Tag Quotes

Goodness By Design: A Quint of Quotes

Todd R 1 Comment

Fellow travelers,

Here is another “Quint of Quotes” from my collection, on the theme of “Goodness By Design.”  I did not group these together by accident…

Photo by Leighann Blackwood on Unsplash

“The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes” – Sherlock Holmes, in Hound of the Baskervilles

“If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe.” – Carl Sagan

“Even if you’re an atheist, you face…the problem of good…if the world is a chance assembly of accidental phenomena, why is there so much that we want to praise and celebrate?” – NT Wright

“A moment after they have admitted that good and evil are illusions, you will find them exhorting us to work for posterity, to educate, revolutionize, liquidate, live and die for the good of the human race” – CS Lewis, in Miracles

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” – Philippians 4:8

The Brief Joy of Falling Back

Todd R Leave a comment

English writer Samuel Johnson wrote sometime in the 1700’s:

“How small of all that human hearts endure,
That part which laws or kings can cause or cure.
Still to ourselves in every place consigned,
Our own felicity we make or find.
With secret course, which no loud storms annoy,
Glides the smooth current of domestic joy.”

Photo by Mike Labrum on Unsplash

By setting the clock back this week we get a bit of joy from an extra hour of sleep, an idea originally suggested by Ben Franklin to preserve candles. But the benefit will last only a few days. Similarly, our kings and other rulers may insist they can offer us lasting rest and joy, but their impact on our lives is much smaller than they (and often we) imagine.  But…

Jesus said, as recorded in Matthew 11:28-30 – “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.“

May Jesus refresh us for the week and work ahead.  Only He can provide the rest and joy we truly desire and need.

A Quint of Quotes #2

Todd R Leave a comment

Fellow travelers,

I started a new thing on the blog last week: “A Quint of Quotes” from my collection.  Five quotes somewhat related to each other, but not exactly in agreement.  These are also related to last weeks.  Enjoy!

“In theory there’s no difference between theory and practice. But in practice, there is.” – Yogi Berra

“Grace without truth would be deceitful, and truth without grace would be condemning.” – Warren Wiersbe

“Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted” – William Bruce Cameron

“It is better to will the good than to know the truth” – Petrarch

“My lord, I leave the infinite to Thee, and pray Thee to put far from me such a love for the tree of knowledge might keep me from the tree of life.” – Charles Spurgeon

More to come!

A Quint of Quotes #1

Todd R 4 Comments

Fellow travelers,

Starting a new thing on the blog today: “A Quint of Quotes” from my collection.  Five quotes somewhat related to each other, but not exactly in agreement.  Enjoy!

“Truth is so obscure in these times, and falsehood so established, that, unless we love the truth, we cannot know it.” – Pascal (in 1670)

“People often use statistics like a drunk uses a lamppost; not for illumination but rather for support.” – Unknown

“When somebody persuades me that I am wrong I change my mind. What do you do?” – John Maynard Keynes

“Dogma does not mean the absence of thought, but the end of thought.” – G.K. Chesterton

“People are often willing to produce a lot of collateral damage if they can retain their theory” – Jordan Peterson

More next week.

God Wants to Hear Everything

Todd R 2 Comments

Not everyone has a good friend they can talk to anything about at any time.  But we always have God.  As David tells us in Psalm 62:8 –

“Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah”

When do we need a refuge?  When we have troubles.  He wants to hear from us at all times and strengthen and guide us.  Martin Luther, commenting on the verse, wrote:

“Strength fades, courage fails; God remains firm.  If you are lacking something, well, here is good advice: ‘Pour out your heart before him’ Voice your complaint freely, and do not conceal anything from him.  Regardless of what it is, just throw it in a pile before him, as you open your heart completely to a good friend. He wants to hear it, and he wants to give you his aid and counsel. Do not be bashful before him. Out with everything.”[1]

The word Selah at the end of the verse is mysterious, but many believe it is a signal to pause and reflect.  What do you want to “throw in a pile before him” now?

[1] Quoted in McKim, Donald K.  Everyday Prayer with the Reformers (2020).  P. 37.