Daily Stop & Thinks

Reading I

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

It might be argued that learning to read is the most valuable skill that a person can master. It’s a tragic reality in some places that illiteracy has doomed many people to a limited range of opportunities. It may be even sadder that those who can read don’t take advantage of the vast array of literature that could help them grow intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.

Focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them (1 Thessalonians 4:13).

Fear

To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong (Joseph Chilton Pearce , late American author).

Many people hesitate to step out to do something original, whether it’s a written piece, a new invention, or a cooking recipe for fear it might not be received well. To paraphrase Pearce, the same might be true of living “a productive life.” Such fear shrinks your ambition, for sure, and it may deprive the world of something very beneficial. Be courageous to step out and share.

Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety (Proverbs 29:25).

Be Heard

To have great poets, there must be great audiences (Walt Whitman, 19^th century American poet).

If no one hears a tree fall in the forest, is there no sound? Scientists say there is. But Whitman’s comment is even more interesting. The applause of the hearing audience or the acclaim of the poet’s readers isn’t necessary for the poetry to be really great. But, who would know? Who could make that judgment? We should surely do our best work for the benefit of others.

Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father (Matthew 5:16).

Reputation

If we have character, our reputation will take care of itself (Lolly Daskal, leadership coach).

During an election year here in the United States, the candidates are trying to make their case with plans and predictions. But, voters have to consider much more than empty promises. Unfortunately, there is so much confusion about the reputations of those running for office that it’s difficult to discern their real character, which should be a critical factor in our decisions.

Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold (Proverbs 22:1).

Simplicity

Out of the clutter, find simplicity (Albert Einstein, late renowned physicist).

Surely, a scientist like Einstein would have to sort among the multitude of research studies to root out the most helpful and discard the unnecessary clutter in his lab. It would certainly be helpful for many people in our society to declutter, as well. Just look at the stuffed-full garages, attics, and storage rooms. How much is enough? The simplified life is the most content.

But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that (1 Timothy 6:8).

Dreams

The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up. (Paul Valery, French poet)

Does Valery’s comment sound a little trite? Many great truths, however, are very simply stated and are quite clear. Dreamers are often creative and propose ideas that lead to helpful inventions and great advancements. But, those dreamers are not just thinking fanciful thoughts; they “wake” themselves, and perhaps others, to fulfill their own ideas.

It is pleasant to see dreams come true (Proverbs 13:19).

Answers

A solid answer to everything is not necessary. Blurry concepts influence one to focus, but postulated clarity influences arrogance (Criss Jami, poet and essayist).

We would all like to get concrete answers to our questions, and we’ve discovered that it doesn’t often happen. Jami gives us an interesting slant on those unanswered concerns. When the response is somewhat uncertain, it does demand a more careful, focused search for the solution. Positive, “for sure” answers, as he suggests, may be prideful but not helpful.

Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much (1 Corinthians 8:2).

And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it (1 Peter 3:15).

Purpose

People who lose their way are people who’ve lost their why (Kary Oberbrunner, motivation speaker and author).

Some people seem not to know what it is they want to do or where they want to go. As we say, “they’ve lost their way.” They seem to struggle with life, especially the important question of what they should be doing. Oberbrunner highlights what may be the key issue. If we don’t know why we are here—what our purpose is—it certainly will be difficult to find our way.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28).

Our purpose is to please God, not people (1 Thessalonians 2:4).

Determination

With ordinary talents and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable (Sir Thomas Fowell Buston, 18^th-19^th century British social reformer).

Most of us, after all, are just “ordinary” people. And most of the time, we probably have only ordinary work to do and few opportunities for change. But Buston offers us a winning equation: talent + perseverance = success. Not just an ordinary stick-with-it mindset, but an unusual, rare determination. We may not be greatly talented, but we all can give our best for the long haul.

So let it [faith] grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing (James 1:4).

Handling Hurts

Sometimes in life you have to let things just roll off of you… lest they make an ugly stain (Inspiration Line).

We have all been hurt at one time or another by a criticism or an offhand comment about us, usually from someone that doesn’t really know us. If we hang on to that hurt, it can affect us, causing us to fret and worry and lose our forward progress in life. It’s more productive to learn from the experience, determine to forget about it, and move on to achieve your life goals.

Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us (Philippians 3:13-14).

Conversation

A smart person knows what to say; a wise person knows whether or not to say it (Anonymous).

Have you ever known anyone who just couldn’t help but enter into a discussion, no matter the topic or whether he/she had anything worthwhile to offer? Some people seem to have all the answers and can’t wait to offer them. It’s often more helpful to listen carefully and choose not to engage in a conversation when you’re not sure you can be helpful.

Understand this. . . You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry (James 1:19).

Taste

A friend is like an Oreo; it’s not always that great, but it always gets better! (Erin Westbrook, actress)

How do you eat an Oreo cookie? A lot of people (probably not just children), crack it open, lick the filling, and then chew on the chocolate pieces. Does it get better when you get to the top & bottom pieces? Life is sometimes like that. Some prospective event may look really promising, but it’s only as you get into it that you discover and enjoy its great flavor.

Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! (Psalm 34:8)