I suspect that the source of every bit of sorrow in my life can be traced to simple unbelief. If I truly believe the past is totally forgiven, the present is supplied with power, and the future is bright with hope, how could I be anything but completely happy?
– LB Cowman –
from Streams in the Desert
There is a peace that cometh after sorrow,
Of hope surrendered, not of hope fulfilled;
A peace that looketh not upon tomorrow,
But calmly on a tempest that it stilled.
A peace that lives not now in joy’s excesses,
Nor in the happy life of love secure;
But in the unerring strength the heart possesses,
Of conflicts won while learning to endure.
A peace there is, in sacrifice secluded,
A life subdued, from will and passion free;
Tis not the peace that over Eden brooded,
But that which triumphed in Gethsemane.
– Author Unknown –
Perhaps their speech does convey truth, but without the quickening of the Holy Spirit even truth is of small advantage.
– Watchman Nee –
Turn your soul’s vision to Jesus, and look and look at Him, and a strange dimness will come over all that is apart from Him.
– Lilias Trotter –
(note: this is the quote that inspired the song “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”)
My life is but a weaving
Between my God and me.
I cannot choose the colors
He weaveth steadily.
Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow;
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I the underside.
Not ’til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Will God unroll the canvas
And reveal the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful
In the weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned
He knows, He loves, He cares;
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives the very best to those
Who leave the choice to Him.
– Author Unknown –
often quoted by Corrie ten Boom
I used to ask God to help me. Then I asked if I might help Him. I ended up by asking God to do His work though me.
– Hudson Taylor –
