Brazos Valley This Morning's Barbara Smith and Steve Fullhart often have quite the discussions on a variety of topics.  A lot of times, it's via e-mail.  Now, they're giving KBTX.com readers a look at their regular back and forth in their blog series, appropriately titled "Back & Forth".  Read what they've been chatting about, and chime in with your opinions!

STEVE: So I always seem to be in search of a quotable quote to express myself.  I think in the past week, I've broken out Mother Teresa and Saint John Mellencamp. I'll ask you before I provide mine: what's your favorite quote and why?

BARBARA: It's not really a famous quote, or at least I don't think it is.  I heard it from a lovely lady named Heather Anne Ward who was in my MOPS (Mothers Of PreSchoolers) group at First Baptist Bryan.  I believe Heather Anne said she heard it from someone else, but since I don't know who that person is, I'll give credit to Heather Anne.

Basically, it's, "Grace is God giving us what we DON'T deserve.  Mercy is God NOT giving us what we DO deserve."

I love that.  I think it's absolutely beautiful.

STEVE: I love that, too!  That, in a small way, fits with the Mother Teresa quote I found just the other day: "I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish He didn't trust me so much." I love that of all the people in the world, she might be one of the people you'd least expect to say that, but would most accept that coming from her.

My favorite comes from presidential candidate and Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan. The day I drove into town for the very first time, I passed the exit sign on Highway 6 for William J. Bryan Parkway and was certain I had moved to the right place. Finding out the street was named after William Joel Bryan was slightly disappointing ;-)  The non-local Mr. Bryan's quote: "Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."

That one goes a long ways back with me...high school senior quote in my yearbook.  Whenever I need a little motivation, or on the occasions that I get some sense of entitlement, Mr. Bryan's words help me immensely.

BARBARA: Another one I like... don't know where I saw it originally, but Eleanor Roosevelt was given credit for saying it.  It's now posted on my refrigerator: "Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission."

That's a big one for me.  Really spoke to me the first time I read it.  I spent a lot of years giving people that permission.  I try not to do that anymore.

STEVE: Love that one, too! Sounds like something she'd say.

I brought up Mr. Mellencamp. I guess they fall into the quote category, but they're lyrics from an amazing song, "Walk Tall". Near the end, he croons this: "So be careful in what you believe in. There's plenty to get you confused. And in this land called Paradise, you must walk in many men's shoes. Bigotry and hatred are enemies to us all. Grace, mercy and forgiveness will help a man walk tall. So walk tall."

I keep that song very handy. As you're well aware, I'm easily confused by plenty ;-)

The most powerful words I ever personally heard weren't much on the surface, but nothing can ever mean more to me: "There is always light at the end of the tunnel."  If I could tattoo it inside my eyelids, I might.  They came from a very wise speaker...maybe we'll talk about him sometime.

So what are your favorite quotes?
Leave them in the comments section below!