thought world --> life adjustment

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

That word translated “treasure” means “to protect.”  Mary defended within her thought world the truth about Jesus.  She prized it.  She held onto it.  She said to herself, “Jesus my Savior, my Messiah, my Lord, is now the center of my life.  Everything else will have to adjust around him.”
 Ray Ortlund

keep calm and be carried on

Our own deceitful hearts may harass and annoy us, but he who has begun the good work will carry it on and perfect it to the end. There is no joy in the world like union with Christ. The more we can feel it, the happier we are.  Charles Spurgeon

gold can stay.

Nothing gold can stay, said Frost.

All I want is gold that stays,

the shine on things,

the leaping heart of youthfulness

to stay.

All that glitters isn't gold, they said.

 

All I want is gold that remains,

the grasping joy of a longed for gift

to last.

I will come forth as gold, Job said.

All I want is gold from the fire,

the glowing purity of a tested heart,

the crucible's prize

to win.

the perfect patience of Jesus

I'm so grateful for his patience! Where would I be if he had a short fuse?
 -ray ortlund

I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

Mother's Day and the look of faith

There are lots of reasons I'm thankful for my mother. The best thing she did for me was teach me to look to Jesus. She walked in him as she had come to him- by grace, through faith, looking to him so she could live.

As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up.

warriors, horses and false hope

The king is not saved by a mighty army;
a warrior is not delivered by great strength.
A horse is a false hope for victory;
nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.

psalm 33:16-17

looking for security in an unstable world? go to the rock that's higher than you.

Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy, now I will arise, says the Lord. I will set him in the safety for which he longs.  Psalm 12:5

of every love, the best

 “Come in, O strong and deep love of Jesus, like the sea at the flood in spring tides, cover all my powers, drown all my sins, wash out all my cares, lift up my earth-bound soul, and float it right up to my Lord’s feet, and there let me lie, a poor broken shell, washed up by his love, having no virtue or value; and only venturing to whisper to him that if he will put his ear to me, he will hear within my heart faint echoes of the vast waves of his own love which have brought me where it is my delight to lie, even at his feet forever.”  

 -Charles Spurgeon

it's a freeing thought

“If any man thinks ill of you, do not be angry with him, for you are worse than he thinks you to be.” -Charles Spurgeon

If any man thinks well of you, child of God, it's Christ in you the hope of glory.