Category: Character

Happy are the Holy

In the context of the other beatitudes, “purity of heart” points to our relationships.  The pure in heart live their whole lives—public and private—transparent before others.  How many of us really do that?  Or do we wear a different mask, according our role in the situation:  husband, wife, son, daughter, father, mother, manager, employee, friend, neighbor, volunteer, church member…?

Philosopher-theologian Søren Kierkegaard famously said, “Purity of heart is to will one thing.”  Purity of heart does not have any mixture of affection or loyalty.  It belongs wholly to the Lord.  This kind of purity is all or nothing.  While 99.44% pure might work for Ivory soap, it doesn’t work for the heart.

How can one live that way?  Continue reading for perspectives on the sixth beatitude from John MacArthur, Jennifer Kennedy Dean, and John Stott.

Click here to continue.

Andrew Murray on Humility

Pride must die in you, or nothing of heaven can live in you. - Andrew Murray

In my study of the Third Beatitude, “Blessed are the Meek, for they shall inherit the earth,” I ran across several references to Andrew Murray’s Humility—and many called it “life-changing”!  This month, I took the opportunity to read it.  It’s a series of meditations on the humility that draws heavily from the Bible.

God knew I needed this emphasis in August 2018.  I’m beginning to hit a stride at work as a leader of HR Executives at NASA, and later this month I’ll be honored with NASA’s Outstanding Leadership Medal—recognition for my service to the recently-retired Johnson Space Center Director, Dr. Ellen Ochoa.

Given this level of success, it would be easy to get “puffed up,” prideful, and self-reliant.  That’s why Jesus’ words are so powerful.  He points out that the “meek” inherit the earth—those who recognize that God is in control and that we need to empty ourselves, so He can fill us up.  So, my prayer today is, “Lord, may I learn the Humility that Andrew Murray describes.”

May these meditations serve you well, as you shoot for the stars!

Click here to see my summary of Andrew Murray’s 1895 classic on Humility