GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: May 26, 2020

Sorrow

Give sorrow words. The grief that does not speak whispers the over fraught heart, and bids it break. (Shakespeare, Macbeth)

Often in times of great sorrow, we are reluctant to grieve. We want to keep our composure and not let our emotions show. Failure to be open with our sorrow, however, can often lead to emotional problems. Let your close friends share in your grief; it will draw you closer to one another, and it will lighten the burden. Best of all, take your sorrows and burdens to the Lord.

He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come. . . he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair (Isaiah 61:2-3).

Stop & Think: May 25, 2020

Aging

Youth is the gift of nature, but age is a work of art. (Stanislaw Jerzy Lec, 20th century Polish poet)

Children can hardly wait to grow up, and many adults wish they could be restored to a youthful age. Learning to be content with your current stage in life is an important but difficult lesson to learn. To age gracefully, gaining experience and wisdom and learning how to share them, is an art. Growing old is inevitable, and it can provide many opportunities to practice the “art.”

The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old (Proverbs 20:29).

Stop & Think: May 24, 2020

Secrets

There are two kinds of secrets: those we keep from others and [those] we hide from ourselves. (Frank Warren, British sports promoter)

“Cross my heart and hope to die” was a mantra we recited as kids when we promised not to tell a friend’s secret. Fortunately, breaking that pledge does not result in our death, because most of us don’t do well at keeping secrets. Warren continued, “Sometimes when we believe we are keeping a secret, that secret is actually keeping us.” Better to avoid secrets and just be open.

A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence (Proverbs 11:13).

Stop & Think: May 23, 2020

Judging

Diagnosis without prescription is a cruel thing. (Mark Buchanan, physicist and author)

We all seem to be able to diagnose the troubles of the world. Whether it’s local school issues, national political debates, or our neighbor’s distressing situation—we can quickly identify the problem. Even if that were really true, Buchanan’s observation is critical. Do you know how to solve those problems? Really? Rather than make judgments, work to resolve the dilemma.

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged (Matthew 7:1-2).

Stop & Think: May 22, 2020

Music

You can cage the singer but not the song. (Harry Belafonte, 20th century pops singer)

Music has a way of outlasting its composer, singer, or artist. Tunes and lyrics may remain in our minds or be recalled at odd moments far removed from when they were popular. That’s why music is such a powerful art. Long after a composer or performer is gone, the melody and lyrics linger on.

[Be] singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts (Ephesians 5:19).

Stop & Think: May 21, 2020

Forgiving

True forgiveness is complete and total. (Louis Zamperini, military veteran)

How often have you heard someone say, “I’ve forgiven . . . but I can’t forget”? It may be really difficult to forgive someone who has offended you deeply and, perhaps, even publicly. Many of us have been guilty of holding grudges against a friend who has hurt us, even thought we have tried to maintain that friendship. We must prayerfully ask God to help us follow his example.

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others (Colossians 34:13).

Stop & Think: May 20, 2020

Living Life

The purpose of life is to live it… without fear for newer and richer experience. (Eleanor Roosevelt, late US president’s wife and activist)

Some people seem to be stuck, uncertain as to what to do or hesitating for fear of failure. There are so many opportunities for learning and doing that it seems a terrible waste of time and ability just to wait for a better time. As Roosevelt says, the very reason for life is just to live it—to be active, perhaps to find fulfillment by serving others.

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom (James 3:13).

Stop & Think: May 19, 2020

Stories

It has been said that next to hunger and thirst our most basic human need is for storytelling. (Khalil Gibran, 20th century Lebanese-American writer)

Do you remember your parents reading or telling stories to you at bedtime? Maybe they made up those stories. They helped us to learn about life from an early age. Education gurus have been telling us recently that orality may be a more effective teaching device than reading books or doing research. Telling stories is such a simple and effective way to teach. Let’s learn to do it.

Jesus used many. . . stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand (Mark 4:33).

Stop & Think: May 18, 2020

Determination

The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me. (Ayn Rand, late Russian-American novelist)

There are some work places where enterprise and initiative among employees are frowned on. In those places you have to have permission from someone with more authority before you can try something new or different. Rand’s question is good for the rest of us. We’re not looking for consent; we just want to follow our instincts and move ahead without opposition.

It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good; and to be so always (Galatians 4:18).

Stop & Think: May 17, 2020

Wealth

The problem with affluence . . . is not that there is anything wrong with prosperity itself but that material abundance often leads to spiritual amnesia. (Mark Powell, author and professor)

Most of us live in a pretty affluent community, and many of us are working hard to become even wealthier. But, as we evaluate society at large, we may come to agree with Powell’s observation. People with wealth and influence may not be as happy and content as others with a lot less of this world’s goods. Let’s not lose our emotional and spiritual health in seeking the pot of gold.

And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? (Matthew 16:26)

Stop & Think: May 16, 2020

Reading II

Reading gives us some place to go when we have to stay where we are. (Mason Cooley, late college professor)

The Coronavirus pandemic gave most of us a lot of time at home to do nothing—or to find productive activity. As Cooley says, reading can get us out of the isolation and “do nothing” idleness that can be so unhealthy. Choose a good book—or several—and move away into adventure and learning that can encourage you and change your attitude about the hard times.

Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance (Proverbs 1:5).

Stop & Think: May 15, 2020

Reading I

The journey of a lifetime starts with the turning of a page. (Rachel Anders, author)

Literacy is one of life’s most importance achievements. Even with modern technology, we often have to “read” what’s being transmitted in cyber space. Opening a book may actually open a whole lifetime of learning because as fiction writer Dianne Duane, wrote, “Reading one book is like eating one potato chip.” You just can’t stop; so reading—and learning—goes on.

The Apostle Paul from prison: “When you come, be sure to bring. . . my books, and especially my papers (2 Timothy 4:13).