Morning Briefings

What would happen if I spent two hours every single night in prayer? It was an exhilarating idea. Substitute prayer for television and see what happened.

– David Wilkerson
The Cross and the Switchblade

We are nearing the end of the year. It may be a good time to get reflective about our past. I pose this question: ‘What is the one experience which alone could justify your life?’ In God’s eyes, our moment could have well been some minor incident. It is possible that your most heroic act was to keep your mouth closed in a time of stress?

– Reverend James O’Leary
I Think I Am Happier Than I Think I Am

While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

– Luke 2: 6-7

Praised are You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has kept us in life and has preserved us, and enabled us to reach this season.

– Shehecheyanu – The Blessing for the New Season as noted in
Jewish Family Celebrations

Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.

– Luke 10:23-24

The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream.

– Matthew 1:20

In this tender season, rich with memories, let us remember all of those who have been lights along our way; the loved ones that we hold forever, in our hearts.

– Deborah Gordon Cooper from
Christmas Blessings

There are times when I believe God welcomes the circus into our lives to give us an opportunity to show that there is another way to live and respond to things.

– Tony Dungy
Quiet Strength Men’s Study Bible

‘Preach, you’re trying too hard.’ It came just like that. Without warning, and from a homeless boy who pretended to be calloused through and through came a penetrating, wonderful piece of insight. The impact of those words was immense. They went through me as if they had been spoken by God Himself.

– David Wilkerson
The Cross and the Switchblade

‘It was the best times. It was the worst of times.’ So begins The Tale of Two Cities, Dickens great novel. If this were the best of times, would I know it? We are in the midst of the most family-oriented holidays, and I think families have a ‘golden age,’ a time when everyone is at the right age to appreciate the holidays and enjoy each other. I do not think that I was ever aware when Christmas was for me at its best. Is your family at such a ‘golden age?’ I hope you are aware of that wonderful fact.

– Reverend James O’Leary
I Think I Am Happier Than I Think I Am