Daily Stop & Thinks

Foolish

Before God we are all equally wise and equally foolish. (Albert Einstein, renowned scientist)

The Bible tells us that God is no respecter of persons. That is, he doesn’t consider ethnicity, gender, or IQs as he views us. He has an unending love for all of his created humankind. But when it comes to our efforts to please God, it’s good to remember on this April Fool’s Day what the psalmist wrote: “Only fools say in their hearts, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 15:1).

When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow (Ecclesiastes 5:4). 

Friends

Friendship that flows from the heart cannot be frozen by adversity, as the water that flows from the spring cannot congeal in winter. (James Fenimore Cooper, 19th century American author)

How many friends do you have? We can probably list dozens of acquaintances that we might consider friends. But deep friendship requires interaction and commitment—usually over some period of time. As Cooper suggests, it’s a friendship that “flows from the heart,” so it isn’t easily disturbed. It’s lasting and mutually beneficial.

A friend is always loyal. . . a real friend sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 17:17; 18:24)

Lemons

A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes. (Hugh Downs, late TV host)

“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” It’s a popular proverb, thinking that there is always a way to turn sour into sweet. And Downs helps us understand that it’s not the lemons in life that determine our state of mind, it’s our attitude, one of the very few things in life we can control. Determine that no matter what, you will look for solutions rather than becoming sour.

For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast. (Proverbs 15:15)

Thinking

The real problem of thinking [is] thinking you know everything. (James Emery White, pastor and teacher)

White continues: “Unless you spend time with someone long traveled along the road you wish to take, you don’t have any idea what it is you have no idea about… You think you know everything there is to know – but you don’t know what it is you don’t know.” The more we experience life, the more we realize there is more to learn—and that’s a valuable lesson.

There is more hope for fools than for people who think they are wise. (Proverbs 26:12) 

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. (Colossians 3:2)

Respect

This is the final test of a gentleman: his respect for those who can be of no possible service to him. (William Lyon Phelps, late American author and critic)

We live in a society today where it seems that so many people try to build relationships with others only because of what might be in it for them. It’s a practice that we must avoid in our own associations. Rather than “what’s in it for me,” our purpose should be “what can I do for them?” If widely practiced, such an attitude would make life much more rewarding.

Respect everyone… (1 Peter 2:17) 

…take delight in honoring each other. (Romans 12:10)

Just Do It!

It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed. (Theodore Roosevelt, 26th U.S. president)

“Teddy” also said, “The only man who never makes mistakes is the man who never does anything.” It’s the fear of failure that often keeps someone from stepping out of his or her comfort zone to try something new. Of course, there can be no achievement without working for it, and refusing to attempt a new or difficult task leads to nothing of worthy being accomplished.

You will succeed in whatever you choose to do, and light will shine on the road ahead of you. (Job 22:28)

Beauty

Everything has beauty but not everyone can see. (Confucius)

If a half-dozen viewers were to examine an abstract painting, there would probably be at least six different opinions about its beauty and worth. One of the critics would very likely judge that it isn’t even art. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” they say. It would be helpful if we could teach art appreciation and if we could find some kind of common ground to make judgments.

From Mount Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines in glorious radiance. (Psalm 50:2)

Get Back Up

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. (Nelson Mandela, late president of South Africa)

No one likes to think of falling, failing to live up to expectations when you’re being counted on. But it happens to everybody and, while we work hard not to fall, we must be prepared to respond well when we do drop the ball. It’s good to have a supporting team that will be there to help, but we have to determine always to get up and move forward as quickly and resolutely as possible.

The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. (Proverbs 24:16)

Time II

Your greatest danger is letting the urgent things crowd out the important. (Charles E. Hummel, former college president)

Hummel addresses a problem that most busy people face almost on a daily basis. There are the phone calls or emails that demand an immediate answer. There’s the unexpected interruption of a visit at your desk. It is often difficult—but always necessary—to set up priorities. Establish in advance what simply MUST be done today and determine to get that done first.

Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right. (Ecclesiastes 8:5)

Time I

Too much time spent on yesterday can lead to regrets . . .  (Chris Suit, pastor)

Suit continues: “. . . too much time spent on tomorrow can lead to worry, so spend time today rejoicing, which can lead to peace.” Samuel Ullman, another faith writer, put it this way, “Time is not a time of life—it is a state of mind.” It can be helpful to contemplate both ideas when life seems to become too difficult to bear. Find reasons to be joyful, and “time” will be easier.

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven… Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11)

Order

Outer order contributes to inner calm. (Gretchen Rubin, American writer and speaker)

What does your desk or work area look like? Is there a sign on your very cluttered desk that says, “God bless this mess?” Or is it so organized, with every pen and paper in its proper place, that a speck of dust seems out of place? Rubin’s observation is probably mostly true. And order should certainly characterize out conduct as well as our desks.

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

Family

Your success as a family… our success as a nation… depends not on what happens inside the White House, but on what happens inside your house. (Barbara Bush, former first lady)

It follows without question that what happens in the White House is a reflection of what’s going on in our homes. What a challenge! Parents have the awesome responsibility of raising children who might one day become world leaders. Maybe we should think twice before telling our children they can be president, since that depends on how well we prepare them.

My children listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment, for I am giving you good guidance. (Proverbs 4:1-2)