Daily Stop & Thinks

“Those with no plan are being influenced by other people’s plan . . .” (Chaim O’Deens, leadership & planning coach)

On the other hand, O’Deens concludes “. . . while those who have created the time to establish a plan are influencing those with no plans.” So, you are either working your own plan or someone else’s. That thought ought to help us realize the importance of creating our own plan to pursue and achieve the goals we want for our family and community.

Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity. . . . Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. (Proverbs 21:5; 16:3)

He has half the deed done who has made a beginning. (Oliver Wendell Holmes, 19^th century physician and poet)

It’s called inertia, that is, things at rest tend to stay at rest. Sometimes it’s hard to get started on a project we know we should be working on. Actually, inertia also describes the tendency of things in motion to continue in motion. So, Holmes’ words should encourage us to get up and set our project in motion. As he says, half the battle is won at that point.

Finishing is better than starting. (Ecclesiastes 7:8). Now you should finish what you started (2 Corinthians 8:11).

To succeed in your mission, you must have single-minded devotion to your goal. (A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, late president of India)

We seem to admire people who can “multi-task.” They appear to be able to do a number of things at the same time, or be involved in a variety of projects with a measure of success in all of them. That doesn’t work for most of us. We probably will do better if we follow Kalam’s counsel. If we concentrate on one primary goal, we’ll more likely succeed.

I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race (Philippians 4:13-14).

We have complete control over our own attitude. We are the ones who decide how we feel, how we look at things, how we react. (Catherine Pulsifer, author)

There are few things in life that we can actually control. We can’t do much about the weather, taxes, or circumstances, for example. But, as Pulsifer reminds us, there is one very important element in our lives that we do control—our attitude. We have to learn how to take control of our attitudes in order to live peacefully with ourselves and others.

Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude (1 Peter 3:8).

There is no success without sacrifice. (Adoniram Judson, pioneer missionary to India)

Judson, “If you succeed without sacrifice, it is because someone has suffered before you. If you sacrifice without success, it is because someone will succeed after.” To sacrifice is to give up something of value to benefit someone else. You may succeed by your own effort or someone else’s before or after you. In any case, be willing to sacrifice for the benefit of others.

And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God (Hebrews 13:16).

Running away from our problems is a race you’ll never win. (Author unknown)

When you are confronted with problems, how do you respond? There are probably many ways you can go: ignore them, pretending they’re not there; try to see them as someone else’s responsibility, or face them with determination and effort to overcome. Knowing that you can’t successfully avoid problems, it’s best to seek help, if necessary, and face them head-on.

My problems go from bad to worse. Oh, save me from them all! . . . Lord, hear my prayer! Listen to my plea! (Psalm 25:17; 102:1) We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance (Romans 5:3).

There is a bond deep within that binds us to one another. It is the glue of authentic love. (Fabienne Gassmann, fashion designer)

She continues “[Love expresses] itself in compassion, fairness, willingness to support . . . [It’s] without strings attached.” Gassmann probably was not thinking of the kind of love that we celebrate today on Valentine’s Day, which has become a day for lovers to express their affection for each other. Rather, her kind of love seeks only the best interest of the loved one.

 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. . . . Love will last forever! 1 Corinthians 13: 7-8

I’ve got to stop this business of talking without thinking. (Linus in the “Peanuts” cartoon)

Everything seems to be happening at lightening-speed today. News runs across the bottom of the TV screen so fast you can hardly understand what’s happening. Music is often played at blinding speed. It’s just part of today’s culture. Consequently, we respond quickly when there’s an opening to speak. So, Linus’ advice should be taken and practiced carefully.

You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak (James 1:19). For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies” (1 Peter 3:10).

Stand with anybody that stands right. Stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong. (Abraham Lincoln)

It really feels great to have friends who stand with us in the hard times. We want to stand with them, too. But, no matter how close, when our friends go in wrong directions and make poor choices we should no longer stand with them. Our choice, then, is to warn them with concern and lovingly try to help them make right decisions. To do so is to stand strong.

Bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33). If someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently (Galatians 6:1).

Become a possibilitarian. (Inspiration Line)

A new word, eh? Here’s the thought: “No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see the possibilities—always see them, for they’re always there.” That’s certainly a positive way to look at life and its problems, isn’t it? Just be sure your motives are pure and you’re pursuing worthy goals, trusting God for strength and wisdom.

Jesus: “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” (Luke 18:27)

The spirit of man is more important than mere physical strength, and the spiritual fiber of a nation than its wealth. (Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th U.S. President)

It’s our nature to admire physical strength and material wealth. But, as Eisenhower notes, there are some things more important than either of them. Man is more than a body; he possesses a soul and spirit. That’s where real life is. As men strive to grow in spiritual strength, the nation will grow as well, and both will serve to improve society and honor God.

Godliness makes a nation great. (Proverbs 14:34). O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people (Psalm 117:1).

The Gods we worship write their names on our faces; be sure of that. . (Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19^th century American essayist)

Emerson continues “. . . thus, it behooves us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshipping we are becoming.” What a sobering thought! So, the question is, what are we worshiping? What are the things we crave most—that we spend most time doing and that have become our priorities? If we are becoming like them, we desperately need to change.

Those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them (Psalm 115:8). Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker (Psalm 95:6).