Daily Stop & Thinks

Ambition

Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men. (Goethe, 18^th-19^th century German poet and critic)

Whether you’re the architect of a great cathedral, the sculptor of the saints’ images, or the digger of the foundation, your role is essential in the building project. Someone had the dream that led to the construction of the great edifice, but that dream had to be shared by everyone else to bring it to a successful completion. 

A dream fulfilled is a tree of life . . . It is pleasant to see dreams come true. (Proverbs 13:12, 19)

Your Song

A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song. (Maya Angelou, late American poet)

How pleasant it is to hear the melodic chirping of a songbird. Its singing relaxes us and relieves our tensions. For a time, we can forget all the difficult questions of the day, and the issues we have to respond to can wait a few minutes. Wouldn’t it be great if our presence could bring such relief to others? Not because we solve their problems, but because we lift their spirits by our “song.”

A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit. (Proverbs 15:13)

Teaching

Teachers open the door; you walk in by yourself. (Chinese proverb)

Maybe you’re not a teacher, but in many ways, you are constantly teaching by what you say and how you act. Someone is usually observing you and learning how to speak or behave. If we could see ourselves as teachers and others around us as learners, perhaps we could be proactive in trying to influence others for good.

And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. (Titus 2:7)

Words

A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. (The Bible)

Words. Words. Words. Our ears are full of them almost 24/7. (We probably hear them even in our sleep.) We’re bombarded on TV, our devices, and words in print. When we remember that less is more, it improves all we say or write. So, be careful to speak or write clearly and concisely with understanding and grace.

Wise words come from the lips of people with understanding (Proverbs 10:13).

The more words you speak, the less they mean (Ecclesiastes 6:11).

A truly wise person uses few words (Proverbs 17:17).

Kindness

Choose to be kind over being right, and you’ll be right every time because kindness is a sign of strength. (Richard Carlson, film director and screenwriter)

Despite disagreements on what is right or wrong, we should always do what’s right, as we understand it. Even when you are absolutely right about something, it’s possible to be very unkind in your rightness. How you treat those that disagree with you and promote what you understand to be right and true may be the real key to mutual understanding and cooperation.

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. (Colossians 3:12)

Olympics II

Hope in the future takes the sting out of the present. Phil. 3:20-21 (Charles Swindoll, author)

In the recent Olympics, we saw a lot of jubilation as medalists crossed the finish line or achieved a victory. Had we watched those athletes during the months and years of training and practice, we would have seen a lot of “stings”—the pain, isolation, and long hours—that brought the final win. When we face difficulties, focusing on our goal will keep us going.

All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. (1 Corinthians 9:25)

Olympics I

Never give up on something that you can’t go a day without thinking about. (Winston Churchill, late British prime minister) 

Many of the recent Olympic medalists achieved what they said was their life-long ambition. They always wanted to compete in the Olympics. They thought, dreamed, and worked for it nearly every day since they first had the idea. For many, it was an obsession that shaped their entire life. We might well ask ourselves, “What kind of commitment am I making for my life?”

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on . . . (Philippians 3:12).

Expectations

High achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectation. (Charles Kettering, late American inventor)

On the other hand, psychologist Barry Schwartz says, “The secret of happiness is low expectations.” That doesn’t sound too encouraging, does it? Author Choco de Jesús offers another view: “Misplaced expectations inevitably lead to inadequate responses.”  It is best, no doubt, to plan carefully, project our plans realistically, and give it our very best effort.

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved [perfection], but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. (Philippians 3:13)

Conflict

The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. (Thomas Paine, 18^th century political activist)

Maybe it’s just a more sophisticated way of saying, “No pain, no gain.” Surely the revolutionaries who succeeded in bringing the United States into existence were well aware of the terrible conflict to come in their fight for independence. But they considered it a worthy project, and certainly gloried in the ultimate triumph, which we continue to celebrate today. 

Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me. I will look in triumph at those who hate me. (Psalm 118:7)

Get Up!

Stumblers who give up are a dime a dozen . . . Stumblers who get up are as rare as rubies (Charles Swindoll, Christian author)

About the first, Swindoll says, “In fact, they’re useless.” Regarding the second, “In fact, they’re priceless.” We’ve known many who’ve stumbled and just given up. “Why, try again,” they might say. But the few who fall and get right back up and move on are “priceless,” indeed. Have you ever stumbled? What did you do next? Never give up; instead get up on move on.

The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked. (Proverbs 24:16)

Excuses

It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one. (George Washington)

It just seems so natural to offer an excuse as soon as we’re caught in a misstep or mistake. Whether we blame our error on someone else, the circumstances, or our faulty equipment, we somehow just don’t want to admit, “Yes, I did it; it’s my mistake.” Others can usually see through the poor excuse; it’s just our pride that blinds us to the truth. 

Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses. (Romans 3:19)

Seasons

Summer ends, and Autumn comes, and he who would have it otherwise would have high tide always and a full moon every night. (Hal Borland, late naturalist and author)

Seasons change, and most of us are really glad they do. The changes often bring new beauty, refreshing changes in the weather, and new opportunities. Surely, we would tire of the same ole, same ole, day after day and month after month. Even the storms end and winds die down, bringing a refreshing calm. Enjoy what God has given—even the changes!

Then God said, “Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark the seasons, days, and years.” (Genesis 1:14)