Sav's Sunday Post

[Savoia]

"Each of us have a day on which our sun will set, and on that day we shall be confronted with our eternal destiny. Our Creator doesn't want us to face that day with doubt or fear, but with confidence in His paternal love. He has given us this life to discover Him, and has left a paper trail so clear than even the simplest child could trace its origins." — Brother Giacomo


Orthodox Church, Santorini, Greece

https://www.santorini.com/churches/

[Savoia]

'When founded upon the truth, faith is like a fortress. Jesus Christ openly declared "I am the truth!" Given the implications of this statement, surely we owe it to ourselves and to those we love, to discover whether this claim is true?' — Brother Giacomo


La Chiesa di San Donato, Civita di Bagnoregio, Viterbo, Italia (Photo by Paolo Cinque)

La Chiesa di San Donato

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civita...oregio#Culture

[Savoia]

"Beauty is the naturally occurring fruit of God's hand upon anything, and extends beyond that which the eye can perceive."
— Anon.


The Church of The Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand (Photo by Sarah Sisson)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church...d,_Lake_Tekapo

[Savoia]

'Ten thousand vistas with ten thousand stunning views, could not eclipse the beauty of the One who died for me and you. For as the Apostle Paul wrote: "God has shown his love for us in that while we were still sinners, even rejecting Him daily, Christ died for us."
— Brother Giacomo


Vidareidi Church on the island of Vidoy in the Faroe Islands (Photo by Lucie Debelkova)

https://www.religiana.com/vidareidi-church

[Savoia]

"The light of Christ will shine wherever it is welcome, and if you want that to be your heart then you only need open it to Him, and it will shine there also." — Brother Giacomo


Húsar Church on the island of Kalsoy in the Faroe Islands

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%BAsar

[Savoia]

"Life is fragile and precarious and we are more vulnerable than we care to think; but those who seek God and find Him are rescued from the shifting sands of uncertainty and are placed upon the solid rock who is Jesus Christ. He not only secures us in this life but provides great assurance of the life which is to come." — Brother Giacomo


Holy Trinity Church, Gergeti, Georgia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gergeti_Trinity_Church

[Savoia]

God of Wonders

[Savoia]

"Look at the world around you; it has an Architect. Look at your hands; they have a Designer. Now listen to your heart, and let it affirm to you the truth that you were created for the purpose of knowing God." — Brother Giacomo


Church of the Seven Martyrs, Sifnos, Greece

https://www.greeka.com/cyclades/sifn...seven-martyrs/

A Song for Sunday

[Savoia]

"Ask God to forgive your sins, then forgive those who have wronged you. Study the Bible and embrace its teachings. Pray to God. Once you have made these a daily habit, then pass this practice on to your children. If you do these things, you will surely be saved."
— Brother Giacomo


Strandarkirkja, Selvogur, Iceland (Photo by Pascal Riemann)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strandarkirkja

[Savoia]

'In many cities, towns and villages, a church is the oldest functioning building to be found. Indeed, empires and kingdoms have come and gone, but the good news of Jesus Christ continues to be proclaimed. Jesus said of Himself, "I am the way, the truth and the life", and we do well to investigate these claims, for if they are false we may live as we please, but if they are true, all reason should compel us to live as He has taught." — Brother Giacomo


The Church of St. Nicholas, Mestia, Georgia (Photo by Feng Wei)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mestia

[Savoia]

"In this life, times of disappointment, hardship and trial are guaranteed. But if you place your faith in God, He will take you through such times. He will be your guide, He will be your strength and He will be your shield. For He is the oasis in the desert, the refuge in the storm, the light in the darkness and the source of all hope." — Brother Giacomo


Greek Orthodox Church on Paros Island in Greece (Photo by Valantis Minogiannis)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paros

[Savoia]

"From the moment you were conceived, not a day has passed without God thinking of you. In fact, it would be fair to say that you are always on His mind. Sometimes those who are adopted track down their biological parents; similarly, hasn't the time now come for you to track down your heavenly Father, the One who created you and who has watched over you all the days of your life?"
— Brother Giacomo


Chiesa San Valentino, Siusi allo Sciliar, Alto Adige, Italia

https://seiseralm-schlerngebiet.com/...valentino.html

[Savoia]

"The winds of change visit everyone, and though this life offers little assurance of security or stability, yet we may find both in abundance through relationship with the One who holds all things in His hand. This is the One who created you, who has a destiny for you and who above all, loves you. This day, as with every day, He is reaching out His hand and inviting you to come to Him, that you may know Him." — Brother Giacomo


St Arilda's Church at Oldbury-on-Severn in Gloucestershire (Photo by John Wigmore)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arilda_of_Oldbury

[Savoia]

"We each have questions which can only be answered once we enter into relationship with God. He doesn't bite, so I encourage you to seek Him until you find Him, and if you have never done so, then I suggest you begin this quest by reading the book of John which is the last of the four Gospels." — Brother Giacomo


Church in El Chaltén, Argentina (Photo by Sabine Steinmüller)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Chalt%C3%A9n

[Savoia]

"All paths do not lead to God, just as all roads do not lead to Rome. The path to God is difficult, but the view once you reach the summit is exceptional. Do everything you can to find and follow this path, for it is the only one which leads to life." — Brother Giacomo


Tsambika Monastery in Rhodes, Greece

https://www.greeka.com/dodecanese/rh...ika-monastery/

[Savoia]

"The fulfilment of our highest potential is directly proportional to the extent that we are willing to obey God. To obey God we must first understand His purpose for us, which in turn requires that we seek His will for our life, and this we do by petitioning Him in prayer until His answer is made clear." — Brother Giacomo


Khor Virap Monastery, Armenia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khor_Virap

[Savoia]

"The greatest investment you can make in your child, whether they be young or old, is to strengthen their faith in God. Needless to say, in order to to do this, you must first strengthen your own faith in Him." — Brother Giacomo

[Savoia]

"If I were to tell you that the world's most elaborately decorated cathedrals and basilicas were the result of an assortment of atoms and molecules which had randomly assembled in the aftermath of a storm, I expect you would laugh in my face, for such a notion is preposterous. In the same way, I laugh at those who tell me this world was formed in like manner." — Brother Giacomo


Basilica di Sant'Elena Imperatrice, Sardegna

https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basili...na_Imperatrice

[Savoia]

"On the day we recognise that we are God's offspring, created in love to be His family, we should also understand why He will never force us to love Him back; for love which is forced is no love at all. And for those who dare to love Him, what can I say, but that all eternity belongs to them!" — Brother Giacomo


Church in Oia, Santorini, Greece

https://www.greeka.com/cyclades/sant...gory-churches/

[Savoia]

"Through the willing and costly sacrifice of His Son our Lord Jesus Christ, God opened the door of fellowship between Himself and mankind which had been shut by the sin of Adam. That door is Christ Himself who will receive you with arms wide open whenever you are ready, and if you understood just how much God loves you, you would surely run to that door." — Brother Giacomo


All Saints Chapel, Hamilton Island, Australia

Hamilton Island

[Savoia]

'Dark clouds overshadow us at different times in our life; this comes as part of our human experience. But David, the shepherd boy turned king once wrote, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff they comfort me." He spoke of another shepherd, that Great Shepherd of our souls who has promised never to leave us nor forsake us. I want you to know that there is no challenge, obstacle or tragedy which you cannot meet, overcome or get through when God is by your side. Take shelter in Him when the dark clouds come, even always, as He will not reject you, for you are His creation and His love for you is beyond measure.' — Brother Giacomo


The Church of St. Mary & St. Finnan, Glenfinnan, Scotland

https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co....nan/index.html

[Savoia]

"God sees our life from a vantage point, and which is just one of the many reasons why seeking His guidance is so beneficial."
— Brother Giacomo


The Chapel of Panagia Tsampika in Pera Chorio Nisou, Cyprus

https://www.cyprusalive.com/en/panagia-tsampika-nicosia

[Savoia]

"In agrarian communities, autumn marks the end of harvest, a time for reaping the reward of one's labours. Yet there are those who have squandered the opportunities they have received, and which is why in God's calendar there is such a thing as the 'late autumn harvest'. This is given to those who grieve over their failings and who are committed to righting their wrongs, that they may be afforded another chance. For this is the nature of God; ever merciful, full of compassion, deeply understanding and the God of the second chance." — Brother Giacomo


Immanuel Church, Esmond, North Dakota

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esmond,_North_Dakota

[Savoia]

"If you never seek beyond your boundaries of comfort, how can you ever experience anything new? This especially applies to encountering God, so my question is .. how far beyond your boundary of comfort are you willing to travel in order to experience Him?" — Brother Giacomo


Chiesa Santa Croce, Alta Badia, Alto Adige, Italia (Photo by Andreas Peters)

https://www.altabadia.org/en/summer-...ce-church.html

[Savoia]

"There are times when we find ourselves in the shadows, where things are cold and sombre. In such places we must look up, because there is hope, and that hope is the certainty that the One who formed us, holds our future in His hands. Brighter times are ahead, and there is no one better able to get us there, than He who loves us beyond measure." — Brother Giacomo


Novodevichy Convent, Moscow

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novodevichy_Convent

[Savoia]

"The 'Cross of Christ' isn't simply religious-speak for a holy symbol, but a timeless receipt declaring that our sins have been paid in full. What is the greatest thing you have done for your child? Chances are it involved some sacrifice on your part, even as your heavenly Father sacrificed His Beloved Son so that where He is, you may also be." — Brother Giacomo


Stone cross at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Maras, Peru

http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/36277

True Stories on Sunday

[Savoia]

'Just as light may be found in the night, so too can hope be found in life's darker moments. Jesus declared, "I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will not walk in darkness." And I encourage you to walk in the light of Christ, because it is for this very purpose that you were created.' — Brother Giacomo


Short Creek Lutheran Church North Dakota (Photo by EJ Rice)

http://everybodyhastobesomewhere.blo...-cemetery.html

[Savoia]

"Sometimes in life, that which appears certain can suddenly disappear; but those things which are of God, though they seem lost, return like the sun from behind the clouds." — Brother Giacomo


The Chapel of St. Tecwyn in Llandecwyn, Wales (Photo by David Thurlow)

https://paulchallinor.com/2015/04/15...-in-merionydd/

[Savoia]

"Some hesitate to draw near to God for fear of the unknown. But what you may not know is that above all God simply wants you to allow Him to love you. Now in order to truly perceive God's love, your heart must be open to Him, and while this always involves risk, I want to assure you that your heart will be in good hands, because He who created you is completely trustworthy." — Brother Giacomo


Puig-Agut Chapel near Manlleu in Catalonia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manlleu

[Savoia]

"The theologian GK Chesterton once wrote: 'To truly love means loving the unlovable, to really forgive means forgiving the unforgivable; to have faith means believing the unbelievable, and to hope means hoping even when everything seems hopeless.' To do these things requires help from God, and what I have discovered is that if we ask Him, He will help us." — Brother Giacomo


La chiesa di Sant'Eufemia, Musso, Lago di Como, Italia

https://www.northlakecomo.net/818-Ar...i-Sant-Eufemia