#ben

When you jump for joy, beware that no one moves the ground from beneath your feet. ↗

— Stanislaw Lec

#beneath #beware #feet #ground #joy

Omnipotent-benevolent simply means that God is all-powerful and well-meaning.' 'I understand the concept. It's just . . . there seems to be a contradiction.' 'Yes. The contradiction is pain. Man's starvation, war, sickness . . .' 'Exactly!' Chartrand knew the camerlengo would understand. 'Terrible things happen in this world. Human tragedy seems like proof that God could not possibly be both all-powerful and well-meaning. If He loves us and has the power to change our situation, He would prevent our pain, wouldn't He?' The camerlengo frowned. 'Would He?' Chartrand felt uneasy. Had he overstepped his bounds? Was this one of those religious questions you just didn't ask? 'Well . . . if God loves us, and He can protect us, He would have to. It seems He is either omnipotent and uncaring, or benevolent and powerless to help.' 'Do you have children, Lieutenant?' Chartrand flushed. 'No, signore.' 'Imagine you had an eight-year-old son . . . would you love him?' 'Of course.' 'Would you let him skateboard?' Chartrand did a double take. The camerlengo always seemed oddly "in touch" for a clergyman. 'Yeah, I guess,' Chartrand said. 'Sure, I'd let him skateboard, but I'd tell him to be careful.' 'So as this child's father, you would give him some basic, good advice and then let him go off and make his own mistakes?' 'I wouldn't run behind him and mollycoddle him if that's what you mean.' 'But what if he fell and skinned his knee?' 'He would learn to be more careful.' The camerlengo smiled. 'So although you have the power to interfere and prevent your child's pain, you would choose to show your love by letting him learn his own lessons?' 'Of course. Pain is part of growing up. It's how we learn.' The camerlengo nodded. 'Exactly. ↗

— Dan Brown

#faith #god #omnipotence #paradox #religion

Often the best way to access a treasure is to imagine its loss. ↗

— Br. Jerome Leo

#monasticism #st-benedict #imagination

Remember family is often born of blood, but it doesn't depend on blood. Nor is it exclusive of friendship. Family members can be your best friends, you know. And best friends, whether or not they are related to you, can be your family. ↗

— Trenton Lee Stuart

#family

Live Long and Prosper ↗

— Leonard Nimoy

#inspirational #life #motivation #inspirational

If it bends, it's funny; if it breaks, it's not funny. ↗

— Kate O'Brien

#breaks #funny

Injustice is ABUSE...No matter who or where it's committed! It must be stopped at all times! ↗

— Timothy Pina

#inspirational #inspirational

Truth Is As Plan As The Inspired Words David Wrote In The Psalms: A future Awaits For All Those Who Seek Peace..But All EVIL Will Eventually Be Destroyed; There Will Be No Future For The Wicked. ↗

— Timothy Pina

#legend-of-the-peace-panda #inspirational

For today...Be kind to those in despair.  Your words, thoughts and prayers can be the difference between one's life or demise✌ ↗

— Timothy Pina

#inspirational #inspirational

We must do all we can...Use all our powers to help save Tibet! Humanity will regret it...if we don't! ↗

— Timothy Pina

#inspirational #save-tibet #inspirational