Daily Stop & Thinks

Spiritual Development

The spiritual development of man is not a human achievement, but a work of divine grace. (Louis Berkhof, 19-20^th century American-Dutch theologian)

We may try all the self-help tips and books on spiritual development to improve our integrity and reputation, but the solution to our problem is beyond our best efforts. Although the body and the spirit are inextricably entwined, the foundational element is in the spiritual side. As it grows in understanding and wisdom, it will express meaningful life through the physical.

The Lord’s light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive. (Proverbs 20:27)

Judgement

[There are two] Places for Pews: The Church and a Courtroom. Both make people uncomfortable and both are places where people are judged. (Dan O’Deens, overseas social worker)

Church and courtroom pews may be uncomfortable for different reasons. First, a lot of pews are hard wood, without padding, and one becomes restless sitting in them for a long time. Second, what goes on in the church or courthouse might be uncomfortable because of the conviction as a result of what happens there. Be prepared for judgment at any time.

 Everyone has to die once, then face the consequences.  (Hebrews 9:27)

Life Goes On

In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: It goes on. (Robert Frost, 19^th-20^th century American poet)

We have all experienced the deep grief of losing a loved one. It seems that the pain and loss will never go away. But, we soon discover, as Frost has written, life, indeed, does go on. There are others who have experienced great success, perhaps world renown through winning a sports championship. They, too, discover that the exhilaration is short-lived, and normal life goes on.

How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. (James 4:1)

Good Attitudes

The right attitude is a greenhouse for the right actions. (Keith Minier, minister)

An interesting metaphor. We think of greenhouses as places where plants are nourished, watered, and given the right temperatures for growth. Minier suggests that our minds are a lot like that. What we do and how we act is the result of what has germinated and grown in our minds. So, action begins with thinking and attitude. Be careful, then, what you think.

The wicked bluff their way through, but the virtuous think before they act. . . . The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking. (Proverbs 15:28; 21:29)

Speaking the Truth

A “No” uttered from the deepest conviction is better than a “Yes” merely uttered to please, or worse, to avoid trouble. (Mahatma Gandhi, leader of independence movement in India)

Most of us have probably not faced the kind of terrifying crisis where the wrong answer could lead to severe consequences, even death. But, haven’t we sometimes been tempted to do something similar when we give the expected answer or don’t speak up at all in order to avoid embarrassment? People of character and integrity speak the truth whatever the cost.

Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil. (Matthew 5:37)

Bravery

The bravest people are the ones who don’t mind looking like cowards. (T. H. White, British novelist)

Remember those old black-and-white western movies? The white hats always beat the black hats. Among all the frightened cowboys there was always a John Wayne, the bravest of them all, never showing fear and always winning the battle (and the belle, too). In reality, White is probably right. The brave are those who do their duty in spite of their fear.

Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28)

Common Sense

Five percent of people think; 10% of people think they think, and the other 85% would rather die than think. (Thomas Edison, inventor)

Today’s news, with its reports of bad judgment calls and evil actions, might make one wonder whatever happened to common sense. Have we lost the ability to think and reason? Or, as Edison suggests, is it just that we don’t use our brains; we live on feelings and preferences rather than sound judgment. What a shame!

Wise people think before they act (Proverbs 13:16). There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking (Proverbs 29:20)

Dissatisfaction

Wanting more is to pursue a path of frustration in the search for happiness. (Jesse Deloe, writer, editor)

Shouting “Encore!” at the end of a symphony concert is a legitimate request for more good music. But wanting seconds or thirds after a scrumptious meal may not be so good for our health. It’s human nature to always want more, it seems. But more is not always better. It may lead to dissatisfaction with what we have now, launching an unending search for more.

Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! (Ecclesiastes 5:10)

Proper Conversation

It’s best to talk to people not about people. (Rob Harrison, American pastor)

With the almost universal use of smartphones and the Internet, face-to-face conversation has become nearly nonexistent—or, at least, less common. But the same rules of civility should apply to online conversations as to personal verbal exchanges.  Too often, gossip and slander creep into our impersonal cyberspace talk. Keep it proper on and off line.

Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. (Colossians 4:6)

Choosing Your Response

The overwhelming majority of your life is shaped by how you choose . . .to respond to circumstances beyond your control. (Paraphrase of Tim Knight, filmmaker)

Knight points out that only a very small part of your life is affected by such circumstances. Most of life, he says, is not so much a question of what happens to you but how you choose to respond to life’s happenings. If that’s true, it places a great deal of significance on our ability to make good choices. That’s a matter experience, learning, and character development.

People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed. (Proverbs 10:9)

True Friends

Friends are the Bacon Bits in the Salad Bowl of Life. (Pizza Shop Sign)

A lot of people agree that nearly everything tastes better with a little bacon in it. You might not want a bacon salad, but put a few bits in a spinach salad, and it is even tastier. Friends can be like that. You want them around because they add flavor to your life. And when you need that little extra to help you over a tough time, a touch of their friendship can restore your joy.

Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family (Proverbs 18:24)

Sympathy

Anybody can sympathize with the sufferings of a friend, but it requires a very fine nature to sympathize with a friend’s success. (Oscar Wilde, 19^th century Irish poet and playwright)

Think about it! Most of us will genuinely sorrow with a friend who is suffering. That’s what friends do. We want to encourage and help them in times of trouble or grief. But Wilde raises an interesting question. Are we as helpful and encouraging when a friend enjoys success, especially in areas where we may not have done so well?

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. (Romans 12:15)