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Showing posts with the label perseverance

Made it to Chapter 8

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One probably wonders what I’m working on.  As an Independent Scholar, as I am not attached to a University, I am writing a commentary on the first book of a personal journal written by a 2nd Century Roman Emperor. In that book he lists 16 names and describes what each person contributed to his life. That’s the short version. I’ve covered the first 8 so far and hit a wall. Now I’ve gone back and am editing Chapters 1-3 to keep my mojo going. Not sure when I’ll be done but hopefully by years’ end. I already have another project lined up. 

Prayer for the New Year

"Almighty and most merciful Father, I again appear in Thy Presence, the wretched misspender of another year which Thy mercy has allowed me. O Lord, let me now sink into total depravity, look down upon me, and rescue me at last from the captivity of sin. Impart to me good resolutions, and give me strength and perservance to perform them. Take not from me Thy Holy Spirit, but grant that I may redeem the time lost, and that by temperance and diligence, by sincere repentance and faithful obedience I may finally attain everlasting happiness, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord." (Samuel Johnson, 1709 - 1784).

Carrying the Burden

When a Backpacker puts a pack on his back for an all day hike he can carry it one of two ways: either with his shoulder straps (placing the weight on his shoulders and back); or, with his hips (placing the weight on the lower part of his body). If he uses the first way, his shoulders bear all the weight and he tires out easily and quickly because his shoulders aren’t built to carry that weight. But if he uses his hips to bear the weight he can go all day without suffering greatly. The key is how he carries the load. The same is true for the Christian: when carrying a load, he should be concerned with "how" it is carried and not the "why" or for "how long."

One More Round

"Fight one more round. When your feet are so tired that you have to shuffle back to the centre of the ring, fight one more round. When your arms are so tired that you can hardly lift your hands to come on guard, fight one more round. When your nose is bleeding and your eyes are black and you are so tired that you wish your opponent would crack you on the jaw and put you to sleep, fight one more round. Remember: the man who fights one more round is never whipped." (James J. Corbett, heavyweight boxing champion from 1892 to 1897)