Henri Nouwen Quotes & Sayings (Page 3)

“Just as people can watch spellbound a circus artist tumbling through the air in a phosphorized costume, so they can listen to a preacher who uses the Word of God to draw attention to himself. But a sensational preacher stimulates the senses and leaves the spirit untouched. Instead of being the way to God, his 'being different' gets in the way.”

“Discipline means to prevent everything in your life from being filled up. Discipline means that somewhere you're not occupied, and certainly not preoccupied. In the spiritual life, discipline means to create that space in which something can happen that you hadn't planned or counted on.”

“Our inclination is to show our Lord only what we feel comfortable with. But the more we dare to reveal our whole trembling self to him, the more we will be able to sense that his love, which is perfect love, casts out all our fears.”

“To give someone a blessing is the most significant affirmation we can offer.”

“To learn patience is not to rebel against every hardship.”

“The journey from teaching about love to allowing myself to be loved proved much longer than I realised.”

“Prayer is the most concrete way to make our home in God.”

“Ministers are powerless people who have nothing to boast of except their weaknesses. But when the Lord whom they serve fills them with His blessing they will move mountains and change the hearts of people wherever they go.”

“Too many of us are lonely ministers practicing a lonely ministry.”

“Prayer is the beginning and the end, the source and the fruit, the core and the content, the basis and the goal of all peacemaking.”