2010

i like this mantel...but it has nothing to do with this post...i thought about writing a list of things to do this year. goals that i wanted to accomplish, or things that i wanted to make sure i didn't do. or look back on '09 and evaluate the year clay and i shared. then i came across this and i have decided that this is what i want to remember the most this next year...

Remember, O my soul,

it is thy duty and privilege to rejoice in God:

He requires it of thee for all his favours of grace.

Rejoice then in the Giver and His goodness,

Be happy in Him, O my heart, and in nothing but God,

for whatever a man trusts in

from that he expects happiness.

He who is the ground of thy faith

should be the substance of thy joy.

Whence then comes heaviness and dejection,

when joy is in thee,

promised by the Father,

bestowed by the Son,

inwrought by the Holy Spirit,

thine by grace,

thy birthright in believing?

Art thou seeking to rejoice in thyself

from an evil motive of pride and self reputation?

Thou hast nothing of thine own but sin,

nothing to move God to be gracious

or to continue his grace towards thee.

If thou forget this thou wilt lose joy.

Art thou grieving under a sense of inswelling sin?

Let godly sorrow work repentance,

as the true spirit which the Lord blesses,

and which creates fullest joy;

Sorrow for self opens rejoicing in God,

Self-loathing draws down divine delights.

Hast thou sought joys in some creature comfort?

look not below God for happiness;

fall asleep in Delilah's lap.

let God be all in all to thee

and joy in the fountain that is always full.