QUOTES FOR REFLECTION

“…the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

~St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:25

“At the heart of science is an essential balance between two seemingly contradictory attitudes—an openness to new ideas, no matter how bizarre or counterintuitive they may be, and the most ruthless skeptical scrutiny of all ideas, old and new.”

~Carl Sagan in The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark

“I’m convinced that the best solutions are often the ones that are counterintuitive—that challenge conventional thinking—and end in breakthroughs.”

~Nathaniel Wyeth, American inventor

“Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain”

~Henry Ford (1863-1947), founder of Ford Motor Company

“It is the obvious which is so difficult to see most of the time. People say ‘It’s as plain as the nose on your face.’ But how much of the nose on your face can you see, unless someone holds a mirror up to you?”

~Isaac Asimov (1920-1002) in I, Robot

“Common sense is what tells us the earth is flat.”

~Stuart Chase in Language in Thought and Action

“The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.”

~William Shakespeare (1564-1616) in As You Like It

“Authority without wisdom is like a heavy axe without an edge, fitter to bruise than polish.”

~Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672), New England poet

SERMON PASSAGE

Isaiah 9:1-7 (ESV)

1 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

2 The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,

on them has light shone.

3 You have multiplied the nation;

you have increased its joy;

they rejoice before you

as with joy at the harvest,

as they are glad when they divide the spoil.

4 For the yoke of his burden,

and the staff for his shoulder,

the rod of his oppressor,

you have broken as on the day of Midian.

5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult

and every garment rolled in blood

will be burned as fuel for the fire.

6 For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and of peace

there will be no end,

on the throne of David and over his kingdom,

to establish it and to uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

from this time forth and forevermore.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.