"What you decide today, you are tomorrow"

Some comforting and challenging words to consider before embarking... (The above title and words were written by M. Shawn Copeland as quoted from Practicing Our Faith by Dorothy Bass. It appears on pg 59 in the chapter, "Saying Yes and Saying No")

"Many of us long to grow stronger in the Christian life. But are we really ready to exert ourselves? Being spectators come much more easily...

We are conditioned by our modern culture to count on immediate results; we want the gain, but shrink from the pain...

We find it difficult to engage in the Christian practices so sorely needed for the development and growth of the interior or spiritual life.

Throughout Christian history, it has been clear that spirituality is not a spectator activity. Tough decisions and persistent effort are required of those who seek lives that are whole and holy. If we are to grow in faithful living, we need to renounce the things that choke off the fullness of life that God intended for us, and we must follow through on our commitments to pray, to be conscientious, and to be in mutually supportive relations with other faithful persons. These acts take self discipline. We must learn the practice of saying no to that which crowds God out and yes to a way of life that makes space for God."

Amen.