GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: April 15, 2022

Real Love

Nobody has ever measured, not even poets, how much the heart can hold. (Zelda Fitzgerald, 20th century American socialite)

Poets write about it. Songwriters provide lyrics for music about it. Books, movies, and TV try to explore and explain it. Fitzgerald is probably right from a human perspective. But on this Good Friday, we can remember with thanksgiving the real demonstration of love. May you be blessed with compassion, patience, and love toward humanity, especially today.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Stop & Think: April 14, 2022

Who Am I?

Our deities shape our identities. (Thaddeus J. Williams, author)

Some people don’t identify with God at all. Yet Williams would suggest that we all have our little gods (idols). It might be wealth; everything we do or think about, is for (or about) the accumulation of more. Sports, entertainment, work, popularity—almost anything can take so much of our time and effort that it becomes like a deity to us. Beware! What identifies you?

Jehovah: “You must not have any other god but me” (Exodus 20:3). So, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols (1 Corinthians 10:14).

Stop & Think: April 13, 2022

Simplicity

Simplicity is the glory of expression. (Walt Whitman, 19th century poet and essayist)

We live in a complex age. That’s pretty much an understatement. Trying to find something on the Internet can often prove to be frustrating. The instructions for an “easy” assembly project can be equally exasperating. The old K.I.S.S. advice would be good to follow today. (Keep It Simple, Stupid!) When we can breakdown the complex to the simple, we can save a lot of heartbreak.

The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. (Psalm 19:7)

Stop & Think: April 12, 2022

Friends

Golf is a good walk spoiled. (Quoted by H. S. Scrivener, author)

Everyone has his or her own likes and dislikes. It’s hard to talk about sports with someone who has no interest in the subject. Whether it’s athletics, music, art, or even religion, everybody has an opinion about its value. We can’t even talk about the weather with some people, but it’s really a pleasure to discover friends with similar interests; spending time with them is uplifting.

A friend is always loyal . . .  A real friend sticks closer than a brother . . . As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. (Proverbs 17:17; 18:24; 27:17)

Stop & Think: April 11, 2022

Laughter

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter. (E. E. Cummings, 20th century American poet)

Cummings’ thought might seem a bit extreme to us; there are so many other important issues to be addressed every day. But no doubt we have all recognized the very real value of humor in our lives. It eases stress; it improves relationships, and it might even be contagious. A little humor can engender laughter in a group that really lightens the moment and the day.

We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy . . .  Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us!  What joy! (Psalm 126: 2-3)

Stop & Think: April 10, 2022

Life

The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life. (Rabindranath Tagor, 19th-20th century Bengali writer)

“Is That All There Is?” was a popular song a few years ago, revealing the lostness of many people in that generation. Some folks are always looking for something solid and lasting to believe in. Much in life seems to be fleeting and unsubstantial. Tagor might be suggesting that there’s more to life than momentary pleasure. Real meaning has an eternal, spiritual meaning.

Jesus: “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life.” (John 5:24)

Stop & Think: April 9, 2022

Learning

Never let schooling interfere with your education. (Grant Allen, novelist and essayist)

At first glance that might seem to be counterintuitive. After all, we go to school to get a good education. Maybe, we should think of it as “Don’t let schooling be your only way to learn.” Life itself is a great teacher, and we would do well to learn from our experiences as well as from teachers and the dozens of other sources available to us today:

Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. (Proverbs 18:15)

Stop & Think: April 8, 2022

Words

Words hurt but silence kills. (Nikhil Kumar, American sportsman)

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is a common but false proverb. We have all found that words can do permanent damage. What may be even worse, however, is the silence that kills. An unknown author has written: “No response is a response. And it’s a powerful one.” To be ignored, to have your questions unanswered is themost painful.

Better to hear the quiet words of a wise person than the shouts of a foolish king. (Ecclesiastes 9:17)

Stop & Think: April 7, 2022

Fear

One sure guarantee of a mediocre life is a life lived in fear. (Jack Nagel, political scientist)

Fear seems to be taking over. More and more people are concerned—even fearful—that 2022 won’t be any better than 2021 was. Fear of Covid-19, fear of violence in the cities, fear of war in Europe—all of these are examples of what has almost frozen our sense of security. We would do better to look up rather than at our current circumstances.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Stop & Think: April 6, 2022

Doing

Authentic hearing leads to doing. (Tim Sprankle, pastor)

We often find ourselves listening to someone and realize that we are not really hearing what they are saying. We’ve been distracted by something going on around us, or our own thoughts have overridden the conversation. Sprankle suggests that “authentic hearing” concentrates on what is being said and responds with appropriate action.

You must all be quick to listen . . . But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. (James 1:19, 22)

Stop & Think: April 5, 2022

Daring

Why not go out on a limb. That’s where the fruit is. (Frank Scully, journalist)

We’re sometimes fascinated by the feats of daredevils that we watch on TV or in the movies. How could they do that? we wonder. Most of us prefer to play it safe, staying away from such adventures. On the other hand, as Scully suggests, going out on a limb might not be such a bad idea if the effort can discover or produce something really worthwhile. Be careful -but just do it!

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Stop & Think: April 4, 2022

Life’s Foundation

When Life Is Linear (Book title)

In the doctor’s office hung an insightful statement: “Healing is not linear.” We might hope that the moment we’ve taken the pill, exercised, or had surgery our health would immediately improve, and we’d be well. But there are ups and downs in the healing process, some days good, some not so good. Life is like that, too, so we’d better be prepared to adjust for the changes.

When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever. (Proverbs 10:25)