This month, I revisited my favorite classic, The Pilgrim’s Progress. Yes, there are some sections that can be cumbersome to read, but the overall picture of Christian’s journey, complete with difficulties and triumphs, is such an encouragement to me. How it made me long for the day that I get to cross the river and enter the Celestial City!

 

I finally finished Fanny Crosby’s Life Story. This was a short little read that took me entirely too long to get through. (Can I blame it on the kids?) Lots of quaint and endearing stories. She seemed to have a mischievous side and a fun sense of humor. I love Fanny’s testimony – she truly walked with the Lord, day by day. Her lyrics make me want to know Him more.

 

Below: Round 2 of my monthly collection of quotes that “captured” me.  How thankful I am for the ability to read. Can’t wait til our students are old enough to share ideas that “capture” them!

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To go back is nothing but death; to go forward is fear of death, and life-everlasting beyond it. I will yet go forward. ¹

But since I live, let JESUS wear the crown. ¹

… that man that takes up religion for the world, will throw away religion for the world. ¹

The hill, though high, I covet to ascend,
The difficulty will not me offend;
For I perceive the way to life lies here.
Come, pluck up heart, let’s neither faint nor fear;
Better, though difficult, the right way to go,
Than wrong, though easy, where the end is woe. ¹

Arise, O Christian soldiers,
And consecrate anew
Your all upon the altar,
Of Him who died for you!
Arise in faith united,
And let this year record,
Your undivided service,
To Christ, our risen Lord!

O rally ’round His standard;
Defend the cross you love;
And look to Him for wisdom
And counsel from above.
Against the arch deceiver,
Against the host of sin,
March on with steady purpose
The world for Christ to win!

Be strong, O Christian soldiers,
On Jesus cast your care!
And when the conflict rages,
Let every breath be prayer.
Fear not; the Lord is with you:
‘Tis He who speaks within;
March on with zeal and courage
The world for Christ to win!

Go forth, go forth rejoicing,
And in the Master’s name,
To weary souls that perish,
Eternal life proclaim!
The crowning day is coming;
The end of toil and sin;
March on through grace determined
The world for Christ to win! ²

Dark signs of present or coming ill must not dishearten us; if the Lord had meant to destroy us he would not have given us the gospel; the very fact that he has revealed himself in Christ Jesus involves the certainty of victory.
Hard things thou hast upon us laid,
And made us drink most bitter wine;
But still thy banner we have displayed,
And borne aloft thy truth divine.
Our courage fails not, though the night
No earthly lamp avails to break,
For thou wilt soon arise in might,
And of our captors captives make. ³

Thus far I did come laden with my sin;
Nor could aught ease the grief that I was in
Till I came hither: What place is this!
Must here be the beginning of my bliss?
Must here the burden fall from off my back?
Must here the strings that bound it to me crack?
Blest cross! blest sepulchre! blest rather be
The Man that there was put to shame for me! ¹

Then I thought that it is easier going out of the way, when we are in, than going in when we are out. ¹

Unless I could obtain the righteousness of a man that never had sinned, neither mine own, nor all the righteousness of the world could save me. ¹

I am dying of thirst by the side of the fountain. ⁴

Go, and thou shalt find him upon a mercy-seat, where he sits all the year long, to give pardon and forgiveness to them that come. ¹

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¹ John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress
² Fanny Crosby, Fanny Crosby’s Life Story, “The World for Christ – A New-Year Rallying Song”
³ Charles H. Spurgeon, Treasury of David, Psalm 69:4
⁴ Charles D’Orléans