07/29/14 REFLECTION FROM THE PAST

07/29/14 REFLECTION FROM THE PAST

I encouraged my children, as well as my parishioners, to read biographies and autobiographies of Christians. Christians from the past learned vital truths most modern Christians will never even think about. Reading about successful believers from the past was important to my own growth. The younger we start reading and the more focus we give to the "old paths" the more we will bear the Fruit of the Spirit and the more fruit we will bear through the Holy Spirit.

Here is a quote from Francis Asbury, which my son David posted (with David's comment added).

'My present mode of conduct is...to read about 100 pages a day; usually to pray in public five times a day.... If it were in my power, I would do a thousand times as much for such a gracious and blessed Master.' - Pioneer Methodist bishop and traveling preacher, Francis Asbury in his journal on this date in 1776.
I'll bet those 100 pages he read weren't mindless articles about the sports trade transactions, pet novelties, cute ideas for turning toothpicks into lawn furniture, nit wit written theological rants, or ridiculous political fodder.
I'll bet those five prayers weren't the modern-day quickie variety. You know, like the prayers before you eat... unfolding the napkin and blinking your eyes so people can't tell you are spending 6 seconds thanking God for the abundance of food on your plate.
Shame on me for not being more diligent about spending more of my time in the spiritual disciplines. That;'s probably why no one will be quoting my FB posts 135 years from now.
Dear God, help me to be more effective and bold in spiritual growth, and a blessing to others who are growing with me.