Daily Stop & Thinks

Encouragement

The fact that you are willing to say, “I do not understand, and it is fine,” is the greatest understanding you could exhibit. (Wayne Dyer, self-help, best-selling author)

When a friend shares his difficult situation with us, we may be so eager to help him or her with good advice that we sometimes rattle on without offering much help at all. Our misdirected advice could be more harmful than helpful. Dyer gives us good advice. We should simply admit that we can’t fully appreciate the problem and offer a hug and a word of encouragement.

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

The words of the godly encourage many. (Proverbs 10:21)

Blending

There may need to be some bending to achieve good blending. (Brent Sandy, author)

Using the analogy of the popular smoothie drinks, Sandy referred to the multitude of blended families in our society. In any merger involving parties from different backgrounds and experience, a great deal of give-and-take is required to create a happy and productive experience. What a good lesson for a divided society. To blend well, we will have to bend well.

Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. (Ephesians 4:3)

Hope and Action

Hope in every area of life is a privilege that attaches to action. No action, no hope. (Peter Levi, poet)

Pastor Chris Suitt adds, “You know the type. Those who are all talk, but no action. . . Our world needs hope, not mere words.” Remember the old adage, “What you do speaks so loud, I can’t hear what you say.” It would be a positive example to society if we would match our actions to positive words of encouragement.

 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. (Hebrews 10:24)

Thinking and Acting

Doing and thinking work together to form character. (Paraphrase of Larry P. Arnn, president of Hillsdale College)

He continued, “If their characters are not courageous, moderate, and just, then not only will they [lack courage] in action, but their thinking will be impaired.” “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart” Matthew 12:35). The link between thinking and acting is critical.

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. (Proverbs 23:7)

Friendship

I find friendship to be like wine, raw when new, ripened with age, the true old man’s milk and restorative cordial. (Thomas Jefferson)

On Presidents’ Day we look to our third president for a helpful comment about friends. Various drinks are often cited for the qualities associated with them. Some are restorative in terms of health and energy. Others are shared in times of intimacy as friends encourage one another. How helpful it would be if we saw ourselves as a refreshing, healthful part of another’s life.

The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins friends. . . and a brother is born to help in time of need.  (Proverbs 11:30; 17:17)

Needs & Wants

Giving the people what they want is not nearly as powerful as teaching people what they need. (Seth Godin, author and marketer)

It’s often a difficult dilemma when we have to choose between wants and needs. It might be easy for parents to choose when their children beg for something they want that is not good for them. But, when we adults face those decisions, we too often give in to the “wants.” Discipline in choosing requires discernment and the commitment to choose what is best for the long term.

Give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. (Proverbs 30:8)

Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (Philippians 4:6)

Tact

It takes tact to have contact. (Warren Wiersbe, author)

To have a fulfilled life, we need to have good relationships with at least a few close people. These connections are sometimes difficult to create and maintain. As Wiersbe suggests, tact is important. We may spoil our close association with others because we lack good skills in making contact. We must learn to be kind, observant, and gracious to develop strong relationships.

A man who has friends must himself be friendly. (Proverbs 18:24)

A Smile

If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you love. (Maya Angelou, late US Poet Laureate)

“Roses are Red, Violets are Blue . . .” is the way our childish Valentine cards often began. It’s Valentine’s Day, and we’re expected to card and gift those we love today. There may be a lot of people we really care for and we can at least do what Angelou suggests—give them a smile. It costs very little but it can be very helpful—a valuable touch to those you love.

Look at him; give him your warmest smile. (Psalm 34:5)

A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face. (Proverbs 15:13)

Coincidence

Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous. (Albert Einstein, late noted scientist)

When certain circumstances of life seem to converge in an unexpected, “accidental” sort of way, we often wonder why and how. Although Einstein would probably not be considered a theologian, his common-sense statement is thought-provoking. We can’t always see God’s hand at work, but we are grateful to know that he is still working for what is best for his children.

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)

Love II

When we give love away, it always comes back to us. Love is a verb… it is an action… it is THE action. (Dan O’Deens, author)

Many people mistakenly think of love as just an interaction between two bodies that may or may not convey any true sentiment of caring. While God has created us with the ability for physical pleasure in the relationship of marriage, O’Deens correctly notes that it is even more than that. Biblical love is intended to involve our acting toward others for their good.

Don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. (Galatians 5:13)

Love I

Life’s greatest happiness is to be convinced we are loved. (Victor Hugo, 19^th century French dramatist)

“What the world needs now is love, sweet love; that’s the only thing there’s too little of.” So go the words of a popular 1965 song. It could be appropriately sung these 55 years later. But, the love that is sung about today is mostly romantic sentiment if even that. Hugo was right, but what he may not have known is that God’s love is the only genuine and lasting source of happiness.

This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. (1 John 4:10)

Opportunity

Success is when preparation and opportunity meet. (Bobby Unser, automobile racer)

We’ve heard it said that opportunity knocks only once, so we’re always to be ready for that “knock.” Agreeing with Unser, Chris Grosser wrote, “Opportunities don’t happen, you create them.” We can’t just hope for a great chance to happen our way, we have to work to create an environment in which we’re always ready to pursue the opportunity we’ve prepared for.

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. (Ephesians 3:15-16)