“Nearly all the wisdom we possess, that is to say, true and sound wisdom, consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves. But, while joined by many bonds, which one precedes and brings forth the other is not easy to discern. In the first place, no one can look upon himself without immediately turning his thoughts to the contemplation of God, in whom he ‘lives and moves’ (Acts 17:28). For quite clearly, the mighty gifts with which we are endowed are hadly from ourselves; indeed, our very being is nothing but subsistence in the one God. Then, by these benefits shed like dew from heaven upon us, we are led as by rivulets to the spring itself. Indeed, our very poverty better discloses the infinitude of benefits reposing in God. The miserable ruin, into which the rebellion of the first man cast us, especially compels us to look upward. […] Thus, from the feeling of our own ignorance, vanity, poverty, infirmity, and–what is more–depravity and corruption, we recognize that the true light of wisdom, sound virtue, full abundance of every good, and purity of righteousness rest in the Lord alone. To this extent we are prompted by our own ills to contemplate the good things of God; and we cannot seriously aspire to him before we begin to become displeased with ourselves. […] Accordingly, the knowledge of ourselves not only arouses us to seek God, but also, as it were, leads us by the hand to find him.”

The author takes in consideration the two most important and basic questions to answer in evaluating wisdom: the character and nature of God and the X-factor in the character and nature of humanity. . .just saying.

The Dirk

PTSD events are like a pebble/rock/anvil that hits a car windshield. . .a small object (so to speak) leaves a small “ding” with no splinter cracks. . .a bigger or subsequent object hits and produces a crack and auxiliary cracks. The continual bombardment of events can either spread the obstructive view of the driver or at least distort it. Initially, state automobile inspections dismiss small or insignificant cracks or splits in the windshield for vehicle inspections. But, upon subsequent inspections, if the cracks and splinters obscure adequate safe operation of the vehicle, it will be declared unsafe and a danger. I am reticent to evaluate my windshield. . . sometimes, I feel like it is totally obstructed.

‘Nuff Said!

The Dirk

I have finally achieved the ultimate SLLCC. . .I am officially crazy! Nuff said.

The Dirk

“We have to show mercy because we are so screwed up!” Steve Brown

I just saw a digitally captured tap dancing ghost (compliments of the show Ghost Adventures)…how can you beat that!!!!

The Dirk

Steve Brown, one of the greatest proponents of grace, wrote:

I’m often asked, “Okay, I get this grace thing, but where do you draw the line?”

My standard answer is that you don’t; and when you do, it’s no longer grace. Grace covers white lies, murder and porn. It’s an umbrella that invites gays, lesbians, adulterers, liars and thieves. It’s for the pretenders of goodness and obedience. It covers the arrogant, the fat, the angry and the failures. It’s for everybody who is unqualified.

The drawing of the line is more often than not an effort to attain power, manipulate, affirm one’s own righteousness and keep out the spiritual cretins from the “family.” Drawing a line is the stuff of which religious institutions are made. I find myself getting quite irritated when people do that…

There is (and you know it’s true) a mushy kind of grace sort of like what…attributes to political liberalism. It’s a ‘let’s join hands and sing Kumbaya around the campfire. You’re okay and I’m okay…so just keep singing because the singing is the important thing.'”

Now from Dirk: That “mushy” kind of grace is not part of the grace of the Gospel of Jesus Christ…that is heretical sentimentalism, not the grace that is from and founded in and exclusively kept by Jesus Christ and testified to by the Holy Spirit!

Grace to you, dirk

“A nation can only be free, happy, and great in proportion to the virtue and intelligence of the people.”

Stephen F. Austin

“In religion, as in war and everything else, comfort is the one thing you cannot get by looking for it. If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end: if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth–only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin with and, in the end, despair. Most of us have got over the pre-war wishful thinking about international politics. It is time we did the same thing about religion.”

C. S. Lewis – Mere Christianity