Not Only Christmas Day

Lord, this is my prayer
Not only on Christmas Day
But until I see You face to face
May I live my life this way:

Just like the baby Jesus
I ever hope to be,
Resting in Your loving arms
Trusting in Your sovereignty.

And like the growing Christ child
In wisdom daily learning,
May I ever seek to know You
With my mind and spirit yearning.

Like the Son so faithful
Let me follow in Your light,
Meek and bold, humble and strong
Not afraid to face the night.

Nor cowardly to suffer
And stand for truth alone,
Knowing that Your kingdom
Awaits my going home.

Not afraid to sacrifice
Though great may be the cost,
Mindful how You rescued me
From broken-hearted loss.

Like my risen Savior
The babe, the child, the Son,
May my life forever speak
Of who You are and all You’ve done.

So while this world rejoices
And celebrates Your birth,
I treasure You, the greatest gift
Unequaled in Your worth.

I long to hear the same words
That welcomed home Your Son,
“Come, good and faithful servant,”
Your Master says, “Well done.”

And may heaven welcome others
Who will join with me in praise
Because I lived for Jesus Christ
Not only Christmas Day

— Mary Fairchild

A number of the kids are experiencing the fallout of a broken home: divorced, estranged or separated parents. John, one of our leaders shared how 40 years ago his parents divorced, and how at age 8 he somehow felt responsible. He then gave seven (awesome) principles for how to see yourself and others if your parents are going through something as devastating as divorce. I plan to get his notes and share on our student website, for the sake of parents.

During our discussion in break-out time (small groups), I needed to step in to lead a couple of the groups. We formed one larger group in a circle. Before I asked them questions the young ladies could ask me any question. One of their first was: what about your wife made you want to marry her?

On the spot I listed two primary reasons: she loves Christ, and she was too busy serving Him to try to flirt with me. It’s true, modesty and appropriate interaction with the opposite sex is much more attractive than being all “out there,” trying to flaunt one’s body. Seriously, ladies, guard your purity, and your brother’s purity by first pursuing beauty from the inside-out.

We chatted about other questions too, and I asked them some: since school starts this week (or next), what about middle school excites you the most? What leads you to be anxious or worry? I was surprised that not many of their answers focused on “fitting in,” or having friends. Actually, come to think of it, the enormity of peer pressure onsets a couple years later, and especially in the shift to night grade/high school.

Back to riffing about my wife … there are more than two reasons to love her.

A million reasons she’s attractive

Why is Kari so attractive to me? There are a million reasons I could list, from her mad parenting skills, to her depth of character. (On her last birthday I wrote her a card with the same number of reasons as years.) She is a wiz in the kitchen, a learner in all things, a perseverer in the direst of circumstances, an encourager when all looks hopeless, a writer of good words, a lover of simple pleasures (tea! cookie dough!). Kari is the best wife I could dream up. As the mother of our two kids she runs the house and yet finds passion and energy to devote herself to people as God leads.

My wife loves God. She is captivated with Jesus the Christ. In one hyphenated word, she is “God-centered” — more than anyone else I know. That’s why she waited for marriage, saving herself physically for me. As a single gal her keychain said “I {heart} my husband,” which of course is her Maker (Isaiah 54:5). She wisely knows I cannot fulfill her the way her true Husband can. I’m here to make her holy even more than happy (although we both know those two go hand-in-hand). As we become whole together, as one, we are happier than ever.

She is also people-directed. Kari’s passion for life and compassion for people shows itself in countless ways. Her selfless streaks extend far past our front doors. For one, her writing impacts so many. While we still have a private home life, we have a standard that given both of our buy-in, no experience is off-limits to share, if it will benefit others and make Christ look glorious. That’s because our most humiliating moments are often our greatest lessons. And the way to glory is the way of humility. Humility is not abstract; it must be learned in real-time, with real times of humiliation. In discipleship we are beckoned to share truth and faith, plus our falsehoods and un-faith, our obedience and disobedience. We learn experientially (the best kind of learning) with one another. Kari does that well, for she’s not trying to impress you or me. Christ has already impressed God for us.

Through Kari’s words others gain courage to live boldly, decide swiftly, and persevere radically. When I need a kick in the pants, I read her thoughts. Other authors teach me theology, but she shows me theology. Words about God put into daily practice.

Back in college ministry, as we were transitioning from life in Corvallis, she compiled the Bible study notes she had taught to dozens and dozens of ladies into a book (with lessons like “The Bride of Christ in Combat Boots”). I saved two copies, one for our kids to read someday, and a second copy for my own soul. Right now that copy sits on a shelf in my office, and I turn to it periodically. As a serial reader, coming back to one book is unique. Kari’s words are compelling and attractive, even in their raw form. While I may pour over a paragraph and still not get it right, Kari unleashes verbs, nouns and all the rest without so much as correcting her typos. What you read on her blog is the exact strokes of the keyboard (or “hte keboard” as she may type it).

At the most basic of level Kari is my pastor, shepherding my soul. She knows me deeper than anyone else—is not impressed—yet draws even nearer. (Can you heartily agree with me: I married up!)

While Kari is a rock, she is also real. That is perhaps her most elusive trait. How do you remain wise and discerning, yet open enough to share your life, in little and large bits? I learn that from her every day, in a million little ways. Every one is another reason to love and adore her.

(Note: this isn’t a book built for just one person. You won’t be able to “fight” alone. So, send the link to a friend, read it together and fight for one another, together, through the Gospel.)

Here’s the table of contents of Fight Clubs:

Introduction

1. Why Fight?: The Call to Fight

2. Fighting for the Church: The Failure of Accountability

3. How to Fight: Motivations for Discipleship

4. Fighting with the Church: The Three Conversions of the Church

5. Fight Club: Practical Gospel-centered Discipleship

Appendix 1: Gospel-centered Questions to Ask

Appendix 2: Gospel-centered Resources

[bio from theResurgence]:

Who is Jonathan Dodson?

Jonathan Dodson is a former window washer from East Texas, happy husband to Robie, and proud father of two children, Owen and Ellie. He is also the lead pastor of Austin City Life church and directional leader for PlantR, an Austin-based church planting network. Jonathan holds a B.A. in Anthropology and M.Div and Th.M degrees in Theology, and has published articles in various journals and webzines such as The Journal of Biblical Counseling, Boundless, Next Wave, and The Resurgence. He blogs at Creation Project and Church Planting Novice. Jonathan likes listening to Midlake and M. Ward, reading, writing, watching sci-fi, and following Jesus.

As a young man he received a promise from God, that he would become King in Israel. Yet, it took more than a decade before he would sit as King over the nation. When we consider the madness, disobedience and bad character of the current king, Saul, we sense David is clearly the better man. Why the delay? God was done with Saul, but didn’t install David for another decade. David not only watched the insanity of the king, he became the primary recipient of Saul’s jealous fits of rage and violence.

Through the next decade of trials David would learn, through the virtue of delayed gratification, that all his troubles were working for him, not against him. All of it was for his good. The same is true for all believers in Christ (Romans 5:1-5; 8:14-18, 8:28-30).

On this page the pain seems too unbearable, but if we would turn the page would could see how our story is part of The Grand Story. We do not minimize our very real suffering. But when we compare it to the magnificient glory that awaits, our perspective shifts to see God and delight in His goodness. All of it was used for our good.

• Listen to “All for Good”

His gospel-centered emphases are water for my soul, always pointing past himself to the One who is our only Hope. A couple years ago I ran across his writings/articles on Boundless and was hooked. Fight Club looks to be a synthesis of both seeing our true enemies, and Gospel-motivated tactics. There are three simple rules for the fight clubs:

1. Know your sin
2. Fight your sin (together)
3. Trust the Savior

The church is notorious — both in anecdotes and in real life — for fighting sin as either wimps (cheap grace) or bullies (legalism). Neither will change the inner man, and both are a farce when it comes to learning to know, love and enjoy God.

(One thing I expressly appreciate about this type of resource is it is community-focused. No one can be a disciples of Jesus by himself — not even your pastor. We need one another, no matter how jacked-up we may be.)

Here’s a summary of the five chapters:

Chapter One lays out a biblical case for fighting the fight of faith, which I hope stirs you up to fight the fight of faith. Once the fighting begins, it is easy to slide into fighting people instead of sin. We start beating one another up with judgment, fighting the wrong things with the wrong motives. We fight against the church instead of with her.

Chapter Two explores where we go wrong in our fighting by uncovering legalistic and licentious patterns in discipleship.

In turn, Chapter Three calls us away from these extremes into a gospel-centered discipleship. With the gospel at the center of discipleship, we can live as Jesus intended—fighting the good fight of faith which leads to true change. However, if weren’t not careful we’ll start to fight on our own. Failure to grasp the community focus of the gospel can cut us off from the grace God gives through his people, the church.

Chapter Four reminds us that discipleship is a community project because the gospel is community focused. Jesus created and redeemed us as people in relationship, people who need one another in the fight of faith. Instead of fighting against the church, we can fight with her, to live a life that is motivated by all that God is for us in the Spirit and the Son.

In conclusion, Chapter Five offers a practical way to apply the gospel to everyday life. It is a call for Fight Clubs—small, simple, biblical, reproducible groups of people who meet together regularly help one another keep the gospel at the center of their discipleship. Fight Clubs have been crucial in my life and my church. I hope and pray that you’ll find them helpful too, that you’ll form a Fight Club and start fighting with the church, in the gospel, on mission, for the glory of God.

The root problem is that we see the source of our solution as in us. It’s not. It’s in Christ, who is God come to live and die in our place. When He is our motivation, and what He did becomes the basis of what we do , then life begins to make sense, and we will be transformed in the process. Consider this:

“All change comes from deepening your understanding of the salvation of Christ and living out of the changes that understanding creates in your heart. Faith in the gospel re-structures our motivations, our self-understanding, our identity, and our view of the world. Behavioral compliance to rules without heart-change will be superficial and fleeting.”
- Timothy Keller, The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith (New York: Dutton, 2008), 121.

In general, there may be three Gospel-distorting approaches to change:

1. Proving ourselves to God
2. Proving ourselves to others
3. Proving ourselves to ourselves

These are not in keeping with our new identity in Jesus. I’ve been continually challenged to move past this nonsense as I slowly read How People Change by Timothy Lane and Paul David Tripp, as well as look forward to Tim Chester’s forthcoming book, You Can Change .

The secret to life transformation is Gospel-centered change . As Chester puts it,

“The secret of gospel change is being convinced that Jesus is the good life and fountain of all joy.”

If sin is what we do when we’re not satisfied with God, then worship is what we do when we are satisfied with Him.

Here are the top five lessons I (think I) have learned over this past 50 month journey and beyond. All are interconnected:

1. People are more important that what they do. Personalizing it: I am not what I do . That is, my identity is rooted in Christ, not my performance. I work from significance in Christ, not for it, as the Gospel would have it. (Repeat that last sentence with me! This message never grows old, and must be the cornerstone of a daily life. We must preach that application of the Christ’s glorious grace to ourselves every day.) In this season, I had to learn to do a few things well. To be fine with not being a perfectionist (okay, I am a recovering one). To release myself from forming a tiny view of life, all centered on me and what I am doing. I was a chronic do-er five years ago, and will never be that again, by the grace of God. Reality is, I work harder now, more efficiently, and am more content to simply BE, motivated by the Gospel.
2. Life is meant to have rhythm. Walking in step with the Spirit is a relationship worth fighting like heaven to keep vital. He is the One working in me to fulfill God’s ultimate purposes. Some people like to refer to life as being in "balance," and I probably should like that word as an engineer-type. It sounds so mathematical. Yet, it fails to see life in proper perspective, for we are not weighing things against one another (the definition of balance), but seeing them come together in harmony. Some like to pit propositional statements of faith against the story of faith. Jesus against Paul. The Bible against the Spirit. Truth versus experience. That’s utter foolishness. They are not against one another, but serve one another in love. Inexplicably connected. For example, in the Gospel rhythms, my job does not compete with my family.They are interwoven in a beautiful work of art by the Father, Son and Spirit.
3. GOD is the Gospel ( tag | search ). If there is one message I hope to bring to the local church, it is this one (along with the view that the Gospel is for all of life, even for Christians). I read the book by that title in 2006 while on hiatus from seminary (Kari was pregnant, I focused on working to provide for us). Lightning struck my soul. It is essentially 180 pages of meditation on two primary verses: 2 Corinthians 4:4,6 . Wow. All things exist and move towards the public display of God’s infinite worth (His glory). Since God Himself is the great good of the Gospel, entering into relationship like Him is like diving into a pool, not just off a diving board. As God is meant to permeate all of life, the Gospel is meant for all of life (like a living room, as opposed to simply the doorway to new life).
4. All of life is preparation. God will, as a loving Father, use every means possible shape us into the image of His Son ( Romans 8:28-30 , Hebrews 12 ). This process of sanctification (purifying) is deep and lasting, and cannot happen without pain, tragedy, relationships (including conflict and resolution) triumphs, and dependence. As a single man I began to see the need for Lamentations 3:25-33 and Habakkuk 3:17-19 become reality in my own life, asking God to shape me into the kind of man who praises Him no matter the circumstance. Doing that deep work requires preparation, which requires suffering. From a broken vertebrae that remains today, to relational brokenness, to physical pain in my feet, to disappoints of various sorts, there is no end to the design of God’s good for us through these experiences.
5. My life is meant to be wrapped about God’s story, not Him around mine. This couples with the others, and specifically #4, as God’s story is simply bigger than teeny, tiny me. That is because the Gospel is not merely good advice. It is the Good News — check that — the best news possible, that Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, died for our sins and rose again, eternally triumphant over all His enemies, so that there is now no condemnation for those who believe in Him, but only everlasting joy in God. Thus, God and His Word are the ultimate reality. I don’t apply the Bible to my life, I rather press my life into His Word, applying my life to Him. This is more than semantics, for each of us is prone to by default live for the glory of ourselves, to seek to further our own kingdom. I am a servant of King Jesus. I am part of His Kingdom. He holds the keys to the future, and I gladly submit to His leading, whatever that entails. As all good story feature conflict and resolution, the Grand Story of the Bible being played out in the universe by the Triune God is the best possible mixture of both.
6. (Just like yesterday there are six. Forgive me.) Faithfulness is our part, fruitfulness is God’s. Actually, our faithfulness is enabled by His ( Phil. 2:12-13; 1 John 5:3 ). Kari and I remind one another weekly that our home and family is the first ministry. Being faithful starts here. For whatever "success" I find in vocation, in being a pastor, in whatever, it is worthless if I fail as a faithful husband and loving father. That is the definition of success.

From these lessons I formed the chief objective of my life: To help everyone breathing know the one and only Triune God, in Christ, better than they know anyone or anything else, and to love and enjoy Him together more than anyone or anything else in all the world.

Ever a life-long learner (through all eternity), swimming in the depths of the Gospel and seeing how necessary these truths are, and looking for more to discover.

"… give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." ( 1 Thess. 5:18 )

What is God’s will for my life? That has always been one of most frequent questions I’ve heard, and asked. How can I know what He wants me to do, who He designed me to be?

God’s will is multi-faceted, yet He is strangely easy to please, as our caring heavenly Father. He has given some specific instructions as to what His will for us is. Trusting wholly in His Son is His direct command for all of us ( Acts 17:30; 1 John 5:13 ). Abstaining from sexual impurity, keeping our bodies for His good pleasure alone is specifically His will for us ( 1 Thess. 4:3-4 ). Add to that the heralding of His Good News everywhere by the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-30), which of course is enabling power of God to obey the Great Commandment (love the Lord Thy God fully, more than anything else). And here in this passage we see it is God’s will that we being a praying people, continually pour out words from the depths of our being (we have incredible access!, v. 17).  Couple the next verse (v. 18): always being thankful , with always rejoicing ( Phil. 4:4 ), and we have a lifestyle that reveals God’s worth and can receive His grace.That is truly an others-directed (not me-first) Christianity.

When we think about it, that’s not too much for God to ask. In fact, He enables what He commands. This is not debtor’s ethic at play. For remember, His commandments are His enablements , just as they are not burdensome ( 1 John 5:3 ). As we continually trust in the Son, by the Spirit, we are changed into the kind of people who live out His will and purpose for us ( Phil. 2:12-13 ). We live in these commands as His people working from significance, not for it. Our performance is a measure of Christ’s ability to rescue and transform us, not something we simply have to do on our own.

Today, as it was yesterday and will be tomorrow, the will of God is for us to be thankful in all things . To specifically "give thanks" to God. Thanking Him for pain that proves we are alive, for His discipline which shows He cares as a Father, for happy times that are unearned, for frustrations and for triumphs. For a million seemingly little things. Can you join with me in doing today what — if we have been captivated by Jesus — we will love doing forever?

Our destiny is to say these small words forever

Related to giving thanks, this reminder from Of First Importance is worth re-posting…

“I have often wondered, perhaps in part simply because the term is so rarely used today, what it might mean to ‘glorify’ God forever. It will undoubtedly mean a great many things, but one of them surely must be that we will continually thank him.

We will thank him for his graciousness and goodness to us, and for inviting us into conversation. Along this line, I would think that we anticipate our ‘chief and highest end’ every time we behold something beautiful and find that after we have exclaimed, ‘Ah, how wonderful!’ we are almost compelled to say ‘Thank you!’

Our destiny is to say these small words forever and so experience the gratitude that is the perfection of happiness.”

—Craig M. Gay, Dialogue, Catalogue & Monologue (Vancouver, BC: Regent College Publishing, 2008), 48-49.

How simple, true, and profound.

Seeing that giving thanks will be our forever practice and joy for all eternity, how do we practically do that, on a day to day basis here and now?

As Warren Wiersbe reminds us:

"Sow a thought, reap an action.
Sow an action, reap a habit.
Sow a habit, reap a character.
Sow a character, reap a destiny!"

That is often thought of in a pejorative sense, as in what you sow you shall reap — badly! (see Gal. 6 ). But it also conversely true, for sowing a thought of thankfulness, does lead to action, which done repeatedly and intentionally forms a habit. This habit no longer remains merely "habitual," but becomes second nature — becoming part of our very character — and thus the trajectory we will live on. This is no positive-thinking mantra (always aimed at self). Rather, this is turning from self over and over again to see the beauty and grace of God, and reflecting his joy towards others.

(Please chime in on this…)

A few thoughts on cultivating thankfulness as a lifestyle:

• Sit down and think . We will not be grateful automatically (this depravity thing holds us back from looking outside ourselves).
  • Is there anything "big" that you’re thankful for?
  • Anything relatively "small"?
  • How do those "small" things add up — a lot of grace and undeserved kindness, huh?
• Ask someone else, "What are you thankful for?"
  • Gratitude and joy are contagious (as are negativity and self-absorption).
• Tell God what you are thankful for.
  • Go ahead, He’s listening! ( Eph. 3:13 )
• Preach the Gospel to yourself every day.
  • Can you articulate the grace of God in Christ, who is the substitution for Your sins and the only way to God?
  • We never outgrow our need for the Gospel. It is for Christians too .
• Tell someone why you are thankful for them .
  • We are each blind to our own fruit and daily need encouragement.
  • A hand-written note is a small item that can sustain a burdened soul through trying times. Take the time to show them you care, because you do. (see here )
  • God often puts different people on your heart to pray for and encourage – directly.
  • Call, write, even text (don’t "superpoke") others for to display God’s worth, their being made in His image, and for their good.
  • They might choose to return the favor, but who cares if they don’t. Be a free-grace-giver.
• Why are you/me/we generally un-thankful? (if you are not bent towards joy and gratitude, as a lifestyle or at this particular moment)
  • Remember that all problems are Gospel problems. They all stem from a lack of proper orientation to the Gospel. Put positively, the gospel transforms our hearts, our thinking and our approach to absolutely everything.
• Repeat…

Any to add?

For You, O God, have tested us;
You have refined us as silver is refined.
You brought us into the net;
You laid affliction on our backs.
You have caused men to ride over our heads;
We went through fire and through water;
But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.
(Psalm 66:10-12)

• Instant
• Constant
• Global
• Permanent

But don’t let that prevent you from speaking and writing boldly.

Even still, choose your words well.

(The list of four above was mentioned by Pastor Mark Driscoll in response to the question, "What have you learned, Mark, from those who have criticized you?" in the panel discussion at the Desiring God conference: "The Power of Words and the Wonder of God."

2. I resolve to boast only in the exultation I receive in Jesus Christ and also in the humiliation I receive for Jesus Christ. (1:9-10)

3. I resolve to set a watch over my mouth. (1:13)

4. I resolve to be constantly quick to hear and slow to speak. (1:19)

5. I resolve to learn the gospel way of speaking to both rich and poor. (2:1-4)

6. I resolve to speak in the present consciousness of my final judgment. (2:12)

7. I resolve never to stand on anyone’s face with the words I employ. (2:16)

8. I resolve never to claim as reality in my life what I do not truly experience. (3:14)

9. I resolve to resist quarrelsome words as evidence of a bad heart that needs to be mortified. (4:1)

10. I resolve never to speak decided evil against another out of a heart of antagonism. (4:11)

11. I resolve never to boast in anything but what I will accomplish. (4:13)

12. I resolve to speak as one subject to the providences of God. (4:15)

13. I resolve never to grumble. The judge is at the door. (5:9)

14. I resolve never to allow anything but total integrity in everything I say. (5:12)

15. I resolve to speak to God in prayer whenever I suffer. (5:13)

16. I resolve to sing praises to God whenever I’m cheerful. (5:14)

17. I resolve to ask for the prayers of others when I’m in need. (5:14)

18. I resolve to confess it whenever I have failed. (5:15)

19. I resolve to pray with others for one another whenever I am together with them. (5:15)

20. I resolve to speak words of restoration when I see another wander. (5:19)

9 “Therefore I still contend with you,
declares the Lord,
and with your children’s children I will contend.
10 For cross to the coasts of Cyprus and see,
or send to Kedar and examine with care;
see if there has been such a thing.
11 Has a nation changed its gods,
even though they are no gods?
But my people have changed their glory
for that which does not profit.
12 Be appalled, O heavens, at this;
be shocked, be utterly desolate,
declares the Lord,
13 for my people have committed two evils:
they have forsaken me,
the fountain of living waters,
and hewed out cisterns for themselves,
broken cisterns that can hold no water ."
(Jeremiah 2:9-13)

Did you catch that? Verses 11 and 13 reveal the true sin of God’s people here. It was not primarily that they had done great wicked deeds (they had), but rather the root of the matter was that those bad things were born out of wandering hearts. Their minds and hearts were in love with someone or something other than God. They have forsaken God, and gone after other lesser, non-gods, which cannot satisfy, nor are meant to be worshiped. God uses the metaphor of water, in wells, cisterns and a fountain. Perhaps that is because water is the basic building block of life, the most essential thing our bodies need (and indeed are made of). Without water we die. Water is the best thing for us. So it follows that God is the best Person for us, and chief object of all things and the one from whom we gain our identity, worth and satisfaction.

In the desert, as they were, without the hope of water there is no hope at all. Here is God, the oasis in the desert who satisfies every need, and they want to turn aside and dig their own worthless wells. The metaphors depicts how the people of God in Jeremiah’s day began (continued) to hope in objects and false gods that couple not deliver. Their hopes and faith lay in "broken cisterns that can hold no water" (v. 13). In fact these broken holding tanks were created with their own hands. Oh what poor substitutes. What a shame. These cisterns make empty promises and cannot deliver. And so it is so often in our lives — we become enamored with things that so small and worthless, but somehow eclipse God in our lives. I can relate. Can you relate?

Do you ever take good things and make them into ultimate things? He is not primarily talking about overtly wicked behaviors here. Those follow the true state of the heart, which often prefers a thousand things that are not the true and living Creator God. Thus, they are not aimed on satisfying, nor can they. Only He can satisfy! Do we worship things and positions and opinions like they are God? What do we think about all the time? What are we consumed with? God and Christ and His perfections? We must battle every day to find our joy in God. Not just in the things He gives us, but IN HIM! The affections of our hearts play themselves out in our behavior, and we become like the gods we worship. Not talking about wood and metal statues here. Our gods are in our minds, those things and people we truly value more than life itself. Have we made good things into ultimate things, eclipsing God?

These people had preferred other things to God, exchanging Him and His worth for worthless idols (see v. 11). You see how this is a bit different definition of sin than most. In our day the idea of sin is not en vogue; many say it is does not exhaust and is just a religious and social construct. Yes, sin is a matter of right and wrong (the what and how of life’s daily affairs). But it is also, more deeply, a matter of the heart and mind (the why ). We sin because we want to. And we want to because deep in ourselves we prefer others things to God. Sin is what we do when we are not satisfied with God. Therefore we leave Him all the time. Speaking of sin like this is downplayed since after all doesn’t God want us to be happy. He does! Happy and satisfied in Him! Overjoyed with the replenishing waters of His infinite beauty and worth. Christ came to reveal this glory, God’s worth, and has made it possible for us to drink of this Living Water and not search again (see John 4).

Their two primary sins in this passage where first that they do not seek God as the chief of their whole lives and love, and two that they turned aside and in fact dug their own wells. In the place God was to be they placed their own works and found their identity in cheap substitutes. May we stop and repent of our low views of God, our cheap substitutes for Him, and ask Him to work in us a delight and joy in Him.

Overpower us with Your love, O God! Make us prefer you to anything else in all the world.

Tozer on looking outside ourselves:

“While we are looking at God we do not see ourselves – blessed riddance. The man who has struggled to purify himself and has had nothing but repeated failures will experience real relief when he stops tinkering with his soul and looks away to the perfect One. While he looks at Christ, the very thing he has so long been trying to do will be getting done within him .”
- A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God (Camp Hill, PA: Christian Publications, Inc., 1993), 85.

[HT: Of First Importance ]

Wesley on singing in church:

"Above all sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing.  Aim at pleasing him more than yourself, or any other creature .  In order to do this attend strictly to the sense of what you sing, and see that your heart is not carried away with the sound, but offered to God continually; so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve here, and reward you when he comes in the clouds of heaven."
- John Wesley, from Select hymns with Tunes Annext: Designed chiefly for the Use of the People Called Methodists

[HT: Sojourn Music ]

I pray this happens again this morning as I preach:

And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord. ( 1 Samuel 3:21 )

“Take every word as spoken to yourselves. When the word thunders against sin, think thus: ‘God means my sins;’ when it presseth any duty, ‘God intends me in this.’ Many put off Scripture from themselves, as if it only concerned those who lived in the time when it was written; but if you intend to profit by the word, bring it home to yourselves: a medicine will do no good, unless it be applied.” (From a sermon by Thomas Watson entitled “How We May Read the Scriptures with Most Spiritual Profit”)

The life of one of my heroes, the late Robert Murray McCheyne, was cut short at only 29 years. (Well, he’s more alive than any of us these days, in the presence of Jesus.) At my age, I think about him and others like Henry Scougal quite a bit (he died at 28 years young). They accomplished so much for Christ in such a little time, yet did not find their identity in what they did. Here’s one of McCheyne’s most classic quotes:

"I trust you will have a pleasant and profitable time in Germany. I know you will apply hard to German; but do not forget the culture of the inner man — I mean of the heart . How diligently the cavalry officer keeps his sabre clean and sharp; every stain he rubs off with the greatest care. Remember you are God’s sword, His instrument — I trust a chosen vessel unto Him to bear His name. In a great measure, according to the purity and perfections of the instrument, will be the success. It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God. "
– Robert Murray McCheyne, letter to Rev. Dan Edwards on holiness and success, October 2, 1840. Memoirs of McCheyne , edited by Andrew A. Bonar (Chicago: Moody, 1947), p. 95. (Many thanks to my pastor friend Gene who gave me this treasured book four years ago for my birthday.)

He also had some advice for seminary students like me:

"Do get on with your studies. Remember you are now forming the character of your future ministry in great measure, if God spare you. If you acquire slovenly or sleepy habits of study now, you will never get the better of it. Do everything in its own time. Do everything in earnest; if it is worth doing, then do it with all your might. Above all, keep much in the presence of God. Never see the face of man until you have seen His face who is our light, our all . Pray for others; pray for your teachers and fellow students." (Letter from 1840, Memoirs of McCheyne , p. xvi)

We’ll take that to heart. Thank you Jesus for thirty years of earthly faithfulness to me, and an eternal relationship, unconditional, unchanging, which cannot be broken.

“Transcendent living is Christ-centered living. Living for Christ is the only way you will ever be liberated from your bondage to the overwhelming tendency to shrink the size of your life to the size of your life. The only way to spin free of the narrow confines of your little cubicle kingdom is to live in the big sky country of Christ-centered living. You will never win the battle with yourself simply by saying ‘no’ to yourself. The battle only begins to be won when you say ‘yes’ to the call of your King, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

- Paul David Tripp, A Quest for More (Greensboro, NC: New Growth Press, 2007), 99.

“Only love for Christ has the power to incapacitate the sturdy love for self that is the bane of every sinner, and only the grace of Christ has the power to produce that love.” (p. 105)

Ripped straight from Of First Importance . I highly recommend having their RSS feed , daily email or heading to their site each day for quotes like this.

“You might think that you are unworthy to have such a great gift as union with Christ. Remember, however, Christ shed his precious blood to redeem you. That precious blood will enable you to miraculously advance in holiness through your union with Christ.
Union with Christ is not a privilege you earn by your sincere obedience, or by your own attempts at holiness. Your union with Christ is not a reward of your own good works. Rather, union with Christ is a privilege that God gives to every Christian when they first become a Christian! Right when you enter into the Kingdom of God, you also enter into union with Christ!”
- Walter Marshall, The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification

• Kari posted her notes/manuscript from her two talks at the retreat — from Philippians 2:1-4:

1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

I encourage anyone to read them, and not only women — there are insights in there for everyone, and definitely for men. Her words are challenging, rebuking and teaching me so much. Praise God I married "up," in so many ways!

The beauty of the Bible is its relevance to all of life and its power to give insight into the deep issues of our lives. God continues to speak through His Word. And Kari is a humble mouthpiece for Him.

“How can we recover the new affection for Christ and his kingdom that so powerfully impacted our life-long worldliness, and in which we crucified the flesh with its lusts?

What was it that created that first love in any case? Do you remember? It was our discovery of Christ’s grace in the realization of our own sin. We are not naturally capable of loving God for himself, indeed we hate him. But in discovering this about ourselves, and in learning of the Lord’s supernatural love for us, love for the Father was born. Forgiven much, we loved much. We rejoiced in the hope of glory, in suffering, even in God himself. This new affection seemed first to overtake our worldliness, then to master it. Spiritual realities—Christ, grace, Scripture, prayer, fellowship, service, living for the glory of God—filled our vision and seemed so large, so desirable that other things by comparison seemed to shrink in size and become bland to the taste.

The way in which we maintain ‘the expulsive power of a new affection’ is the same as the way we first discovered it. Only when grace is still ‘amazing’ to us does it retain its power in us. Only as we retain a sense of our own profound sinfulness can we retain a sense of the graciousness of grace.”

- Sinclair Ferguson “Expelling Worldliness with a New Affection “

"Humility is the most essential thing in true religion . . . the great Christian duty is self-denial. This duty consists of two things: first, in denying worldly inclinations and its enjoyments and second, in denying self-exaltation and renouncing one’s self-significance by being empty of self. . . . The humble Christian is more apt to find fault with his own pride than with that of other men. . . . A truly humble person who has a low view of his own righteousness and holiness is poor in spirit and modest in speech. . . . He is apt to put the best construction on others’ words and behavior and to think that none is as proud as he is. But the proud hypocrite is pricked to discern the mote in his brother’s eye. He never sees the beam in his own. He’s often crying out about someone else’s pride, finding fault with that person’s appearance and way for living. Yet he never sees the filthiness of his own heart."
- Jonathan Edwards, Religious Affections (reprinted, Portland, Oregon: Multnomah Press, 1984), 132-137.

In John’s writings we saw the glory and beauty and love of Jesus on display for all the world to see, know and love. And yet we read of people questioning and rejecting Him. Sadly, the same plays out today. If the world only knew the beauty and love of Jesus, He would be their Savior. In this way God demonstrated His love for the world, the He freely gave His Son, that those who believe (trust) in Him should not perish but receive eternal life (John 3:16). God’s judgment is in The Light of the World (John 1:4-5) coming into His world, yet people loved darkness rather than the light (John 3:19a). In this metaphor Jesus speaks of light and darkness, a duality of sorts that shows those who are drawn to Christ and those who reject Him. The consistency of their character (inner person, affections) comes forth in the outworking of their life (works, behavior). People reject Jesus not solely on intellectual grounds (not enough reasons) but because truly their deeds are evil or done in darkness (John 3:19b). This was a sobering reality to consider and a display of God’s grace.

In 1st John the Apostle writes “God is light” (1 John 1:5a). It speaks of His holiness, and His brilliance, the beauty of His glory, and the demands of His justice. Truly, “in Him is no darkness at all” (v. 5b). Flowing from that verse comes the freeing statement, “If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another” (v. 7a). On what basis? Because we have lived perfect and morally upright lives? No. The answer is given in the last half of verse 7: “and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all unrighteousness.” What a glorious truth!

Somehow there are people who consider themselves good, as in not needing forgiveness from God (or others) and thus not needing a Savior, Jesus. The Apostle spoke to that same group more than 1900 years ago: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (v. 8). Self-delusion is the worst, for all other see reality but self does not. Coming to grips with our weaknesses, our sin, our depravity and bent towards destructive selfishness is the first step towards a cure. The same concept is restated in verse 10: “If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” Sandwiched between those two is one of the greatest sentences in all the world:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

When we confess we agree with the ultimate reality of the situation, and pour out our heart to God for we have wronged Him and others. The words are not the primary part, for form ever follows function. Am are sorry for offended God, or sorry because there are consequences? God is not into mere moral reformation, but a genuine transformation of our affections. That we as we know, love and enjoy Him we are grieved when obstacles come into the way and we take the bait of temptation, damaging our intimate closeness which must be restored.

It seems that John is borrowing from the Old Testament imagery of the sacrificial system and coming to the only true and living God at His tabernacle or temple. At the altar the sacrifice is made, the innocent in place of the guilty, and atonement is extended, yet the priest would move past that to the bronze laver, to cleansing, a washing away of all unrighteousness. Having been cleansed, they could now enter the Holy Place and then the Holy of Holies, worship God in (temporary) innocence. All of this Jesus did in the most perfect way, once for all securing eternal redemption(Hebrews 9:12). Praise God that even those sins we do not yet realize are atoned for in Christ, and He cleanses us far beyond our understanding.

What a motivation to remain in fellowship with Him (that is what atonement is, it is at-one-ment – the term being coined by John Wycliffe, I believe, to be a representative English translation word for what is taking place as described in the Greek NT). As one with the Triune God we can walk in His light, enjoy His radiance, glory and beauty and share it with others.

God is faithful and loyal to His covenant, and unconditional love comes to us in Jesus Christ, for He is our unwavering Advocate (1 John 2:1-2). Because God punished His innocent Son as we deserve, treating Jesus like He was us, He can now treat us like we are Jesus (see 2 Cor. 5:21). He is not only faithful, He is also just and we know that He shall never do wrong, for in Him is perfect justice. God was the just One and the justifier of guilty people declared innocent (see Romans 3:21-26).

Here’s a short commercial revealing the reality of light and how it is possible to be at home in darkness and seek to repel light. Let us not hide from God’s marvelous light. I found it a great illustration:

 

“Transitioning One’s Soul to Finish the Day Well”

“Sin is what we do when you are not fully satisfied in God.”
—John Piper, Future Grace, p. 9.

“If we are not fulfilled and secure in God, we will inevitably seek other sources of happiness and security.”
—Ken Sande, The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict, p. 112.

And so pride, or the loss of this humility, is the root of every sin and evil! It was when the now-fallen angels began to look upon themselves with self-complacency that they were led to disobedience, and were cast down from the light of heaven into outer darkness. Even so it was, when the Serpent breathed the poison of his pride–the desire to be as God–into the hearts of our first parents, they too fell from their high estate into all the wretchedness into which man is sunk. In heaven and earth, pride–self-exaltation–is the gate and the birth, and the curse, of hell.

Hence it follows that nothing can be our redemption but the restoration of the lost humility, the original and only true relation of the creature to its God. And so Jesus came to bring humility back to earth, to make us partakers of it, and by it to save us. In heaven He humbled Himself to become man. The humility we see in Him possessed Him in heaven; it brought Him, He brought it, from there. Here on earth “He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death”; His humility gave His death its value, and so became our redemption. And now the salvation He imparts is nothing less and nothing else than a communication of His own life and death, His own disposition and spirit–His own humility–as the ground and root of His relation to God and His redeeming work. Jesus Christ took the place and fulfilled the destiny of man, as a creature, by His life of perfect humility. His humility is our salvation. His salvation is our humility.

And so the life of the saved ones, of the saints, must needs bear this stamp of deliverance from sin and full restoration to their original state–their whole relation to God and man marked by an all-pervading humility. Without this there can be no true abiding in God’s presence, or experience of His favor and the power of His Spirit; without this, no abiding faith, or love or joy or strength. Humility is the only soil in which the graces root; the lack of humility is the sufficient explanation of every defect and failure. Humility is not so much a grace or virtue along with others as it is the root of all, because it alone takes the right attitude before God and allows Him as God to do all.

Andrew Murray, Humility: The Beauty of Holiness (Fort Washington, PA: CLC Publications, reprinted 1997)

“… the choicest believers, who are assuredly freed from the condemning power of sin, ought yet to make it their business all their days to mortify the indwelling power of sin… Do you mortify; do you make it your daily work; be always at it whilst you live; cease not a day from this work; be killing sin or it will be killing you. Your being dead with Christ virtually, your being quickened with him, will not excuse you from this work.”
– John Owen, Mortification of Sin

BEING SENSIBLE THAT I AM UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITHOUT GOD’ S HELP, I DO HUMBLY ENTREAT HIM BY HIS GRACE TO ENABLE ME TO KEEP THESE RESOLUTIONS, SO FAR AS THEY ARE AGREEABLE TO HIS WILL, FOR CHRIST’S SAKE.

Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.

Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’ s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.

Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new contrivance and invention to promote the aforementioned things.

Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.

Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.

Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God. July 30.

Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.

Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.

Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances do not hinder.

Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.

Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.

Resolved, never to do any thing out of revenge.

Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger towards irrational beings.

Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

Resolved, that I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.

Resolved, to live so, at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.

Resolved, never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.

Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance, in eating and drinking.

Resolved, never to do any thing, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him (Resolutions 1 through 21 written in one setting in New Haven in 1722).

Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.

Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God’ s glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.

Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then, both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.

Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.

Resolved, to cast away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.

Resolved, never willfully to omit any thing, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.

Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.

Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.

Resolved, never to say any thing at all against any body, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.

Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that, in Proverbs 20:6, A faithful man who can find? may not be partly fulfilled in me.

Resolved, to do always, what I can towards making, maintaining, and preserving peace, when it can be done without overbalancing detriment in other respects. Dec. 26, 1722.

Resolved, in narrations never to speak any thing but the pure and simple verity.

Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.

Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it. Dec. 19, 1722.

Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent,- what sin I have committed,-and wherein I have denied myself;-also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec. 22 and 26, 1722.

Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord’ s day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.

Resolved, never to do any thing of which I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or not; unless I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.

Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.

Resolved, to ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.

Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of January, 1722-23.

Resolved, never, henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God’ s; agreeable to what is to be found in Saturday, January 12, 1723.

Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. January 12, 1723.

Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan. 12 and 13, 1723.

Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eye: and to be especially careful of it with respect to any of our family.

Resolved, to endeavor, to my utmost, to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented and easy, compassionate and generous, humble and meek, submissive and obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable and even, patient, moderate, forgiving and sincere temper; and to do at all times, what such a temper would lead me to; and to examine strictly, at the end of every week, whether I have done so. Sabbath morning. May 5, 1723.

Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or not; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.

Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it.

Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.

Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.

I frequently hear persons in old age, say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.

Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.

Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it. July 8, 1723.

Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if, I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. July 8, 1723.

Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether I have done my duty, and resolve to do it, and let the event be just as providence orders it. I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty, and my sin. June 9, and July 13 1723.

Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May 27, and July 13, 1723.

Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July 11, and July 13.

Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4, and 13, 1723.

Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc. May 21, and July 13, 1723.

Resolved, never to do anything but duty, and then according to Ephesians 6:6-8, to do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man: knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord. June 25 and July 13, 1723.

On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. January 14 and July 13, 1723.

Resolved, when I find those groanings which cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those breakings of soul for the longing it hath, of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be weary of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10, 1723.

Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this, all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness, of which I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance; according to Dr. Manton’ s 27th Sermon on Psalm 119. July 26, and Aug.10 1723.

Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.

Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what am I the better for them, and what I might have got by them.

Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23, and August 10, 1723.

Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. August 11, 1723.

Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak. August 17, 1723.