I’m not saying what I’m saying because the Lord tells me to. I’m saying it like I’m a fool. I’m putting my confidence in this business of bragging. Since so many people are bragging based on human standards, that is how I’m going to brag too. Because you, who are so wise, are happy to put up with fools. You put up with it if someone enslaves you, if someone exploits you, if someone takes advantage of you, if someone places themselves over you, or if someone hits you in the face. I’m ashamed to say that we have been weak in comparison! But in whatever they challenge me, I challenge them (I’m speaking foolishly).
Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. ~1 Cor 11:17-22 (CEB
We have an inborn persisting tendency to attribute to ourselves the success of our spiritual life, the resistance we offer to temptation, the devotion we achieve, the discipline we keep and the good works we do. Surely we thank God for all that, but in our heart of hearts we congratulate ourselves on our exploits, and secretly worship our sword and our bow. We take as done by us what is done by God in us; even obvious graces from heaven stick to the soul and seem after some time to be connatural to us and springing from us. That is spiritual pride of the worst kind, and if it really takes hold of a soul, is enough to stop any spiritual progress at all. The disease is as dangerous as it is common. ~From Faith for Justice by Carlos G. Valles
May I give all the glory to You O Lord, for not by my power but by Your power have I been enabled to go about Your work for the Kingdom. Thank You for working through me, empowering me to be more than I ever could be on my own. Amen
Pieces of the Puzzle 