“But the pleasure he must be content only to remember?” “That is like saying, ‘My food I must be content only to eat.’ ” “I do not understand.” “A pleasure is full grown only when it is remembered. You are speaking, Hmn, as if the pleasure
...more
“As with Watts, we see only dimly through the bewildering mysteries of life. Yet as Watts did, by grace alone, we too can know and believe that God has portioned out our lives for His glory and for our good. And strong in faith, upheld by divine love, we, too, can see through the gloom and sing the praises of our Savior, who passed through far deeper woes than ever Watts or we will endure.”
― The Poetic Wonder of Isaac Watts
― The Poetic Wonder of Isaac Watts
“Some say “God helps those who help themselves,” but the Bible says the exact opposite: God helps the helpless. God helps those who, left to themselves, would die in their sins. He even helps those who hate him and who, by nature, continually oppose him. He does this because he is not like us. By nature, he is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6).”
― But God...: The Two Words at the Heart of the Gospel
― But God...: The Two Words at the Heart of the Gospel
“Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice. One may protest against evil; it can be exposed and, if need be, prevented by use of force. Evil always carries within itself the germ of its own subversion in that it leaves behind in human beings at least a sense of unease. Against stupidity we are defenseless. Neither protests nor the use of force accomplish anything here; reasons fall on deaf ears; facts that contradict one’s prejudgment simply need not be believed – in such moments the stupid person even becomes critical – and when facts are irrefutable they are just pushed aside as inconsequential, as incidental. In all this the stupid person, in contrast to the malicious one, is utterly self satisfied and, being easily irritated, becomes dangerous by going on the attack. For that reason, greater caution is called for when dealing with a stupid person than with a malicious one. Never again will we try to persuade the stupid person with reasons, for it is senseless and dangerous.”
― Letters and Papers from Prison
― Letters and Papers from Prison
“God does not impose requirements difficult for an average person to meet: rather, they are impossible.”
― But God...: The Two Words at the Heart of the Gospel
― But God...: The Two Words at the Heart of the Gospel
“Hughes often said that men fail to make progress in learning not for lack of time or ability but for lack of hard work. Unlike so many university students today, who stay up late partying, eating pizza, and playing video games, Watts and his friends did not fritter away the hours. They did, however, stay up late. Far into the night, Watts went on reading and annotating what he read.”
― The Poetic Wonder of Isaac Watts
― The Poetic Wonder of Isaac Watts
Christopher’s 2024 Year in Books
Take a look at Christopher’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
More friends…
Favorite Genres
Polls voted on by Christopher
Lists liked by Christopher















































