Daily Stop & Thinks

Humility, Part One

Admitting the limits of your knowledge and the possibility of error makes you a better scholar (and into a better person). (Eddie Clark, law professor)

The further you go in your education or career, the more tempting it is to take a certain amount of pride in your achievement. Clark says, however, “By far the most useful thing I learned doing a PhD was intellectual humility.” It’s a positive sign of maturity when a person recognizes his own shortcomings and mistakes.

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

A Debt to Pay

Never was so much owed by so many to so few. (Winston Churchill, World War II statesman)

Churchill spoke these words at the conclusion of the war to pay tribute to the many who sacrificed to bring peace to a war-torn world. We must never forget the price that was paid for us to enjoy our freedoms today. In another realm of worthiness, we should be grateful to those who contribute today to our protection, well-being, and personal growth.

Pray . . . for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. (1 Timothy 2:2)

Education

The roots of education can be bitter, but the fruits are surely sweet. (Aristotle, ancient Greek philosopher)

Much is said about improving education in our country. We seem to be behind some other areas of the world when it comes to science and mathematics. Whether that’s true or not, we can’t deny that learning can be a really difficult task. For two reasons: 1) Some things are hard to understand, and 2) so much more information becomes available every day. To encourage learning should be a high priority.

Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching (Titus 2:7). Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching (2 Timothy 4:2).

Books

The difference between a good book and a bad book is that a good book takes you deeper into life and a bad book distracts you from life. (Rosalie de Rosset, author)

King Solomon wrote that there is no end to the making of books (Eccl. 12:12), and every book store and Internet listing proves it. As de Rosset implies, however, they are not all worth reading. The same can be said about magazines, movies, TV shows and all other kinds of media. It is important, then, that we limit our sources of input to things that take us “deeper into life.”

Don’t lose sight of them (the words of wisdom). Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them. (Proverbs 4:21-22)

The Right Person

Stop waiting for the right person to come into your life. Start becoming the right person. (Dave Pacheco, pastor)

In thinking about marriage, young adults often create the perfect mate in their minds: “Mr.” or “Miss Right.” A good marriage counselor will remind them that perfect people are rare (the Bible says there are none), so the standard must be a bit more realistic. The best bet, as Pacheco says, is to be the best person you can be; that will go a long way to achieve a strong marriage.

Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins (Ecclesiastes 7:20). A good person procures good things from the treasury of a good heart (Luke 6:45)

Opinions, Part Two

“But, what WILL people say?” This sentence has killed more dreams than anything else in the world. (Joyce Simkins Andrew, teacher)

Andrew continues, “What if other people’s opinion didn’t determine your life, your future and your children’s future?“ Isn’t it true that sometimes we are so concerned about the opinions of other people that we just don’t move forward with our ideas or projects? What a shame! We don’t really know what others will think, so why hesitate because of the unknown?

Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions. (Proverbs 18:2)

Opinions, Part One

You can’t reason someone out of something they were never reasoned into. (Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver’s Travels)

In a day when everyone seems to have an opinion on just about any subject you might discuss, it’s very difficult to dialogue with those who are not willing to consider any contrary evidence. Dale Carnegies’ statement is still true: “A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.” In those cases it’s probably better just to agree to disagree.

Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions. (Proverbs 18:2)

Teamwork

If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. (African proverb)

Impatience may be the unspecified disease of modern society. We want what we want right now! We often say, “I can’t wait for . . .” when something exciting lies in the future. Sometimes we rush into a venture alone because we don’t want to wait for someone to help. Too often, disaster is the result. We can most often accomplish more, faster, if we team up for the project.

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. . . . Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9, 12)

Labor

A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between. . . . his labor and his leisure . . .   and [He] leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself, he always appears to be doing both. (Excerpts from Francois-Rene Chateaubriand, French writer)

It’s something of an oxymoron. Today is celebrated as Labor Day in the U.S., yet many people are not working today. They’re pursuing leisure activities because it’s a holiday. It’s a good time, whatever we’re doing today, to reflect on the value of labor, the right and privilege to perform meaningful work to provide for our needs and for the benefit of our communities.

You will enjoy the fruit of your labor (Psalm 128:2). And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God (Ecclesiastes 3:13).

Getting Even

There’s no revenge so complete as forgiveness. (Josh Billings, 19th century American humorist)

From childhood, we tried to get back at anyone who hurt or wronged us. And, of course, when we sought revenge, getting even meant being harsher than the hurt we’d received. Truth is, that kind of behavior didn’t achieve much, did it? Have you tried forgiving your offender instead? You might find both of you will be better off.

“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge . . .  but love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18).

Never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God (Romans 12:19).

Respect

True respect starts with the way you treat others, and it is earned over a lifetime of acting with kindness, honor, and dignity. (Tony Dungy, author, professional athlete and coach)

In his book, Uncommon, Finding Your Path to Significance, Dungy tells of an incident when a professional athlete became irate because he was “disrespected.” Someone had dissed him, and he lost his cool. Dungy teaches that respect is not gained by fame or ability alone but by long-time consistency in admirable behavior and achievement.

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

Personal Growth

One of the most important things to remember is this: To be ready at any moment to give up what you are, for what you might become. (W. E. DuBois, late American sociologist)

DuBois seems to suggest that it’s possible to be so satisfied with the status quo, at least as far as you personally are concerned, that you don’t think it’s important to strive for improvement. Surely, no one seriously thinks that way, do they? None of us is perfect, and for our personal growth and for the benefit of those we influence, we ought to work toward growth.

If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer. . . . Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave. (Proverbs 9:12; 12:24)