Daily Stop & Thinks

Change

Very often a change of self is needed more than a change of scene. (Arthur Christopher Benson, 19^th-20^th century British essayist)

Change is often difficult. There are times when we recognize the need for some kind of improvement in our situation. We often look at our environment, our associations, and our companions to consider where to make changes and who should do them. Benson’s counsel is the best place to start. Ask yourself: “How can I contribute to the needed change, beginning with me?

Therefore, change your hearts and stop being stubborn. (Deuteronomy 10:16)

Choices

When you come to the fork in the road, take it! (Yogi Berra, late pro athlete)

Another of Berra’s infamous malapropisms. It’s obvious you can’t go in both directions at the same time, so it forces the traveler to make a decision. In The Road Not Taken, poet Robert Frost suggests that when coming to a fork in the road take the less traveled road. Only time will tell whether it’s the right choice. We do have to make choices, so do it wisely. 

But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. (Joshua 24:15)

Who Do You Know?

Great things come to us through people, if you want great things connect with the right people. (Source unknown)

“It isn’t what you know but who you know,” they say. We succeed best in life when we realize that we live in community. No one can know everything about any subject he may want to pursue. Before starting on a project, it would be best, not only to Google for information and helps, but also to find knowledgeable, experienced people who can come alongside to help.

Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. (1 Peter 4:11)

A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. (1 Corinthians 12:70)

Deadlines

Desire without a deadline is simply a pipe dream. (Kary Oberbrunner, author and motivational speaker)

Not everyone is a dreamer, a person whose head always seems to be in the clouds. But almost everybody has a dream about something they want to accomplish. Few people seem to achieve their dreams, and Oberbrunner suggests a reason for many failures. Planning must not only have a starting point and a strategy, but it must have a deadline for completing the dream, too. 

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)

Life

After the game is played the king and the pawn go to the same box. (Dennis Engelbrecht, business consultant)

The reference to the skilled game of chess is simply a reminder that games do come to an end. When it’s over, it’s over. The winner and loser are identified, and you can’t make changes to the moves you made in the game. Life, of course, is much more than a game. But like chess, until it’s over changes can (and often should) be made. Set things right before it’s over.  

If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. (Mark 8:35)

Just Do It!

Life is a great and wondrous mystery, and the only thing we know that we have for sure is what is right here right now. Don’t miss it. (Leo Buscaglia, late motivational speaker)

If our memory hasn’t failed us altogether, we can look to the past and remember some events that have greatly affected our present life. We can’t depend upon the future, however, for much assurance. So, we would do well to heed Buscaglia’s counsel. Today is the only day we have assurance of, and that isn’t absolutely secure. So, work diligently at your present task.

Don’t put it off; do it now! Don’t rest until you do. (Proverbs 6:4)

Indeed, the “right time” is now. (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Leadership

Effective leaders have the unique ability to see beyond someone’s perceived potential and call them above it. (Mike Pumphrey, pastor)

Choosing people who can add value to a team is an ability that a successful leader must have. You don’t want someone on your athletic, music, or business team who can’t contribute to a winning effort. Pumphrey suggests that it isn’t just what someone’s potential may be but, more than that, a leader must consider how can he spur his team members on to even greater success.

Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. (Daniel 6:3)

Shadows

Never fear shadows. They simply mean there’s a light shining somewhere nearby. (Ruth E. Renkel, author)

Renkel must be an optimist. Many people see only the shadows or the half-empty cup. Even on an overcast, rainy day, you know the sun is shining above the clouds. It’s always a pleasure, isn’t it, to look out the plane window when you burst out of the clouds into the bright sunlit sky? We would be so much more positive if we could just remember that there is light somewhere ahead.

[Your Father in heaven] gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. (Matthew 5:45)

Truth

Truth by definition excludes. (Apologist observation)

Tolerance seems to be the target to work toward today, and we are expected to allow everyone to have his or her own opinion without argument. That sounds reasonable until you realize that not everyone can be right while holding contrary ideas. When we all have the same facts but come to opposite conclusions, both cannot be true. Work to discover truth, not opinion.

Get the truth and never sell it. (Proverbs 23:23)

Jesus: “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)

Don’t Quit!

Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit. (Napoleon Hill, late self-help author)

When it becomes hard to complete an assigned task or to reach a long dreamed of goal, it’s tempting to give up. We’ve worked so hard, putting a lot of sweat and energy into it, and we think we’ve gone as far as we could. That’s when Hill says our reward will be achieved only if we don’t give up.

One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. (Luke 18:1)

Others II

Doing nothing for others is the undoing of ourselves. (Horace Mann, 19^th century educational reformer)

“I’ll do it my way,” the singer says. “I have my rights,” the activist argues. It probably all started with “Me first” in pre-school. Increasingly, people seem to be more and more self-centered. It’s no wonder that there’s so much discontent in modern society. Mann’s comment may be over-simplified, but it may be an accurate observation, worth considering as a solution.

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3)

Others I

When elephants fight, the grass gets trampled. (African parable)

We are often so concerned with our personal struggles that we don’t even think about the effects they may have on others. Physical altercations may affect not only the injured but also their families and friends who have to care for them. Even worse, perhaps, are the emotional scars you may cause those you hurt with slander, lies, or deceit. 

 Treat others in the same way that you would want them to treat you. (Luke 6:31)