[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fPVwpozU6Znu4VhqVSgKKxf1_sUnCibCMhv4B-Z2yhTM":3,"$fq57gggBT0jg4SSkv16L2w9A0BScZtr2NQcwVIRzJW0c":38},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"bio_jsonld":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},23015,"Colin S. Smith","C",42,null,"colin-s-smith",[12,16,20,24,28,32,35],{"tag_id":13,"tag_name":14,"tag_count":15},255,"god",18,{"tag_id":17,"tag_name":18,"tag_count":19},69,"bible",10,{"tag_id":21,"tag_name":22,"tag_count":23},4364,"jesus-christ",9,{"tag_id":25,"tag_name":26,"tag_count":27},15529,"ten-commandments",8,{"tag_id":29,"tag_name":30,"tag_count":31},91,"jesus",5,{"tag_id":33,"tag_name":34,"tag_count":31},2063,"sin",{"tag_id":36,"tag_name":37,"tag_count":31},9954,"idolatry",{"quotes":39,"pagination":150},[40,48,54,60,66,72,78,84,113,134],{"id":41,"quote_text":42,"author_id":5,"source_id":43,"has_image":44,"author":45,"source":46,"quote_tag":47,"commentary":9},2942437,"Faith does not rest on your ability to feel God’s love, it rests on His ability to keep His promise.",6,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":49,"quote_text":50,"author_id":5,"source_id":43,"has_image":44,"author":51,"source":52,"quote_tag":53,"commentary":9},2942432,"And if any of you want some tips on running, don’t be in a hurry, and never let any of the other runners know you are in a hurry even if you are. You can always overtake on long-distance running without letting others smell the hurry in you.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":55,"quote_text":56,"author_id":5,"source_id":43,"has_image":44,"author":57,"source":58,"quote_tag":59,"commentary":9},2942426,"Saint Augustine defined idolatry as worshiping what should be used or using what should be worshiped.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":61,"quote_text":62,"author_id":5,"source_id":43,"has_image":44,"author":63,"source":64,"quote_tag":65,"commentary":9},2942416,"Human life is created in God’s image, and that makes it sacred.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":67,"quote_text":68,"author_id":5,"source_id":43,"has_image":44,"author":69,"source":70,"quote_tag":71,"commentary":9},2942402,"Our sin reached its full horror and found its most awful expression in the cross.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":73,"quote_text":74,"author_id":5,"source_id":43,"has_image":44,"author":75,"source":76,"quote_tag":77,"commentary":9},2942390,"Redeeming sinners from all nations through Jesus Christ was God’s plan from the beginning.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":79,"quote_text":80,"author_id":5,"source_id":43,"has_image":44,"author":81,"source":82,"quote_tag":83,"commentary":9},2942377,"The message of Easter is not that Jesus is alive, it is so much more. The message of Easter is that Jesus has risen!",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":85,"quote_text":86,"author_id":5,"source_id":87,"has_image":44,"author":88,"source":89,"quote_tag":90,"commentary":112},687589,"Our culture says ‘live your dream,’ but God calls you to place your dream on His altar and to keep it there at all times. It is good to have hopes and dreams for the future, but we have no rights. There are no certainties. Any dream can become an idol and, if it does, God will bring it down.",2,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[91,96,99,102,107],{"id":92,"tag":93},3429770,{"id":94,"tag_name":95},45,"dreams",{"id":97,"tag":98},3429771,{"id":13,"tag_name":14},{"id":100,"tag":101},3429772,{"id":36,"tag_name":37},{"id":103,"tag":104},3429774,{"id":105,"tag_name":106},12987,"sovereignty-of-god",{"id":108,"tag":109},3429773,{"id":110,"tag_name":111},17102,"idols","**The Backstory**\nThis poignant quote is attributed to Colin S. Smith, a renowned pastor and author known for his thought-provoking insights on faith and life. It was likely written during a time when the pursuit of individual success and happiness was becoming increasingly prominent in modern Western culture. As someone who has spent their career navigating the intersection of spirituality and personal ambition, Smith's words offer a crucial reminder about the dangers of idolizing one's own desires.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nWhat lies beneath the surface of this quote is a profound acknowledgment that our hopes and dreams can become sources of both inspiration and bondage. The tension here is between the human desire for autonomy and control over one's life, versus the recognition that true fulfillment comes from surrendering to a higher power or authority.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this mindset today, consider placing your most cherished goals on an \"altar\" – not in the sense of sacrificing them entirely, but by acknowledging that their realization is subject to forces beyond your control. By doing so, you can cultivate a more humble and resilient approach to pursuing your aspirations, one that balances ambition with awareness of the uncertainties and unpredictabilities of life.",{"id":114,"quote_text":115,"author_id":5,"source_id":87,"has_image":44,"author":116,"source":117,"quote_tag":118,"commentary":9},672041,"God did not love you because of your background, your intelligence, your good looks, your prayers, your ministry, your commitment, your faith, or your good life. God loves you…because He loves you. Let that lead you to worship.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[119,124,129],{"id":120,"tag":121},3386558,{"id":122,"tag_name":123},25,"love",{"id":125,"tag":126},3386557,{"id":127,"tag_name":128},8059,"god-s-love",{"id":130,"tag":131},3386559,{"id":132,"tag_name":133},16487,"love-of-god",{"id":135,"quote_text":136,"author_id":5,"source_id":87,"has_image":44,"author":137,"source":138,"quote_tag":139,"commentary":9},653420,"Repentance is possible only when faith is present and where there is faith, repentance will also be found. Faith gives birth to repentance, and repentance is the evidence of faith.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[140,145],{"id":141,"tag":142},3331763,{"id":143,"tag_name":144},85,"faith",{"id":146,"tag":147},3331764,{"id":148,"tag_name":149},7211,"repentance",{"currentPage":151,"totalPages":31,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":19},1]