coasting v. conquering

The Bible does not say that perseverance in faith through the horrors of sin and misery will be easy. That is why it says, "The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death. The first death, yes, and it may be horrible. But not the second (Rev. 2:10-22). Maintaining the joy of faith in the face of horrific evil does not happen by coasting. It happens by conquering. That is my aim. That you would conquer unbelief and despair in the face of spectacular sin and misery.

John Piper, Spectacular Sins and their global purpose in the glory of Christ, "A Closing Prayer," p. 107-108.

the question

Since Scripture declares that all who are truly saved are the workmanship of God [Eph 2.10], then the question I must ask is, 'Have I been the subject of that workmanship?' The question is not the sincerity of my decision, or my resolve, or my whatever-I-want-to-call-it. The question is not, 'What have I done with reference to Christ and his salvation?' but 'Has Christ accepted me?' The issue is not, 'Have I found the Lord?' but, 'Has he found me?'

A.N. Martin, "The Practical Implications of Calvinism," p. 14

valiant selflessness

"Life is full of things we can't do anything about, but which we are supposed to do something with. He himself endured a cross and thought nothing of its shame because of the joy (see Heb.2:2). A very different story from the one which would have been written if Jesus had been prompted by the spirit of our own age: Don't just endure the cross-think about it, talk about it, share it, express your gut-level feelings, get in in touch with yourself, find out who you are, define the problem, analyze it, get counseling, get the experts' opinions, discuss solutions, work through it. Jesus endured. He thought nothing of the shame. The freedom, the freshness of that valiant selflessness is like a strong wind. How badly such a wind is needed to sweep away the pollution of our self-preoccupation!"

Elisabeth Elliot, Love Has a Price Tag, "The Trail to Shandia," p.85-88

a wholesome effect

At the same time the Council [of Trent] abolished various crying abuses, and introduced wholesome disciplinary reforms, as regards the sale of indulgences, the education and morals of the clergy, the monastic orders, etc. Thus the Protestant Reformation, after all, had indirectly a wholesome effect upon the Church which condemned it.

Philip Schaff, The Creeds of Christendom Volume 1: the History of Creeds, "The Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent," p. 95

a bit player in the drama

All the pleasures of his life had been taken away from him as also had been the love of his life, and yet he was content. He was in that rare state in which his physical disabilities and his emotional distresses no longer affected his happiness or lack of it. He had finally become able to make God the center of his life and to regard himself as merely a bit player in the drama. He was not exactly happy; he had merely come to the conclusion that his happiness was not what he should be seeking at all. In fact it was completely irrelevant, and therefore he was content to be without it.

Douglas Gresham, Jack's Life: the life story of C.S. Lewis, "Home at Last," p. 163

a prince of a man

"Mr. Knightley is the kind of man you want to marry, girls," I announced. They peered at me with wide eyes over their collection of dolls and stuffed animals on the bed. "Did you notice how he is concerned with Emma's character, her actions, her heart? When she was rude to that older woman, Mr. Knightley says something to her about it: 'Badly done, Emma, badly done.' He wants her to have a kind heart and to be as beautiful on the outside as she is on the inside."

"Ohhh," they said, nodding gravely.

"Now, Mr. Churchill is not the kind of man you want to marry," I continued. "Did you notice how he only comments on the outer beauty of Miss Fairfax? But what's going to happen when she's older and no longer beautiful? And did you notice how often Mr. Churchill lies to people just so he can have his way? But Mr. Knightley is kind to everyone. This is important to find in the man you marry."

Carolyn McCulley, Did I Kiss Marriage Goodbye?, "The Blessing of Children," p. 149

more than you ever feared

"It all comes down to you and Jesus. You are more evil than you have ever feared, and you are more loved than you have ever hoped."

Mark Driscoll, Death by Love, "Lust is My God - Thomas's Redemption," p. 68