Jake Smithson > Recent Status Updates

“By this we understand first that the visible and material sign is only a representation of higher and more excellent things. In order to comprehend the latter we must have recourse to Gods word where all the power of the sign lies. Now by these words we see that the things signified are the purifications of our sins, and the mortification of our flesh” -Calvin on the sacrament of baptism

“We conclude then that the sacraments are truly called witnesses of God’s grace, like seals of His favor toward us, marking it in us and therefore comforting and nourishing, confirming and increasing our faith”

- Calvin on The Sacraments

“St. Paul shows in all these passages that God commanded what is beyond our power in order to convince us of our lack of power”

I’m a big deal 🎉

Sean, this has been a long time coming👀

“Failures to listen are a hugely aggravating factor in conflict and disagreement. Many times what really upsets someone is not a sheer difference of opinion but rather not feeling heard.”

“In a healthy disagreement, courage means being willing to say difficult words. This does not mean saying whatever we feel like. Courage is not venting. On the contrary, true courage will require wisdom, discernment and calculation. We must not wound others with reckless words. But courage will at times require us to speak difficult words.”

For as soon as we have conceived some little taste of divinity by contemplation of the world, we abandon the true God and set up dreams and imaginary things from our own brains in place of Him, and transfer to them Gods righteousness, wisdom, goodness, and power. Moreover we so obscure His daily works, or we overturn them by misjudging them, that the praise and grace which is owed to Him.