Daily Stop & Thinks

Great Men II

Not everybody can be famous, but everybody can be great, because greatness is determined by service. (Martin Luther King Jr)

We often attribute greatness to those whose accomplishments are noteworthy and accompanied by public recognition. King, however, suggests that lasting distinction depends not so much on achievement but on serving others. That could be directly, of course, or merely by providing the means for someone else to achieve.

God has given each of you a gift . . .  Use them well to serve one another. (1 Peter 4:19)

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others . . .(Mark 10:45)

Great Men I

A great man is always willing to be little. (Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19^th century philosopher)

In 21^st century life, we don’t see many men that Emerson speaks of. The “greater” men seem to be (at least in their own estimation), the more they try to build on their reputation. The really great people, however, are those who want to build up others. And to help lift someone up, it usually means stooping down to give them that lift. True greatness is accompanied by humility.

John the Baptist: “He (Jesus) must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” (John 3:30)

Do Good

If you can’t do the good you would, do the good you can. (Chuck Swindoll pastor, author)

Some folks have been heard to say that because they can’t do all they want to do, they can’t do anything. Swindoll would likely, say to them, “Do whatever you can; a little good done is better than nothing.” With the great needs we see all around us—physical, emotional, societal, surely we need to do what we can (much or little) where we can as often as we can.

And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. (Hebrews 13:16)

Speaking

Well done is better than well said. (Poor Richard’s Almanack)

There are times when we’d like to share those wise words of Benjamin Franklin with people we hear, speaking in glowing terms of what they promise to do for us. We’ll hear a lot of that sort of thing during this election year, so we must listen and evaluate candidates carefully and practice the same caution in our own pronouncements.

The more words you speak, the less they mean. (Ecclesiastes 6:11)

The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking. (Proverbs 15:38)

Foundations II

Giants are not always people who live exhilarating or famous lives—they are faithful people who create foundations for success. (Media 212)

Isaac Newton once said, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” We sometimes have a vision of giants as people who have accomplished a lot and whose work is done. This added thought, however, is most helpful. Their accomplishments merely provide the basis for further study and work, resulting in even greater achievements

When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation (Proverbs 10:25).

Foundations I

Storms reveal the quality of the work of the builder. (Bruce Barlow, pastor)

Barlow was referring to the biblical parable of Jesus. He spoke of two builders; one built a house on the sand; another on a rock foundation. When the storm came, obviously, the house with the solid foundation withstood the wind. A simple story and a simple principle. But how many of us are building our lives on unproven and unsafe philosophies?

Jesus: “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.” (Matthew 7:24)

Think!

Feelings are, with a few exceptions, good servants. But they are terrible masters. (Dallas Willard, writer)

Nearly 50 years ago, the popular song You Light Up My Life assured us that “It can’t be wrong when it feels so right.” That pretty well expresses the reasoning of so many people a half-century later. TV scripts tell us to “follow your heart,” but that’s a very dangerous philosophy, as Willard wrote. We need to exercise our brains, thinking carefully before acting on feelings.

Wise people think before they act. (Proverbs 13:16)

Impact

My biggest success is not something I do but someone I impact. (Greg Groeschel, leadership speaker)

When we dream of success, we’re most often thinking of winning a contest, earning an award, accomplishing a worthy business venture, and the like. Groeschel suggests a more significant value in success: impacting people. Awards and prizes are great, but how much greater it is to see the success of those whose lives we’ve influenced in some way.

[The purpose of] the Proverbs: to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. (Proverbs 1:1-2)

New Beginnings

New beginnings are in order, and you are bound to feel some level of excitement as new chances come your way. (Oscar Auliq Ice, author)

It’s only the third day of the New Year, and you are about to return home from vacation, or to go back to school or to your job. Is it still exciting to contemplate the newness of the year—even the new opportunities in the old routines? Forget the disappointments of last year and anticipate the progress you’ll make as you renew old tasks and encounter some new ones.

Make the most of every opportunity . . . (Ephesians 5:16)

Big Plans

There is nothing like a dream to create the future. (Victor Hugo, 19^th century French novelist)

You’ve been waiting for this New Year to pursue some of your most significant dreams. What have you planned to do that you will now begin working toward? Plan carefully, seek good counsel, gather your resources, and enlist the help of trusted co-workers. But don’t forget there may be a plan that God has for you that may be somewhat different from your dreams.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Happy New Year!

Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, “It will be happier.” (Alfred Lord Tennyson, 19^th century British poet laureate)

We’ve been waiting for 2020, and now, here it is. As Tennyson wrote, many of us are glad that 2019 is over, and we’re hoping for a better 12 months ahead. Like everything else in life, things happen one minute at a time, then one hour, then one day—on and on it goes 366 times (Leap Year). Be patient; give each day your best effort to make it a good day.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. (Psalm 23:6)

New Year’s Eve

Someone asked me when is my birthday? The poet inside me replied, “My birthday is on the last day of the year, It’s 31st December my dear!” (Anamika Mishra, author from India)

That’s an interesting way to look at New Year’s Eve. Every year is the beginning of entirely new experiences, full of surprises and unexpected challenges. As we leave this night, we are starting afresh—almost like we did on our actual day of birth. But this time, we can begin with knowledge, wisdom, and experience so we’re much better prepared. Happy Birthday!

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)