Failure and Sucess

I fail. A lot. Often, it seems that nearly everything that I start ends up dissipating or breaking up within a matter of time. But each failure I feel has made me stronger and more prepared for the next go 'round. And each taste of failure has made me more eager for success. Of course, I only want success if the glory is for God and God alone. I know I can't pick myself up when I fall- only God can do that.

So here I stand with this blog. If you have been reading or have read my blog, you may have noticed that I haven't posted anything in 20 days. And now I find myself wondering whether or not I should post again. The truth is, it would be really easy to just give it up, like so many other things. It would be easy to fail...again.

But I believe that God has given me this blog as a medium to share His Gospel with anyone who will listen and as an outlet to share my thoughts and meditations on His Word and on life in general. If no one listens, then that is fine. But, I pray that anyone who comes to this blog will see that God is the center and giver of my life. That would be the truest success.

All of Grace

Last night, as I came into God's presence in song and prayer, I was deeply overwhelmed that all that I am and all that I have received is due to the infinite grace of God. Every breath that I breathe, every second that I continue to exist is because of the grace of God!

And this grace is something that I could never earn or claim from God, but it is given solely because of the goodness of God. It is freely lavished upon me apart from any work or merit on my own part. For that I give God praise.

And not only has God given me grace upon grace, but He has promised me future grace that will never end, for when I get to Heaven the grace will never end.

And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace. (Romans 11:6)

All of grace; it is all of grace!

Quote of the Week

This week's quote is from Jerome, an early Christian who was responsible for translating the Bible into Latin. His translation, the Vulgate, is still the official translation of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Church of Christ has been founded by shedding its own blood, not that of others; by enduring outrage, not by inflicting it. Persecutions have made it grow; martyrdoms have crowned it.
-Jerome

Quote of the Week

This quote of the week again comes from Timothy Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York.

“We do not have to make ourselves suffer in order to merit forgiveness. We simply receive the forgiveness earned by Christ. 1 John 1:8 says that God forgives us because He is ‘just.’ That is a remarkable statement. It would be unjust of God to ever deny us forgiveness, because Jesus earned our acceptance! In religion we earn our forgiveness with our repentance, but in the gospel we just receive it.”
- Timothy Keller

Wiliam Cowper

On this day in 1800, the often depressed, but talented hymn writer William Cowper died at the age of 68. Cowper spents most of his life battling depression and he was often helped by the preaching of his dear friend John Newton.


In his times of lucidity and joy, Cowper wrote such insightful hyms as "God Moves in a Mysterious Way":

God moves in a mysterious way

His wonders to perform;

He plants His footsteps in the sea

And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines

Of never failing skill

He treasures up His bright designs

And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;

The clouds ye so much dread

Are big with mercy and shall break

In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,

But trust Him for His grace;

Behind a frowning providence

He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,

Unfolding every hour;

The bud may have a bitter taste,

But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err

And scan His work in vain;

God is His own interpreter,

And He will make it plain.

He Must Increase...

I have been studying the Gospel of John in my personal Bible studies recently, and this verse stuck out to me:

"He must increase, but I must decrease." -John 3:30

This little phrase was said by John the Baptist, who modeled his whole life after this idea. He never drew attention to himself, but always sought to draw attention and glory to Christ until his death at the hands of Herod.

What a glorious testimony to how each one of us should live our lives. Just like John, we should seek to give of ourselves so that Christ may be glorified in everything. We must increase our time and devotion to Christ, while decreasing the focus we put on ourselves.

O, how I long to be selflessly and totally consumed with the things of Christ. I want to consider all for His glory and not my own. So for me, this has become the theme verse of my life.

What are your thoughts?

Matthew Patrick Brown (2009-2009)

Please take a few minutes to read this moving story about a family's hard decision to walk the Christian walk in some of the worst of circumstances.

Something that stuck out to me was this quote by the Matthew's mother:

"I now believe, we are called to selfless acts because in our attempt to selflessness, our selifishness is exposed."

Matthew passed away Sunday. Please pray for this family during this time.

Quote of the Week

This week's quote is by A.W. Tozer, author of such books as The Pursuit of God. This quote was found in the foreword of Preaching the Cross, a compilation of the sermons from Together for the Gospel 2006.

Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshipers meeting together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be were they to become “unity” conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship.
-A.W. Tozer