"So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." Genesis 1:27
"He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world…In love He predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ." Ephesians 1:4-5
"There is a world of difference between that which is constructed and that which is created.
That which is constructed can only be loved after it is constructed.
That which is created can be loved before it is created."
G.K. Chesterton
“He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.”Â
Isaiah 50:46
“True teachers are those who are ever conscious that they must be taught themselves before presuming to teach others. Once we are eager to be taught, the Lord God will soon present us with pupils! We will have to be up early in the day to receive our instructions from the Lord realizing that in all probability the word we receive will be needed by another before the day is through.” Â
 Jill Briscoe
“Sometimes our prayers are for deliverance from conditions which are morally indispensable—that is, conditions which are absolutely necessary to our redemption. God does not grant us those requests.
He will not because He loves us with a pure and implacable purpose: that Christ be formed in us. If Christ is to live in my heart, if His life is to be lived in me, I will not be able to contain Him.
The self, small and hard and resisting as a nut, will have to be ruptured. My own purposes and desires and hopes will have to at times be exploded.
The rupture of the self is death, but out of death comes life.
The acorn must rupture if an oak tree is to grow.”
Elisabeth Elliott
“Civilization has not made our lot easier except in things pertaining to the body. The burdens of the heart are growing more numerous–science has found no remedy.” A.W. Tozer
My flesh and my heart may fail,
   but God is the strength of my heart
   and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:26)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.†(Matthew 11:28-30)
If scientists are interested in a remedy for the numerous burdens of the heart, Jesus has made an astounding invitation to be the remedy!
“If the cruel torture of crucifixion
could not silence our Lord’s prayer for
His enemies, what pain, pride,Â
prejudice, or sloth could justify the
silencing of ours?”    John Stott
Those who know me know how much I have been influenced by the teaching of John Piper. This video pokes a little fun at him and is too funny! Take a look!
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-GxkAJ1OBU]
“Christ lived the purpose-driven life so that we would inherit his righteousness through faith and be promise-driven people in a purpose-driven world.”
I confess my cynicism. Christian books that have mega sales always make me suspicious. Anything that is widely popular within and without the church, is more likely scratching a “natural” itch or poking a “flesh” button rather than pressing us on in the pursuit of holiness.
I ran across this quote from Michael Horton and thought, “Of course… we would love to be purpose driven people rather than promise trusting people.” Â
The first way gives us the flesh satisfying illusion of being in charge–we can continue to be self – driven with a deflecting Jesus spin added to the mix!
Click here to read the Horton article in its entirety
