Spiritual lives Quotes

“It is commonplace, and true, to point out that animals are happier than people because they live entirely in the present.”

“The appeal of Jesus to Nones has nothing to do with the institution developed by his followers, but rather with his willingness to walk across religious and other social boundaries, through the lives of ordinary people, attending to their suffering, healing their afflictions, welcoming them into conversation, and sharing stories of hope.”

“The belief that every living thing has an individual soul is called animism. (Anima, which means 'soul,' is also the root of the word 'animal.') Anthropologists have found this belief to be universal in children, though the children themselves don't think of it as a belief. It is, to them, one of the most obvious features of the world around them, and the most obvious way of interpreting what goes on in that world.”

“Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path.”

“Our human lives serve much like frames for our spiritual lives.”

“Christians should read and meditate the upon the Word of God which sustains and directs their spiritual lives.”

“We have not advanced very far in our spiritual lives if we have not encountered the basic paradox of freedom, to the effect that we are most free when we are bound. But not just any way of being bound will suffice; what matters is the character of our binding. The one who would like to be an athlete, but who is unwilling to discipline his body by regular exercise and by abstinence, is not free to excel on the field or the track. His failure to train rigorously and to live abstemiously denies him the freedom to go over the bar at the desired height, or to run with the desired speed and endurance. With one concerted voice the giants of the devotional life apply the same principle to the whole of life with the dictum: Discipline is the price of freedom.”

“WE MAY FEEL...BUT WE DON'TWe may feel the need to change employment, but we don’t.We may feel the need to start a specific project, but we don’t.We may feel the need to pursue higher education, but we don’tWe may feel the need to heal a broken relationship, but we don’t.We may feel the need to work to improve our spiritual lives, but we don’t.We may feel the need to take steps toward a healthier physical or emotional life for ourselves and/or our family, but again, we don’t.(This list could likely go on for eternity.)The desire for progression is innate, but the problem we face is that the actual act of progression is also a choice.Without embracing our inherent need for progress, for positive growth and/or change, we’ll still go on living....But at what cost?”

“Education falls short of divine truth that will empower our spiritual lives”