The astonishment of life, is, the absence of any appearance of reconciliation between the theory and the practice of life.
|
A beggar had been sitting by the side of the road for over thirty years. One day a stranger walked by. Spare some change? mumbled the beggar, mechanically holding out his baseball cap. I have nothing to give you, said the stranger. Then he added, What's that you are sitting on? Nothing, replied the beggar, Just an old box. I have been sitting on it for as long as I can remember. Ever look inside? asked the stranger. What's the point? There's nothing in there. Have a look inside, insisted the stranger. The beggar managed to pry open the lid. With astonishment, disbelief, and elation, he saw the box was filled with gold.
|
'Tis a queer life, and the only humour proper to it seems quiet astonishment. Others laugh, weep, sell, or proselyte. I admire.
|
I wanted to become the seeker, the aroused and passionate explorer, and it was better going at it knowing nothing at all, always choosing the unmarked bottle, always choosing your own unproven method, armed with nothing but faith and a belief in astonishment.
|
And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured out drink offerings unto her, did we make her cakes to worship her, and pour out drink offerings unto her, without our men? / Then Jeremiah said unto all the people, to the men, and to the women, and to all the people which had given him that answer, saying, / The incense that ye burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye, and your fathers, your kings, and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them, and came it not into his mind? / So that the LORD could no longer bear, because of the evil of your doings, and because of the abominations which ye have committed; therefore is your land a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse, without an inhabitant, as at this day.
|
We strain to renew our capacity for wonder, to shock ourselves into astonishment once again.
|
Explanation separates us from astonishment, which is the only gateway to the incomprehensible.
|
Although the constant shadow of certain death looms over everyday, the pleasures and joys of life can be so fine and affecting that the heart is nearly stilled in astonishment.
|
John 5:20:
For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.
(NIV)
The Father dearly loves the Son and discloses to (shows) Him everything that He Himself does. And He will disclose to Him (let Him see) greater things yet than these, so that you may marvel and be full of wonder and astonishment.
(AMP)
For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
(KJV)
|
Acts 11:1:
The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.
(NIV)
NOW THE apostles (special messengers) and the brethren who were throughout Judea heard [with astonishment] that the Gentiles (heathen) also had received and accepted and welcomed the Word of God [the doctrine concerning the attainment through Christ of salvation in the kingdom of God].
(AMP)
And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
(KJV)
|
The way to do research is to attack the facts at the point of greatest astonishment.
|
Of all the marvelous works of God, perhaps the one angels view with the most supreme astonishment, is a proud man.
|
If at first you don't succeed, try to hide your astonishment.
|