The Week In Words

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Welcome to The Week In Words, where we share quotes from the last week’s reading. If something you read this past week  inspired you, caused you to laugh, cry, think, dream, or just resonated with you in some way, please share it with us, attributing it to its source, which can be a book, newspaper, blog, Facebook — anything that you read. More information is here.

I am in a real quandary this week. I have collected about 13 quotes since last time — way too many for one post! It’s hard to choose which ones to share, but I’ll save the rest for a week when I haven’t found quite as many.

I saw this on Lisa‘s sidebar and it really hit me right between the eyes:

Only awe of God has the power to decimate your bondage to awe of you. ~ Paul Tripp’s Twitter.

Self so insidiously permeates thoughts, deeds, and motives. But as I turn my eyes to God, the power of self decreases.

This was also on Lisa‘s sidebar:

Of course you’re not up to the task, that’s why you’ve been given the presence, promises and provisions of Jesus. ~ Paul Tripp’s Twitter.

From a friend’s Facebook:

The most deadly appetites are not for the poison of evil, but for the simple pleasures of earth. For when these replace an appetite for God himself, the idolatry is scarcely recognizable, and almost incurable. ~ John Piper

This is from the post What If I Am Not a Gifted Evangelist? (HT to Challies) on the offense of the gospel:

Remember when Paul shared the gospel he didn’t merely receive public scorn, he regularly got put in jail. And it was from jail that Paul asked for prayer that he would be bold with the gospel. If people are offended by the message of the gospel it may be awkward, but awkward truth is better than silence.

From a  church web site:

“Though faith sometimes has a trembling hand, it must not have a withered hand–it must stretch.” ~ Thomas Watson

Probably ought to leave it at that for now, as that’s plenty to try to digest for a while.

If you’ve read anything that particularly spoke to you that you’d like to share, please either list it in the comments below or write a post on your blog and then put the link to that post (not your general blog link) in Mr. Linky below. I do ask that only family-friendly quotes be included. I hope you’ll visit some of the other participants as well and glean some great thoughts to ponder.

And please — feel free to comment even if you don’t have quotes to share!

9 thoughts on “The Week In Words”

  1. Some ask for sun and some for rain
    And sometimes both together;
    Pray you for sunshine in your heart
    And then forget the weather.

    Unknown poet

  2. I really like the Paul Tripp quotes. I have a quote about being in awe of God in my sidebar today as well.

    I’ll have to think about the John Piper quote. I think God has given us a pretty good awareness of the difference between enjoying His creation — which we’re supposed to do — and idolizing it. Romans says we’re “without excuse.” I don’t think I agree with the idea that such sin is “scarcely recognizable and almost incurable.”

    I am SO GLAD that “awkward truth is better than silence.” Awkwardness is my spiritual gift! 🙂

    • In Piper’s quote, the key is when they “replace an appetite for God himself.” Then they are idolatrous, but, as you said, I don’t think it is incurable when we recognize it, repent, and have God back in His rightful preeminent place in our hearts.

      I didn’t include the first part of the quote because I wasn’t quite sure I agreed with it, but it said, “The greatest adversary of love to God is not his enemies but his gifts.” So I think the “pleasures of earth” he’s talking about refers not just to creation — we can let love for family or anything else He has given us to enjoy take first place in our affections and crowd Him out.

      It would be interesting to see the context from which this quote came.

      Smiling about awkwardness being a spiritual gift. It’s one of mine, too. 🙂

  3. Hope you like 1,000 gifts. Her writing style is modern and hard for me to follow sometimes. I have to reread and think, but it has been a tremendous blessing. Had me weeping at parts. If you enjoy her blog, you will definitely enjoy the book.

  4. Phew..I’m so glad to hear Senkyoushi say that about her writing style…I was starting to worry about myself. I’m really struggling with Ann’s style. It could also have a little bit to do with difficulty in focusing with my sweet children around…and my caution in reading something with such incredibly high acclaim. I want to be sure to be discerning none the less!

    Thanks B for hosting again today! Of course, I love…”but awkward truth is better than silence!”

  6. Paul Tripp always has so many quotes that I want to share! He’s very prolific.

    I read the John Piper quote again last week too—makes you really think twice about our appetites and how easily we’re pleased… Too often I focus on the gift instead of the Giver.

  7. Some marvellous quotes!!!

    Here’s one I just read in FB that I thought was worthy of sharing. Not sure of the source.

    “Our tendency is to reduce faith to the expectation of a predetermined, desired end. We trust that things will turn out a specific way, instead of trusting that things are in the hands of a particular – and trustworthy – Person.”

    Blessings, e-Mom

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