Thursday, March 29, 2012

Chosen for one another...



A few weeks ago I ran across a treasure trove of C. S. Lewis quotes. I always enjoy seeing something in a different light... and C. S. Lewis has such thought provoking ways of communicating.


Since I've had the topic of friendships on my mind lately, this quote fit just perfectly! 
In friendship...we think we have chosen our peers. In reality a few years' difference in the dates of our births, a few more miles between certain houses, the choice of one university instead of another...the accident of a topic being raised or not raised at a first meeting--any of these chances might have kept us apart. But, for a Christian, there are, strictly speaking no chances. A secret master of ceremonies has been at work. Christ, who said to the disciples, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you," can truly say to every group of Christian friends, "Ye have not chosen one another but I have chosen you for one another." The friendship is not a reward for our discriminating and good taste in finding one another out. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each of us the beauties of others.”
― C.S. Lewis
How beautiful is that? =)

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Be Still, My Soul...

I was reminded of this song while reading a book called These Strange Ashes by Elisabeth Elliot. I thought these lyrics were especially encouraging. :)


Picture taken by Dominic Harness

"Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below."
~Catharina von Schlegel