Friday, January 22, 2016

Continued Thoughts On Impossibility

     Here is the continuation of Tuesday's post of "Thoughts on Impossiblility:"

The essence of Christianity shows itself only as a gift from another world – though even then it is often obscured by great jumbles of “Christian” activity. Even so, each of us can hope for it, and find it for ourselves. Even the impossible can be made possible by the silent power that surrounds us and bubbles over with life and splendor.        …Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt (1842-1919), Now Is Eternity, 2002 p 44

Good and evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance. The smallest good act today is the capture of a strategic point from which, a few months later, you may be able to go on to victories you never dreamed of. An apparently trivial indulgence in lust or, anger today is the loss of a ridge or railway line or bridgehead from which the enemy may launch an attack otherwise impossible.        ...C. S. Lewis (1898-1963), “Charity,” Mere Christianity, 1956

When you come to knowing God, the initiative lies on His side. If He does not show Himself, nothing you can do will enable you to find Him. And, in fact, He shows much more of Himself to some people than to others - not because He has favourites, but because it is impossible for Him to show Himself to a man whose whole mind and character are in the wrong condition. Just as sunlight, though it has no favourites, cannot be reflected in a dusty mirror as clearly as in a clean one.      ...C. S. Lewis (1898-1963), “The Three Personal God,” Mere Christianity, 1956

The command Be ye perfect is not idealistic gas.  Nor is it a command to do the impossible.  (God) is going to make us into creatures that can obey his command…He meant what He said.  Those who put themselves into His hands will become perfect, as He is perfect—perfect in love, wisdom, joy, beauty, and immortality.             ... C. S. Lewis (1898-1963), “Counting the Cost” Mere Christianity, 1956

It is God’s delight to make possible to us that which seems impossible, and when we reach a place where He alone has right of way, then all the things that have been misty and misunderstood are cleared up.   …Smith Wigglesworth (1859-1947), Faith That Prevails, GPH Publication, 1938 ch 2

If all things are possible with God, then all things are possible to him who believes in him.            ... John Wesley (1703-1791), Sermons on Several Occasions, v. II, New York: Carlton & Phillips, 1855, p 446

I know the power obedience has of making things easy which seem impossible.         ... Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), The Interior Castle, 1577, tr., E. Allison Peers, Garden City, N.Y.:  Doubleday, 1961, p 33

Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”       …Luke 18:27 NIV Bible

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