Daily Stop & Thinks

Experience I

Experience is a doorway, not a final goal. (Bill Katip, college president)⁠

Sometimes when we face a trying situation, we’re tempted to give up and move on to something else. But Katip’s counsel is to look at it positively. What new way may be opening up? Or, as Pastor Mike Lee put it, “Best question to ask when something negative happens? ‘What does this experience make possible?’” Tough events can be very good learning times.⁠

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. (Romans 5:3)⁠

Circumstances

Nothing great has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe something inside them was superior to circumstances. (Bruce Barton, late American congressman)

How many times have you been overcome by the difficult circumstances of life? They cover you like a mattress, leaving you little breathing room and greatly restricted mobility. Like a mattress, if you are on top, however, circumstances can be used to good benefit. Don’t let the environment and the difficulties of life keep you from exercising your determination to move on.

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13:7)

Motives

The more you are motivated by love, the more fearless and free your actions will be. (Dalai Lama, Buddhist monk)

We do what we do for a variety of reasons. It may be fear that forces us to take certain actions to protect ourselves. It may be ambition that drives us to put forth extra effort to achieve our goals. Or, it might simply be that we have no choice; we are obligated to follow certain routines. But how joyful it is to act because of love, our affection and concern for others.

But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. (Jeremiah 17:10)

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)

Gifts

The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work. (Emile Zola, 19^th century French novelist)

We are so blessed to enjoy the giftedness of artists of all kinds. We enjoy their paintings, their literary efforts, their thespian activity, and many other talents. We sometimes speak of “hidden talents.” What a shame if we are gifted but don’t use that gift—not only for our own joy in expression but for the benefit of many who will witness the results.

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. (1 Peter 4:10)

Worry

Worry is assuming responsibility for things that are out of our control. That’s pretty much everything. (Charles Swindoll, author)

Swindoll’s observation is not all that encouraging, is it? Do I have to live in an environment where “everything” is out of my control? No doubt, the writer doesn’t want us to become hopeless. Rather, we should be alert to what’s happening around us and respond to it with care and planning. Worry won’t help but being alert and discerning will.

That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life. . . Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? (Matthew 6:25, 34)

Religion

Either our religion will transform us, or we will transform our religion to suit our sympathies. (Michael Horton, syndicated broadcaster)

For millennia men have been searching for God. They have made images from their imagination and, often, in their own image. Idols of all kinds—both material and spiritual have been created to give people a sense of proximity to their gods. What God seeks, however, is a personal relationship with men who can worship him and be the object of his gracious love.

We all know that an idol is not really a god and that there is only one God. (1 Corinthians 8:4)

Feelings

That is the way we are made: we don’t reason, where we feel; we just feel (Mark Twain in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court)

“Follow your heart; tell him/her how you really feel” is an oft-repeated suggestion in a Hallmark movie. That’s not a new phenomenon, as indicated by Twain’s quote. It’s because we’ve confused love with feelings, but love is far more than just the feeling when you “spoon under the moon by the lagoon in June.” Genuine love cares and supports first; feelings come later.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. . . Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other.” (Romans 12:9-10)

Confidence

Arrogance is the evil twin of confidence. (Tom Avey, non-profit administrator)

Avey illustrates his principle: “Confidence listens; arrogance doesn’t. Confidence likes and seeks counsel; arrogance doesn’t. Confidence can be reproved; arrogance cannot.” Think about that awhile. When we feel too strongly about our opinions and ideas, we may become arrogant and unable to discuss issues reasonably. Has your confidence led to arrogance?

We have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God. (Hebrews 7:19)

Dialogue

Dialogue… affords the opportunities to choose the best of all available options. (Musa A. Mambula, Nigerian author & speaker)

With the divisiveness that seems to have paralyzed our country, we would hope that some sort of effective dialogue could be established to work toward solutions. If concerned citizens could find common ground and stop mocking and belittling each other, perhaps sober, careful dialogue could lead to meaningful negotiation. And, prayer should precede such dialogue.

Come now and let us reason together. (Isaiah 1:18)

Reading

Reading to the mind is what exercise is to the body. (Richard Steele, 17^th-18^th century Irish writer)

Reading seems to be an increasingly lost habit. It isn’t that people can’t read; it’s just that they don’t. With TV and radio news, social media, and a host of visual entertainment venues—why read? It is helpful that some good literature has been transferred to movies and audio books, but still there’s something lost when imagination is replaced by pictures. Read to grow and imagine!

God blesses the one who reads this prophecy…and he blesses all who listen to it and obey what it says (Revelation 1:3).

Sharing Life

Life can only be kept by giving it away. But then it will bloom. (Anne Rivers Siddons, late American novelist)

It’s an extreme sacrifice when someone gives his or her life for another, whether in war or in a life-saving emergency. But sharing your life with someone is also a valuable gift, and it doesn’t diminish your own life at all. As Siddons suggests, it blooms in the life of someone else. What a wonderful way to add to the bouquet of shared community.

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13)

Choices

When passions run high and prejudices ignore realities, current and future damage is almost beyond imagination. (Jesse Deloe, editor, writer)

That is all too evident in a political environment preceding elections. Having strong feelings and opinions is natural, especially when a wide political divide exists prior to recording our choices of candidates. Too often our hopes and dreams are based on poor information and unrealistic dreams. Sober thinking and careful judgment –along with prayer– are essential in such times.

The King’s counsel: “Always think carefully before pronouncing judgment. Remember that you do not judge to please people but to please the Lord.” (2 Chronicles 19:6)