love is the only thing that can bind together
God and His creation and bring about social harmony
in simplicity of heart
The soul is like hardening clay
if it clings to materiality
and like soft wax when it clings to God
Saint Maximos the Confessor
Therefore the Christian, who is called to a heavenly country, who is only a stranger and a sojourner upon earth, ought not attach his heart to anything earthly, but should cling to God alone, the Source of life, our resurrection, and the Life eternal.
St John of Kronstadt
My Life in Christ
deep designs : Divine Wisdom
God is a mystery to all beings. God is in us, and that is why we are a mystery to our own selves. God reveals Himself only to the meek and humble. He is present everywhere, and He is a mystery. We may learn a little about Him, or may gather some knowledge from nature, but for the most part, we are surrounded by mystery
Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives:
Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica
selfless labor
Look at the bee, how diligently it labors! It gives of itself without reserve, unsparingly. The lifespan of a bee is a month and a half at the most. It often dies working, without going back to its home, the hive. And we? How we pity ourselves and spare ourselves! Or, look at the ant who is never tired of dragging a heavy burden. Even when its burden falls down, the ant patiently picks it up and goes on with its work. As for us, we give up immediately if things do not go the way we want them to!
Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives
Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica
one who discovers their habits will also find the Word and Wisdom of God, who is Christ Himself.
Orthodox Study Bible Notes on Proverbs 6:6
redeeming the time
kind. disarming. wholesome. in wisdom.
readiness to every good word
building up others
and exhorting to love
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“let your speech always be with grace,
seasoned with salt,
that you may know
how you ought to answer each one.”
Colossians 4:6
Ultimately, this is how every Christian is to live every day of his life: we must pray, forgive, be generous and live a simple life; we should go to church, confess our sins, endure all things with patience and humility and show love to all.
Papavassiliou, Vassilios
Thirty Steps to Heaven
give Him your heart
a fresh, hopeful breeze
Our Lord is the sole comfort of both angels and men, of every soul that yearns for Him. He alone is eternal. We can seek comfort from our fellow men here in this life, but all this is very limited, for created beings are limited in time and space and cannot dispense eternity. God alone takes care of every need of our souls.
Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives:
the Life and Teachings of Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica
One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
Psalm 27:4
boundless love
To ask mercy from God is to ask for His Kingdom, that Kingdom Christ promised to give all who seek it, assuring them that all other things of which they have need will be added unto them.
Saint Nicholas Cabasalis
For with the Lord there is mercy
Psalm 129:7
a fount and treasury of love for mankind
blessings
“Do not think that you have a right to complain when your prayers are not answered. God fulfills your desires in a manner that you do not know.”
— St. Nektarios of Aegina
the joy of the cross
Do not run away from poverty or sorrows
such things lift our prayer to Heaven
Evagrios of Pontus
your sorrow will be turned into joy
John 16:20
refuge
Your name is permanently engraved in the palms of His hands… and no man shall pluck you out!
Isaiah 49:16 & John 10:28
Embrace the counter-intuitive and be of good cheer.
In the midst of this world’s tribulations and chaos – He is mindful of you and has you always in His sight – your refuge in Whom you may trust.
HE will deliver you through struggle and carry you on the breath of the sunrise.
gladsomelife.com 