A man went into the forest to choose a tree from which to make roof-beams. And he saw two trees, one beside the other. One was smooth and tall, but had rotted away inside, and the other was rough on the outside and ugly, but its core was healthy. The man sighed, and said to himself: “What use is this tree to me if it is rotten inside and useless for beams? The other it is rough and ugly, is at least healthy on the inside and so, if I put a bit more effort into it, I can use it for roof-beams for my house.” And, without thinking any more about it, he chose that tree. So will God choose between two men for His house, and will choose not the one who appears outwardly righteous, but the one whose heart is filled with God’s healthy righteousness. ~ St. Nikolai Velimirovich
Tag: healthy
Clutter
High water mark on local beach, with a vibrant collection of organic debris.
Seek what suffices, seek what is enough, and don’t desire more. Whatever goes beyond that produces anxiety not relief: it will weigh you down instead of lifting you up. ~ St. Augustine
A true person with all his energy, spiritual first of all, struggles to simplify life, to understand what he lives by. Man wants to and must fight to get out of the maze… with all his temptations. A person who makes the purpose of his life the accumulation of property and money is a weak person, he is a victim of the evil one. Having acquired wealth, he gains the fear of losing them, becomes not their master, but a thoughtless guardian of the false treasures… Instead of keeping the word of the Lord, which is the essence of life, he keeps the fake treasures… and thus betrays himself…. ~Archimandrite Justin Parvu
The condition of our surroundings often seem to reflect our state of mind.
I lie here in corners, trussed and piled so high, And in chests I am locked so fast, I cannot stir; in packs low I lie. ~ says ‘Goods’ to ‘Everyman’ (from Everyman: a 15th century English morality play)
Is an item useful? Does it bring glory to God? Does the memory associated with this item instill simplicity of beauty and peace within my Christian home? There is indeed a spiritual benefit… of quiet calmness, which permeates a clean and orderly home.
For indeed, a house is a little church… ~ St. John Chrysostom
Light
After Theophany, the days grow longer. Chirping robins return. Silver, furry catkins adorn bare branches. Fair Maids of Février poke up through cold earth. Everything is fresh and young again.
Each day, the Author of Life opens a blank new page for us to write on.
Isn’t is marvellous the unwritten pages of our daily deeds are already seen by Him as accomplished? Isn’t it amazing we retain the gift of free will to do as we choose on said pages? Isn’t it miraculous He loves us; regardless!?
Opening our self to God is Life. Allowing God to robe Himself within us suffuses our soul with Love and Light.
The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom then shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? ~Psalm 27:1
Thy word is a lamp for my feet, a light unto my path. ~ Psalm 119:105
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. ~ Isaiah 60:1
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. ~ St. Matthew 5:14 – 16
No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you. ~ St. Luke 11:33-36
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. ~ St. John 1:5
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” ~ St. John 8:12