691thoughts - Tumblr blog

[691thoughts]

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7

[691thoughts]

The greatness of God rouses fear within us, but His goodness encourages us not to be afraid of Him. To fear and not be afraid—this is the paradox of faith.

A.W. Tozer (via 691thoughts)

[691thoughts]

Small  | 03.07.15

I am small.

Nothing I ever do will add or take away from Christ’s work on the cross, or make me more or less deserving of grace.

Sometimes I’m afraid to dream. I’m afraid of being noticed, and of being known. I’m afraid of words and ideas, because words and ideas have power. I’m terrified of triumph and tragedy.

But even if they did notice me— Even if they did believe in me— It is finished. I am small.

And even if they didn’t notice me— Even if they never believed in me— It was accomplished. I am whole.

Sometimes I have to force myself out of bed. I complain about silly things, and I worry that my life will never amount to anything. 

But there is strength in weakness, and weakness even in strength. There is much to be found in little, and little to be found in much. I must not seek perfection for perfection’s sake— and I must not loathe the commonplace because it is common. After all, I suspect those who achieve hollow greatness long for simple wholeness.

I’ve realized something else: Worry is an attempt to control— but I could choose rest. Control is power— but I could choose joy. Power is glory— hard-won and short-lived. If my own glory is my hope, it is no hope at all.

Every day of my life has been ordained. By His mercy I have come this far, And His by mercy I will go on. Yes, I am small, but in Christ,

I am whole.

[691thoughts]

We must play. But our merriment must be of that kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously.

C.S. Lewis

[691thoughts]

Sometimes I abuse my phone's "notes" feature.

[691thoughts]

[691thoughts]

But I remember what Susan said How love is found in the things we've given up More than in the things that we have kept And ain't it funny what people say And ain't it funny what people write And ain't it funny how it hits you so hard In the middle of the night And if your home is just another place where you're a stranger And far away is just somewhere you've never been I hope that you'll remember, I was your friend

Rich Mullins

(I used to listen to his songs passively, but now I keep discovering his amazing lyrics.)

[691thoughts]

Instead of rejoicing in all the good things God has done in our lives, we complain about That One Thing, whatever it is. But it’s so hard! we might argue. True, it is hard to live with adversity, and it’s hard not to complain about it. But when we complain about our trials, we forfeit the grace that could be ours. All the grace and strength you need in order to experience joy and victory are available to you—but by choosing to complain, by clinging to the idol of a perfect life, you flush away the grace of God. As Jonah wrote, “Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God’s mercies” (2:8, NLT), or in the wording of the NKJV, “Forsake their own Mercy.” Is idealism the false god in your life? What about comfort? Do you feel entitled to a perfect, adversity-free existence? Remind yourself that the very adversity you so often complain about is That One Thing God wants to use to keep your heart close to His. In His grace, He allows adversity to draw us closer to Him.

James MacDonald

[691thoughts]

I've been learning to trust in God and not my circumstances. It used to be that I'd only say, 'God, I trust you!' when I knew I had a good plan. And even then, I wasn't really trusting in God—I was just trusting in my plan. When people think they have it figured out, that's usually when God likes to step in and blow up their expectations—so their faith remains first and foremost in Him rather than their own wisdom. 'Cause that's not what it's all about!

friend from work today (paraphrased)

[691thoughts]

Most people die at 25 and aren’t buried until they’re 75.

Benjamin Franklin (via acrylicalchemy)

WOAHHHH.

[691thoughts]

And though I love you, still we're strangers Prisoners in these lonely hearts And though our blindness separates us Still His light shines in the dark And His outstretched arms are still strong enough to reach Behind these prison bars to set us free

Rich Mullins

[691thoughts]

...Ever since we had the vision, God has been at work, getting us into the shape of the ideal, and over and over again we escape from His hand and try to batter ourselves into our own shape. The vision is not a castle in the air, but a vision of what God wants you to be. Let Him put you on His wheel and whirl you as He likes, and as sure as God is God and you are you, you will turn out exactly in accordance with the vision. Don't lose heart in the process. If you have ever had the vision of God, you may try as you like to be satisfied on a lower level, but God will never let you.

Oswald Chambers

[691thoughts]

perspective

I'm always anxious to share my ideas, to go somewhere, or to do something.

Right now I don't have a lot to say—but there's so much I've yet to learn.

Right now I don't have anywhere to go—but there's so much I've yet to become.

Right now there's only so much I can do—

but why am I in such a rush?

My life is now. It's in these hours of anxiety that I long for instruction. It's in these moments of impatience that I desperately need to be still. It's on days when I'm able to do the least that God probably wants to do the most.

[691thoughts]

The questions that matter in life are remarkably few, and they are all answered by the words--"Come to Me." Not--Do this, or don't do that; but--"Come unto Me." If I will come to Jesus my actual life will be brought into accordance with my real desires; I will actually cease from sin, and actually find the song of the Lord begin.

Oswald Chambers

[691thoughts]

'Come to me, and I will give you rest,' i.e., I will stay you. Not--I will put you to bed and hold your hand and sing you to sleep; but--I will get you out of bed, out of the languor and exhaustion, out of the state of being half dead while you are alive; I will imbue you with the spirit of life, and you will be stayed by the perfection of vital activity.

Oswald Chambers

[691thoughts]

i hope that, wherever my hair ties go, they’re happy. that’s all that matters

[691thoughts]

Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.

Psalm 77:19