Daily Stop & Thinks

Words

The words and actions of other people are a reflection of them, not of us. (Jesse Deloe, writer)

We’ve all learned that the old saying that “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is simply not true. Words do hurt, but Deloe’s idea is helpful. The hurtful things said and done to us are very often the outpouring of another’s own hurts and needs. So, it is a good practice to heed good advice but ignore hurtful insults.

The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions. (Proverbs 10:11)

Guard Your Mind

We must be careful what we allow to access our minds today, for it may entice, captivate, and enslave our hearts tomorrow. (Christine Trier, young career woman)

Our minds are constantly being bombarded with all kinds of information, data, and propaganda.  Trier warns us to be careful what we let grab our attention and lead us into spending time, effort, and money in pursuit of them. An unhealthy activity may lead to a slippery slope that turns into a landslide. Let’s evaluate our choices carefully before investing ourselves foolishly.

But you should keep a clear mind in every situation (2 Timothy 4:5).

So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control (1 Peter 1:13).

Election Day

The most important office, and the one which all of us can and should fill is that of private citizen. (Louis Brandeis, 20^th century US supreme court justice)

Perhaps you never thought of yourself as holding an “important office” in your government, but the US democracy is “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” It is our responsibility to consider candidates carefully and vote in every election. Editor George Jean Nathan wrote, “Bad officials are elected by good citizens who don’t vote.” Study, ponder, pray for wisdom, and vote!

When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability. (Proverbs 28:2)

Ego

Learn to admire others. It is the first step to overcome your ego. (Ehsan Sehgal, Dutch-Pakistani author and journalist)

We don’t like to think we’re egotistical or proud, but there are times when we realize that we’ve fallen into a “me first” frame of mind. Maybe it’s our impatience at waiting in line at the grocery or scrambling for the best seat on the bus. Sehgal’s suggestion could be helpful. When we respect friends of high character and try to emulate them, we may become less self-centered.

Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. (Proverbs 11:2; 29:23)

Anger

Anger, resentment, and jealousy [don’t] change the heart of others – [they] only change yours. (Shannon L. Alder, author)

Sometimes when we’ve been wronged or someone has hurt us badly, it feels so good to get really mad and vent our anger somehow. But that good feeling doesn’t last long, and it really doesn’t help the situation at all. As Alder reminds us, our anger doesn’t change the person who hurt us. Rather, it may ruin a relationship and affect us negatively for a very long time.

Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry. (Ephesians 4:26)

Habits

We cling to the familiar and never stop to think… If we keep doing what we’ve always done, we will keep getting what we’ve already got. (Henry Ford, auto pioneer)

“We’ve always done it that way” is just about the worst possible reason for continuing. Albert Einstein called it insanity if you keep doing the same thing, expecting different results. But habits are hard to break. Somehow, we’re more comfortable in bad practices than thinking about trying something new.  Often it’s time to think creatively and try new ideas.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. (Romans 12:2)

Equality

The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal. (Aristotle, 4^th century B.C. Greek philosopher)

From the U.S. Declaration of Independence more than two centuries ago to today’s loud voices and demonstrations, equality is a much used and abused term. Regardless of political viewpoints, from a biblical standpoint, all men are equally sinful and in need of a Savior. That is clearly demonstrated in life today. And God’s abundant grace is equally available to all.

And this is God’s plan: [all] who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. (Ephesians 3:6)

Destiny

We write our own destiny. We become what we do. (Madame Chiang Kai-shek, late Chinese political figure) 

Making choices through life pretty well determines what we become. Choices result in actions; we make a choice and we move on. The sum of those choices establishes our character and our reputation. We are affected by others, to be sure, but their influence cannot control our activity or destiny without our choosing. Stand firm in what is right, making choices carefully.

You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. (Psalm 73:24)

Choose Well

The choice you make, makes you. (John Wooden, successful basketball coach)

Choice and attitude are two of the very few things we can control in life. Whatever the circumstances or environment, we have to make choices, and Wooden argues that those choices really determine who we will be in terms of character and integrity. Wise King Solomon noted, “A wise person chooses the right road; a fool takes the wrong one.” (The Bible)

Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. (Proverbs 22:10)

Doing Good

Judge each day not by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant. (Robert Louis Stevenson, 19^th century Scottish poet)

We always appreciate a good harvest. When the tomatoes come in, full and ripe, we are pleased with the number and relish their taste. Likewise, when our business plans succeed, and we produce good products and market them successfully, we’re very happy. But, when it comes to living a productive life, Stevenson helps us discover a better way to evaluate our impact.

They [who fear the Lord]. . .  share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor.  (Psalm 112:8-9)

What Do We Really Love?

The way to love anything is to realize that it might be lost. (G. K. Chesterton, late English writer)

We do place value on a lot of things, and we probably do have a strong attachment to some—a pet, our close friends, the family Bible. But, do we often take them for granted? How much time do we spend with them? Do we use them a lot?  Could we get along without them? It would be good for us to consider where our important attachments are and how we can nurture them.

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:2)

Admiration

Learn to admire with the desire to acquire. (Source unknown)

What is this rhyming ditty all about? Surely, it’s more than coveting someone else’s prized possession. More likely, it’s a challenge to pursue the qualities you discover in another person. You might think, “I would really like to have the clear-thinking ability of that person.” Or, “I wish I had her patience.”  It’s good to want to acquire the positive qualities we see in others.

Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).