illesmolnar

“[A] process was going on in which people were transformed into things, into pieces of reality which pure science can calculate and technical science can control. … [T]he safety which is guaranteed by well-functioning mechanisms for the technical control of nature, by the refined psychological control of the person, by the rapidly increasing organizational control of society – this safety is bought at a high price: man, for whom all this was invented as a means, becomes a means himself in the service of means.”
― Paul Tillich, The Courage to Be

“The Platonists say of God that he is visible, and invisible, by reason of his excellency and abundance of light. God may be praised well by many words but better by few, and best of all by none, but by silence. Admiration and ecstasies of love and indefatigable desire after everlasting enjoyments of him in silence is admirable.”
― Thomas White, Instructions for the Art of Divine Meditation

“However, the true nature of a Christian is to be cheerful, and no one else can be truly cheerful or joyful.”
― Richard Sibbes, The Glorious Feast of the Gospel: Modern, Updated Translation

“Signs, wonders, and miracles are all wonderful, but we’ve been chasing after these for far too long. They are not the ultimate goal. Having the power and ability to occasionally perform a sign, wonder, or miracle pales in comparison, in my opinion, to the ability to consistently respond with love. I would much rather spend time with a person who has learned to love than with many of the individuals I know who perform signs, wonders, and miracles. The character of a person who has learned to love is far more compelling. It’s unfortunate, but many of those who are renowned for their signs, wonders, and miracles come across as show boaters. It seems that the attention they receive is more important to them than learning to love. The stories I’ve heard and the things I’ve witnessed from some of these individuals do not align with what I would consider loving behavior. But that’s just my perspective. Given the choice, I would choose the power to love well over signs, wonders, and miracles any day. According to the scriptures, if I’ve learned to love well and I’m following my Father God, then signs, wonders, and miracles will follow me naturally. I won’t have to chase them. They will simply occur because I am present, or because I’ve spoken a word. And I won’t be seeking attention when I do it.”
― Gil Hodges, Choice: The Most Powerful Thing in the Universe... Next to God.