Words of Wisdom and Inspiration

kelly1

In addition to news, how about a thread called "Words of Wisdom and Inspiration"?

e.g. http://wau.org/meditations/current/

Two monks were returning to their monastery when they discovered the bridge over the nearby river had washed out. At the river’s edge was a beautiful woman unable to cross because of the strong current.

Because their vows forbade them from touching or even looking at a woman, the younger monk ignored her pleas for help. The elder monk, however, picked her up and carried her across the river on his back. Indignant, the young monk waited until they were alone again, and then asked: “How could you do such a thing?” “Brother,” the elder monk said, “I put her down hours ago, but it seems that you are still carrying her.”

I think we all need words of encouragement. There's far too much negativity in the news etc. Our faith is also under attack all the time. We need encouragement never to give up hope in Jesus and the promises He made.

This thread could be used for testimonies of people conversions, stories of how God dramatically changed peoples live, miracles etc. Something the lift us up when we're down...

God bless,
Noel.

Soul Winner

kelly1 wrote: »

In addition to news, how about a thread called "Words of Wisdom and Inspiration"?

e.g. http://wau.org/meditations/current/



I think we all need words of encouragement. There's far too much negativity in the news etc. Our faith is also under attack all the time. We need encouragement never to give up hope in Jesus and the promises He made.

This thread could be used for testimonies of people conversions, stories of how God dramatically changed peoples live, miracles etc. Something the lift us up when we're down...

God bless,
Noel.

I like that Monk story. Very apt for today's judgmental religionists on all sides be they Christian or otherwise. When people start realizing that they can never be righteous in their own fleshly effort then we might start getting somewhere. The sin Jesus condemned the most in His earthly ministry was 'Judging' others. It presupposes perfection on behalf of the judger, that he/she somehow has the right to judge others. Well he/she hasn't and never ever will have that right. So quit doing it. Anyway some nuggets of wisdom to follow:

"You can have no greater sign of confirmed pride than when you think you are humble enough." Law. Serious call, cap. XVI (as quote by C.S Lewis in 'The problem of pain' chapter IV "Human Wickedness")

"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell" C.S. Lewis - 'The problem of pain' chapter III “Divine Goodness”)

"To obey is the proper office of a rational soul." Montaigne II, xii (as quote by C.S Lewis in "The problem of pain" chapter V “The fall of man”)

To find out what is natural, we must study specimens that retain their nature and not those which have been corrupted." Aristotle. Politics, I v, 5 (as quote by C.S. Lewis in "The problem of pain" chapter IX "Animal pain")

Yes I’m currently reading “The problem of pain” by C.S Lewis. What a great thinker he was, a truly amazing man.

kelly1

Hello, a couple of Padre Pio letters here that are worth reading:-

http://www.shoal.net.au/~mwoa/documents/padre_pio_letter29.html
http://www.shoal.net.au/~mwoa/documents/padre_pio_letter33.html

God bless,
Noel.

sorella

Everything said by the Lord Jesus Christ, for we need no other Word, no other Voice... Simply JESUS... words from Him inspire and comfort totally and utterly, in the Silence of Prayer..... Blessings this night as the Bell announces Grand Silence and all voices save His are hushed.

kelly1

No one should feel secure in this life, because the whole of it is one long test; and no one who is able to pass from a worse state to a better one can be certain that he will not later pass from a better state to a worse. Our only hope, our only confidence, our only assured promise, Lord, is Your mercy.

-- St. Augustine

Read some chapter of a devout book. It is very easy and most necessary, for just as you speak to God when at prayer, God speaks to you when you read.

-- St. Vincent de Paul

Christ does not force our will, He only takes what we give Him. But He does not give Himself entirely until He sees that we yield ourselves entirely to Him.

-- St. Teresa of Avila

What a weakness it is to love Jesus Christ only when He Caresses us, and to be cold immediately once He afflicts us. This is not true love. Those who love thus, love themselves too much to love God with all their heart.

-- St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

If Hope goes it alone, it ought to be called presumption, which is the highway to ruin.

-- St. Jerome

kelly1

Todays Scripture reading makes for good meditation:

Reading 1
Eph 1:1-10

Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
to the holy ones who are in Ephesus
and faithful in Christ Jesus:
grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,
as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world,
to be holy and without blemish before him.
In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ,
in accord with the favor of his will,
for the praise of the glory of his grace
that he granted us in the beloved.

In Christ we have redemption by his Blood,
the forgiveness of transgressions,
in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us.
In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us
the mystery of his will in accord with his favor
that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times,
to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.

kelly1

Be sure that you first preach by the way you live. If you do not, people will notice that you say one thing, but live otherwise, and your words will bring only cynical laughter and a derisive shake of the head.

--St. Charles Borromeo

JimiTime

kelly1 wrote: »

Be sure that you first preach by the way you live. If you do not, people will notice that you say one thing, but live otherwise, and your words will bring only cynical laughter and a derisive shake of the head.

--St. Charles Borromeo

Summed up by, 'Practice what you preach'. In all honesty, what you do and how you behave is so much greater then what you say when it comes preaching IMO. Good quote Noel.

kelly1

I like this one from St. Francis too:

"Preach the gospel at all times -- If necessary, use words."

JimiTime

kelly1 wrote: »

I like this one from St. Francis too:

"Preach the gospel at all times -- If necessary, use words."

LOL, thats better than the first one, very clever:) definately sentiments I'd agree with, but can struggle to uphold.

kelly1

Christ does not force our will, He only takes what we give Him. But He does not give Himself entirely until He sees that we yield ourselves entirely to Him.

-- St Teresa of Avila

kelly1

When it is all over you will not regret having suffered; rather you will regret having suffered so little, and suffered that little so badly.

-- St. Sebastian Valfre

Is it not true that your gloominess and bad temper are due to your lack of determination in breaking the subtle snares laid by your own disordered desires? The daily examination of conscience is an indispensible help if we are to follow our Lord with sincerity of heart and integrity of life.

-- St. Jose Maria Escriva

The perfection of a Christian consists in mortifying his will for the love of Christ. Where there is no great mortification, there is no great sanctity.

-- St. Philip Neri

A man who governs his passions is master of the world. We must either command them, or be enslaved by them. It is better to be a hammer than an anvil.

-- St. Dominic

kelly1

It is impossible for a person who prays regularly to remain in serious sin; because the two are incompatible, one or the other will have to be given up.

-- St. Teresa of Avila

You strayed from the way and did not return because you were ashamed. It would be more logical if you were ashamed not to return.

-- St. Josemaria Escriva

Trials and tribulations offer us a chance to make reparation for our past faults and sins. On such occasions the Lord comes to us like a physician to heal the wounds left by our sins. Tribulation is the divine medicine.

-- St. Augustine

Anxiety is the greatest evil that can befall a soul, except sin. God commands you to pray, but He forbids you to worry.

-- St. Francis de Sales

If you embrace all things in this life as coming from the hands of God, and even embrace death to fulfill His holy will, assuredly you will die a saint.

-- St. Alphonsus Liguori