“He who has not yet attained divine knowledge energized by love is proud of his spiritual progress. But he who has been granted such knowledge repeats with deep conviction the words uttered by the patriarch Abraham when he was granted the manifestation of God: 'I am dust and ashes' (Gen. 18:27).” Has BeensChristianSpiritualLove IsProgressDivineProudConvictionDustGrantedManifestationRepeatsOrthodoxAshesOrthodox ChristianAbrahamSpiritual ProgressPatriarch Author:Maximus the Confessor
“... for our sake loosing within Himself the bonds of bodily birth, He granted us through spiritual birth, according to our own volition, power to become children of God instead of children of flesh and blood if we have faith in His Name (cf. Jn. 1:12-13). For the Savior the sequence was, first of all, incarnation and bodily birth for my sake; and so thereupon the birth in the Spirit through baptism, originally spurned by Adam, for the sake of my salvation and restoration by grace, or, to describe it even more vividly, my very remaking.” IfsFirstsChildrenChristianSpiritualSpiritNamesGraceBloodBirthSalvationSakeFleshGrantedOrthodoxSaviorHave FaithAdamSequenceRestorationIncarnationOrthodox ChristianChild Of GodBaptismCfsFlesh And BloodVolition Author:Maximus the Confessor
“And when we go to church, read our Bibles, have our quiet times, and go to Christian conferences, we too can build some impressive spiritual muscles, but unless we use those spiritual muscles to change our lives, build the church, love our neighbors, and care for the sick and the poor, we...are just posers. Let us not take God's truth for granted.” UseCareChristianSpiritualChurchPoorOur LivesQuietSickNeighborGrantedMusclesConferencesImpressiveQuiet TimePosers Book:He Walks Among Us: Encounters with Christ in a Broken World Source: He Walks Among Us: Encounters with Christ in a Broken World
“Yes, fasting is not merely a commandment from God but a godly gift, a grace and a blessing. God the creator of our body and soul knows of our need to fast for its benefit for our spiritual life, development and our eternity. He granted us the knowledge and manner of fasting. As a kind Father and a wise Teacher, He has recommended fasting for us.” KnowsNeedsKindSoulBodySpiritualFatherGraceTeacherWiseDevelopmentBlessingBenefitsEternityCreatorGrantedSpiritual LifeCommandmentsGodlyFasting Author:Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria