An update from Matt Chandler, including this quote from Richard Sibbes, The Bruised Reed:

Nay, after conversion we need bruising, that reeds may know themselves to be reeds, and not oaks; even we need bruising by reason of the remainder of pride in our nature, and to bt us see that we live by mercy; and that weaker Christians may not be too much discouraged, when they see stronger ones shaken and bruised. Thus Peter was bruised when he wept bitterly. This reed, till he met with this bruise, had more wind in him than pith. ” Though all forsake thee, I will not,” &c. Matt. xxvi. 35. The people of God cannot be without these examples. The heroical deeds of those great worthies do not comfort the Church so much as their falls and bruises do.

“Life’s greatest happiness is to be convinced we’re loved”

- Victor Hugo -

Hugo was a self confessed “Free Thinker”… he points to a deep human need, the desire, fulfillment and security that comes from being Loved.

He’s right. But there’s only one lover who loves perfectly, who doesn’t make us earn his love, doesn’t begrude or get bored of loving, who doesn’t love to be loved back.

Jesus is the lover who brings happiness, who convinces us, and secures our identity – Loved by Christ.

“If the pastor is not the chief repenter, the Gospel is a theoretical solution to the theoretical problem of sin for theoretical sinners, if there are any present.”

- Jack Miller

Echos of Luther’s first thesis, All of Life is Repentance…

“The Christian cannot be satisfied so long as any human activity is either opposed to Christianity or out of connection with Christianity. Christianity must pervade not merely all nations but also all of human thought.”

“I’m so thankful for the active obedience of Christ.
No hope without it.”

Bishop Alf Stanway speaking to prospective ordinands…

“If other people knew you the way God knows you – your failings; your thoughts; your sins – what secretly goes on in your mind that no-one else knows about; would they trust you with the kind of work that God trusts you with? God has supreme confidence in His Grace. He’ll take the likes of you and me and Paul and give you the privilege of being His saints and fellow workers.”

Pretty cool story from “Johnny Mac”…