Be anxious for nothing.

Credit: Lawrence OP | Flickr | CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

https://www.flickr.com/photos/paullew/48335749166/in/photolist-2nyDjLA-2nAZnS9-2jqZpe5-2me43uW-26Qpu35-2gKabNF-2gDgmeC-2oqTeES-VWqTtu-2rjr4vC-2oSqxrC-2mdVx5L-T9iu9L-2srZZFA-2hrV4SK-otyKMU-2iJPru2-22Kr25q-2iMtekw-3AET5-9zzYUs-F6K8eS-qV8Mv9-2q78JYd-fiW5gj

thought one:

Talked to the kids how worry is an emotion, and so there is a time and place for it. Worry helps us prepare. Worry helps us be careful. (On my to-do list the question, "What am I not worrying about that I should be worried about?" I override worry to my great lack of punctuality and professionalism. It makes me more immature, but I do it to keep from anxiety. God has different medicine.)

Anxiety, on the other hand, is a mind stuck on the negative, trying to anticipate every bad thing that could happen, as if that will protect us. You're not worried about preparing for one thing; that anxiety wants to apply to everything. It doesn't lessen commensurate to degree of risk or preparation, unless one goes to sometimes unreasonable lengths to obliterate risk. It wants 0% risk, which is hard in this world. Anxiety is willing to sacrifice a lot to get as close to that 0% as possible.

The Hon. MH:

 "Observe, It is the duty and interest of Christians to live without care. There is a care of diligence which is our duty, and consists in a wise forecast and due concern; but there is a care of diffidence and distrust which is our sin and folly, and which only perplexes and distracts the mind. “Be careful for nothing, so as by your care to distrust God, and unfit yourselves for his service.”"

Jesus says (through Paul): give thanks and pray instead. Beg, even. With thanksgiving.

"The effect of this will be the peace of God keeping our hearts, Phil. 4:7. The peace of God, that is, the comfortable sense of our reconciliation to God and interest in his favour, and the hope of the heavenly blessedness, and enjoyment of God hereafter, which passeth all understanding, is a great good than can be sufficiently valued or duly expressed. It has not entered into the heart of ham, 1 Cor. 2:9. This peace will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus; it will keep us from sinning under our troubles, and from sinking under them; keep us calm and sedate, without discomposure of passion, and with inward satisfaction. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, Isa. 26:3."

thought two: On looking for virtue

"The apostle would have the Christians learn any thing which was good of their heathen neighbours: “If there be any virtue, think of these things—imitate them in what is truly excellent among them, and let not them outdo you in any instance of goodness.” We should not be ashamed to learn any good thing of bad men, or those who have not our advantages. "

What a thing to say. Goes hand in hand with the hermeneutic of charity.

thought three:

Had a girl tell me Friday that she doesn't like being a girl. That is not at all shocking. Pretty sure it's not uncommon among women to feel that way, at times in their lives. Certainly know I have, usually because a course of action would put me in danger in ways that a man couldn't understand. (I mentioned this, and a boy at the table said, "Do it anyways. That's what we do." How lovely to have the majority of the danger be in your mind only. That's certainly part of learning to overcome as a woman. But the danger, while it may not be as widespread as we fear, is not imaginary.)

Anyhow. How to help? I asked her reasons. The monthly, getting hair done is painful, boys get to sit any way they like, girl bullying is so verbal and she's self-conscious already... 

How to help? Any other age, this is just normal angst. This age, though, is a rotten one. 

In one way, a Christian learns to accept the wisdom of God, and look for His reasons, or at least just live it well, whether as a slave, a woman, imprisoned, suffering, etc. 

That may be the answer. But having women to admire is helpful as well. Those women in Peru. Worked so hard. So tough. So skilled. So loving. Their prayers- honestly seemed like weaving magic spells of protection around the ones they love. That sounds blasphemous, but that image comes to mind time and again. 

Enough procrastination. Those lesson plans not gonna write themselves.

Turns out fear, like anger, is complicated.

We moderns are so one-dimensional in our feelings. Happiness good, shame and fear bad. Anger is okay. Unless you're a bully. It's okay to be sad. Feel your feelings. Talk about them.

Ancients, especially Scripture: We feel a lot of things, and a lot deeper, frankly. And show more than talk. Is it right though in this situation? Anger, wrath, fear, terror, guilt, shame, remorse, repentance, joy, gladness, rejoicing, exceedingly great joy. "The anger of the Lord burned", "It is right for me to be angry, even unto death," Saul was wroth, Ahab was sad, David and Jonathan wept, Joseph wept, I was glad when they said unto me 'Let us go into the house of the Lord', David danced, "Herod was very glad", The chief priests were glad when Judas volunteered... 

Scripture teaches us what humans be like. And...

Is it right? Is this the right provocation, time, place, and degree? Is it right to let loose? (It may be.) What should rule this feeling? "Guard your heart, for it is the well-spring of life."

 cf: Ephesians 5:33: "Women, phobeo your husbands."

(!)

That verse is generally translated "respect"/ "reverence". Not the general usage of it, however.

Thought one:

Healthy Fear/ Respect

to be afraid of acting badly (wrongly- misstepping) towards another because of his/ her/ its power, nature, authority, while TRUSTING that power, nature, authority to be good
- Nuclear power
- Electricity
- Wild animals - Driving a car
- Police officers when driving a car
- Children towards parents/ authorities
- Employee toward boss
- Soldiers toward superiors
- Christians toward God
- Wives toward husbands, per Ephesians 5:33 (!!)

Unhealthy Fear:
to be afraid of a person's power, nature, authority because you distrust their irrational misuse or harmful effects
- Enemies with nuclear power
- Being caught in an unpredictable lightning storm
- Rabid animals - A drunk driver
- Corrupt police officers
- Children toward abusive/ unpredictable parents
- Employees toward abusive bosses
- Civilians toward corrupt soldiers
- (unbelievers toward) false ideas of God
- Wives toward abusive husbands

Unhealthy Fearlessness/ Disrespect
to be unafraid of a person's power, nature, authority because of apathy, recklessness, lack of integrity, or abdication of authority
- Carelessness with nuclear power/ lightning
- Driving drunk or distracted (PHONES!)
- Lawbreakers
- Children toward lax parents/ authorities
- Irresponsible employees toward bosses
- Soldiers toward distant authorities
- Unbelievers toward of God
- Wives toward husbands (!)

Thought Two: https://biblehub.com/greek/5399.htm

Summary and Theological Reflection
    "Phobeō uncovers the heart’s object of ultimate concern. Scripture never denies the emotion of fear; it redirects it. Rightly ordered, fear honors God, produces wisdom, and energizes mission. Disordered, it muzzles testimony and spurns grace. The gospel therefore both instills and expels fear: instills awe before the Holy One, expels dread through the perfect love revealed at the cross and guaranteed by the resurrection."

"Semantic Range and Nuances

Strong’s Greek 5399 (phobeō) moves along a spectrum from healthy reverence to crippling terror. Context determines whether the term conveys (1) worshipful awe toward God, (2) prudent caution, or (3) faith-less dread. The same root can therefore describe the holy fear that produces obedience (Philippians 2:12) and the servile fear that paralyses (Matthew 25:25)."

"Fear in Relation to Christ the Messiah

The disciples’ journey exposes misplaced fear and invites faith. When the storm is stilled “they were terrified and asked one another, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him!’” (Mark 4:41). Yet moments of dread are answered with messianic assurance: “Do not be afraid; only believe” (Mark 5:36). Post-resurrection appearances carry the same refrain (Matthew 28:5,10), proving that the risen Lord, not hostile powers, commands the believer’s destiny."

"Evangelistic and Missional Contexts

Luke highlights “God-fearing” Gentiles (Acts 10:2; 13:26) whose awakened conscience responds readily to the gospel."

..."Such fear is never irrational; it is the sober recognition of divine holiness and sovereignty that nurtures worship (Revelation 15:4) and righteous living (Colossians 3:22)."

"Fear as Dread or Cowardice to be Overcome

Herod feared public opinion (Matthew 14:5); Pilate feared Caesar (John 19:8); the council feared the crowds (Acts 5:26). Such fear enslaves, distorts judgment, and opposes the purposes of God. The parable of the talents unmasks this bondage: “So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground” (Matthew 25:25). Scripture consistently contrasts this fruitless fear with courageous obedience born of faith (Hebrews 11:23,27)."

Thought Three: Matthew Henry <3

"The apostle assigns the reason of this submission from wives: For the husband is the head of the wife, Eph. 5:23. The metaphor is taken from the head in the natural body, which, being the seat of reason, of wisdom, and of knowledge, and the fountain of sense and motion, is more excellent than the rest of the body. [But it's not much good without it!] God has given the man the pre-eminence and a right to direct and govern by creation, and in that original law of the relation, Thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. Whatever there is of uneasiness in this, it is an effect of sin coming into the world. Generally, too, the man has (what he ought to have) a superiority in wisdom and knowledge. He is therefore the head, even as Christ is the head of the church. ... The apostle adds, and he is the Saviour of the body. Christ’s authority is exercised over the church for the saving of her from evil, and the supplying of her with every thing good for her. In like manner should the husband be employed for the protection and comfort of his spouse; and therefore she should the more cheerfully submit herself unto him. So it follows, Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ (Eph. 5:24), with cheerfulness, with fidelity, with humility, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing—in every thing to which their authority justly extends itself, in every thing lawful and consistent with duty to God."

"II. The duty of husbands (on the other hand), is to love their wives (Eph. 5:25); for without this they would abuse their superiority and headship. ...The love of Christ to the church is proposed as an example of this, which love of his is a sincere, a pure, an ardent, and constant affection, and that notwithstanding the imperfections and failures that she is guilty of. ... while such exemplars are offered to both, and so much is required of each, neither has reason to complain of the divine injunctions. The love which God requires from the husband in behalf of his wife will make amends for the subjection which [H]e demands from her to her husband; and the prescribed subjection of the wife will be an abundant return for that love of the husband which God has made her due. "

"And the wife see that she reverence her husband.” Reverence consists of love and esteem, which produce a care to please, and of fear, which awakens a caution lest just offence be given. That the wife thus reverence her husband is the will of God and the law of the relation."

thought three: On leaving and cleaving, ahem Americans.

"We are not to understand by this that a man’s obligation to other relations is cancelled upon his marriage, but only that this relation is to be preferred to all others, there being a nearer union between these two than between any others, that the man must rather leave any of those than his wife."

Thought One: 

" Be like the sower in Van Gogh's painting--don't position yourself in the center--rather, position yourself in a posture of openness--of a willingness to "do the work He has given you to do with gladness and singleness of heart and mind."  " - Dr. Leslie Thyberg

Thought Two:

"We like stories in which domination arrives with trumpets. We are less fond of stories in which it arrives as convenience. Yet convenience is where modern power likes to hide. Bureaucracy has always known this. So has advertising. So, for that matter, has political propaganda. The clever move is rarely to forbid judgment. The clever move is to make judgment feel inefficient, overwrought, somehow a little old-fashioned. Why wrestle with uncertainty when a polished answer is available in two seconds? " -Dr. Colin WP Lewis

Faith Waits Even So

Thought One:

"Faith is a way of waiting—never quite knowing, never quite hearing or seeing, because in the darkness we are all but a little lost. There is doubt hard on the heels of every belief, fear hard on the heels of every hope, and many holy things lie in ruins because the world has ruined them and we have ruined them. But faith waits even so, delivered at least from that final despair which gives up waiting altogether because it sees nothing left worth waiting for. Faith waits—for the opening of a door, the sound of footsteps in the hall, that beloved voice delayed, delayed so long that there are times when you all but give up hope of ever hearing it. And when at moments you think you do hear it (if only faintly, from far away) the question is: Can it possibly be, impossibly be, that one voice of all voices?" 

- Frederick Buechner, Secrets in the Dark, quoted by Dr. Leslie Thyberg

Thought Two:

"“Come and have breakfast,” Jesus says. Because the disciples were hungry.

[...] Here on the beach there’s a reason that, before he’s a prophet, before he’s a liberator, before he’s the good shepherd, Jesus is a cook. He sits by a fire cooking fish for his friends. Yes, he’s about to give Peter forgiveness, but first he gives him breakfast.

We try so hard to separate the ‘spiritual’ from the ‘practical’, but that’s such a false dichotomy. We can can have all the right doctrine and all the right theology, but sometimes, before all that, people are desperate for a mug of coffee and a couple of slices of toast because they’re stressed and exhausted." -Left Hand of Ehud

thought three: More Biblical art

Source: Catholicjules.net

Source: https://godspacelight.com/freerangefriday-at-the-table-with-jesus-this-time-its-a-picnic-table/

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/cast-your-nets-on-the-right-side-greg-olsen.html

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1772231702/christian-art-the-invitation-printable

https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/diglib-viewimage.pl

https://strongstakes.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/jesus_on_shore.jpg

https://www.biblejournal.net/tag/breakfast-on-the-beach/

https://english.op.org/godzdogz/resurrection-appearances-come-and-have-breakfast/

Losing to Gravity

Art by Jeffrey T. Larson, Laughing Ladies

thought one:

I realized that the widening jaw line of women, heretofore a grievous change, actually serves to move us physically from being mere women into being matriarchs in the society. As our chins widen, so does our authority. "Say something and see what happens," or as my mother put it, "That's enough," suddenly becomes enough. There is a new gravity we demand commensurate to the gravity of our cheeks. 

There are advantages to aging.

thought two: Why teaching at a Christian school is the best:

Thinking how setting affects plot:

"How would Jesus’ birth have been different if He had been born in 2025 America?

What would be the same?

What would be different?

Why is God, the Author of History, able to pick the correct time and place for things?"

Just thought, not to get serious or anything, but He would have made the powerful (who love darkness rather than light) very jealous and the meek (of whom is the Kingdom of God) rejoice. Godless religious leaders would probably still deliver Him into a miscarriage of justice on the part of the civil authorities, who had formerly aspired to better things, because the world in its wisdom chose not to know Christ, who is the end of the law for all who believe. Although uneasy, they probably would acquiesce for political reasons.

Dang. 

Execution doesn't happen so speedily here. We do live post-Jesus, and it shows. A Muslim country more likely? Seems like an appearance of Christ would split their religious community down the middle. America's religious don't seem to be earnest enough for things to get that serious. Tight-knit Calvinist circles? Could have happened frequently in Europe, but the political would have been too tightly aligned with the religious, and maybe too complete in eradicating the followers. No, the first century it had to be.

thought three: 

Ecclesiastes on Holy Saturday narrated by an unreliable narrator, but a very intellectual one. He has many good points in quick succession. We were already told he was the wisest man ever, and he says it's all vanity.

1 Corinthians 15 written by a man determined to count all things loss for one great thing. Calls them rubbish, actually. So, if there were no Resurrection, pity the poor Christian fools who indeed build their life upon vapor. The lacerated and incarcerated grandcousin of Solomon stands up to contradict: This Fact you did not take into consideration. And because of that, you are wrong; we don't need to just eat and drink to forget that tomorrow we shall die. We eat and drink and give thanks because tomorrow we shall die, and then live. Vapor turns into grace. "Never enough" turns into "My grace is sufficient". Meaninglessness turns into sacrament. A cry of "empty" turns into songs of "thank You."

He descended to the dead.

On the third day, He rose again.

thought four:

Can't stop.

"The human being is earth that suffers." -Barnabas

Good Friday

Art by https://www.fullofeyes.com/good-friday-2023/

thought one: 

The corruption is mine.

The life is Yours.

 thought two:

What is the significance of the fact that women accompanied Christ to the Cross? John, yes, too. But the crowd of women? An the anointing of Mary for His burial?

I feel it is related to Eve.

thought three: 

Mockery from evil stands out as a theme in the Crucifixion. But today, so did fear.

"Now I know that you fear God, you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me"

"And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words." Mark 14

"And they all left him and fled." Mark 14:50

"When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. " John 22

"And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came, 67 and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” 68 But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you mean.” And he went out into the gateway..." Mark 22

"When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?”"

"From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.”"

"After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus[e] by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds[f] in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews."

Mark 14: 43 "Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. "

19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews,[c] Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

1 Peter 2

16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants[d] of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

1 Peter 3

"And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening." [submission and living in peace with spouse in a book devoted to the theme of suffering...!]

"14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil."

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

thought four:

"After my own journey, I am ever mindful that somewhere in the pew, someone is doing what they always do while sincerely doubting their ability to hold onto their faith." -Kate Miller, Ancient Words in a Crisis of Faith

"Rule No. 23 When you see a Crime punished, you may be inwardly Pleased; but always shew Pity to the Suffering Offender."

 - copied by George Washington, Rules of Civility.

What a man to be capable of recognizing such a thing.

Thought One: M. Henry on the Triumphal Entry

"Those that have a true value and veneration for Christ will neither be ashamed nor afraid to own him before men in any instance whereby they may do him honour."

Art: 1846 Fresco - Christ's Entry into Jerusalem by Jean-Hippolyte Flandrin,19th

Thought Two:

" (2.) Perhaps they were those more devout Jews that came up to the feast some time before, to purify themselves, that were more inclined to religion than their neighbours, and these were they that were so forward to honour Christ. Note, The more regard men have to God and religion in general, the better disposed they will be to entertain Christ and his religion, which is not destructive but perfective of all previous discoveries and institutions."

Morals and religion get such a bad rap these days, but I don't see that in Scripture.

The moral or religious are people living closer to the design of humanity.

It won't save them.

But morality/ religion is, in themselves, good.

They are you disagreeing less with God about how humans work. They are you submitting to something outside of your fickle self. They are you being more, not less human.

If they stand in the way of receiving Christ, if they are what you place all your trust in, if they don't include the love for God and neighbor defined in Scripture, it's an idol. But it's a good thing distorted.

Thought Three:

"Unbelieving fears are enemies to spiritual joys; if they be cured, if they be conquered, joy will come of course; Christ comes to his people to silence their fears. If the case be so that we cannot reach to the exultations of joy, yet we should labour to get from under the oppressions of fear. Rejoice greatly; at least, fear not."

Thought Four: Brother on a roll today.

" It well becomes the disciples of Christ, when they are grown up to maturity in knowledge, frequently to reflect upon the follies and weaknesses of their first beginning, that free grace may have the glory of their proficiency, and they may have compassion on the ignorant. When I was a child, I spoke as a child."

"cultural messages that can dehumanize ("excarnate")"

  From Dr. Leslie Thyburg's Catechism class @ Trinity Anglican Seminary:

"As Lent has begun, I’ve been thinking about different kinds of deserts. 

There are deserts we have chosen, and ones that we have not. There are deserts that seem devoid of life and sustenance, and ones that hold hidden wellsprings and remarkable beauty. There are deserts where we might feel completely alone, and ones where, to our surprise, help and company come to us in forms we did not expect.

Sometimes these are all the same desert, and we are the ones who become different as we travel deeper into it, able to perceive and know more clearly what the desert holds than we did when we first entered into it.

Always a desert changes us, if we allow it. And this is what Lent offers to us. This season provides a landscape that welcomes our own inner terrain: our fear, pain, and grief; our joy, solace, and hope; and the wild space within us where all of this lives together. Lent tells us that everything we carry in us—everything we carry in us—is met, held, and transformed in Love.

As we move into this season, this is a blessing for you."

"Where the Breath Begins

Dry
and dry
and dry
in each direction.

Dust dry.
Desert dry.
Bone dry.

And here
in your own heart:
dry,
the center of your chest
a bare valley
stretching out
every way you turn.

Did you think
this was where
you had come to die?

It’s true that
you may need
to do some crumbling,
yes.
That some things
you have protected
may want to be
laid bare,
yes.
That you will be asked
to let go
and let go,
yes.

But listen.
This is what
a desert is for.

If you have come here
desolate,
if you have come here
deflated,
then thank your lucky stars
the desert is where
you have landed—
here where it is hard
to hide,
here where it is unwise
to rely on your own devices,
here where you will
have to look
and look again
and look close
to find what refreshment waits
to reveal itself to you.

I tell you,
though it may be hard
to see it now,
this is where
your greatest blessing
will find you.

I tell you,
this is where
you will receive
your life again.

I tell you,
this is where
the breath begins.

—Jan Richardson"

On how to spot wolves

Thought One: How to Spot Wolves

"What affections and practices will they lead those into, that embrace them? If the doctrine be of God, it will tend to promote serious piety, humility, charity, holiness, and love, with other Christian graces; but if, on the contrary, the doctrines these prophets preach have a manifest tendency to make people proud, worldly, and contentious, to make them loose and careless in their conversations, unjust or uncharitable, factious or disturbers of the public peace; if it indulge carnal liberty, and take people off from governing themselves and their families by the strict rules of the narrow way, we may conclude, that this persuasion comes not of him that calleth us, Gal. 5:8. This wisdom is from above, Jas. 3:15. Faith and a good conscience are held together..."

Thought Two: The Son of Man has no place to lay His head

"It may encourage us to trust God for necessaries, that the beasts and birds have such good provision; and may comfort us, if we want necessaries, that our Master did so before us. Note, Our Lord Jesus, when he was here in the world, submitted to the disgraces and distresses of extreme poverty; for our sakes he became poor, very poor. He had not a settlement, had not a place of repose, not a house of his own, to put his head in, not a pillow of his own, to lay his head on. He and his disciples lived upon the charity of well-disposed people, that ministered to him of their substance, Luke 8:2. Christ submitted to this, not only that he might in all respects humble himself, and fulfil the scriptures, which spake of him as poor and needy, but that he might show us the vanity of worldly wealth, and teach us to look upon it with a holy contempt; that he might purchase better things for us, and so make us rich, 2 Cor. 8:9."

[Contrast warning with Jesus' invitation to first disciples' query, "Lord, where are you staying?"

"Come and see."]

 "Christ would have us, when we take upon us a profession of religion, to sit down and count the cost (Luke 14:28), to do it intelligently, and with consideration, and choose the way of godliness, not because we know no other, but because we know no better. It is no advantage to religion, to take men by surprise, ere they are aware. They that take up a profession in a pang, will throw it off again in a fret; let them, therefore, take time, and they will have done the sooner: let him that will follow Christ know the worst of it, and expect to lie hard, and fare hard. "

Thought Three: On Excuses

"This seemed a reasonable request, and yet it was not right. He had not the zeal he should have had for the work, and therefore pleaded this, because it seemed a plausible plea. Note, An unwilling mind never wants an excuse. The meaning of Non vacat is, Non placet—The want of leisure is the want of inclination. "