A Hidden Manna

While planning our next homeschool term and working out Jr. High and High School Spanish 1 lessons for our homeschool co-op this fall, a devotion from Thomas à Kempis showed up in my inbox. As usual, it is God's reminder to me in His perfect timing to keep the importance of knowledge and intelligence in perspective.


Thomas à Kempis quotes:

"The teaching of Christ is more excellent than all the advice of the saints, and he who has His spirit will find in it a hidden manna."


"I would rather feel contrition than know how to define it. For what would it profit us to know the whole Bible by heart and the principles of all the philosophers if we live without grace and the love of God?"

"Every man naturally desires knowledge, but what good is knowledge without fear of God? Indeed a humble rustic who serves God is better than a proud intellectual who neglects his soul to study the course of the stars."

"Intellectuals like to appear learned and to be called wise. Yet there are many things the knowledge of which does little or no good to the soul, and he who concerns himself about other things than those which lead to salvation is very unwise."

"Many words do not satisfy the soul; but a good life eases the mind and a clean conscience inspires great trust in God."

"The more you know and the better you understand, the more severely will you be judged, unless your life is also the more holy. Do not be proud, therefore, because of your learning or skill. Rather, fear because of the talent given you. If you think you know many things and understand them well enough, realize at the same time that there is much you do not know. Hence, do not affect wisdom, but admit your ignorance."

God bless you all as fall approaches, and you work up the plans for your family and school time!

Javamom