Above
all, it is not necessary that we should have any unexpected, extraordinary
experiences in meditation. This can happen, but if it does not, it is not a sign
that the meditation period has been useless. Not only at the beginning, but
repeatedly, there will be times when we feel a great spiritual dryness and
apathy, an aversion, even an inability to meditate. We dare not be balked by
such experiences. Above all, we must not allow them to keep us from adhering to
our meditation period with great patience and fidelity. It is, therefore, not
good for us to take too seriously the many untoward experiences we have with
ourselves in meditation. It is here that our old vanity and our illicit claims
upon God may creep in by a pious detour, as if it were our right to have nothing
but elevating and fruitful experiences, and as if the discovery of our own inner
poverty were quite beneath our dignity. With that attitude, we shall make no
progress. - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
When
we find our souls at all declining, it is best to raise them up presently by
some awakening meditations, such as of the presence of God, of the strict
reckoning we are to make, of the infinite love of God in Christ and the fruits
of it, of the excellency of a Christian's calling, of the short and uncertain
time of this life, of how little good all those things that steal away our
hearts will do us before long, and of how it shall be for ever with us
hereafter, as we spend this short time well or ill. The more we make way for
such considerations to sink into our hearts, the more we shall rise nearer to
that state of soul which we shall enjoy in heaven. - Richard Sibbes
No
one has time anymore for all the leisure that automation is supposed to give us.
When have you seen anybody just walking and thinking? Along a highway these days
such a curiosity would be judged either out of his head or out of gas. -
Vance Havner
Savior,
I know Thou hast allowed me absolute liberty, to serve Thee, or to go my own
way. I would serve Thee forever, for I love my Master. I will not go out free.
Mark my ear, Lord, that it might respond only to Thy voice. - Jim Elliot
Continued
meditation brings great profit to the soul. Passant and transient thoughts are
more pleasant, but not so profitable. Deliberate meditation is of most use
because it secures the return of the thoughts. - Thomas Manton
Singing
God's praise is a work of the most meditation of any we perform in public. It
keeps the heart longest upon the thing spoken. Prayer and hearing pass quick
from one sentence to another; this sticks long upon it. - John Lightfoot
Above
all, it is not necessary that we should have any unexpected, extraordinary
experiences in meditation. This can happen, but if it does not, it is not a sign
that the meditation period has been useless. Not only at the beginning, but
repeatedly, there will be times when we feel a great spiritual dryness and
apathy, an aversion, even an inability to meditate. We dare not be balked by
such experiences. Above all, we must not allow them to keep us from adhering to
our meditation period with great patience and fidelity. It is, therefore, not
good for us to take too seriously the many untoward experiences we have with
ourselves in meditation. It is here that our old vanity and our illicit claims
upon God may creep in by a pious detour, as if it were our right to have nothing
but elevating and fruitful experiences, and as if the discovery of our own inner
poverty were quite beneath our dignity. With that attitude, we shall make no
progress. - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
When
we find our souls at all declining, it is best to raise them up presently by
some awakening meditations, such as of the presence of God, of the strict
reckoning we are to make, of the infinite love of God in Christ and the fruits
of it, of the excellency of a Christian's calling, of the short and uncertain
time of this life, of how little good all those things that steal away our
hearts will do us before long, and of how it shall be for ever with us
hereafter, as we spend this short time well or ill. The more we make way for
such considerations to sink into our hearts, the more we shall rise nearer to
that state of soul which we shall enjoy in heaven. - Richard Sibbes
No
one has time anymore for all the leisure that automation is supposed to give us.
When have you seen anybody just walking and thinking? Along a highway these days
such a curiosity would be judged either out of his head or out of gas. -
Vance Havner
Savior,
I know Thou hast allowed me absolute liberty, to serve Thee, or to go my own
way. I would serve Thee forever, for I love my Master. I will not go out free.
Mark my ear, Lord, that it might respond only to Thy voice. - Jim Elliot
Continued
meditation brings great profit to the soul. Passant and transient thoughts are
more pleasant, but not so profitable. Deliberate meditation is of most use
because it secures the return of the thoughts. - Thomas Manton
Singing
God's praise is a work of the most meditation of any we perform in public. It
keeps the heart longest upon the thing spoken. Prayer and hearing pass quick
from one sentence to another; this sticks long upon it. - John Lightfoot