"One of the most effective ways to heal people and draw them close to God is through teaching and preaching." Saint John Chrysostom
The ultimate goal of a sermon, as well as any teaching in the Church, is not simply to increase our knowledge of the faith but to inspire and motivate change in our lives. This is what St John Chrysostom meant when he talks about the most effective way of healing people. The purpose is to help people encounter the living God so that they invite His Spirit into their lives to guide and direct them, to inspire and empower them, to comfort and heal them, to lead them to repentance and change, and to recreate each person more and more into the likeness of God. Here lies my hope for this book.
We live in a day and age where our lives are filled with busyness and superficial nonsense. We need to remember the advice of the Psalmist to "Be still and know that I am God." In silence and stillness we encounter God. In dedicating time to dwell in His Presence we nourish our souls. We need to consciously choose to take time each day to fill our minds with spiritually uplifting words which enrich our hearts. My prayer is that you will find such words in this book that will bless your heart and nourish your soul.