classic Saturday (on Sunday)

John Wesley (1703-1791) is our featured devotional author this week. I got stuck on the opening bio. line for him. "John Wesley was one of nineteen children born to Samuel and Susanna..." How is that even possible...19 children! You may recognize Wesley as the "father of the Methodist tradition." While he was in college at Oxford University, he and a band of friends practiced a methodical approach to holiness, gaining them the name "Methodists". Though religion and piety were high values for Wesley, it wasn't until he was 35 years old when he deeply experienced the love of God for him and the Gospel became rooted in his heart. From then on, he embarked on an evangelism tour, ministering to the common folk throughout the countryside of England.

The excerpt below comes from his writing entitled Christian Perfection. It's not so much advice to Christians to be sinless as it is advice to nurture our desire to be wholly devoted in love with God. Pretty easy to tell from this passage if Wesley was an activist or a contemplative.

The Danger of Sins of Omission

"Sins of omission are avoiding to do good of any kind when we have the opportunity. We must beware of these sins and, instead, be zealous of good works. Do all the good you possibly can to the bodies and souls of your neighbors. Be active. Give no place to laziness. Be always busy, losing no shred of time. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.

Also be slow to speak. It is said, "In a multitude of words sin abounds." Try not to talk too much, or for a long period of time. Not many people can converse profitably beyond an hour's time. Especially avoid pious "chit-chat" or religious gossip."

I could use a little practice on the reduction of words from my days....anybody else?