Reflect, Resonate, Reevaluate, Respond

[M]an is an animal suspended in webs of significance he himself has spun…
~Clifford Geertz (1926-2006), noted American anthropologist

The world says: “You have needs — satisfy them. You have as much right as the rich and the mighty. Don’t hesitate to satisfy your needs; indeed, expand your needs and demand more.” This is the worldly doctrine of today. And they believe that this is freedom. The result for the rich is isolation and suicide, for the poor, envy and murder.
~ Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Brothers Karamazov

James 5:1-6

Our mistake is to think that following Jesus consists in loving our enemies, going the “second mile,” turning the other cheek, suffering patiently and hopefully—while living the rest of our lives just as everyone around us does.
~ Dallas Willard, The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives

The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.
~ M. Scott Peck, 1936-2005, psychiatrist & author, People of the Lie

We must accept the circumstances we constantly find ourselves in as the place of God’s Kingdom and blessing. God has yet to bless anyone except where they actually are, and if we faithlessly discard situation after situation, moment after moment, as not being ‘right’, we will simply have no place to receive his kingdom into our lives. For those situations are our life.
~ Dallas Willard, 1935-2013, American philosopher

A fire broke out backstage in a theatre. The clown came out to warn the public; they thought it was a joke and applauded. He repeated it; the acclaim was even greater. I think that’s just how the world will come to an end: to general applause from wits who believe it’s a joke.
~ Søren Kierkegaard, Either/Or, Part I

Reflect, Resonate, Reevaluate, Respond

To love God with heart and soul and mind and strength… is the first and greatest commandment, so the first and greatest sin is not to love God with heart and soul and mind and strength. For this there is no remedy, save what God himself has provided—in love.
~ D.A. Carson, 1946- , Theologian, professor of New Testament

If you are anything like me, you do a lot of listening to yourself everyday.
~ C.J. Mahaney, 1953- , Am. Minister, Living the Cross Centered Life

James 4:13-17

Perhaps the less we have, the more we are required to brag.
~ John Steinbeck, East of Eden

To really be gripped by your identity in God’s greatness you must wade out of the shallow waters of self-absorption into the deep waters of praising Him at all times for all things. Remember, God formed you for that very purpose. Embrace your identity as a forgiven worshiper of this all-patient God.
~ James McDonald, 1960- , Pastor, Gripped by the Greatness of God

Brian: “Look, you’ve got it all wrong. You don’t need to follow me. You don’t need to follow anybody. You’ve got to think for yourselves. You’re all individuals.”
Crowd: “Yes, we’re all individuals!”
Individual: “I’m not!”
~ Monty Python, Life of Brian

Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real.
~ Thomas Merton, 1915-1968, monastic theologian & author

The will of God will not take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us.
~ Billy Graham, 1918-2018, Evangelist

The gospel changes the way you see all of your life from Monday through Sunday, and it begins to help you understand how big the gospel is and the expanse of God’s heart.
~ David Kim, Executive Director of the Center for Faith & Work