The Full Quote From Yesterday

This is taken from the preface of the book God's Pursuit of Man by A. W. Tozer.

"Perhaps a word of warning would not be amiss here: It is that we beware the common habit of putting confidence in books, as such. It takes a determined effort of the mind to break free from the error of making books and teachers ends in themselves.

The worst thing a book can do for a Christian is to leave him with the impression that he has received from it anything really good; the best it can do is to point the way to the Good he is seeking. The function of a good book is to stand like a signpost directing the reader toward the Truth and the Life. That book serves best which early makes itself unnecessary, just as a signpost serves best after it is forgotten, after the traveler has arrived safely at his desired haven. The work of a good book is to incite the reader to moral action, to turn his eyes toward God and urge him forward. Beyond that it cannot go."

I Have Returned With A Thought

My beautiful wife and I have finally moved into our townhome. She has turned it from a somewhat stinky and semi-rundown place into a relaxing place to call home. Next week, we will have internet up and running in our home, which will reconnect us with the world!

It really has been 'detrimental' to be removed from the internet. So much of our lives center around technology in this age, it really has a huge impact when it disappears. But now, we will have contact with the outside world via the internet once again - I am hoping to return to the blogging world somewhat consistently during this school semester.

Which reminds me... I wanted to share something I read this morning in A. W. Tozer's God's Pursuit of Man. It was simply in the preface, but powerful nonetheless. I will summarize...

Tozer warned against treating his book as a revelaion in and of itself - warned against taking what a preacher or a book said and treating it as the end of it. Rather, he described his book as an outflowing of what God had done in him, and hoped it served as a signpost - not a destination. For the signpost only helps point you in the right direction, and when you've arrived, which has greater value? The signpost, or the destination? The signpost points towards the valuable, and the destination is the value.

Having read that, I've pondered it much today - and hope to ponder it more. But for now, I will remember the wisdom in the preface. Preachers, teachers, and books can only do so much in ones life - the real change happens when the individual takes the journey for himself/herself. That is when it becomes real - that is how it has happened in my life. Freedom came when I experienced Jesus for myself. Hearing and reading how Jesus changed others - that was a great signpost. But now I have met Him, and long to know Him more.

As the scriptures say (paraphrased), "We run the race to gain the prize" - and the prize at the finish line is Christ Himself. He is the destination, and there is nothing greater.

More to come later!