Trust is that rare and priceless treasure that wins us the affection of our heavenly Father.
Brennan ManningRead
The men and women who are truly filled with light are those who have gazed deeply into the darkness of their own imperfect existence.
Interpretation
True enlightenment comes from confronting and understanding one's own flaws and struggles.
Brennan Manning's quote emphasizes that genuine wisdom and inner light arise from the deep exploration of one's own vulnerabilities and imperfections. By facing our darkness, we become more aware and appreciative of our flaws, which leads to personal growth and deeper understanding of life.
In practice
In a motivational speech about personal growth, someone might say, 'As Brennan Manning wisely noted, 'The men and women who are truly filled with light are those who have gazed deeply into the darkness of their own imperfect existence.' This encourages us to embrace our flaws.
Trust is that rare and priceless treasure that wins us the affection of our heavenly Father.
The sinners to whom Jesus directed His messianic ministry were not those who skipped morning devotions or Sunday church. His ministry was to those whom society considered real sinners. They had done nothing to merit salvation. Yet they opened themselves to the gift that was offered them. On the other hand, the self-righteous placed their trust in the works of the Law and closed their hearts to the message of grace.
There is the "you" that people see and then there is the "rest of you". Take some time and craft a picture of the "rest of you." This could be a drawing, in words, even a song. Just remember that the chances are good it will be full of paradox and contradictions.
Do you honestly believe God likes you, not just loves you because theologically God has to love you?
Suffering, failure, loneliness, sorrow, discouragement, and death will be part of your journey, but the Kingdom of God will conquer all these horrors. No evil can resist grace forever.
For Ragamuffins, God's name is Mercy. We see our darkness as a prized possession because it drives us into the heart of God. Without mercy our darkness would plunge us into despair - for some, self-destruction. Time alone with God reveals the unfathomable depths of the poverty of the spirit. We are so poor that even our poverty is not our own: It belongs to the mysterium tremendum of a loving God.
Stunned and still not suffering. Swollen with care and anxiety and still not suffering. Useless, old and full of grief, but still not suffering.
A compliment is something like a kiss through a veil.
Nothing in the world is as soft and yielding as water. Yet for dissolving the hard and inflexible, nothing can surpass it. The soft overcomes the hard; the gentle overcomes the rigid. Everyone knows this is true, but few can put it into practice. Therefore the Master remains serene in the midst of sorrow. Evil cannot enter his heart. Because he has given up helping, he is people's greatest help. True words seem paradoxical.
People like it when they understand something that they previously thought they couldn't understand. It's a sense of empowerment.
By Time and Age full many things are taught.
The things you do not have to say make you rich. Saying things you do not have to say weakens your talk. Hearing things you do not need to hear dulls your hearing. And things you know before you hear them β those are you, those are why you are in the world.
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