Ministers Should Be Sons of Thunder

"When men don't preach much about the danger of damnation, there is want of good preaching...If sinners don't hear often of Judgment and Damnation, few will be converted...Ministers should be sons of thunder: men had need have storms in their hearts, before they will betake themselves to Christ for refuge....If they be but thoroughly convinced of their danger, that will make them go to God and take pains."

--Samuel Stoddard, predecessor of Jonathon Edwards, Northhampton, Massachusettes, 1723, as quoted in "Daniel Rowland And The Great Evangelical Awakening In Wales," by Eifion Evans

Sacrifice

“Where are the young men and women of this generation who will hold their lives cheap and be faithful even unto death? Where are those who will lose their lives for Christ’s sake — flinging them away for love of him? Where are those who will live dangerously and be reckless in his service? Where are his lovers — those who love him and the souls of men more than their own reputations or comfort or very life?

Where are the men who say ‘no’ to self, who take up Christ’s cross to bear it after him, who are willing to be nailed to it in college or office, home or mission field, who are willing, if need be, to bleed, to suffer and to die on it?

Where are the adventurers, the explorers, the buccaneers for God, who count one human soul of far greater value than the rise or fall of an empire? Where are the men who are willing to pay the price of vision? Where are the men of prayer? Where are God’s men in this day of God’s power?” - Howard Guinness, Sacrifice, pages 59-60.