"He changes not because thou changest. Nay, he has an especial tenderness of love towards thee for that thou art in the dark and hast no light, and his heart is glad when thou dost arise and say, "I will go to my Father." For he sees thee through all the gloom through which thou canst not see him. … Then fold the arms of thy faith, and wait in quietness until light goes up in thy darkness."
— George MacDonald
Source: Unspoken Sermons, First Series, "The Eloi"
Preparation, Grace
Views: 520
"Being sensible that I am unable to do any thing without God's help, I do humbly entreat him, by his grace, to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ's sake. ... 5. Resolved, Never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can. 6. Resolved, To live with all my might, while I do live."
— Jonathan Edwards
Source: Resolutions (1722-1723)
New Year's greetings
Views: 624
"Thus I at that time believed with my mother and the whole house, except my father; yet he did not overcome the influence of my mother's piety in me so as to prevent my believing in Christ, as he had not yet believed in Him. For she was desirous that You, O my God, should be my Father rather than he."
— Augustine
Source: Confessions, Book I, ch. 11
Child, Road
Views: 565
"To me it seemed a great calamity that failure of health compelled my relinquishing work for God in China, just when it was more fruitful than ever before; and to leave the little band of Christians in Ningpo, needing much care and teaching, was a great sorrow. Nor was the sorrow lessened when, on reaching England, medical testimony assured me that return to China, at least for years to come, was impossible. Little did I then realise that the long separation from China was a necessary step towards the formation of a work which God would bless as He has blessed the China Inland Mission."
— James Hudson Taylor
Source: A Retrospect, ch. XVIII "A New Agency Needed"
plan
Views: 530
"Your years neither go nor come; but ours both go and come, that all may come. ... Your years are one day, and Your day is not daily, but today; because Your today yields not with tomorrow, for neither does it follow yesterday. Your today is eternity."
— Augustine
Source: Confessions, Book XI, ch. 13
time, order
Views: 510
"Well had Thou made him [my son Adeodatus]. ... I confess unto You Your gifts, O Lord my God, Creator of all, and of exceeding power to reform our deformities; for of me was there naught in that boy but the sin [editor's note: Adeodatus was born to Augustine outside marriage]. For that we fostered him in Your discipline, You inspired us, none other — Your gifts I confess unto You."