Devotional classics describe the kind of writing that has stood the test of time. For me, some of my favorite authors are known as the “Christian Mystics” men and women from mostly the 16th and 17th centuries who have penned some of the most beautiful words ever written…
“In order to arrive at having pleasure in everything, desire to have pleasure in nothing. In order to arrive at possessing everything, desire to possess nothing. In order to arrive at being everything, desire to be nothing.” John of the Cross
“Blessed are the ears that catch the whisperings of God and give no heed to the whisperings of the world. Blessed are the eyes shut to outward things but intent on things inward. Blessed are those who have time for God and shake off all worldly restraints.” Thomas a Kempis
“God destroys that He might build; for when He is about to rear His sacred temple in us, He first totally razes that vain and pompous edifice, which human art and power had erected, and from its horrible ruins, a new and beautiful structure is formed by His power only.” Jeanne Guyon
“When you hear men speak great things, or listen to the singing of minstrels, or the sound of wind in the trees, or the waves breaking upon the shore – then, love God all the more because of it.” Ramon
“I enjoy hearing the clock strike. It means my life has now become one hour shorter and I am one hour nearer to seeing my God.” Teresa of Avila
“The good that comes from any experience of personal weakness is the realization that God wants us to be lowly and obedient.” Fenelon
“Lord of my heart, save me from empty praise, that I may always boast of You.” A Celtic Prayer
“We should feed and nourish our souls with high notions of God, which would yield us great joy in being devoted to Him.” Brother Lawrence
“Build for yourself a room in your heart and retire there to pray.” Catherine of Siena
One Overriding Prayer Request This Week: Pray this plague of sickness that has hit so many in our families and church ends. One of our youth leaders has missed seven weeks of school. Pastor Greg was in the ER yesterday for six hours; I was sick all of November and half of December. “Lord! Help!”
Also: Pray for these youth leaders/junior higher’s who have just returned from Forest Home Winter Camp, that what God did this past weekend will be sealed to their hearts…
Aria Arthur
Asia Lim
Aubrey Spurlin
Dave Frith
Dominque Willette
Emily Farnes
Joshua French
Kevin Carr
Robert Clemons
Robert Henderson
Sam Ellis
Allie Swellen
Annabelle Kieswetter
Austin Plank
Avalon Bencz
Christopher Hemsley
Elizabeth Dixon
Emma Bernstein
Ethan Saunders
Gabriel Henderson
Hayes Frith
Issy King
Joi Li
Kathryn Sauers
Leo Espinoza
Madi Kerrigan
Meike Casolari
Merrick Vellmure
Michael Henderson
Nicole Brown
Nina Schmidt
Noah Kuhn
Olivia Mullin
Parker Brown
Rachel Henderson
Sophia Tosti
From Pastor Steve’s superb message on Sunday: “You can’t give away what you don’t possess.”
A Passage For You: “As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so live in Him, being rotted and built up in Christ and established in the faith.” Colossians 2:6,7
P Jay