Daily Stop & Thinks

Music II

Music expresses that which cannot remain silent and that which cannot be put into words. (Victor Hugo, 19^th century French novelist)

What would life be like without music? Whether it’s jazz, sacred, classical, vocal, instrumental—whatever the style, music creates an atmosphere different from the daily grind of work and routine. We wouldn’t go as far as Friedrich Nietzsche who said, “Without music, life would be a mistake” but we do recognize that there would be a huge void in life without it.

Be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. (Ephesians 5: 18-19)

Music I

Music is the shorthand of emotion. (Leo Tolstoy, 19^th-20^th century Russian writer)

Why do dramatic movie and TV shows have carefully written music backgrounds? Composers and conductors are hired to enhance the show with music that will play to the emotion, subtly perhaps, but it is purposely designed to highlight the desired emotional response. Without music much of movie life and, more importantly, real life would be bleak and unfeeling.

David also ordered . . . a choir of Levites who were singers and musicians to sing joyful songs to the accompaniment of harps, lyres, and cymbals. (1 Chronicles 15:16)

Value

Value is increased by the cost of the achievement. (Jesse Deloe, editor)

The value of certain material can be determined by its weight, clarity, and demand. It’s more difficult, however, to judge the worth of deeds and accomplishments. A piece of art may have value based on the price a buyer is willing to pay. But how do we value the contributions of life activity? It likely cost time, effort, and sacrifice. That makes the contribution really valuable.

But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value (1 Corinthians 3:13).

Opinions

[The] special mark of the modern world is not that it is skeptical, but that it is dogmatic without knowing it. (G. K. Chesterton, 19^th-20^th century British philosopher)

Though written nearly 100 years ago, it sounds like the “modern world” of the 21^st century, doesn’t it? Not only does nearly everyone have an opinion on almost everything, but we all think we are absolutely right and there can be no contrary opinion. That makes it very difficult to compromise or just get along together. But, how can we progress unless we work together?

Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. (Philippians 2:2)

Anxiety

Did you know that to worry about a situation [is to make] a conscious choice to do so? (paraphrase of Mike C. Adams, counselor)

Anxiety seems to be almost a universal emotion in modern society. We’re worried about our health, the weather, politics, and so much more. Adams reminds us that when we worry, it’s because we’ve chosen to do so. We don’t have to, although it seems we’re inclined to do it without even thinking. We need to look beyond ourselves to be relieved of constant worry.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. (Philippians 4:6)

Riches

The truly rich are those who possess a rich heart rather than lots of money. (Bill Gates, philanthropist)

When the man who is said to be “the richest man in the world,” defines the “truly rich,” maybe we should listen. How much money does take to be rich? When you’ve accumulated a pretty good bank account, is that enough? Will that satisfy you and give you contentment? This would be a good time for us to rethink our values and priorities.

Don’t store up treasures here on earth . . . Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. (Matthew 6:19-20)

History

There are two things that you can do with history: you can ignore it, or you can learn from it. Mrs. Allen, an unknown high school history teacher)

High school history class. Ugh! How boring! Isn’t that the way many of us thought of that required class? As we grew older, however, many of us have wished we’d listened and studied more carefully. If we had, we’d be more conscious of how the past has influenced the present and its often repeated mistakes. We’d do well to dust off those history books and study now.

History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. (Ecclesiastes 1:9)

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).