This is true of bloggers as well as preachers. That which comes from the heart and spirit speaks to the heart and spirit. That which comes from the mind and intellect speaks to–at most–the mind and intellect.
“That which comes from the heart will most likely go to the heart, though I know God can take that which comes but from the lips and carry it to the heart when he pleases, yet ordinarily that which comes from the heart goes to the heart, therefore ministers when they come to speak the great things of the gospel should not seek so much for brave words, and convincing ways of man’s wisdom but let them get their own hearts warmed with that grace of the gospel, and then they are most like to speak to the hearts of their auditors….
Otherwise they speak with the tongues of men and angels, yet become like the sounding of brass and the tinkling cymbal. You must be desirous of such kind of preaching as you find speaks to your hearts, not that comes merely to your ears: how many men love to have the word jingle in their ears, and in the mean time their hearts go away and not one word is spoken to them? But when you find a minister speak to your hearts, close with it, bless God for it, and count it a sad day when you go from a sermon and there is not one word spoken to your hearts in that sermon.”
JEREMIAH BURROUGHS ON HOSEA, P495.
H/t Dave Bish,
who further quotes Jeremiah Burroughs
Christ as soon has he is married to the soul takes it as it were by the hand and walks to the Galleries and there opens his heart to her. There is many a sweet tune that a gracious heart has with Christ in his Ordinances, where Christ opens even his whole soul to it… Here is the fruit of our union with Christ. Oh that our hearts were inflamed with desire after further conjugal communion with him!”
Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets. Amos 3:7
Anita Mathias says
March 14, 2011 at 7:57 amThanks, Na. I am use the teacher who fostered your love of poetry and literature would be very happy!
Na says
March 14, 2011 at 5:28 amBest part-How many men love to have the word jingle in their ears, and in the mean time their hearts go away and not one word is spoken to them?
So very true,Anita. the best teachers I remember are those who taught from the heart, and imbibed in me a love for those subjects. Their attitude taught us beyond the three r's of their subject,because their hearts were in it.