'great things'

He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. in Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself.

what a loving God we serve, and what great things has he spoken concerning us.
-charles spurgeon

do i defend truth because i delight in God?

i dream of great defenders of true doctrine who are mainly known for the delight they have in God and the joy in God that they bring to the people of God— who enter controversy when necessary, not because they love ideas and arguments, but because they love Christ and the church. . .
-john piper

a wedding observation

i saw a bride once who knew something

so essential

knew in the moment

the white dress, slid down her frame,

was fastened in place

knew she was going to be beautiful

to the man waiting at the end of the aisle

for her.

deep breath, glassy eyes, wondering smile

she knew.

for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. this is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.