Morning Briefings

All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

– Proverbs 14:23 as referenced in
God’s Words for Life

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five were captured by the British as traitors and tortured before they died; 12 had their homes ransacked and burned; two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary army; another had two sons captured; nine fought and died from or hardships of the war. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

– Walter Thorpe, Maj. USAF (retired) as reported on (the former) messianic.com

The course of American history demonstrates the difficulties, the struggles and the great intellectual and moral resolve which were demanded to shape a society which faithfully embodied these noble principles. In our time, too, particularly in moments of crisis, Americans continue to find their strength in a commitment to this patrimony of shared ideals and aspirations.

– from the address of Pope Benedict XVI on the White House Lawn, April 16, 2008 as reported by
Whispers in the Loggia

The Paschal Triduum, often called the Easter Triduum or simply the Triduum, begins during Holy Week, and consists of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday. This includes the Great Easter Vigil, the high point of the Triduum.

– churchyear.net

Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed.

– Abraham Lincoln

When I began speaking to audiences in the business world several years ago, I made a fascinating discovery. The people I met were facing demands and stresses far greater than those faced by any world-class athlete I have ever known.

– James E. Loehr
Stress for Success

If we had no winter, spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.

– Anne Bradstreet
Meditations Divine and Moral (1655)

Memorial Day is much more than a three-day weekend that marks the beginning of summer. To many people, especially the nation’s thousands of combat veterans, this day, which has a history stretching back all the way to the Civil War, is an important reminder of those who died in the service of their country.

– History.com

Pitiful is the person who is afraid of taking risks. Perhaps this person will never be disappointed or disillusioned; perhaps she won’t suffer the way people do when they have a dream to follow. But when they look back–and at some point everyone looks back–she will hear her heart saying, ‘What have you done with the miracles that God planted in your days? What have you done with the talents God bestowed on you?’

– Paulo Coelho
By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept

Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed.

– Abraham Lincoln