November 18, 2005
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Hi! Thanks so much to all of you who called or wrote yesterday to wish me a happy birthday! It was so good to hear from you all! I'm very grateful for the gift of life. The best part of my day was a most delicious meal of my mom's cooking for supper! I don't get to eat at home very often.
This week I read a book called The Supremacy of God in Preaching by John Piper. A few things really struck me, including his comprehension of the sovereignty of God and many of the quotations he shared from his “mentor”, Jonathan Edwards.
When Jonathan was six his father taught him Latin. At twelve he went to Yale. Five years later he graduated with highest honors and gave the valedictory address in Latin.
While in College, Edwards wrote seventy resolutions, some of which I really like:
“Resolved, To live with all my might while I do live.”
“Resolved, To think much, on all occasions, of my dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.
“Resolved, To endeavor to my utmost, so to act, as I can think I should do, if I had already seen the happiness of heaven and torments of hell.”
“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.”
The book caused me to analyze my speaking and teaching. It really helped me understand more the incredible responsibility and awesome privilege it is to share the Word and point minds to God.
One last thought from Jonathan Edwards:
“The enjoyment of God is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of earthly friends, are but shadows; but God is the substance. These are but scattered beams, but God is the sun. These are but streams. But God is the ocean.”
Lord, forgive me for desiring the shadow rather than the substance, the beggarly elements of this world rather than the knowledge of God.
Comments (14)
Wow... I had never hear those before--brings about some serious contemplation. Happy belated Birthday!
those are deep. Thanks for posting them. HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY!
hey there... it was good to see you for few seconds... seems like you've been hidding this whole week... I am glad you'll be here this Sabbath... maybe i'll get to see you !!! : )
helllooo mr.clark!!~ hows it going?!?!
havent seen or talked to you in a while!!~ ^^
wel things are going okay for me here.. new challenges everyday.. ^^ thats life.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
OOOO NO !!! I MISSED IT !!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR.CLARK !!! ( was it grandma Jane's birthday too?) I hope you have another wonderful year of life that God will bless you with !!
Thank you one and all for your comments and birthday wishes! Grandma Jane's birthday isn't until Sunday, November 20th, but we celebrated them together on mine.
Wow! Happy Birthday. Can't believe how time flies! Hope you have another great year of life! Tell Grandma Jane hi and happy birthday for me. Hope your hand gets better.
God bless and see you at GYC.
hi chester... i didnt' know it was your birthday... well... happy very late birthday!
can't wait untill GYC! was nice to see you here in LOma LInda... GOD bless! 
marzanna
Happy terribly belated birthday! (Sorry about that.) Please give Grandma Jane and your family my greetings!
chester!
i know, i'm terrible! does it count if i thought of you before your birthday -- reminding myself to call you? =( i seem to do this all the time. i tell myself a few days before to remember to ACTUALLY remember on the day and i forget. anyway, hope you had a great birthday and please give my love to grandma jane. i miss her! (now that you've reminded me, i'll have to wish jon happy belated birthday as well...).
hey, i'm still awaiting your email on the subject of my last post...=) not like you're all that busy, eh? lol. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!
Hi Chester! I keep thinking about that last thought that God is the true Light (the substance) and everything else are but shadows. That truly puts things in perspective. People that we value so much are nothing compared to our awesome God. Thanks for sharing! Happy belated birthday, and Happy Thanksgiving!
hey mr. clark, don't forget to post about Lousiana if you can!
happy belated~ may God continue to bless!!
Hi!! =) I miss grandma Jane~ =) Miss you too!! tonz!! Take care.. and hope everything is well! GB
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