. Godliness is an intense thing

It does not lie in a dead formality and indifference—but is vigorous and flaming: "fervent in spirit" (Romans 12:11). We call water hot when it is so in the third or fourth degree. He whose devotion is inflamed is godly, and his heart boils over in holy affections.

6. Godliness is a glorious thing

As the jewel to the ring, so is piety to the soul, bespangling it in God's eyes. Reason makes us men; godliness makes us earthly angels; by it we "partake of the divine nature" (2 Pet. 1:4). Godliness is near akin to glory: "glory and virtue" (2 Pet. 1:3). Godliness is glory in the seed, and glory is godliness in the flower.

7. Godliness is a permanent thing

Aristotle says, "Names are given from the habit". We do not call the one who blushes ruddy—but the one who is of a ruddy complexion (1 Sam. 17:42). A blush of godliness is not enough to distinguish a Christian—but godliness must be the temper and complexion of the soul. Godliness is a fixed thing. There is a great deal of difference between a stake in the hedge—and a tree in the garden. A stake rots and molders—but a tree, having life in it, abides and flourishes. When godliness has taken root in the soul, it abides to eternity: "his seed remains in him" (1 John 3:9). Godliness being engraved in the heart by the Holy Spirit, as with the point of a diamond, can never be erased.

(Taken from The Godly Man's Picture, by Thomas Watson)

What is Godliness? part 1

Thomas Watson explains:

1. Godliness is a real thing

It is not a fantasy, but a fact. Godliness is not the feverish fantasy of a sick brain; a Christian is no enthusiast, one whose religion is all made up of theory. Godliness has truth for its foundation; it is called "the way of truth" (Psalm 119:30). Godliness is a ray and beam that shines from God. If God is true, then godliness is true.

2. Godliness is an intrinsic thing

It lies chiefly in the heart: "circumcision is that of the heart" (Romans 2:29). The dew lies on the leaf, the sap is hidden in the root. The moralist's religion is all in the leaf; it consists only in externals—but godliness is a holy sap which is rooted in the soul: "Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place" (Psalm 51:6).

3. Godliness is a supernatural thing

By nature we inherit nothing but evil. "When we were in the flesh, the motions of sins did work in our members" (Romans 7:5). We sucked in sin as naturally as our mother's milk; but godliness is the "wisdom from above" (Jas. 3:17). It is breathed in from heaven. God must light up the lamp of grace in the heart. Weeds grow by themselves; flowers are planted. Godliness is a celestial plant which comes from the New Jerusalem. Therefore it is called a "fruit of the Spirit" (Gal. 5:22). A man has no more power to make himself godly, than to create himself.

4-7 to follow tomorrow....

Why bother studying doctrine?

J. I. Pike gives us an answer.....

Were you, my reader, going to spend one hour in England, and then never to see it more, but afterwards to pass threescore years in India, of which country would you desire the most extensive knowledge ? Would you not reason, The knowledge that will benefit me hut for one hour in a country, which after that I shall never visit again, is unworthy of a thought, compared with that knowledge, which will be useful to me for sixty years? Were you to spend that one hour in company with persons, whose favor or displeasure would render it either, a happy or a wretched hour; and were you to pass the following sixty years with those, whose smile or frown would make them all years of happiness or years of pain, whose favor would you be most anxious to enjoy ? Would you not argue, The smiles or the frowns of those who can cheer or embitter but one hour, and whom then I shall leave for ever, are of little moment; but their friendship, who must render me happy or wretched for sixty years, is ten thousand .times more important

Apply these thoughts to your state in this world, and the next. Here you have a little while to spend, but compared with the endless life which awaits you there, it is infinitely less than an hour, when compared with sixty years. Of which world is the knowledge most important to you ? Of that where your life is the twinkling of an eye? or of that where eternal ages lie stretched before the view of the astonished soul? The friendship or displeasure of your fellow- creatures may cheer or embitter life's short hour : the friendship of your God will brighten and bless your whole eternity; or his displeasure make eternal years one scene of darkness, bitterness, and woe. How worthless, to a creature born for eternity, is all knowledge, compared with a holy acquaintance with God! how despicable all friendship, compared with His friendship and love!

(Taken from A Guide for Young Disciples, pp. 1-2)

America: 2009-2013

I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake.

Longfellow Book

Here's the pictures I promised you:

Olympia Morata - Part 1

A while ago, my dad bought me a book written by James I. Good titled Famous Women of the Reformed Church. I devoured it soon afterward, and came away inspired by all the godly examples which I came across within its pages. I highly recommend it, and am of the opinion that every female ought to buy it, read it, give it to friends, discuss it, etc, etc. It's that good. Anyways, I've decided to post some of the stories from it that stood out the most to me. For the upcoming Sundays you can now expect to see the next installment. So without further ado, here's the first:

One of the most beautiful characters of the Reformation was Olympia Morata, the scholar and the Christian. Her name was classic, Olympia, but but her spirit revealed all the old classic genius of Greece, baptized by the sweetness of Christianity. She was by birth an Italian, one of the fruits of that Italian reformation, which, alas! was crushed in its bud by the inquisition. Her father was tutor of the two sons of the Count of Este in northern Italy, and she was born at Ferrrara, 1526. Her father, Morato, early trained her in the classic languages, which were then rousing such a furor in Europe. She made such progress in them, that in a few months she was able to speek Latin and Greek easily. When she became twelve years of age, her fame as a scholar was already noised abroad. At the early age of fourteen she composed a defense of Cicero in answer to his calumniators. She was considered a miracle - the most learned woman in Europe. She became so polished and learned that when Duchess Renee of Este sought a companion for her daughter in her studies, she chose Olympia. Thus Olympia's lot was cast in the most pleasant circumstances - a female genius living with princes. She soon became the idol of the court that was filled with scholars. She delivered lectures at Ferrara on the classic authors in the private accademy of the Duchess.

While she was thus living in the palace, the doctrines of the Reformation began to show themselves in Ferarra. Two Germans, named Sinapius, who taught Greek and medicine there, had brought them from Germany. The coming of Calvin and his brief stay there strengthened the evangelical influences. But it was the conversion of her father to Protestantism that most influenced her. From being a humanist, he became a Prostestant. For while she was in the court, he had been banished from Ferarra, and settled at Vercelli. There he happened to recieve under his roof a Protestant missionary named Celio, who had been an old acquaintance. Celio had returned his kindness by leading him to something higher than the classics (which had been his idol), - t0 Christ. The conversion of Morato was followed by the others of his household. Meanwhile Olympia, at the court of the Duke of Este, was still idolizing the classics. She says of herself: "I had no taste for divine things. The reading of the Old and New Testaments inspired me only with repugnance." But in the midst of her joys and honors, lo! her father was taken sick in 1548. She at once left the court and went to nurse him. He calmly waited for death, bearing a beautiful testimony for Christ. This death of her father was the begining of her life of many sorrows. Soon after his death, her companion, Anne of Este, was married, and she had no friend at court to defend her against the suspicion of being a Protestant. She was compelled to leave the court, and although the favorite of its social circle, she went to care for her invalid mother, three sisters, and a brother yet a child. Thus she sacrificed honor and position for the gospel, choosing, like Moses, rather to suffer with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.

Paradoxes

This is me.

O CHANGELESS GOD, 

Under the conviction of thy Spirit I learn that 

the more I do, the worse I am, 

the more I know, the less I know, 

the more holiness I have, the more sinful I am, 

the more I love, the more there is to love. 

O wretched man that I am! 

O Lord, 

I have a wild heart, 

and cannot stand before thee; 

I am like a bird before a man. 

How little I love thy truth and ways! 

I neglect prayer, 

by thinking I have prayed enough and earnestly, 

by knowing thou hast saved my soul. 

Of all hypocrites, grant that I may not be 

an evangelical hypocrite, 

who sins more safely because grace abounds, 

who tells his lusts that Christ’s blood 

cleanseth them, 

who reasons that God cannot cast him into hell, 

for he is saved, 

who loves evangelical preaching, churches, 

Christians, but lives unholily. 

My mind is a bucket without a bottom, 

with no spiritual understanding, 

no desire for the Lord’s Day, 

ever learning but never reaching the truth, 

always at the gospel-well but never holding water. 

My conscience is without conviction or contrition, 

with nothing to repent of. 

My will is without power of decision or resolution. 

My heart is without affection, and full of leaks. 

My memory has no retention, 

so I forget easily the lessons learned, 

and thy truths seep away. 

Give me a broken heart that yet carries home 

the water of grace.

(Taken from The Valley of Vision, pp. 128 & 129)

Bible Reading

In my previous post I talked about the importance of daily devotions, and today I'd like to follow up on that with some practical suggestions that may help you in your reading of the Scriptures.

- Read the Bible systematically, which means reading it book by book, all the way through. Although it's easier, randomly picking a different chapter each day will in the long run be a detriment to your understanding of the Scriptures - its easier to read a passage out of context, and its harder to understand the general point of the particular book. A good plan to follow is the M'Cheyne plan. Reading the four chapters a day is a lot, so I cut it in half and read two. As Harvey Newcomb says, "You had better study one verse thoroughly, than to read half a dozen chapters carelessly."

- Read the Bible thoughtfully. What's the point of reading your Bible if you don't come away with something you've learned, or been reminded of? Again, Harvey Newcomb has some helpful suggestions for questions to ask yourself while you read, which I've included at the end of this post.

-Finally, read the Bible prayerfully. Ask God to use the Scriptures to remind you of one of His promises; to prepare you for the rest of the day; to give you a greater knowledge of Himself.

Although there's so much more to be said on the subject, I hope and pray that these three suggestions will bless and help you in reading the most worthy Book ever written.

-------------------------------------------------------------

In reading the Scriptures, there are some subjects of inquiry which you should carry along with you constantly—

1. What do I find here which points to Christ? Unless you keep this before your mind, you will lose half the interest of many parts of the Old Testament; and much of it will appear to be almost without meaning. It is full of types and prophecies relating to Christ, which, by themselves, appear dry, but, when understood, most beautiful and full of instruction.

2. The Bible contains a history of the church. Endeavor, then, to learn the state of the church at the time of which you are reading. For the sake of convenience, and a clearer view of the subject, you may divide the history of the church into six periods:

1. From the fall to the flood;

2. From Noah to the giving of the law;

3. From Moses to David and the prophets;

4. From David to the Babylonian captivity;

5. From the captivity to Christ;

6. From Christ to the end of time, which is called the gospel dispensation.

From the commencement you will see a gradual development of God's designs of mercy, and a continually-increasing light. Take notice of what period of the church you are reading; and from this you may judge of the degree of obligation of its members; for this has been increasing with the increase of light, from the fall to the present day; and it will continue to increase to the end of time. Note, also, the various declensions and revivals of religion which have occurred in every period of the church, and endeavor to learn their causes and consequences. By this, you will become familiar with God's method of dealing with his people; from which you may draw practical lessons of caution and encouragement for yourself.

3. Inquire what doctrinal truth is taught, illustrated, or enforced, in the passage you are reading; and also what principle is recognized. Great and important principles of the divine government and of practical duty are often implied in a passage of history which relates to a comparatively unimportant event. Let it be your business to draw out these principles, and apply them to practice. Thus you will be daily increasing your knowledge of the great system of divine truth.

4. Note every promise and every prediction; and observe God's faithfulness in keeping his promises, and fulfilling his prophecies. This will tend to strengthen your faith. You will find it profitable, as you proceed, to take notes of these several matters particularly; and, at the close of every book, review your notes, and sum them up under different heads.

(Taken from the chapter in The Young Lady's Guide entitled "Reading and Studying the Scriptures")

An Important Resolution

With everybody making New Year's resolutions, might I suggest one that you add to your list?

Why not commit to setting aside time each day - whether its in the morning, after you wake up, or at night, before you go to bed - to reading a chapter in the Bible and praying? It could possibly be one of the most important resolutions you ever make. I can guarantee you that if you were to do this every day, and do it sincerely, not only 2009 but the rest of your life will change. Here 's why:

1. You'll grow closer to God. Prayer and reading the Bible will lift your thoughts Heavenward. Your thoughts will turn towards God more frequently and more affectionately.
a. More frequently because you're daily spending time with Him. You think most about those you spend the most time with, and the same is true with God.
b. More affectionately because the end result of studying the Scriptures will be admiration of our Lord. Just try to read John 19 & 20 and be unmoved, or the second half of 1 Kings 19 and not awe-inspired.

2. Your attitude will change. A daily reminder of God will make you realize that not everything revolves around you. It becomes, if not easier, at least more gratifying to help others.

3. You'll go throughout your day differently. Many times, something you read in the Bible will particularly stand out and fix itself to your mind for the rest of the day. With Scripture always in the back of your mind, you're less likely to give into temptation, and more likely to "hunger and thirst for righteousness."

So why not give it a try?

How can a young man keep his way pure?

By living according to your word.

I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.

I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.

Praise be to you, O LORD;
teach me your decrees.

With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.

I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.

I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.

I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.

Psalm 119:9-16

How to read a book

Here's what William Sprague has to say on the subject -

All your reading should be, as far as possible, with some definite object, other than merely to occupy your time. If you have no object in view, you may be sure that you will accomplish none ; and thus your reading will be at best a mere waste of time, and not improbably, will be fraught with positive intellectual or moral evil. When you take up a book, decide if you can, from its title, or its table of contents, what good purpose you can accomplish by reading it; what faculties of your mind it will be likely to improve; or what moral dispositions to refine or elevate ; and having settled this point, if the book be worthy of your attention, you can hardly fail to be benefited by reading it.

Another remark, closely connected with the preceding, is, that you should never allow yourself to read without reflection. There is no habit more easily acquired than that of occupying the eye merely upon an author, and leaving the mind to its own wanderings; and there is scarcely any habit, which in the end, more completely unstrings the intellect, and renders it incapable of commanding its own powers. The legitimate design of reading is, not to supersede, but to assist reflection ; not to put the faculties to sleep, but to brighten them by active exercise. Different books, it is acknowledged, require different degrees of mental exertion ; but you may take it for granted, that a book which is not worth the labor of some thought, is not worth the labor of reading. Whatever. book you may have in hand, let your mind be just as intensely employed as is necessary to enable you to realize the full advantage of reading it; that is, to enable you to comprehend its full meaning, and to give it, so far as may be desirable or practicable, a lodgment in your memory. If you find your thoughts, at any time, wandering obstinately from your author, and if no effort will bring them under your control, so that you can read to advantage, (and such cases will sometimes occur from mere physical derangement,) better lay aside, your book than to continue reading in this attitude of mental vacancy. You will be none the wiser for what you read, and you may be forming an intellectual habit which will diminish your power of acquiring wisdom in more favored circumstances.
(Letters to a Daughter on Practical Subjects, pp. 61-63)

What can you do with a tarp, a couple of nails, and a heater?

Solve your family's thermostat wars, that's what.

For those of you who have never heard of my kin's epic, notorious, competitive, etc., etc., battles over who controls the temperature in the house, allow me to enlighten you. You see, my parents are complete opposites. My dad is always cold. Summers are never warm enough. Winters are worse. If it weren't for his handy fleece blanket, I'm not sure that he'd make it outside his office.

My mom, on the other hand, is very thrifty. I seem to have inherited this gift (or curse; your opinion hinges on whether you are cheap or not) and there have been several instances while shopping when both of us tried to get the other to buy something we both wanted. Anyways, the cold does not seem to penetrate her thriftiness, and it somewhat frightens me to guess how cold she would keep it in her house if she got away with it.

So, the combination of a dad who's always cold and a mom who's always saving is one that ends in the logical outcome they have arrived at. This year it doesn't seem as bad, but last winter, the temperature was always changing! We were constantly wavering between Ice Age and Global Warming.

But yesterday they came to a truce.

They are now keeping the house's temperature at the Honey-bring-out-the-ice-pick-the-tap-water-isn't-liquid setting - 60 degrees (no, not Celsius) constantly during the day, with an electronic heater in the living room. Well that takes care of the heater, you might ask, but what about the tarp & nails? Here's where they come in: in order to keep the heat in the living room, they nailed a tarp to the doorway connecting the living room to the hall, which leads to everywhere else of consequence in the house.



But now the rest of the house is a meat locker! Every other room is freezing. Even the cat doesn't care to venture to his food dish as often anymore. (which is almost miraculous)

(Please try to ignore how gross he looks)

So there you have it. I wonder if its warmer outside than in the kitchen? My mom not surprisingly remarked that we can now get rid of our refrigerator. 'Spose that would lop off a good chunk of the electricity bill.

So if the only reason you read this far in this particular post was to try to find it's point, well, I'm sincerely sorry, especially in light of this, but there is none.

Longfellow Poem

After my grandma died, we went through her things and I found a book of poems by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Its a BEAUTIFUL book - hardcover with a pink/purple flower vine design on the cover, and inside it says it was given to one of my ancestors in 1895! My camera's battery is empty, but when I recharge it I'll take a picture and post it up here.

Anyways, I found a poem inside called "Maidenhood" and it intrigued me, so that is what follows:

Maiden! with the meek brown eyes
In whose orb a shadow lies
Like the dust in evening skies!

Thou whose locks outshine the sun,
Golden tresses, wreathed in one,
As the braided streamlets run!

Standing, with reluctant feet,
Where the brook and river meet,
Womanhood and childhood fleet!

Gazing, with a timid glance,
On the brooklet's swift advance,
On the river's broad expanse!

Deep and still, that gliding stream
Beautiful to thee must seem,
As the river of a dream.

Then why pause with indecision,
When bright angels in thy vision
Beckon thee to fields Elysian?

Seest thou shadows sailing by,
As the dove, with startled eye,
Seest the falcon's shadow fly?

Hearest thou voices on the shore,
that our ears perceive no more,
Deafened by the cataract's roar?

Oh thou child of many prayers!
Life hath quicksands - life hath snares!
Care and age come unawares!

Like the swell of some sweet tune,
Morning rises into noon,
May glides onward into June.

Childhood is the bough, where slumbered
Birds and blossom many-numbered; -
Age, that bough with snows encumbered.

Gather, then, each flower that grows,
When the young heart overflows,
To embalm that tent of snow.

Bear a lily in thy hand;
Gates of brass cannot withstand
On touch of that magic wand.

Bear through sorrow, wrong, and ruth,
In thy heart the dew of youth,
On thy lips the smile of truth.

Oh, that dew, like balm, shall steal
Into wounds, that cannot heal,
Even as sleep our eyes doth seal;

And that smile, like sunshine, dart
Into many a sunless heart,
For a smile of God thou art.

J.R. Miller again.....

.....this time about our conversation:

If every word that is spoken were only a good word, what an incalculable ministry of blessing would there be in a lifetime of speech! But too much of it is only idle words, and too much of it is not pure, good, and sweet. The subject is worthy of very earnest, serious thought. We should not be willing to misuse our gift of speech, or to fail to use it to bless the world.

"Plant blessings, and blessings will bloom,
Plant hate, and hate will grow;
You can sow today, and tomorrow shall bring
The bloom that shows what sort of a thing
Is the seed - the seed that you sow."

There should be great care taken, first of all, with the manner of speech. Many persons speak most important words, words full of wisdom, and yet utter them in such a way that they make almost no impression. Their voice is harsh and unmusical, or their grammar or punctuation is defective, or they speak indistinctly. In some way, at least, the faultiness or ungracefulness of their speech mars, sometimes almost destroys, the value of what they say. On the other hand, there are some persons whose manner of speech is so graceful and winning that even their most commonplace words fall like music on the listener's ear. Young people cannot give too much attention to voice-culture, and to the whole manner of expression. Manner is more than one half in speech.

Matter is also important, however. We must have something to say, or the most musical tones will soon fail to please and bless. Jesus said that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Hence we must get our heart right if we would speak words that are worthwhile. A bitter heart cannot give out sweet words, nor an impure heart bright, clean words.

It is an interesting fact that on the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came in the form of tongues of fire, resting on the heads of the disciples, and that one of the first manifestations of the Spirit was in a new gift of speech - immediately they spoke with new tongues. This was all supernatural; but it is true evermore that, when one becomes a Christian, one gets a new tongue.

Although he doesn't mention it in the chapter, the last sentence brings to mind James 3:8-12:

But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.

Convicting.

How Bunyan Says the 10 Commandments

Everybody knows about John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, but not many know about all the other books he wrote. While searching on Google Books (one of my new favorite websites!) I found a book of poetry written by Bunyan for children, the end being to teach them about God and the Bible. The first poem is the 10 Commandments made to rhyme. I never thought I'd use "10 Commandments" and "charming" in the same sentence, but I think this is a worthy exception!

The Ten Commandments.

1.Thou shalt not have another God than me

2. Thou shalt not to an Image bow thy Knee

3. Thou shalt not take the Name of God in vain

4. See that the Sabbath thou do not profain

5. Honour thy Father and thy Mother too

6. In Act or Thought see thou no Murder do

7. From Fornication keep thy body clean

8. Thou shalt not steal, though thou be very mean.

9. Bear no false Witness, keep thee without Spot

10. What is thy Neighbours see thou Covet not.

Here's the orginal page:

True Beauty

John Angell James:

"Your adornment must not be merely external--braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God." - 1 Peter 3: 3-4

How exquisitely is this put. How impressive the ideas which are conveyed. It is the decoration of the soul rather than of the body, about which Christian women should be chiefly solicitous and concerned. The soul is indestructible and immortal; so should its ornaments be. What can jewels of silver or jewels of gold do for this? Can the diamond sparkle upon the intellect? or the ruby blaze upon the heart? Or the pearl be set in the conscience? Or the gorgeous robe clothe the character? Or the feather or the flower wave over the renewed and holy nature? No! The appropriate ornaments of the soul are truth, holiness, knowledge, faith, hope, love, joy, humility; and all the other gifts and graces of the Spirit--wisdom, prudence, fortitude and gentleness. These are the jewels with which the heart should be adorned. The outer body is corruptible. Dust it is, and unto dust it shall return.

That beautiful woman glittering in all the profusion of diamonds--the admiration and envy of the party or the ball room, must before long be a mass of putrefaction too ghastly to be looked upon--and then a hideous skeleton, a collection of bones, a heap of dust! And where will be the immortal spirit? Will it wear the cast-off jewels of the body? O no! These remain, rescued from the grasp of the 'king of terrors', but only to ornament other bodies!

But turn now to that other female, the woman who, regardless of the decoration of the body, was all intent upon the beauty of the soul. Look at her, who was clothed with the robe of righteousness and the garment of salvation, and decorated with the ornaments of a meek and quiet spirit. She too dies; but the indestructible and immortal spirit over which death has no dominion, goes not unadorned into the presence of the Eternal; for the jewels with which it decorated itself on earth are as indestructible as its own nature, and go with it to shine in the presence of God!

(Taken from the chapter, Ornaments of a Profession of Religion, in Female Piety by John Angell James)

A Lovely and Pleasant Sight

One of the great laments during our day is the lack of godliness in young people - especially those in our churches. The problem isn't new. In the same book I mentioned yesterday, Jonathan Edwards earnestly entreats teens to think more seriously about God, and points out how beautiful it really is when they dedicate their lives to Him. Here's an exerpt from chapter 11:

'Tis a peculiarly lovely and pleasant sight to behold young people walking in the ways of virtue and piety.

It is a pleasant sight upon two accounts:

First, there is a peculiar decency in it. It is most suitable that young men should begin their lives with God dedicate the first of their time to Him. Youth is the flower of life and, on many accounts, the best part of it. And it is peculiarly becoming that this time should be devoted to God. When persons begin their lives with God, hereby the whole life is given to Him.

Second, it is a pleasing sight on account of the pleasing prospect it gives, of the benefit of it, and of the good fruits and consequences that it tends to bring. This is true inasmuch as it tends to prevent a great deal of sin; it gives a prospect of more eminent holiness. And persons, thereby being much more useful and beneficial in human society, are prepared to live in the world as members of society when they are fit before they enter on the stage, being more eminent in piety.

Are you "walking in the ways of virtue and piety"?

How to Stretch Your Brain - Jonathan Edwards Style

The book To the Rising Generation is a collection of sermons preached by Jonathan Edwards to the young people in his congregation. Out of the 15 chapters, 14 are sermons, and the last chapter is a series of questions designed to improve the teens' Bible knowledge. These aren't your typical Bible trivia questions however. A while ago we had a group of friends over from church, and one of us pulled this book out; we ended up opening our Bibles to see if we could find the answers. The problem is, Edwards doesn't seem to have included them (perhaps he wanted to spare the young people from being tempted to cheat?), so you're left on your own to figure them out. Here's some random questions:

They were wont in Israel to keep the day of the new moon as a solemn day. Where in the law of Moses is this commanded?

Who was the owner of the ground on which the city of Samaria was built before the building of the city?

How many cities of refuge were there in Israel?

How many places were there in the land of Israel at which it was ordinary to offer sacrifices?

What other name had the city that was called the city of palm trees?

In what tribe was Lachish?

This last one's for the guys:

Which is the greatest slaughter of men in battle that we have an account of in Scripture?

If the teens in Edwards' congregation were able to answer all 115 of these, my hat's off to them - they sure knew their stuff!

Wordless Wednesday - My Cat With a Complex

Emily Bronte

[On Tuesdays, I'm going to try to devote a post to literature, whether it be a book review, biography of an author, or whatever else strikes my fancy. :-)]
On July 30th, 1818, one of the most intriguing novelists England has ever produced was born. Emily was the fifth of six children born to Patrick and Maria Bronte. While she was still a young child, her mother died of cancer, and her father, a seemingly introverted and studious curate, had little time to spend with his children. Although left to their own devices to amuse themselves, the Bronte children had no trouble finding ways to pass the time - they were often occupied reading, drawing, and writing short stories set in imaginary worlds. Little of these survive. Undoubtedly, this practice had a strong influence on Bronte’s novel, Wuthering Heights.

In 1842, Emily traveled to Brussels to study foreign language, but stayed there for less than a year. She seems to have been prone to homesickness. After her return from abroad, Emily and her sisters began to write seriously. Unfortunately, the sisters’ first, and only book published together - a collection of poems - wasn’t a success. The volume sold two copies. Undaunted by this setback, Bronte, her pen name being Ellis Bell, went on to write her infamous novel, Wuthering Heights, in 1847.

Unlike her sister Charlotte’s Jane Eyre, Emily’s novel initially received mixed reviews. As time went by, some believed Bronte’s brother Branwell wrote the book; despite the influential presence of Romanticism, the rigidly moral Victorian culture frowned upon women writing novels, much less one glorifying ardent passions and eerily Gothic events as Wuthering Heights did. However, not many years went by before it was acclaimed a literary classic.

The following year, Branwell died in September after dealing with alcoholism, an opium addiction, and depression. At the funeral, Emily caught a cold which eventually developed into Tuberculosis. Refusing medical attention, she died on December 19, 1848, at the age of 30. In 1850, Charlotte revised and edited a new edition of Wuthering Heights, revealing the true identity of the author.

Sorry if I'm the only one who finds this funny....

.....but I couldn't resist:

The Andrians were the first of the islanders to refuse Themistocles' demand for money; he had put it to them that they would be unable to avoid paying because the Athenians had the support of two powerful deities, one called If-you-please and the other Oh-but-you-must. And the Andrians had replied that Athens was lucky to have two such useful gods, who were obviously responsible for her wealth and greatness; unfortunately, however, they themselves, in their small and inadequate island, also had two deities in permanent possession of their soil - and by no means such useful ones. For their names were Haven't-a-penny and Sorry-I-can't. Consequently, no money would be forthcoming; for, however strong Athens was, she could never turn Andros' "can't" into "can."
(Histories 8.3 {book not recomended})

One of My Favorite Quotes

Jonathan Edwards wrote this about Sarah Pierrepont, who would later be his wife, when she was only 13! This description of the young woman blows me away every time I read it.

They say there is a young lady in [New Haven] who is beloved of that Great Being, who made and rules the world, and that there are certain seasons in which this Great Being, in some way or other invisible, comes to her and fills her mind with exceeding sweet delight; and that she hardly cares for any thing, except to meditate on him— that she expects after a while to be received up where he is, to be raised up out of the world and caught up into heaven; being assured that he loves her too well to let her remain at a distance from him always. There she is to dwell with him, and to be ravished with his love and delight for ever. Therefore, if you present all the world before her, with the richest of its treasures, she disregards it and cares not for it, and is unmindful of any pain or affliction. She has a strange sweetness in her mind, and singular purity in her affections; is most just and conscientious in all her conduct; and you could not persuade her to do any thing wrong or sinful, if you would give her all the world, lest she should offend this Great Being. She is of a wonderful sweetness, calmness, and universal benevolence of mind; especially after this Great God has manifested himself to her mind. She will sometimes go about from place to place, singing sweetly; and seems to be always full of joy and pleasure; and no one knows for what. She loves to be alone, walking in the fields and groves, and seems to have some one invisible always conversing with her.

*sigh* What could be a more eloquent and godly compliment?

Lady Jane Grey

When thinking of the Reformation in England, King Henry VIII, Tyndale, & Bloody Mary come to one’s mind. But one figure has been forgotten by many, her life being eclipsed by the more prominent personalities surrounding it. Lady Jane Grey was an incredibly accomplished woman, achieving a level of education rarely mastered today; she corresponded with reformers; eventually she became the queen of England. Even more remarkable was that she attained all this before turning 17. Her life was one which was saturated with hardship, but through it all she never wavered in her faith in God.

On an unknown day in early to mid October, 1537, Jane was born at Bradgate Park in Leicestershire, England. Her parents were Henry and Frances (a niece of Henry VIII) Grey, who went on to have two more daughters – Katherine and Mary. Unfortunately, Jane’s parents began to mistreat her at an early age, and seem to have favored her sister Katherine. Jane did not share her parents’ passion for ungodliness, nor did she possess a passive temperament to tolerate it. Although she had few personal friends, Jane found one in her tutor, John Aylmer, and because of his kindness to her, she grew to relish her academic studies, preferring, at age 12, to read Plato – in the original Greek - than go merrymaking with her family. Word spread of the greatness of her intellect, and soon Jane engaged in correspondence with two Reformers – Martin Bucer and Henry Bullinger.

Eventually, Jane’s parent’s decided that it was time for her to marry, and (after a tumultuous fight), she was married to Guilford Dudley on May 21^st, 1553. In July of the same year, King Edward VI died, and on his deathbed, he was persuaded to name Jane as the heir to the throne, instead of his sister, Mary. This was done because Mary was a Catholic, and Edward, a protestant, did not want the religion of the country switched again. When Jane was told the news, she refused at first, but was persuaded to accept the crown, being reminded that it was her duty to maintain the Reformation that had now began in England.

Jane reigned for 9 days. Hearing of Jane’s ascension to the throne, Mary mustered an army, stormed London, and victoriously confined Jane and Guilford, among others, in the Tower of London. The two unfortunate teenagers were kept there for six months, and although they initially disliked each other’s company, they gradually developed a friendship during their walks around the grounds of the Tower. Towards the end of her stay in the prison, Jane engaged in several debates with John Feckenham, a priest sent by Mary to convert her to Catholicism. Fortunately, Jane stood her ground and Feckenham often left defeated. In February of 1554, a riot broke out, threatening to reinstate Jane as Queen, and this proved to be the last straw for Mary. On February 12^th, 1554, Jane and Guiliford were beheaded in the Tower of London. She was 16, he 17.

In light of contemporary culture, the life of Lady Jane Grey is nearly incredible. How might anybody, much less a sixteen year old, accomplish what she did? Each achievement this young woman made in life is inspiring, but the most illustrious would undoubtedly be her last. Her final moments are an inspiring - and convicting - example of a life lived not for oneself, but for God. Our world would be a different place if Christians lived their lives with the attitude she did.

Calvin 500

For those who are reading Calvin's Institutes this year, here are some helpful resources to guide your reading:

Those at Reformation21 are writing a daily post about each day's reading of the Institutes. Here's the link.

Here, here, and here are some reading schedules which will get you through the book this year.

I've had my eye on A Theological Guide to Calvin's Institutes for a while now. The whole Calvin 500 thing gives me the perfect excuse to get it! Speaking of books on Calvin, John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, Doxology looks pretty interesting. Although I haven't been able to read any parts of it yet online, I'm sure its very good; the list of contributors consists of a lot of theological bigwigs. :-)

The Golden Dust of Time

With the new year arrived, and many people's minds turned toward the topic of time, J.R. Miller wrote some applicable words on the subject-

If we knew the intrinsic value of time to us, we would not let a moment of it ever to be wasted. It is said that in the mints, where money is coined, the sweepings of the floors are gathered and passed through the fire, and that in the course of a year large amounts of gold are saved from the mere dust of precious metal which flies from it as it passes through the various processes of minting. What vast values would be saved if there were some way of gathering up all the little fragments of the days and hours, the golden dust of time, which people let drop amid the wastes!

Then think how much most of us would really add to the length of our life if we had learned to use every hour and moment. We talk pathetically of the brevity of life. We are often heard complaining of the shortness of the days, wishing that they had many more hours in them. Probably the majority of persons who live seventy-five years could have doubled their span - living practically 150 years - if they had only used their time with wise economy, and had not squandered any of it. This is only saying that they have wasted one-half their time, and have made only one-half as much of their life as they might have done.

Later on, he writes:

There are many ways of wasting time. Many really busy people waste a great deal of time in little fragments - five minutes here, ten minutes there, half an hour today, and an hour tomorrow. Those who understand the true value of time, and have learned the secret of using it, always have something worthwhile to fill up all the little interstices. They have a book to read when they find a few minutes to spare before a meal is ready, or when waiting for one on whom they have called to appear, in the railway station waiting for the train, or on any occasion of delay. Time is well spent in which we get a beautiful thought, an important fact or a suggestion of a lesson into our mind.

(Young People's Problems, pp. 132-133)

So this is what having a blog is like.....

After desperately scanning other blogs, digging through their archives to study their first posts, I find myself still stuck in front of the blank white space on my computer waiting to be filled with words. I'm not even going to try to be clever........if I did, well, I'd be sitting here for a long time. So this is my best shot at writing a half-way decent first-time-introductory-blogpost.

Or at least something remotely resembling that.

You already know my name by looking at the "about me" section on the sidebar. You've probably also figured out that I'm a Christian. For those like me - who can't rest while reading a new blog until they've determined the precise doctrinal views held by the author - I'm a Reformed Baptist, fully adhering to the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith. My church believes the same, for which I’ll always be grateful. The story of how my family came to be at our church, however, will have to wait for another post.

Technically, each member of my family has a blog, but I’m the only one who is currently posting on theirs. My dad is taking a hiatus due to heath issues; my mom merely created hers to post a video on the internet (I know, I know…); and my sister, well, honestly I think she forgot about hers. So, in order to keep at least one active blogger in the family, here I am. Those who bother to read my site can expect to find modest attempts at profundity, admiration of past authors, and accounts of the semi-normal daily life in my household.

Last year I participated in the Puritan Paperback Reading Challenge, and the benefits I gained from doing so are tremendous. So this year I’m celebrating Calvin’s 500th birthday by joining others in reading his Institutes. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me to learn!

So, having run out of things to say about myself (which feels kind of weird, anyway), I’ll let you go on your way through the blogosphere. But if my terrible writing skills and boring topics don’t scare you away, feel free to stick around.