The Narrow Path Ministries

From time to time, people have said really insightful things (some of which are famous) that have become mottos, or short poems, to which my mind often returns as life-guiding principles or values adjustments. You have perhaps heard me quote some of them in my teachings. I thought I would post a few here in the hopes that others may do the same with mottos that have influenced them.

"I am responsible only for the depth of my ministry; God is responsible for its breadth." (friend, Steve Watkins; missionary to Navajo in New Mexico)

"The truth always has the best arguments." (a fortune on a Double Bubble gum comic, encountered in my childhood)

"He is no fool who gives that which he cannot keep in order to gain that which he cannot lose." (Jim Elliott, approximate quote)

"God always gives His very best to those who leave the choice with Him." (Hudson Taylor?)

“There is no pit so deep, but Jesus is deeper still” (Corrie Ten Boom)

"You just keep doing your best; and pray that it’s blessed; and He’ll take care of the rest." (Keith Green)

Poem: "Do It Anyway" (attributed to Mother Theresa, but a modification of an earlier poem by Dr. Kent M. Keith):

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.


Poem: "Dying to Self" (author unknown, I first saw it posted on the wall at Keith Green's community in Woodland Hills, CA):

When you are forgotten, neglected, or personally attacked, but you don't sting or hurt with the insight of the oversight. Instead your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ. That's Dying to Self!

When your good works are spoken evil of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, but you refuse to let your anger rise in your heart. Instead you take it all in patient, loving silence. That's Dying to Self!

When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, irregularity, impunctuality, or any annoyance; when you stand face-to-face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility and endure it as Jesus endured. That's Dying to Self!

When you are content with any food, any offering, any climate, any society and raiment, or any interruption by the will of God. That's Dying to Self!

When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to record your own good words, or itch after commendations, when you can truly love to be unknown. That's Dying to Self!

When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up in your heart. That's Dying to Self!

When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy, nor question God while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances. That's Dying to Self!


Poem: "Disappointment—His Appointment" (by Edith Lillian Young; put to music by Phil Keaggy on "Love Broke Through" album):

"Disappointment—His Appointment"
Change one letter, then I see
That the thwarting of my purpose
Is God's better choice for me.
His appointment must be blessing,
Tho' it may come in disguise,
For the end from the beginning
Open to His wisdom lies.

"Disappointment—His Appointment"
Whose? The Lord, who loves me best,
Understands and knows me fully,
Who my faith and love would test;
For, like loving earthly parent,
He rejoices when He knows
That His child accepts, unquestioned,
All that from His wisdom flows.

"Disappointment—His Appointment"
"No good thing will He withhold,"
From denials oft we gather
Treasures of His love untold,
Well He knows each broken purpose
Leads to fuller, deeper trust,
And the end of all His dealings
Proves our God is wise and just.

"Disappointment—His Appointment"
Lord, I take it, then, as such.
Like the clay in hands of potter,
Yielding wholly to Thy touch.
All my life's plan in Thy moulding,
Not one single choice be mine;
Let me answer, unrepining --
"Father, not my will, but Thine."

Thanks Steve, for these. The Dying to Self poem is very convicting; the poem by Edith Lillian Young I found really touched me, but is also comforting.

A couple from recent times that spring to my mind:

“It’s not all about me” (from a teaching time at church)

“Just do it” (? Nike)

Thanks Suzana!

I just realized that I had collected some of the same kinds of things some years ago (which I found by a search of my hard drive). These are all pretty much in my own words. I don't know which ones were influenced by others, though quite a few were things I felt the Lord spoke to my heart when I was a young Christian (most of them will seem obvious to mature Christians, but I still find it helpful to reread them):

Life is short; Eternity is long; Make choices accordingly

There seldom is an inward unrest that cannot be remedied by further humbling myself.

Refuse to be confused (being “undecided” is always an option where too little clarity is at hand)

Those who do not love the truth more than all else will not be counted worthy of knowing it.

It is better and safer to be 10% correct, and teachable, than to be 90% correct and unteachable.

Since teachers face a stricter judgment for what we teach others, the person who proves me wrong has done me a favor, even if he has done so publicly or maliciously

Be the first to publicize your faults. Then when scandalous rumors about you begin to circulate, you can claim to have started them.

When a trusted friend betrays me, if, in order to avoid future vulnerability, I avoid loving again, I will also avoid becoming like Jesus.

There is always occasion for gratitude—and seeing this is the key to keeping a happy heart

Refuse to be offended.

I like this thread- good idea, Steve. Here are a few:

“God, I pray Thee, light these idle sticks of my life and may I burn for Thee. Consume my life, my God, for it is Thine. I seek not a long life, but a full one, like you, Lord Jesus.” - Jim Elliot

"We keep doing the same things over and over again but expect different results." (my brother, at a recent golf outing).

"it is amazing that we pray and pray for a shaking up to occur, but then when the shaking up occurs, we stand there with a confused look on our faces." (a good friend, at a recent prayer meeting).

____________________________________________________
THE RHYME OF THE MODERN PARISHIONER
by Dr. Michael L. Brown

It happened in the vestibule
At ten one Sunday morn;
A haggard-looking church-goer
Sat plaintive and forlorn.

Then suddenly he rose and found
A hungry-looking Christian;
He took his hand, took him aside,
And asked him a straight question:

“You’ve read the Word; you know the Book;
The promises are clear.
But have you seen the living God?
Have you found Him here?

Have you experienced holy fire
The Spirit in His power,
A mighty wave, a rushing wind,
A flame that does devour?

Is there something more you’re seeking,
So high, so wide, so deep?
Do you find yourself frustrated?
Is church putting you to sleep?

Then listen well, your heart is ripe;
My tale I will tell.
This story is your story too,
And it’s your tale as well.

For thirty years I’ve been in church,
It seemed like a good show.
But now I’ve got to meet with God --
Do you know where to go?

I’m trapped in mundane worship times,
The praises have grown cold;
The preaching’s dry and dusty,
The teaching stale like mold!

Each service feels like a rerun,
The songs all sound the same;
The prophecies are so hollow --
Not worthy of the name!

Words, more words -- they’re everywhere,
But oh there is a stink!
Words, more words -- they’re everywhere,
But none to make us think!

We lack the heavenly Presence,
It’s clear we’re in a rut;
I’m desperate for revival --
It burns within my gut!

I’m love-sick for my Jesus,
So hungry for my Lord;
Just longing for my Savior;
God knows that I’m so bored!

Is there someone who can help me,
Who’s touched the real thing?
A man who’s heard from heaven --
With a word from God to bring?

Are there prophets burning with fire,
Servants who are ablaze?
Anointed and overflowing,
Appointed for these days?

Do they carry the Spirit’s burden,
And breathe the Lord God’s breath?
Are they set apart and holy,
Obedient to death?

I hear the words of the Master,
‘Come follow Me,’ He said.
If some Christians go their own way;
I’ll go with Him instead!

Oh please, don’t do as I have done,
And waste so many years.
Don’t wait and wait for endless months;
Move on! Outgrow your fears!

Forget the twelve step programs;
A seminar won’t do.
You need a touch from heaven,
To fill you through and through.

There must be change in your life --
A work of God that’s real.
Don’t fool yourself with worn clichés --
Don’t let the devil steal!

Don’t miss out on God’s presence
Or let these hours pass;
Don’t stop your soul from hungering;
Get out of the morass!

Dear friend, you are not crazy;
Dear saint, you are not mad;
There really is a problem,
It’s true, you have been had!

There’s more! There’s more! Believe it!
There is that place in God.
There are holy visitations,
New paths that must be trod.

Will you get up like old Pilgrim,
And seek that better way?
Will you go forth on that journey
No matter what men say?

Will you go out now and meet Him,
And leave the crowd behind,
Forsaking dead traditions,
If Jesus you will find?

It’s not in another meeting,
A nicely packaged hour;
Another harmless service,
Devoid of heaven’s power.

It’s not in another teaching,
Three points to fill your head.
The Word is always vibrant;
But this stuff is so dead!

We need God to send His Spirit,
To fully take control,
To transform every member,
To come and make them whole!

Enough with man’s religion;
Enough with earthly plans;
Enough with our new programs;
Produced by fleshly hands.”

Just then in strode the pastor
His calling to fulfill;
Just doing his weekly duty --
Then he became frozen still.

For astir was that parishioner
He grasped the preacher’s clothes,
And grasped the preacher’s soul as well --
And in that grasp he froze.


“Oh pastor, enter the prayer room
And shut yourself inside.
Be emptied of competition,
And crucify your pride!

Pray for holy visitations,
Caught up alone with Him,
Consumed with heavenly vision --
That’s where you must begin!

You won’t find Him in a textbook,
Buried on page twenty-two.
He is the living God who acts --
He wants to move in you!

It’s not only the ‘apostles’
He’ll bless and send and use;
He will saturate your own soul,
If you will not refuse.

So arise, get up, pursue Him,
Jesus your true best Friend!
He is worthy of devotion,
He’s faithful to the end!

Why should you starve on crusty bread,
And crawl along the ground?
Your Savior is your source of life,
Seek Him, let joy abound!

Renew your life, refresh your heart,
Press in, take hold, pray through.
Put first things first, make God your goal;
What else have you to do?

Your Bible schooling stole your zeal,
Church life has drained you dry;
You used to have such childlike faith,
Now budgets have your eye!

You used to be so passionate,
So innocent and free
Now you’ve become professional;
You’ll preach for a good fee!

Oh, set your sights on higher goals
And not on dollar bills.
Live in the light of Judgment Day;
Ambition always kills!

Let Jesus be your daily Guide,
Put Him where He belongs;
And soon His presence will arrive;
His praise will fill your songs!

Simplicity will be your style,
Devotion your new goal;
Communion will become your aim,
God’s life will flood your soul!

Oh, take your eyes off numbers,
Church growth can be a trap!
Go out and make disciples.
Go out and bridge the gap!

Pour your life out for broken lives --
Let God your heart break too.
Take up the cross, deny yourself;
Just live His will to do!

Wake up, be brave, be honest;
Today -- oh hear His voice!
Be ruthless with your schedule;
Seek GOD. Make that your choice.

You won’t find Him in your planner,
No committee has the key.
You’ll find Him when your soul cries out,
‘There must be more for me!’

‘There must be more than building funds,
And sessions past midnight,
And endless talks with leadership,
Disputing who is right.

Somehow I know I’ve been misled;
The model doesn’t work.
I’m not called as an executive,
Nor should I be a clerk.

I’m called to be a man of God,
A man who’s Spirit led,
A healer of the sick and lame
Someday to raise the dead!’

And with that cry new life will rise,
Your heart will be revived;
Heaven’s light will flood your soul --
You will not be denied!”

The parishioner then turned his gaze
Away from flesh and blood:
He looked to Him who sends the showers,
To Him who sends the flood.

“Today, O Lord, do hear our voice,
And pour Your Spirit out.
Saturate the thirsty ground.
End this spiritual drought!

Revive us with Your Presence,
Renew us from above;
Touch the flock called by Your name;
Come fill us with Your love!

Do greater works in our day,
Than that which You have done.
Bring the fullness of Your rains,
And glorify Your Son!”

That old church-goer spoke no more.
Another voice was heard.
Yet not the voice of flesh and blood:
It was our Father’s word.

And if you listen closely,
Beyond this little rhyme,
You’ll hear Him speaking clearly:
“My children, it is time.”

Sow a thought and you reap an act.

Sow an act and you reap a habit.

Sow a habit and you reap a character.

Sow a character and you reap a destiny.

---- author unknown

"Remember, it's 1/6billionth about you." (I think I got that from someone's signature on here)

The main thing in life is to keep the main thing the main thing.

Coincidences are where God chooses to remain anonymous.

not sure of the provenance.

"He who knows that he knows, need not show what he knows, for what he knows, shows"

I stole this from some guys signature on another forum.

Not mine and unfortunately I have forgotten the author but one short poem I have liked is as follows:

From times of old,
men by themselves are priced.

For thirty pieces Judas sold
himself, not Christ.

Jess

Moderation in everything, except moderation (?)