“When is the heart in a better case than when it calls, inquires, runs, weeps, sighs, and cries after God?”
-Joseph Symonds
“If it be not strong upon thy heart to practice what thou readest, to what end dost thou read?”
-Thomas Brooks
“Common knowledge is that which floats in the head but does not influence the heart.”
“It is a great deceit to measure the substance of our religion by the bulk of our profession, and to judge of the strength of our graces by the length of our duties.”
-Matthew Mead
Happy Birthday to my Dad! It’s hard for me to describe the gratitude I have to God for my Dad-what I feel in my heart goes far deeper than words.
“So shall my walk be close with God,
calm and serene my frame,
so purer light shall mark the road
that leads me to the Lamb”
William Cowper
I loved this quote on Books: “I am still in the thrall of one insatiable desire, which hitherto I have been neither able nor willing to check…I cannot get enough books. It may be that I have already more than I need. But it is with books as it is with other things: success in acquisition spurs the desire to get still more. Books indeed have a special charm. Gold, silver, gems, purple rainment, a house of marble, a well-tilled field, paintings, a steed with splendid trappings – things such as these give but a silent and superficial pleasure. Books delight us through and through; they talk with us, then give us good counsel, then enter into a living and intimate companionship with us. What is more, not only does a book win the reader’s affection for itself, but it mentions the names of other books so that one stirs the desire for another.”
Francesca Betrarra c. 1346
http://www.apuritansmind.com/SuggestedReading.htm
Good to be Home 
What wonderful quotes ~ especially like the first one.
Lovely, beautiful words and thoughts…reminds me of Phil.4:8
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
You are the xanga friend! 🙂 That is great that Jacob is so fascinated by history. If you’re interested, I can give you the web address of the ministry site my husband is working on. I’m glad you enjoyed the post! I love the quotes – especially Symonds and Betrarra. Thanks for posting the link! Love, Heather
P.S. Hope your dad enjoys a wonderful birthday! 🙂
Great quotes… and I too hope your father has a happy birthday.
Oh, happy birthday to your Dad! I feel the same way about my Dad….so grateful for him and words can’t express what a fabulous Daddy he has been and continues to be!
Loved the quotes……and the picture of all of you reading, how beautiful! I also really enjoyed the Christmas pictures of your family. You have such a beautiful family and an obvious love for one another.
Have a blessed day!
((((hugs))))
Jana
I don’t usually like Andy Rooney but love his quote on your Christmas morning pics. Looks like your family had a wonderful time.
Happy Birthday to your Dad. Beautiful quotes, thank you for sharing them.
Great tribute! And I love the quote about books, SO TRUE!!! I was having a rough day yesterday so when my hubby got home I took off for Barnes and Nobles and a Starbucks coffee. I don’t even have to buy anything, I just love the idea that I am surrounded by friends (books) I love the smell, the information just at my figure tips…and it was just the break I needed.