Glory

"As I have frequently advised, Christian and true theology does not present God to us in His majesty, as Moses and other doctrines do, nor does it command us to pry into the nature of God; but it orders us to acknowledge His will as set forth in Christ.  It was God's will that Christ should assume flesh, should be born and suffer death for our sins, and that this should be preached among all peoples ... Therefore, if you are dealing with the doctrine of justification and arguing about finding the God who justifies and accepts sinners, about where and how you should look for Him, then know of absolutely no God outside this man, Jesus Christ.  Him you should embrace, to Him you should cling with all your heart, stopping your speculation about His majesty.  For he who would pry into the majesty of God is overcome by His glory.  I speak from experience and know what I am saying."  -- Martin Luther, What Luther Says, #4389

"The theology which is speculative, which forgetting itself, soars upward into matters divine, is looking for the fall of Satan -- and finds it, too."
 -- ibid, #4401

Also overheard on TV from the other room

"If you don't talk to children about things that don't matter, they'll never talk to you about things that do." -- Dr. Phil, on the Today show.

Communication

"My ideas are only as good as my ability to share them with somebody else."  -- young female student of architecture on This Old House TV show (sorry, I was in the other room when I heard this, and I do not know her name)

My husband says,

"Every five years, the world re-invents itself."

Wait

"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint." -- Is. 40:31

More than just words

"The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." -- John 6:63b

A Better Definition

"What is Christianity?  Christianity is the life and salvation God has given in and through Jesus Christ."  -- Martin Luther, Explanation of the Small Catechism

Good to talk about

"To occupy oneself with God's Word, talking about it and thinking about it, is also a most tremendous help against the devil, the world, the flesh, and all evil thought.  Psalm 1:2 calls those blessed who meditate on the Law of the Lord day and night."

-- Martin Luther, 1530 Preface to the Large Catechism

Communion

"Finally, why do you wish to go to the Sacrament?  That I may learn to believe that Christ, out of great love, died for my sin, and also learn from Him to love God and my neighbor."

-- Martin Luther, Christian Questions and Their Answers

Understanding

"What is the key to the correct understanding of the Bible?  Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, is the heart and center of Scripture and therefore the key to its true meaning."

"What basic distinction must we keep in mind in order to understand the Bible?  We must sharply distinguish between the Law and the Gospel in the Bible."

"What does God teach and do in the Gospel?  In the Gospel, the good news of our salvation in Jesus Christ, God gives forgiveness, faith, life, and the power to please him with good works."

-- Martin Luther, Explanation of the Small Catechism

Good Advice

"A Christian is a man who knows how to acquire without cheating, how to lose without regret, and how to give without hesitation." -- from WPBC bulletin

-- Well, I don't necessarily think that's the definition of a Christian ... but being able to acquire without cheating, lose without regret, and give without hesitation are certainly virtues that could grace a Christian's life.

Frustration

I heard this on TV today:

"This life here and now was never intended to be fair.  In fact, the frustrations of this life are intended to make you long for something more." -- Pastor Bob Coy

To Understand

"To understand a proverb and the interpretation, the words of the wise and their dark sayings:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;

But fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Prov. 1:6-7

"These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs; but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly of the Father." -- John 16:25

Wise

"Let no one deceive himself.  If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise." -- 1 Cor. 3:18 (NKJV)

Know This

"Therefore if Christ appear in the likeness of an angry judge, or of a lawgiver, that requireth a strict account of our life past, then let us assure ourselves that it is not Christ, but a raging fiend.  For Scripture setteth forth Christ to be our reconciliation, our advocate, our comforter.  Such a one He ever is, and ever shall be.  He cannot be unlike Himself."

-- Martin Luther, Commentary on Galatians, Ch. 5, v. 2

Security

"God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." -- 1 Cor. 1:9 (NKJV)

What Works

"Trust in the Lord, and do good, so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed." -- Psalm 37:3 (KJV)

Ransom

"Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life ... that he should live forever and never see the pit ... But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me.  Selah." -- Psalm 49: 7, 9, 15 (ESV)

Acceptable

"In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.  But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him." -- Acts 10:34b-35 NKJV

Purpose

This is what I have figured out from reading the Bible:

Man was created to tend a garden ... and to walk with God.