Morning Briefings

God, I don’t understand why you’re allowing me to feel distant from you right now, but I trust that you will always do what is best for me. So I place my prayer life in your hands, and I accept whatever it is you wish to do with it.

– Mark E. Thibodeaux
God, I Have Issues

God sometimes puts us on hold so that, after the wait, there is less of us and more of Him.

– Kent M. Keith
Devotional Venture: 60 Inspiring Devotions by Business Professionals by Business Professionals

To become a source of deep satisfaction, a human activity has to meet some stringent requirements. It has to have been important (you don’t get deep satisfaction from trivial things). You have to have put a lot of effort into it. And you have to have been responsible for the consequences. There aren’t many activities that satisfy those three requirements. A good marriage. That qualifies. And having been really good at something–good at something that drew the most from your abilities. That qualifies.

– Charles Murray in a speech at the American Enterprise Institute entitled
The Happiness of the People

Because it goes against human nature, forgiveness must be taught and practiced as one would practice any difficult craft.

– Philip Yancey
What’s So Amazing About Grace?

Public criticism about questionable spending prompted the Boy Scouts of America Orange County Council to take steps that have resulted in the highest rating possible from a national watchdog organization that tracks charitable groups, Boy Scout executive leaders said Wednesday.

– Theresa Walker, The Orange County Register
Boy Scouts in O.C. tout financial reform

It’s the wheel of the world turning around: In the blink of an eye it can change your life and it never even slows down. It can open your heart, it can break you apart and it never even slows down. It’s the wheel of the world turning around.

– Carrie Underwood
The Wheel of the World

One thing I’ve learned is that no problem ever goes away on its own. For any human obstacle to be overcome, there must be inner work.

– Dr. Arthur Caliandro
Simple Steps: Ten Things You Can Do to Create an Exceptional Life

O Breath of God, blow softly on the gifts that have weakened or grown stale in my life. Stir up the flame of my original love, faith and hope. Breathe on me anew.

– Sr. Macrina Wiederkehr, O.S.B.
Living Faith

This is one of the most honest and frequently given excuses I hear. ‘I just don’t have the moral courage to be open about my faith.‘ By definition, moral courage means you are willing to act on your convictions even if it costs you something, such as social acceptance or convenience.

– Randy Hain
The Catholic Briefcase

Mary had a husband on earth who tried to demonstrate the value of anonymous work. Although he was not heard from very much, he was the one who provided the roof over their heads and the food for their mouths, and who allowed his wife and son to do all that they did.

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