"With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?" He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
-- Micah 6:6-8 (ESV)
Augustine, Confessions:
You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.
Charles Spurgeon, Treasury of David:
The Lord does not ask for rivers of oil or ten thousands of rams. He asks for the heart. The man who truly walks humbly with his God gives what no sacrifice can purchase -- himself.
John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Statues:
Do you wish to honor Christ's body? Then do not neglect him when you see him naked. Do not honor him here in the temple with silken garments while outside you leave him to shiver with cold. He who said, "This is my body," said also, "You saw me hungry and gave me no food." The one is inseparable from the other.
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, Book I, Ch. 25:
Every man naturally desires knowledge; but what good is knowledge without the fear of God? Surely a humble laborer who serves God is better than a proud philosopher who neglects his own soul and contemplates the course of the stars. He who knows himself well becomes vile in his own sight and takes no delight in the praises of men.
What are you bringing to God that costs you nothing -- and calling it worship?
Epictetus, Discourses, Book I, Ch. 1:
Some things are within our power, while others are not. Within our power are opinion, motivation, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever is of our own doing; not within our power are our body, our property, reputation, office, and, in a word, whatever is not of our own doing.
St. Clair, MI -- Saturday, July 11
Mostly sunny, high near 83°F. Northeast wind 3 to 10 mph with gusts to 20 mph. Tonight mostly clear, low around 60°F. A dry and pleasant July day.