So in case any one cares, I did not win the Powerball Jackpot last night. So I will probadly go on with life and try to forget that I did not waste that dollar. But you know what they say, you cant win if you dont play. Some people are just luckier than others or cursed. Yes I would love to have $340 million. Who wouldn't. My advise the guy in Oregon is to pay some bum $100 clean him up and have him go claim the money for you. That way you won't have third uncles named Lenny from Flordia crawling out the wood work. But really what would you do with $340 million or $200 million after Uncle Sam gets his cut. I would probaly keep like $50 mil save $25 Mil (get rich off the interest) pay off all my debt, but a couple of houses for my parents. Buy a house somewhere I could golf in the summer and ski in the winter and just sit on my fat can and watch tv.
So your thinking that there is still $125 mil left over. Yeah I would just give the rest to way. I would just run out on the streets and throw money at everyone. Intstead I would give it to people that genuine people. Now some of you that know me pretty well might think that I would be on the first plan to Africa and give all my moeny to people there. Well you are wrong. I would probadly give some to bulid some churches. But beyond that I would give my money to the average Joe Blow American that is just trying to make a living in America. Enough so he could really stand a chance to live in this place.
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Cards lose Cards lose.
So because of the year I spent in Missouri for college I can't help but pull for the redbirds. Too bad they went down in defeat tonight. Sorry Brittany, Scott and the rest of the folks in the Show-Me state. Well they "showed" us something alright, they showed us even they were the defending National Leauge champs, they still couldn't pull it out. Not RedSox. No RedBirds. What is a Reds fan to do. Well there is always next season.
World Series: White Sox V. Astros. All I have to say is that Shoeless Joe is probadly rolling over in his grave, and Nolan Ryan is sleeplessly waiting by his phone hoping that the Stros will call him out retirement.
World Series: White Sox V. Astros. All I have to say is that Shoeless Joe is probadly rolling over in his grave, and Nolan Ryan is sleeplessly waiting by his phone hoping that the Stros will call him out retirement.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Are hymns Hip??
So I might be a little behind on this but, that is nothing new I was always a late bloomer. B that ut I have noticed lately hymns are making a come back. Especially in the Christian market. You know what they say, every thing old will make a come back. I thought I would never say this, but I really like hymns. Well I do now. Here is some thoughts about hymns.
The one thing that I remember about the church that I grew up in besides wearing tight penny loafers is the hymns. I was never a big fan of them. I don't know if it was the words, the organ, or the choir, but hymns never did it for me. Now that I am older. I am starting to dig them more. I think I now realize that it is not the organ or the choir, or words for that matter. It is the imate bond between you an Christ. Some might say, that the words to songs especially "worship songs" are the most important part. But I so no. I say it is the meaning behind the songs. How each peron intperts and gets out of the experience.
I mean I am a big fan of worship music. After my experience in Africa this summer my outlook on worship really changed. It is not about the music, or the person playing guitar. It is about me and God.
Singing worship songs is just one expression of worship. As one of my friends says, "Worship music is not worship, it is praise." Whatever it is, it is great. And I think the song does matter. To are an organic way of praising God. They bring you back to the roots of Christian's.
And some artist do a great job of bringing these old has-been songs back to life.
Albums like Passion: accient hymns make worship just a really rich time.
A couple weeks ago at the church I go to our worhip leader played one of my favorite hymns "Come Thou Fount" and to my surprise the sound level of the congregation increased two fold. And for a having a room full of college students, and adults mostly under 30 that is a pretty amazing.
Maybe this is just another trend that will die out sooner than later, but I am saying no. I am thinking that hymns are here to stay, just as they have for hundreds of years.
The one thing that I remember about the church that I grew up in besides wearing tight penny loafers is the hymns. I was never a big fan of them. I don't know if it was the words, the organ, or the choir, but hymns never did it for me. Now that I am older. I am starting to dig them more. I think I now realize that it is not the organ or the choir, or words for that matter. It is the imate bond between you an Christ. Some might say, that the words to songs especially "worship songs" are the most important part. But I so no. I say it is the meaning behind the songs. How each peron intperts and gets out of the experience.
I mean I am a big fan of worship music. After my experience in Africa this summer my outlook on worship really changed. It is not about the music, or the person playing guitar. It is about me and God.
Singing worship songs is just one expression of worship. As one of my friends says, "Worship music is not worship, it is praise." Whatever it is, it is great. And I think the song does matter. To are an organic way of praising God. They bring you back to the roots of Christian's.
And some artist do a great job of bringing these old has-been songs back to life.
Albums like Passion: accient hymns make worship just a really rich time.
A couple weeks ago at the church I go to our worhip leader played one of my favorite hymns "Come Thou Fount" and to my surprise the sound level of the congregation increased two fold. And for a having a room full of college students, and adults mostly under 30 that is a pretty amazing.
Maybe this is just another trend that will die out sooner than later, but I am saying no. I am thinking that hymns are here to stay, just as they have for hundreds of years.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Not something orginal
So I promise to post something orginal soon. Does anyone really read my blog anyway? Post a comment if you do. No but I ran across the below tonight. Reading it really made me think about my life right now. My happy little stagnet life. Time for me to get off my duff and make something of this life.
The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards (1722-1723)
Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, I do humbly
entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are
agreeable to his will, for Christ's sake.
Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.
1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God's glory, and my
own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any
consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad's of ages hence.
Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and
advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet
with, how many and how great soever.
2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new invention and
contrivance to promote the aforementioned things.
3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of
these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.
4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or
more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.
5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable
way I possibly can.
6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the
last hour of my life.
8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been
so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or
failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote
nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my
own sins and misery to God.
9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common
circumstances which attend death.
10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.
11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to
do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances don't hinder.
12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any
such account, immediately to throw it by.
13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.
14. Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.
15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger to irrational beings.
16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor,
more or less, upon no account except for some real good.
17. Resolved, that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.
18. Resolved, to live so at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and
when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.
19. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it
would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.
20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.
21. Resolved, never to do anything, which if I should see in another, I should
count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of
him.
(Resolutions 1 through 21 written in on setting in New Haven in
1722)
22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other
world, as I possibly can, with all the power; might, vigor, and vehemence, yea
violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be
thought of.
23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most
unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original
intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God's glory, to
repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.
24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I
come to the original cause; and then both carefully endeavor to do so no more,
and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.
25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is,
which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my
forces against it.
26. Resolved, to east away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.
27. Resolved, never willfully to omit anything, except the omission be for the
glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.
28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as
that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor
that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will
answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.
30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion,
and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.
31. Resolved, never to say anything at all against anybody, but when it is
perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to
mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and
failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything
against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.
32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that in Prov. 20:6,
"A faithful man who can find?" may not be partly fulfilled in me.
33. Resolved, always to do what I can towards making, maintaining, establishing
and preserving peace, when it can be without over-balancing detriment in other
respects. Dec.26, 1722.
34. Resolved, in narration's never to speak anything but the pure and simple
verity.
35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that
my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question
was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.
36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call
for it. Dec. 19, 1722.
37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been
negligent, what sin I have committed, and wherein I have denied myself: also at
the end of every week, month and year. Dec.22 and 26, 1722.
38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of
laughter on the Lord's day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.
39. Resolved, never to do anything that I so much question the lawfulness of, as
that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be
lawful or no; except I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.
40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in
the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.
41. Resolved, to ask myself at the end of every day, week, month and year,
wherein I could possibly in any respect have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.
42. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was
made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the
communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of
January, 1722-23.
43. Resolved, never henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own,
but entirely and altogether God's, agreeable to what is to be found in Saturday,
January 12. Jan.12, 1723.
44- Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence at all on any
of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any
otherwise than the religious end will carry it. Jan.12, 1723.
45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection
at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what
helps religion. Jan.12 and 13.1723.
46. Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my
father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least
alteration of speech, or motion of my eve: and to be especially careful of it, with
respect to any of our family.
47. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to deny whatever is not most agreeable to
a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peace_able, contented, easy,
compassionate, generous, humble, meek, modest, submissive, obliging, diligent
and industrious, charitable, even, patient, moderate, forgiving, sincere temper;
and to do at all times what such a temper would lead me to. Examine strictly
every week, whether I have done so. Sabbath morning. May 5,1723.
48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest
scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have
truly an interest in Christ or no; that when I come to die, I may not have any
negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.
49. Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it.
50. Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most
prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.
51. Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done,
if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.
52. I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to
live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall
wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.
53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest
frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and
confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have
assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.
54. Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it
would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it. July 8, 1723.
55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if I had
already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. July 8, 1723.
56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my
corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.
57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether ~ have
done my duty, and resolve to do it; and let it be just as providence orders it, I will
as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty and my sin. June 9, and
July 13 1723.
58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in
conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May27,
and July 13, 1723.
59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger,
that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to
manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be
disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July ii,
and July 13.
60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order,
when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity
without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4, and 13,
1723.
61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and
relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I
may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc.
May 21, and July 13, 1723.
62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty; and then according to Eph. 6:6-8, do
it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man; "knowing that
whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord." June
25 and July 13, 1723.
63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the
world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a
right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing
excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed:
Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one,
who should live in my time. Jan.14' and July '3' 1723.
64. Resolved, when I find those "groanings which cannot be uttered" (Rom. 8:26),
of which the Apostle speaks, and those "breakings of soul for the longing it hath,"
of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the
utmost of my power, and that I will not be wear', of earnestly endeavoring to vent
my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10,
1723.
65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this all my life long, viz. with the
greatest openness I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my
soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires,
and every thing, and every circumstance; according to Dr. Manton's 27th Sermon
on Psalm 119. July 26, and Aug.10 1723.
66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting
and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that
duty requires otherwise.
67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what good
I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.
68. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either
infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case
to God, and implore needed help. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do
it. Aug. 11, 1723.
70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak. Aug. 17, 1723
The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards (1722-1723)
Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, I do humbly
entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are
agreeable to his will, for Christ's sake.
Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.
1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God's glory, and my
own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any
consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad's of ages hence.
Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and
advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet
with, how many and how great soever.
2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new invention and
contrivance to promote the aforementioned things.
3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of
these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.
4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or
more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.
5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable
way I possibly can.
6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the
last hour of my life.
8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been
so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or
failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote
nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my
own sins and misery to God.
9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common
circumstances which attend death.
10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.
11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to
do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances don't hinder.
12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any
such account, immediately to throw it by.
13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.
14. Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.
15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger to irrational beings.
16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor,
more or less, upon no account except for some real good.
17. Resolved, that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.
18. Resolved, to live so at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and
when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.
19. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it
would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.
20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.
21. Resolved, never to do anything, which if I should see in another, I should
count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of
him.
(Resolutions 1 through 21 written in on setting in New Haven in
1722)
22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other
world, as I possibly can, with all the power; might, vigor, and vehemence, yea
violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be
thought of.
23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most
unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original
intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God's glory, to
repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.
24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I
come to the original cause; and then both carefully endeavor to do so no more,
and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.
25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is,
which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my
forces against it.
26. Resolved, to east away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.
27. Resolved, never willfully to omit anything, except the omission be for the
glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.
28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as
that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor
that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will
answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.
30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion,
and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.
31. Resolved, never to say anything at all against anybody, but when it is
perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to
mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and
failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything
against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.
32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that in Prov. 20:6,
"A faithful man who can find?" may not be partly fulfilled in me.
33. Resolved, always to do what I can towards making, maintaining, establishing
and preserving peace, when it can be without over-balancing detriment in other
respects. Dec.26, 1722.
34. Resolved, in narration's never to speak anything but the pure and simple
verity.
35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that
my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question
was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.
36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call
for it. Dec. 19, 1722.
37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been
negligent, what sin I have committed, and wherein I have denied myself: also at
the end of every week, month and year. Dec.22 and 26, 1722.
38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of
laughter on the Lord's day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.
39. Resolved, never to do anything that I so much question the lawfulness of, as
that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be
lawful or no; except I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.
40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in
the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.
41. Resolved, to ask myself at the end of every day, week, month and year,
wherein I could possibly in any respect have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.
42. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was
made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the
communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of
January, 1722-23.
43. Resolved, never henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own,
but entirely and altogether God's, agreeable to what is to be found in Saturday,
January 12. Jan.12, 1723.
44- Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence at all on any
of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any
otherwise than the religious end will carry it. Jan.12, 1723.
45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection
at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what
helps religion. Jan.12 and 13.1723.
46. Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my
father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least
alteration of speech, or motion of my eve: and to be especially careful of it, with
respect to any of our family.
47. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to deny whatever is not most agreeable to
a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peace_able, contented, easy,
compassionate, generous, humble, meek, modest, submissive, obliging, diligent
and industrious, charitable, even, patient, moderate, forgiving, sincere temper;
and to do at all times what such a temper would lead me to. Examine strictly
every week, whether I have done so. Sabbath morning. May 5,1723.
48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest
scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have
truly an interest in Christ or no; that when I come to die, I may not have any
negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.
49. Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it.
50. Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most
prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.
51. Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done,
if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.
52. I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to
live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall
wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.
53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest
frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and
confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have
assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.
54. Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it
would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it. July 8, 1723.
55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if I had
already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. July 8, 1723.
56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my
corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.
57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether ~ have
done my duty, and resolve to do it; and let it be just as providence orders it, I will
as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty and my sin. June 9, and
July 13 1723.
58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in
conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May27,
and July 13, 1723.
59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger,
that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to
manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be
disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July ii,
and July 13.
60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order,
when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity
without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4, and 13,
1723.
61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and
relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I
may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc.
May 21, and July 13, 1723.
62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty; and then according to Eph. 6:6-8, do
it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man; "knowing that
whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord." June
25 and July 13, 1723.
63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the
world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a
right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing
excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed:
Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one,
who should live in my time. Jan.14' and July '3' 1723.
64. Resolved, when I find those "groanings which cannot be uttered" (Rom. 8:26),
of which the Apostle speaks, and those "breakings of soul for the longing it hath,"
of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the
utmost of my power, and that I will not be wear', of earnestly endeavoring to vent
my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10,
1723.
65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this all my life long, viz. with the
greatest openness I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my
soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires,
and every thing, and every circumstance; according to Dr. Manton's 27th Sermon
on Psalm 119. July 26, and Aug.10 1723.
66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting
and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that
duty requires otherwise.
67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what good
I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.
68. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either
infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case
to God, and implore needed help. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do
it. Aug. 11, 1723.
70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak. Aug. 17, 1723
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