Jeremiah 17: 5-10

Thus says the LORD:"Cursed is the man who trusts in man
and makes flesh his strength,
whose heart turns away from the LORD.
He is like a shrub in the desert,
and shall not see any good come.
He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness,
in an uninhabited salt land.
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose trust is the LORD.
He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit."

The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick;
who can understand it?
"I the LORD search the heart
and test the mind,
to give every man according to his ways,
according to the fruit of his deeds."

Jeremiah 17: 5-10 (ESV)

2 Timothy 1:8-10

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." (2 Timothy 1:8-10 ESV).

Easter 2011

Christ is Risen!

Zechariah 9:9

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Should aloud, O daughter of Jeusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is He, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

- Zechariah 9:9 ESV

Puritan Prayer

I've melded parts of several Puritan prayers, and modernized some of the language.

Sovereign Lord and God of glory
You have given us a mission
to go forth and spend our life for you;
If it be your will, let us proceed in it;
if not, then revoke our intentions.
All we want in life is such circumstances
as may best enable us to serve you in the world.
To this end we leave all our concerns in your hands.
Enable us to undertake tasks for you,
for this refreshes and animates our soul.
But, O what a death it is to strive and labour,
to be always in a hurry and yet do nothing!
Alas, time flies and we are of little use.
O that we could be a flame of fire in your service,
always burning in continual blaze.
Kindle in our hearts a zeal for the service for your kingdom.
Give us a deeper sense of our sinfulness, and
may the weeds that grow in our soul be cut at their roots.
Grant us to know that we truly live only when we live for you.
Teach us that if we do not live a life that satisfies you,
we shall not live a life that satisfies ourselves.
Please give us a hope that makes us not ashamed,
a love that excites us to holy obedience,
a joy in you that is our strength,
a faith in your Son who loved us and died for us.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen

Augustine Prayer

Grant to us your servants: to our God - a heart of flame; to our men - a heart of love; to ourselves - a heart of steel.- Augustine


Source: Collins, Owen ed. Classic Christian Prayers: A Celebration of Praise and Glory. New York: Testament Books, 1999, p. 294.

Andre Agassi on Famous People

I’m struck by how fast the surreal becomes the norm. I marvel at how unexciting it is to be famous, how mundane famous people are. They’re confused, uncertain, insecure, and often hate what they do. It’s something we always hear – like that old adage that money can’t buy happiness – but we never believe it until we see it for ourselves.

Agassi, Andre, Open. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2009, p. 168.