Quotes from Douglas Bond

Good writers don't moralize, nor do they preach, but they do create longing for the true and the beautiful, and that is why you must write with Christ at the center of your reason for writing. That does not mean that every book must be a retelling of Luke's gospel, however, every worthy book written by a Christian will direct readers away from self, and sin, and put them on a quest for God and his gospel. Create longing for these things.

Good writers don't moralize, nor do they preach, but they do create longing for the true and the beautiful.

There is scarcely anything in this world which can more turn or bend hither and thither the ways of men than music," said Calvin.

Let others choose the sons of mirth, To give a relish to their wine; I love the men of heavenly birth, Whose thoughts and language are divine.18

Ridiculed as Knox the knave and a runagate Scot, he was outlawed and forbidden to preach by the archbishop of St. Andrews, and orders were issued that he be shot on sight if he failed to comply. Knox did not comply. Years later, a would-be assassin fired a shot through a window of Knox's house in Edinburgh, narrowly missing his mark.? Still Knox preached.

For Knox, preaching was all about proclaiming the evangel of Jesus Christ, giving good news to a world that for too long had heard only bad news.

Ye cannae fix injustice-with more of it.

above his Lord. Perhaps because Knox himself found such abundant strength in the midst of great personal weakness, he was used of God to raise

Just as the medieval church cut off the congregation from participating in the sung worship of the service, today many well-meaning Christian leaders have reconstructed a sung worship wherein congregational participation does not matter.

Hughes often said that men fail to make progress in learning not for lack of time or ability but for lack of hard work.

prayer is a divine worship due to none but God the Father, Son, and Spirit.9

doxology can help stabilize theology. It is very difficult to sing bad theology.

I am a vile polluted lump of earth; So I've continued since my birth; Although Jehovah grace does daily give me, As sure this monster Satan will deceive me. Come, therefore, Lord, from Satan's claws relieve me.   Wash me in Thy blood, O Christ, And grace divine impart. Then search and try the corners of my heart, That I in all things may be fit to do Service to Thee, and sing Thy praises too.14

Father, will justice ever reign in Scotland?

As with Watts, we see only dimly through the bewildering mysteries of life. Yet as Watts did, by grace alone, we too can know and believe that God has portioned out our lives for His glory and for our good. And strong in faith, upheld by divine love, we, too, can see through the gloom and sing the praises of our Savior, who passed through far deeper woes than ever Watts or we will endure.

tyrants always set about shaping history after their liking.

our lot is to fear God and find our contentment in his providence

Hughes often said that men fail to make progress in learning not for lack of time or ability but for lack of hard work. Unlike so many university students today, who stay up late partying, eating pizza, and playing video games, Watts and his friends did not fritter away the hours. They did, however, stay up late. Far into the night, Watts went on reading and annotating what he read.

For Watts, the doxological always followed the theological.

The archbishop of St. Andrews threatened that if Knox preached, he would be shot on sight. Knox preached anyway, from Perth to Fife and beyond. As a result, the summer of 1559 saw an extraordinary revival spread throughout Scotland.59

We can be assured of salvation and feel that assurance aright only as we keep our eyes off ourselves and our performance and fix our gaze on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of true saving and sanctifying faith.

The pure doctrine of the Gospel will not endure in its purity when we read the Bible for moral advice. . . . Clearly the Bible has instructions with implications that instruct us about many things, but that's not what we ought to go hunting for when we read it. We look for Christ in every phrase.

He honored all His Father's laws, Which we have disobeyed; He bore our sins upon the cross, And our full ransom paid.

a patient man is better than a warrior.