the difference between a christian and non-christian

This post is not orginial to me but rather was just posted on the DG blog (found here).  I simply found it good enough to repost...

What is a distinguishing mark of a believer? At our 2009 Pastors Conference Mark Dever gave us a helpful and memorable word:

"The difference between a Christian and non-Christian: When a non-Christian is convicted of sin, he sides with his sin. When a Christian is convicted of sin, he sides with God, against himself."

on reading books by old dead guys...

CS Lewis said, "The only safety is to have a standard of plain, central Christianity ("mere Christianity" as Baxter called it) which puts the controversies of the moment in their proper perspective.  Such a standard can be acquired only from the old books.  It is a good rule, after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another new one till you have read an old one in between.  If that is too much for you, you should at least read one old one to every three new ones."

It is impossible to conceive a Savior more suited to the wants of man's heart than our Lord Jesus Christ--suited not only by His power, but by His sympathy--suited not only by His divinity, but His humanity...[He] is the most loving and sympathizing of friends, as well as the mightiest and most powerful of Saviors....you want no comfort...so long as you can repose your weary soul on the Man Christ Jesus."
-J.C. Ryle, Holiness, pp.240-242

standing on shoulders

It is no secret in my little corner of the internet that I am indeed a great fan of Hudson Taylor but before Taylor (and still near and dear to my heart) is Samuel Rutherford.  You can find glimpses into his sweet walk the the Father in The Letters of Samuel Rutherford or even shorter glimpses in a small pocket sized book, with BIG truth called The Loveliness of Christ.  In recent weeks, these words of Rutherford below have supplemented my time in the word quite well.  So thankful to have men and women who gazed at Christ from days long past that we can indeed stand on their shoulders and behold Him as he is and seeing Him, be transformed in His image...   

"There is no sweeter fellowship with Christ than to bring our wounds and our sores to him." -S. Rutherford

"Whether God come to his children with a rod or a crown, if he come himself with it, it is well.  Welcome, welcome Jesus, what may soever thou come, if we can get a sight of thee: and sure I am, it is better to be sick, providing Christ come to the bedside and draw the curtains, and say, Courage, I am thy salvation, than to enjoy health, being lust and strong and never need to be visited of God."  -S. Rutherford