Morning Briefings

Mother Teresa was an Albanian nun who served in India but left her convent after five years to devote herself to the impoverished, sick and dying. She went on to found a missionary society, which at the time of her death had missions in more than 100 nations. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, was beatified by Pope John Paul II and is expected in time to achieve sainthood.

– Christopher Stolz
Santa Paula college remembers Mother Teresa on her 100th birthday

If there lurks in most modern minds the notion that to desire our own good and earnestly hope for the enjoyment of it is a bad thing, I submit that this notion is no part of the Christian faith.

– C.S. Lewis
The Weight of Glory

In a survey of 90-year-olds, when asked what they would have done differently, they responded, ‘Risk more, reflect more and leave a legacy that matters.’

– Dr. Linda Livingstone, Dean of Pepperdine University Business School
at a South Shores Business and Leadership Network luncheon

Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we shall go into such and such a town, spend a year there doing business, and make a profit.’–you have no idea what your life will be like tomorrow. You are a puff of smoke that appears briefly and then disappears.

– James 4:13
The New American Bible

Apparently you never realized that some of those who failed to get high grades in school have been the greatest successes outside of school. Just because somebody gets an A in college doesn’t make him the greatest man in the United States, because maybe his As will stop when he gets his diploma, and the fellow who got Cs will go on later to get the real As in life.

– Dr. Norman Vincent Peale
The Power of Positive Thinking

Above all we need, particularly as children, the reassuring presence of a visible community, an intimate group that enfolds us with understanding and love.

– Lewis Mumford from Dwight Currie’s
How We Behave at the Feast

One of my most inspiring friends was the late Harlowe B. Andrews of Syracuse, one of the best businessmen and competent spiritual experts I ever knew. He said the trouble with most prayers is that they aren’t big enough. ‘To get anywhere in faith,’ he said, ‘learn to pray big. God will rate you according to the size of your prayers.’ Doubtless he was right, for Scripture says ‘According to your faith be it unto you.’ (Matthew 9:29)

– Dr. Norman Vincent Peale
The Power of Positive Thinking

Heaven truly is the vacation that never ends. And don’t bother packing–not even your toothbrush–because this is one resort that is really all-inclusive.

– Anthony DeStefano
A Travel Guide to Heaven

Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.

– Mother Teresa

Ethical behavior defines who you really are. If you believe in God, isn’t doing the right thing, honesty, accountability, transparency, humility and consistency all supposed to be our behavioral standard every day because He sees all?

– Mike Paul
The Reputation Doctor