On the Verge

At times I feel that it would be better for you to hear words from someone else. This is one of those times...





What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died - more than that, who was raised - who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ...

...nothing, in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.




"Ride forth in me, thou King of kings
and Lord of lords,
that I may live victoriously,
and in victory attain my end"
-a puritan

Labels: puritans, romans, valley of vision

Posted by k jamison at 11:16 PM | Permalink | Comments

O Lord,

My every sense, member, faculty, affection, is a snare to me,
I can scarce open my eyes but I envy those above me,
or despise those below me.
I covet honour and riches of the mighty,
and am proud and unmerciful to the rags of others;
If I behold beauty it is a bait to lust,
or see deformity, it stirs up loathing and disdain;
How soon do slanders, vain jests, and wanton speeches creep into my heart!
Am I comely? what fuel for pride!
Am I deformed? what an occasion for repining!
Am I gifted? I lust after applause!
Am I unlearned? how I despise what I have not!
am I in authority? how prone to abuse my trust, make will my law, exclude other's enjoyments, serve my own interests and policy!
Am I inferior? how much I grudge others' preeminence!
Am I rich? how exalted I become!
Thou knowest that all these are snares by my corruptions, and that my greatest snare is myself.
I bewail that my apprehensions are dull,
my thoughts mean,
my affections stupid,
my expressions low,
my life unbeseeming;
Yet what canst thou expect of dust but levity, or corruption but defilement?
Keep me ever mindful of my natural state,
but let me not forget my heavenly title,
or the grace that can deal with every sin.

- a puritan.

amen.

Labels: prayer, puritans, valley of vision

Posted by k jamison at 10:55 PM | Permalink | Comments