Quote of Note #231: The “First Law of Prayer”

"There should be in our prayers an astringent honesty with ourselves, so that we may be honest with God, for God sees the secrets of our hearts, and God well knows when we are conventionally asking for blessings which we have no real desire to receive." Wm. Barclay (click link below for full quote)

Quote of Note #204: Motive, Means, & Politics

"As sinners we need a spiritual strategy for dealing with our own sinful tendency to put the best possible interpretation on our own motives while putting the worst possible interpretation on those of our opponents."

Quote of Note #198: Lying to Ourselves & Resentfulness

The man who lies to himself can be more easily offended than anyone. You know it is sometimes very pleasant to take offense, isn't it?

Prayer Note #63: Only in Jesus

photo by GAC So much of the time, Lord, I am utterly absurd and ridiculous in my own eyes.  I don’t see myself as other people see me.  I see what is unseen by others.  I see what goes on in my mind.  I see what I do when no one else is watching.  I … Continue reading Prayer Note #63: Only in Jesus

Bible Note #10 — 1 John 1:5-10 — Light & Darkness, Truth & Deception

1 John 1:5-10 "Light" and "darkness" are paralleled by "truth" and "lying or deception" in this passage.  The truth as a concept here is multi-layered  It is in some places the truth about God.  In other places it is truth about ourselves. Ironically, we ourselves are often both the deceived and the deceiver at the … Continue reading Bible Note #10 — 1 John 1:5-10 — Light & Darkness, Truth & Deception