Comments on: The Godly Man’s Picture: Your Thoughts (Open Thread)

By: Stephen Newell

Stephen Newell — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 09:31:37 +0000

This book has just plain kicked my behind all over the place. Coming right on the heels of Sibbes and Flavel, Watson could not have been more timely. The section on how a godly man is patient is what really smacked me down the most! I have been going through a trying time in life, being a new dad and quite possibly about to hit a transition stage in life situation and ministry, and the first two books coupled with Watson's exhortation to be patient was exactly what I needed.

By: Kenan

Kenan — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 04:08:42 +0000

I love reading Thomas Watson, and this month’s rereading of The Godly Man’s Picture Drawn with a Scripture pencil was a blessing. Watson is always rich in theology and Scripture, nourishing to the soul, and replete with practical wisdom. His book has humbled me and convicted me. I look at myself and my own picture seems to be drawn with a kindergartener’s crayon instead of a pencil in the steady hand of a skilled artist. Yet at the same time I was strengthened and encouraged in my faith in Christ, and I know that He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 03:52:45 +0000

First, I found this work incredibly overwhelming. It was easy to read, but one month is not enough time for the penetrating truths that Watson shares to sink deep into my life.

Second, here are some quotes that God is still pressing upon me:

“A humble saint likes the condition which God see best for him. A proud man complains that he has no more; a humble man wonders that he has so much.” p. 81

“Do we fear the loss of the Word preached more than the loss of peace and trade?…Do we listen to it as to a matter of life and death? This is a good sign that we love the Word.” p. 65-66

“Though sin is in him, he is troubled at it and would gladly get rid of it. There is as much difference between sin in the wicked and the godly as between poison being in a serpent and in a man. Poison in the serpent is in its natural place and is delightful, but poison in a man’s body is offensive and he uses antidotes to expel it.” p. 146

Finally, I am greatly challenged by his words to ministers:
“Sloth is as inexcusable in a minister as sleeping in a sentry.”
“How many have sown pillows under their people making them sleep so securely that they never woke till they were in hell!”
“The life of a minister should be a walking Bible…they who live in contradiction to what they preach disgrace this excellent calling.”
“It is the minister’s duty to sometimes reproove. He who can speak smooth words in teh pulpit, but does not know how to reprove, is like a sword with a find hilt without an edge.”

By: nauvoobaptist

nauvoobaptist — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 21:13:53 +0000

As I read this book I found myself asking “Is this me?” “Am I the picture of a Godly man?” As I got deeper into the text I stopped asking that question and started to investigate my live in terms of the subtitle of the book. Do I really reflect God’s handiwork in all I say and do? Is God able to make the pencil-sketch He desires or am I smudging out the lines?

This book has encouraged me to continue to look and see God’s intended drawing of my life and not my own desires to paint it in the fashion that I choose.

Conviction is a terrible thing for a Christian to waste with excuses.

By: Mike Hall

Mike Hall — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:50:54 +0000

This book has opened my eyes to so many things its hard to narrow it down. I will mention two quotes that have stuck with me:

pg. 34 “As the Lord makes use of all the seasons of the year, frost and heat, to produce the harves, so all prosperous and adverse providences are for the promoting of the work of holiness in the soul.”

If you have ever felt like that what you were doing is insignificant or that you were just wasting time then Rev. Watson kindly puts that notion to rest. There is no such thing as a wasted season of life if what we are doing is for the lord no matter how insignificant.

pg.37 “Let us, then, as we would show ourselves to be godly, keep close to the rule of worship, and in the things of Jehovah go no further than we can say, “It is written”.

I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed but if what Rev. Watson says is true then there is a lot of activity branded as “in the name of the Lord” or in the spirit of worship” that in no way honors the Lord or His Word.

By: Timmy Brister

Timmy Brister — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 17:19:50 +0000

Will,

We had to make a schedule change due to Brooks being back-ordered. Sorry that you have not received word. Here’s the post with all the details:

http://timmybrister.com/2008/03/19/important-prc-announcement-april-schedule-change/

By: Will bausch

Will bausch — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 17:02:39 +0000

Somebody help me. I thought “Precious Remedies” was next. Was the order changed?

By: Mike Leake

Mike Leake — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:48:13 +0000

My thought on Watson’s The Godly Man’s Picture is this….what the heck happened to March? How is it April? Why am I only on Chapter 4? I will continue blogging through this book in April alongside Burroughs’ Rare Jewel.

What I have read so far is pretty good. I do have one question though, to see if anyone else seems to be experiencing this: Does it seem that sometimes Watson “pitches matters too high” as Sibbes said?

By: Phil Baiden

Phil Baiden — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 08:54:11 +0000

I read these books on the tram on the way to my church each day. Sometimes I only get one sentence in before staring out of the window and thinking of how this effects me.
Watson’s way with words is remarkable, his illustrations are so natural and, as a result, really hit home.
I was struck by his attack on “nominal Christians”. I’m currently on placement at a church that can trace its heritage back to the Great Ejection of 1662 and to see Watson’s faith in the face of such persecution is humbling; especially in comparison with the church in its current state.
As with “The Reformed Pastor”, which I read last year and changed my life, this book has shown me the type of man that God has called me to be and how short I fall from that standard. Thank God for his grace in Jesus Christ.
Thanks for the whole reading programme, Timmy. This book and The Bruised Reed will be regular re-reads for me now.

By: Terry Delaney

Terry Delaney — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:35:00 +0000

I read all month long, but was not able to finish the book by today! I think that sometimes the Godly Man’s Picture requires that you set down your own pleasure to make sure you fulfill your required duties. This month that included dealing with sick kids, three huge mid-terms and two 10 page papers! I look forward to finishing the book in the coming week and plowing headlong into Contentment.