Daily Stop & Thinks

Poverty

It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor.” (Seneca, 1st century Stoic philosopher)

We sometimes jokingly ask, “How much is enough?” The answer, of course, is “Just a little more.” In Seneca’s ancient view, that’s an indication of the poverty of one’s mind and heart. The biblical story in Luke 12 tells of the rich man who wanted to build more barns to house all of his produce, only to be deprived of it all by sudden death. Beware of such greed!

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)

Good, Better, and Best

He who stops being better stops being good. (Oliver Cromwell, 17th century British political leader)

To say that “Good is not enough” sounds strange, doesn’t it? After all, we always emphasize the importance of being and doing good. Another author wrote, “Every success is built on the ability to do better than good enough.” If good is good, then better is better, and best is really best. Do good, of course, but always strive to improve and do the very best you can.

I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others . . . (1 Corinthians 10:33)

Words

Words build bridges into unexplored regions.

The writer continues, “If you’re finding yourself stuck on something—whether it’s an idea, a place, a conversation, or anything else—it’s helpful to remember that oftentimes, the best way to expand your mind and branch out is with words.” Words are important; they are the most powerful means of expression, so choose your words carefully and speak them with grace.

Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. (Colossians 4:6)

Greed

Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own. (Jesus)

Modern society seems to contradict Jesus’ words in Luke 12. Houses are bigger than ever, the stock market is booming, storage spaces are packed; automobiles may be smaller, but they are loaded with all kinds of bells and whistles. But do those things really bring a sense of security or contentment? The story of the rich man in Luke 12 will give you a better perspective.

Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.(Luke 12:21)

Music

When you’re happy, you enjoy the music, but when you’re sad, you understand the lyrics. (Frank Ocean, singer, songwriter)

Whether you like classical, popular, or rock and roll, when the music starts, life may seem to take on a lighter, happier feeling. But, when we’re not feeling so upbeat, we tend to think of the message of the music, and it may not be so encouraging, either because it doesn’t represent our feelings at that moment or it speaks too clearly to our sad state.

David and all Israel were celebrating. . .  singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments. (1 Chronicles 13:8)

My harp plays sad music, and my flute accompanies those who weep. (Job 30:31)

Rejection

Every time I thought I was being rejected from something good, I was actually being re-directed to something better. (Steve Maraboli, behavioral scientist, speaker, and author)

Have you ever been turned down for a job or a promotion that you felt should rightly be yours? How did you feel about that? Being rejected is difficult for everyone, but some have discovered that what followed was just as good—or even better—than what they missed out on. You don’t have to welcome rejection, but, with patience and hard work you can learn and gain from it.

All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. For God had something better in mind for us [and them]. (Hebrews 10:39-40)

Get back up!

Success consists of getting up once oftener than you fall down. (Oliver Goldsmith, 18th century Irish novelist and poet)

Everyone falls once in a while. It might be fun to watch a toddler fall as he or she is learning to walk. It’s encouraging to see how they struggle to get up and try again. It’s tragic to watch an older person fall, who may not be able to get up at all. Even then, when helped up, the senior citizen will continue to move on. Failure doesn’t mean the end. Get up and keep going!

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

Banners

That flag is a symbol we attach our emotions to, but it isn’t the emotion itself and it isn’t the thing we really care about. (Tom Wolfe, late author and journalist)

Wolfe continues, “Sometimes we don’t even realize what we really care about, because we get so distracted by the symbols.” Today is Flag Day in the U.S., and you’ll probably find flags flying all over town. Wolfe is right; it isn’t the flag itself we honor; it is only a symbol. For us, it represents the ideals of a united country (50 stars) and the cost of our freedom (red stripes).

May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God. (Psalm 20:5)

Thinking

A persistent train of thought, persisted in, be it good or bad, cannot fail to produce its results on the character and circumstances. (James Allen, 19th-20th century British writer)

Older translations of the Bible include “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). Allen’s explanation of that idea makes it clear. The more you think about something, the more likely it will become an ingrained reality. He says further, “A man cannot directly choose his circumstances, but he can choose his thoughts, and so indirectly . . ., shape his circumstances.”

Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8)

True Religion

Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction. (Blaise Pascal, 17th century French theologian)

Religious zealots can be dangerous. It isn’t that worship is hazardous; it’s when false doctrines are knowingly taught as truth. Today there seems to be a renewed interest in the “spiritual,” but we must be extremely careful to be sure that our spiritual interests are centered in “true religion.” In part that will be demonstrated by lifestyle, free from evil.

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. (James 1:27)

Happiness

The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved. (Victor Hugo, 19th century French novelist)

The young couple spooning under the moon by the lagoon in June might be a good picture of happiness. After all, they’ve found their “true love.” What is more lasting, of course, is that affection and caring that can last a lifetime in marriage. Unmarried individuals are happiest, too, when they know someone cares for them. Knowing God is to know love and happiness.

No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39)

Aging

It’s faith in something and enthusiasm for something that makes life worth living. (Oliver Wendell Holmes, 19th century physician and poet)

He also wrote, “Men do not quit playing because they grow old; they grow old because they quit playing.” Continuing to be active certainly will slow the aging process. Being active with enthusiasm, no doubt, is even more helpful. And, don’t overlook Holmes’ reference to “faith in something.” Not just a blind hope, but a firm trust in something (someone) beyond yourself.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5-6)