GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: November 10, 2021

Inspire

The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled. (Plutarch, ancient Greek philosopher)

Some might think that the goal of education is to fill the minds of students with learning that is almost inexhaustible. Of course, we do want to give them the information and tools they need to grow and prosper. But, perhaps we should concentrate more on inspiring learners by showing them how to apply their knowledge for their own benefit and their community’s.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (Hebrew 10:24)

 

Stop & Think: November 9, 2021

Reading

Once you have read a book you care about, some part of it is always with you. (Louis L’Amour, 20th-century novelist)

In spite of the ever-present TV and too many kinds of social media, books may still play an important role in our learning and entertainment. Many of us have experienced exactly what L’Amour talks about. We can often re-create a scene vividly and sometimes quote exact lines from a novel we’ve enjoyed. It is important, then, that we choose our reading material well.

Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. (1 Timothy 4:13)

Stop & Think: November 8, 2021

Purpose

You will never drift into anything worthwhile. (Author unknown)

It may be peaceful to lie in a canoe and just drift with the breeze. You’re not doing it because you have a destination in mind; you’re just relaxing. In today’s world, it seems that too many young adults are just drifting without ambition or aim. You can’t live a productive life that way, so choose some worthy purpose to focus on and work hard to accomplish something worthwhile.

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. (Colossians 3:23)

Stop & Think: November 7, 2021

Effective Work

Take your life to the next level by focusing on being effective. (Unknown source quoted by Kary Oberbrunner, leadership consultant)

Oberbrunner offers that advice after observing, “We spend most of our days being busy and productive.” He has noted correctly that many workers seem to be busy, maybe even too busy. Our “plate is full,” we say, or we can’t keep all the plates spinning in the air. Developing a plan, setting priorities, and avoiding distractions just might help us to be more effective.

Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity. (Proverbs 21:5)

Stop & Think: November 6, 2021

Order

Order is the environment for learning. (Gladys Deloe, writer)

In developing curriculums to help disadvantaged children learn, Deloe has noted that “Clutter creates chaos.” A healthy environment for learning is order, including physical surroundings, noise levels, and good planning. That’s true, of course, for all learners. Life’s distractions (TV, social media, busy schedules) often make it difficult to learn. Order will greatly aid learning.

But be sure that everything is done properly and in order. (1 Corinthians 14:40)

Stop & Think: November 5, 2021

Giving

Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more. (N. Jackson Brown, Jr., American author)

To look at the attics, garages, and storage bins around our neighborhoods, we might think that a lot of people don’t agree with Brown’s comment. But if we were to examine the lives and attitudes of those same people, we might very well agree with Brown, as we discover that getting more doesn’t bring happiness. Real joy comes in giving to the benefit and happiness of others.

Since you excel in so many ways . . . I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving. (2 Corinthians 8:7) 

 

Stop & Think: November 4, 2021

Gratitude #1

Gratitude, being nearly the greatest of all human duties, is also nearly the most difficult (G. K. Chesterton, late English philosopher).

Thanksgiving Day is but three weeks away. At that time, we’ll be thinking about the things we are grateful for. If Chesterton’s observation is correct, we may have difficulty expressing our gratitude on the 25th of this month, so perhaps we should start counting our blessings today. That will give us a month-long attitude of gratitude.

What do we have that we did not receive? (1 Corinthians 4:7)

Stop & Think: November 3, 2021

Think about it!

. . . we are far more driven by what we desire than what we think. (John Stonestreet, worldview writer)

That statement begins with “Though we like to think of ourselves as primarily rational creatures, making decisions by carefully and objectively considering all sides, . . .” It’s the constant conflict between feelings and facts. What we want may be more important to us than what we need so we may ignore or discount reality in order to satisfy our desires. That’s not an effective way to live.

Wise people think before they act. (Proverbs 13:16)

Stop & Think: November 2, 2021

Be Yourself

Be yourself; the right people will love the real you. (Sean Dietrich, writer)

Sometimes we seem to be so concerned about what people think of us that we actually change our behavior in order to impress them. Too often, we discover that our attempts have not really brought about the desired response. Trying to impress others isn’t really a worthy effort. If you’re living an honest life, those who are important to you will respond lovingly.

Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. (Galatians 6:4)

Stop & Think: November 1, 2021

Rest

Don’t forget to enjoy what you have while you work for what you want. (Source Unknown)

Are you the kind of person who is so engrossed in your work that you don’t have any time to just enjoy life? Is your mantra, “Work and you’ll get what you need. Work harder and you’ll get what you want.” Without times of rest from work and a change of focus, you will almost certainly face burnout and the loss both of work and pleasure.

Jesus: “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31)

Stop & Think: October 31, 2021

Growth

Growth stops when you become inward focused, rather than outward focused. (Christine Caine, Australian activist)

In the “Me first” world of today, we seem to have taken the ideal of American individualism to an extreme. “I’ll do it my way” is a popular mantra for many. While such an attitude may gain some fame or fortune, it will inevitably stunt the personal growth of the individual. Putting others first not only benefits society, as a whole, it allows for personal growth and fulfillment.

There is joy for those who deal justly with others and always do what is right. (Psalm 106:3) 
The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:25)

Stop & Think: October 30, 2021

Good Change

The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new. (Socrates, early Greek philosopher)

Why is it that we tend to do just the opposite of what Socrates noted? When we don’t like our current environment, whether political or situational, we often criticize the status quo, demean the leaders, and decry our circumstances. How much better and more helpful would it be if we spent all that energy and emotion in creating a more positive replacement of what isn’t working right?

And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people. (Romans 2:29b)