A topical listing of Jonathan Edwards Resolutions

I would commend Jonathan Parnell’s suggestion to us to read through Edward’s resolutions and keep them handy in the coming year. I really like the way that Matt has organized them. Make sure you click on the second link in this article where Jonathan writes:

“Back in 1723 Jonathan Edwards chartered a list of resolutions for his life. 70 of them. And he read them once a week.

Matt Perman writes:

[Edwards] shows us that a well lived life doesn’t just happen; it requires intentionality. And intentionality manifests itself in certain “mechanisms” that help us maintain our intentionality. Edwards’ resolutions are one example of such a “mechanism.”

So Edwards is a good example not just of a life that is lived well, but also of the “practical side” of how to actually build that intentionality into our lives, rather than just letting it remain a vague wish that never takes deep root and makes a real difference.

Refusing to be vague, Matt has organized Jonathan Edwards’s resolutions into seven specific categories. This approach is a fresh way to help us apply their wisdom where we live. The categories include:

• Overall Life Mission
• Good Works
• Time Management
• Relationships
• Suffering
• Character
• Spiritual Life

The New Year is upon us. Read through Edwards’s resolutions. Print them out. Consider adopting them as your own for a Christ-exalting, God-entranced vision of all things.”

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How do I know if I have really forgiven someone

Forgiveness is a very hard subject at times to think about and to really assess in our lives.  In general, we know whether we have forgiven someone or not.  But there are the hard cases, when we have been deeply hurt, that forgiveness is a much more sticky issue.

So when do you know if you have really forgiven someone.

Ron Edmonson offers five indicators:

1. Is the first thought you have about them not about the injury they cause in your life?
2. Ask yourself:  Would you help them if you knew they were in trouble and you had the ability to help?
3. Can you think positive thoughts about this person?
4. Do you still think of getting even with this person?
5. Have you stopped looking for them to fail?

If you want to learn more about these five, head over and read Ron’s full article.  Worth your time if you struggle with this issue or know someone who does.

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No heaven, no hell, or no hurry?

A story is told about Satan calling his emissaries of hell together because he wanted to send them to earth and aid men and women in the ruination of their souls. He asked , “Who would go first, and what would be the strategy?”  One said, “I will go.” “And what would you tell them?”  Satan asked. “I will tell them there is no heaven.” And Satan said, “They will not believe you, for there is a bit of heaven in every human heart. In the end everyone knows that good will triumph over evil. You may not go.”

Then another came forward, darker and fouler than the first. “If I send you,” Satan said, “what will you tell them?” “I will tell them there is not hell.” Satan looked at him and said, “No they will not believe you, for in every human heart there is a thing called conscience, an inner voice which testifies to the truth that no only will good triumph but evil will be defeated. You are not to go.”

The last creature that came forward was more diabolical than them all. Satan said to him, If I send you what will you say to men and women that will lead to the destruction of their souls?” And he said, “I will tell them there is no hurry.” Satan said, “GO. You are the one.”

—Already Compromised by Ken Ham and Greg Hall, pp. 74-75

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New Year’s Resolutions and examining ourselves

In a few days many people will be making the obligatory new year’s resolutions. How about you?

I’ve read some things before that argue why Christians shouldn’t make new year resolutions. This week I read an article that argued for them in an appropriate measure.  Jesse Johnson asks, “New Year’s Resolutions: do you make them or mock them?”

Here’s an excerpt:

“Normative Christian living contains self-examination. There is a morbid introspection that goes too far; we all know those who are Christian Eeyores, moping about, striving to uncover any hidden motive behind every action. That sort of spiritual depression is not what I am talking about. But there is a healthy self-examination that should be part of the Christian life. Self-assessment can be extremely beneficial in our quest for godliness.

And if we are honest, it is often difficult to gauge our spiritual health on a daily basis. The urgency of life clamors, and daily demands can drown out solitude and prayer. That is one of the benefits of self-examination at communion; there is a certain ceremonial stillness that forces us to ask “how have I lived this week? This month?”

For that reason, I find that an annual spiritual inventory more helpful than daily spiritual contemplation. . . “

Here’s the whole article.

 

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What is Christian love?

We will never fully attain this while in this mortal body, however, let’s strive every day to be like this:

Christian love will show itself in the general spirit and demeanor of a believer. It will make him kind, unselfish, good-natured, good-tempered, and considerate for others. It will make him gentle, affable, and courteous, in all the daily relations of private life. It will make him thoughtful for others’ comfort, tender for others’ feelings, and more anxious to give pleasure than to receive. True love never envies others when they prosper, nor rejoices in the calamities of others when they are in trouble. At all times, it will believe, and hope, and try to put a good construction on others’ actions. And even at the worst, it will be full of pity, mercy, and compassion.

~ J.C. Ryle via Quotes

Tract: Christian Love

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