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 We live much of life amid unique choices. Joy is anchored in The One beyond our life. |
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“There are times when solitude is better than society, and silence is wiser than speech. We should be better Christians if we were more alone, waiting upon God, and gathering through meditation on His Word spiritual strength for labour in his service. We ought to muse upon the things of God, because we thus get the real nutriment out of them. . . . Why is it that some Christians, although they hear many sermons, make but slow advances in the divine life? Because they neglect their closets, and do not thoughtfully meditate on God's Word. They love the wheat, but they do not grind it; they would have the corn, but they will not go forth into the fields to gather it; the fruit hangs upon the tree, but they will not pluck it; the water flows at their feet, but they will not stoop to drink it. From such folly deliver us, O Lord. . . .” ― Charles Spurgeon “Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strengths.” ― C. H. Spurgeon “Hope itself is like a star- not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity.” ― Charles Haddon Spurgeon “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.” ― Charles Spurgeon “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” ― Charles Spurgeon “Visit many good books, but live in the Bible.” ― Charles Spurgeon “When your will is God's will, you will have your will.” ― Charles Spurgeon https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/2876959.Charles_Haddon_Spurgeon (Philippians 2:13, KJV)    |
Frodo Baggins climbed Mount Doom, until he had no strength to climb. He fell upon his face, until Samwise Gamgee lifted Frodo on his shoulder. Up and up and up the steps, until attacked by Gollum, then down and down and down they tumbled. Finding new strength, Frodo ran through the doorway into the mount. At the end of the precipice, he lost his strength, again. This time it was the strength of character to do the right thing to end the evil of Middle Earth. Throw the ring into the lava, Frodo. You will end the life of Sauron, evil will be defeated. Throw the ring into the lava, Frodo. Your battle will be o'er. Throw the ring into the lava, Frodo. The Fellowship has worked so hard to give you victory. It's time to give them victory in return. "It's mine! No one can take it from me!" Frodo vanishes, and so do all hopes for the continuation of a free Middle Earth. From the cusp of victory, Frodo starts to saunter out into the night, until... Gollum sees his footprints on the ledge, jumps on his back, and bites off his ring finger with the ring attached. Bloody, screaming, painfilled Frodo is now seen, holding his mangled, spurting, bloody hand. Gollum dances victoriously with the brass ring held high in his gnarly little fingers, until balance lost, he slips, he falls, he holds high his precious, even after his selfish face is swallowed by the river of lava. Finally, the brass ring meets its demise in the grasp of the flaming lava flows of Mount Doom, and Sauron is defeated. Too often we choose a goal in life, that does not fill us with life. It only fills us with death. Chasing the brass ring, we leave the ones we should love. Chasing the brass ring, we are consumed by ownership, until ownership owns us. Chasing the brass ring, we are consumed by that which should be given to God. Chasing the brass ring, we possess, and we lose. First, we lose ourselves, then we lose an irreplaceable part of ourselves, that we may once again find, that which is best for the consumption of our hearts. Losing the brass ring, we gain friendships. Losing the brass ring, we gain the Lord. Losing the brass ring, we lose death. Losing the brass ring, we gain life. Gain the world. Lose our soul. Lose the world. Gain true life. ---------------------------------- "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26, KJV) by Jay O’Toole on September 5th, 2020 |
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