The world is evil only when you become its slave. Henri Nouwen More Quotes by Henri Nouwen More Quotes From Henri Nouwen Forgiveness changes the way we remember. It converts the curse into a blessing. Forgiveness indeed heals memories . . . Henri Nouwen blessingmemoriesway True Hospitality is welcoming the stranger on her own terms. This kind of hospitality can only be offered by those who've found the center of their lives in their own hearts. Henri Nouwen welcomehomeheart Christian community is the place where we keep the flame of hope alive among us and take it seriously so that it can grow and become stronger in us. Henri Nouwen flamescommunitychristian What is Hope?Hope is that inner dynamic that compels us to explore and pursue the expectations built into the human condition. Hope was born the day the first human beings discovered the first bridge and decided not to jump off the bridge in despair, but to cross it Henri Nouwen despairbridgesexpectations Perhaps nothing helps us make the movement from our little selves to a larger world than remembering God in gratitude. Such a perspective puts God in view in all of life, not just in the moments we set aside for worship or spiritual disciplines. Not just in the moments when life seems easy. Henri Nouwen gratitudeselfspiritual Our society is so fragmented, our family lives so sundered by physical and emotional distance, our friendships so sporadic, our intimacies so 'in-between' things and often so utilitarian, that there are few places where we can feel truly safe. Henri Nouwen distanceemotionalsafe The spiritual life is not a life before, after, or beyond our everyday existence. No, the spiritual life can only be real when it is lived in the midst of the pains and joys of the here and now. Henri Nouwen painrealspiritual Jesus came to announce to us that an identity based on success, popularity and power is a false identity- an illusion! Loudly and clearly he says: 'You are not what the world makes you; but you are children of God. Henri Nouwen identitychildrenjesus Hiddenness is the place of purification. In hiddenness we find our true selves. Henri Nouwen true-selfpurificationself ...real care means the willingness to help each other in making our brokenness into the gateway to joy. Henri Nouwen realjoymean When you're on the bus or subway or in your car, why busy your mind with all the garbage of advertisements? Why fill your mind with television and radio? Somehow you have to decide what your mind will receive. I don't mean you shouldn't ever go to movies or watch television, but control what enters your mind and heart. It's not just a question of pushing bad things out but also a question of holding on to something really good. Henri Nouwen carheartmean The Lord is coming, always coming. When you have ears to hear and eyes to see, you will recognize him at any moment of your life. Life is Advent; life is recognizing the coming of the Lord Henri Nouwen eyelife-isears Joy is hidden in sorrow and sorrow in joy. If we try to avoid sorrow at all costs, we may never taste joy, and if we are suspicious of ecstasy, agony can never reach us either. Joy and sorrow are the parents of our spiritual growth. Henri Nouwen agonyspiritualjoy We need to remind each other that the cup of sorrow is also the cup of joy, that precisely what causes us sadness can become the fertile ground for gladness. Henri Nouwen sadnesssorrowjoy Our efforts to disconnect ourselves from our own suffering end up disconnecting our suffering from God's suffering for us. The way out of our loss and hurt is in and through. Henri Nouwen efforthurtloss I want my work to create space where people can meet God, rather than give them something they can "apply" to their daily life. Henri Nouwen spacegivingpeople It's not easy to sit and trust that in solitude God will speak to you - not as a magical voice but that God will let you know something gradually over the years. And in that word from God you will find the inner place from which to live your life. Solitude is where spiritual ministry begins. That's where Jesus listened to God. That's where we listen to God. Henri Nouwen spiritualyearsjesus Who can take away suffering without entering it? Henri Nouwen enteringsuffering To give someone a blessing is the most significant affirmation we can offer. Henri Nouwen affirmationblessinggiving Christmas is believing that the salvation of the world is God's work, and not mine. Henri Nouwen salvationbelieveworld
