Don't Fret Yourself

Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity....Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. (Ps. 37.1, 7-8)

Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked: (Prov. 24.19)

Eric Liddell: Jennie, Jennie, don't fret yourself. (Chariots of Fire)

Obadiah Sedgwick, Providence Handled Practically, p. 39:

If there is a providence that generally extends to all, and especially to the people of God, then we should learn not to vex and disquiet our minds and hearts. This is what Christ taught His disciples: since there was a God who looked to the grass and to the lilies, and a Father who cared for them, therefore they should not take thought and worry (Matt. 6:28), and their hearts should not be troubled. 1 Peter 5:7 advises you to live "casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." By this, Peter means that you must not perplex yourselves about your conditions, your safeties, or your supports. You may ease yourselves of all this worry, for there is a God who takes care of you, who minds you, who thinks on you, who will provide well enough for you. Philippians 4:5 advises, "Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand." Do not rend yourselves with excessive grief, vastness of getting, or impatience in suffering, as if there were no one near to help you; the Lord is at hand -- your help, your strength, your supply, your comfort is not far from you. In verse 6 of the same chapter we read, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." This means, whatsoever your condition may be, do not afflict yourselves with anxieties, fear, and worries. Instead, bless the Lord for what you have, and pray for that which you lack; then, leave it to God, and so in patience, possess your souls.

Daily Surrender

Eric Liddell, The Disciplines of the Christian Life, p. 31:

It is helpful to start each new day with a question like the following clearly before you: "Have I surrendered this new day to God, and will I seek and obey the guidance of the Holy Spirit throughout its hours?" Wait until, with the full consent of your will, you can say, "I have; I will."

Quicksilver Hearts

Quicksilver is another name for mercury, the fast-flowing element which has the quality of seeming alive, moving this way or that at the slightest instigation. So it is with our inconstant hearts, we waver in our affections this way and that, often for trifles. What is the way then, O Christian, to channel our affections, by God's grace, in the right manner and to fix steadily upon the most worthy object? In the movie Chariots of Fire, Eric Liddell says, "If you commit yourself to the love of Christ, then that is how you run a straight race." Hear what Thomas Watson has to say about the fanning the flames of love for God in a Christian's heart.

Thomas Watson, Religion Our True Interest (1682), reprinted as The Great Gain of Godliness (2006), p. 92:

Get a love for God and his ways. One cannot but think of that which he loves: 'Can a maid forget her ornament?' (Jer. 2:32). When she has not her jewel on her ear, she will have it her thoughts. A person deeply in love cannot keep his thoughts off from the object he loves. The reason we think on God no more, is because we love him no more. Let there be but one spark of love to God and it will fly upward in heavenly thoughts and prayers. By nature we have quicksilver hearts which cannot be made to fix on God, but by love.

Waldo McBurney

Psalm 147:10-11 from the 1973 Book of Psalms For Singing:

In the strength of horse or speed of man
The Lord takes no delight;
But those that fear and trust His love
Are pleasing in His sight.

Born on a Kansas farm on October 3, 1902, R. Waldo McBurney grew up to become a a ruling elder in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA), and a beekeeper, as well as an award-winning runner (including world and U.S. records for track and field events). As a runner, like Eric Liddell who was also born in 1902, Waldo has always declined to race on the Lord's Day. He is the son of a minister in the RPCNA, George McBurney, who was the denomination's oldest upon his death (at the age of 88), and the father of another RPCNA minister, Ken McBurney of Grace Presbyterian Church in State College, PA. He is a paragon of healthy living, and continues to run, although he has some bumps along the way, including appendicitis at age 58, colon cancer at 87 and a heart attack at 94 (he finally got a birth certificate issued for the first time at 96). He was married to his first wife for 30 years, and has been married to his second wife for 40+ years. As of this writing, he is 106 years old and does not plan to retire, which officially makes him "America's Oldest Worker," a title he received in 2006. He is also an author, having published his autobiography in 2004: My First 100 Years: A Look Back From the Finish Line (in 2008 this became available on audio CD). He has received many accolades in life; the Psalm quoted above comes from this book and he says it "helps my humility and discourages my pride." His book is full of wisdom from a life well-lived. He writes "My wish is that readers will be encouraged by my story, which most likely will be my last one."