Without conversion of heart we could not enjoy heaven, if we got there. Heaven is a place where holiness reigns supreme, and sin and the world have no place at all. The company will all be holy; the employments will all be holy; it will be an eternal Sabbath-day. Surely if we go to heaven, we must have a heart in tune and able to enjoy it, or else we shall not be happy. We must have a nature in harmony with the element we live in, and the place where we dwell. Can a fish be happy out of water? We know it cannot. Well, without conversion of heart we could not be happy in heaven.

~ J.C. Ryle,Old Paths, “Conversion”, [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1999], 328.

If it were really true that living together is a trial of marriage, then divorces would be more common among couples who hadn’t first lived together than among couples who had. Actually, just the opposite is true: Divorces are more common among couples who have lived together first than among couples who haven’t. The reason isn’t hard to find. The very essence of marriage is having a binding commitment. The very essence of living together is having no binding commitment. That’s why living together can’t be a trial for marriage, because in everything that matters, the two conditions are opposites. And that’s why not having a binding commitment is less like training for marriage than like training for divorce.-J. Budziszewski, How to Stay Christian in College by J. Budziszewski copyright 2004, p.99.

It is not the distance of the earth from the sun, nor the

sun's withdrawing itself, that makes a dark and gloomy day; but

the interposition of clouds and vaporous exhalations. Neither

is thy soul beyond the reach of the promise, nor does God

withdraw Himself; but the vapours of thy carnal, unbelieving

heart do cloud thee.-John Owen (1616-1683), Works of John Owen, v. VIII,

London: Johnson & Hunter, 1851, Sermon IV, p. 237-238

A loving person lives in a loving world. A hostile person lives in a hostile world. Everyone you meet is your mirror.- Ken Keyes

A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble.-C.H. Spurgeon