Well I am on day 26 of the 30 days--so only 4 more days to go and I can take a break ;-). I am wondering if I counted correctly, but I am not going back to look.
I am reading (mainly in the bathroom!!!--been so busy this week) the puritan book "Keeping the Heart" by John Flavel. I think the thing that has always spoken to me about the puritans is how seriously they take their faith; how important the fear and awe of God was to them. How important holiness and dealing with sin were. They were very firm on the subject of salvation through faith through grace alone. They were also firm on seeking to live a holy life and examining the heart.
They took seriously the admonitions to pray "cleanse thou me from secret faults (Ps19:12) and "unite my heart to fear Thy name. (Psalm 86:11) . There was a view of God's great love, but it didn't lower God to a "buddy". I have wondered if they go overboard in their introspection; and yet we, in modern times tend to gloss over confession of sin --or we often do it in vague generalities when we are praying in our devotions. We don't always spend much time in examining our hearts and asking God to examine our hearts.
In the beginning of this book he says:
"By 'keeping the heart,' understand the diligent and constant use and improvement of all holy means and duties to preserve the soul from sin and maintain its sweet and free communion with God."
(he strikes a balance by saying the following)
"Whereas the expression ('keep the heart') seems to put it upon us as our work, yet it does not imply a sufficiency or ability in us to do it. We are as able to stop the sun in its course or make the rivers run backward as by our own skill and power to rule and order our hearts. We may as well be our own saviors as our own keepers. Yet Solomon speaks properly enough when he says 'keep thy heart' because the duty is ours though the power is God's. A natural man has no power. A gracious man has some, though not sufficient, and that power he has depends upon the exciting and assisting strength of Christ. Grace within us is beholden to grace outside us. John 15:5: 'Without Me ye can do nothing.'".........
I just wonder why we have become so lax---wondering if it is the things we stress--are we out of balance....or are we consumed by our culture. What do you all think?
ps. GreatGram is confused---hopefully this will straighten out in a while--thanks for the prayers; I think the surgery has helped with the pain .
pps. This 13 year old is missing in Southern Cal--more info at: http://mygreat8.blogspot.com/ Margarita "Magui" Martinez
DOB: 4-19-1994
MISSING: 3-10-2008
DOB: 4-19-1994
MISSING: 3-10-2008
oh bless you-I've missed you..so sorry to know youve been dealing with back pain-you'll be in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteI am back to my internet fast after a quick peek today-but i had to say hello...see you after Easter
much love!
This sounds a really interesting book.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure why we are so lax these days. I suppose in years gone by there was more emphasis placed on living a Christian life. Today there is very little stress on this. Plus I reckon our minds and days are overwhelmed with sooooo much information - TV, advertisments, internet, magazines, music, mobile (cell) phones, email,...etc. Where is the room for prayer?
There is a culture of 'forgive yourself', 'love yourself'...which are OK to a point of course but it doesn't really encourage serious introspection because we just say 'oh well, I made a mistake, never mind' and move on without real repentance or life change.
I like Psalm 139: 23Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.