- It is quite likely that you are friends with someone who feels no attraction to the opposite sex.
- To become an expert, one must first become a beginner.
- It is not sin to feel vexation.
- The forgetful man is fortunate in that he is always experiencing life for the first time.
- In details, it is difficult to correctly interpret the Bible. But the general message is quite clear.
- Se7en is altogether too dark.
- Indeed, much of life is a popularity contest. The reason for this riddlesome fact probably lies in insecurities, or perhaps a desire for power.
- It is easy to avoid a judgmental spirit when you have no values.
- Even if I did not believe that the Bible is the word of God, I would still be utterly convinced that it is the wisest book.
- If we are taught to experience the reality of our total depravity but we are not taught to experience the reality of the forgiveness of our sins, then we are taught to live in anguish. If we are taught to experience the reality of the forgiveness of our sins but we are not taught to experience the reality of the world’s groanings, then we are taught to live in ignorance. If we are taught to experience the reality of the world’s groanings but we are not taught to experience the reality of our total depravity, then we are taught to live as Pharisees.
- There are people who know who they are in a sad or frightening way, but there are other people who know who they are in a supremely comforting way. These people do not see themselves as isolated individuals, but rather a part of a larger whole.
- “Institutionalized” is a work of tremendous genius. But of course, so is “Angels.”
- Joy is deeper than sorrow, happiness is deeper than pain. This is a truth worth dying for, and indeed, it is a truth worth living for.
- It is undoubtedly true that suffering teaches us much truth about the world. But it is also true that suffering can distort our view of the world.
- We do not live in order to work, but we work in order to live. What, then, is living?
- It’s not about your reputation; it’s about who you are.
- Reputation is not unimportant.
- The man who is concerned with who he is will gain a good reputation, but the man who is concerned with his reputation will forget about who he is. He may achieve a good reputation, but not with his kids.
- What is it to be foolish? Surely, it is to disregard what you know.
- I weep for the child who grows up in a home without wisdom.
- The hardest rule is the most obvious. Treat others the way you would want to be treated.
- All the great artists wrestle with the question, “Who am I?” What is this thing that is me, humanity? Am I a puzzle, a riddle? A thing of beauty, a brilliant star? Or, with fear, am I … a horror? Am I a grotesquery? Do I have light or blackness in my inner being, my secret heart? Am I one vast romantic desire that will never be fulfilled? A futility? What is this “life,” this “consciousness” I feel? Am I a set of reactions? Only atoms? Do I create? Am I anything at all, or just a illusion to myself? Am I the lead actor in my own grand narrative, or an unnoticed extra in another’s, or am I a mere animal? Who am I?
- Here is a question, and we must face it. Is it truly the case that we must choose between selfless love and psychological health?
- To be worthy of full trust, counsel must pass three tests. It must be true, it must be virtuous, and it must be psychologically healthy. The Christian believes that the Bible is worthy of full trust.
- To dwell on one’s own honor will bring bitterness, but to bestow honor upon others will bring joy.
- The Christian life means holding on to what is good, and letting go of what is not good. It means holding on to love, joy, and hope, and letting go of resentment, bitterness, and despair. Neither are easy.
- Woe is us if we do not speak about real life.
- A person who believes joy is shallow is a person deeply lost.
- If we are meant to despise ourselves, is it a good command to love others as we love ourselves?
- The sons of Korah understand that the emotions that heavy metal portrays are normal.
- It is a sin to become too comfortable in our life, because there is much suffering in our own communities. Yet even the suffering of others is not to steal our peace from us. If a man can understand this and put it into action, he will be mature indeed.
- If a person endeavors to not watch pornography, they are fighting not only against themselves, but against an army of highly trained marketing specialists.
- “Happiness can only exist in ignorance.” This is what I fight against.
- Do not be deceived. Through a guise of good intentions, religion, Christianity included, is ever in danger of becoming only a tool for spiritual domination and control, which approaches the pinnacle of evil. Therefore, keep watch. We keep watch over others, yes. But ten thousandfold more, we keep watch over ourselves.
Thoughts of a Novice 
Also, 31 😀
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RE #30: I would contend that heavy metal doesn’t have a monopoly, but it is a majority. I have definitely listened to non-heavy metal songs that I believe capture Psalm 88 well.
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Hmm you may be right. My intention with #30 was mostly to give honor to the genre of metal, to show that what it expresses is in the Bible. I might have overstated myself, as often happens haha. I’m going to rephrase it. Thank you for pointing it out.
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I like the change
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I felt a bit uncomfortable about using the word “normal” because these days that word implies “good,” “wholesome,” or “to be encouraged.” So it might be prone to misinterpretation, as I only meant common, or real, or natural, or something like that. It is valid to the human experience, and going to arise in most people at some point in life. “Normal” felt like the closest word to what I meant, so I stuck with it. Kevin Twit wisely said that when we wrongly define what is normal, we do immense damage to people, so that was also a big motivation. Anyways. Thanks.
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