You do not have to wait until you become a saint. [Prayer] is the way to become a saint.

God makes it easy to begin: just do it! God also makes it easy to progress in prayer, for he rewards our efforts with peace and joy. And he makes it easiest of all at the end, for it gradually becomes more natural and delightful.

But that is all prayer requires: faith, hope, and love. Great holiness, or piety, or sanctity are not required. Prayer is a road to holiness.

Presumption and despair are opposite deadly sins. We hear a lot about despair, and the need for hope; but what is presumption?

every troubled time and every troubled person.

Expect the best. Prepare for the worst. Capitalize on what comes.

I'm the sort of person who doesn't hear the word 'no' - I hear 'find another way to get what you want.'

Fifth Rule. The fifth: In time of desolation never to make a change; but to be firm and constant in the resolutions and determination in which one was the day preceding such desolation, or in the determination in which he was in the preceding consolation. Because, as in consolation it is rather the good spirit who guides and counsels us, so in desolation it is the bad, with whose counsels we cannot take a course to decide rightly.

It's not the tragedy that can ruin you—it's your own attitude toward it. You can let adversity make or break you, Jason. It's up to you.

Jeremiah 17:9 says, 'The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?' We can even deceive ourselves into thinking we are Christian or that we are following God. But when adversity comes, the true believer will still weather it standing, though he may go through a fire of doubt. This is God's mercy to us, to strengthen our faith and our hearts. Allow this adversity to bow your knee to God and accept his will.

When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.

Give thanks in all circumstances,'" she quoted. "It doesn't say, 'in pleasant circumstances.' Fleas are part of this place where God has put us." And so we stood between piers of bunks and gave thanks for fleas. But this time I was sure Betsie was wrong.