As we start Great Lent, this season of repentance, we focus on that difficult road to perfection that we are called upon to travel. Every year we can decide to make our future greater than our past, through self discipline and humility, so that we may enjoy God's presence and love more intimately. To aid our spiritual growth in this critical time, Our Thoughts Determine our Lives by Elder Thaddeus is an edifying collection of teachings by one of the most renowned spiritual guides of Serbia in the twentieth century. Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica lived through both world wars, the communist takeover, and NATO bombings. Throughout all the suffering of his people, he taught, counseled, and prayed for all who came to him in pain and sorrow. His words of love and hope provided spiritual balm for people from all classes of society.