Daily Stop & Thinks

Together

It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit. (Late President Harry S Truman)

It’s said that a later president, Ronald Reagan, like Truman, kept this saying on his desk. In a day when politicians (and many others, no doubt) are boldly broadcasting their achievements, such humility is rare. Teamwork has always accomplished much more than solo endeavors, so it’s wise to find compatible companions and work together to pursue worthy goals.

Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. (Matthew 6:1)

Power

The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire. (French General Ferdinand Foch)

We’re awed at the potential destruction from nuclear bombs and ballistic missiles. And what about natural disasters like earthquakes, tornados, and tsunamis? Wow, what power! We’re frightened just to think about them. General Foch’s statement reminds us of the potential power of a worthy ideal pursued by a man or woman fully committed to pursue it.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20)

Thinking

As you think, so you shall become. (Bruce Lee, late martial artist)

In this modern digital age, it sometimes seems as though you really don’t need to know much, except how to use your computer or tablet. If you need to know something, you can look it up on your device. Better yet, you can just ask Siri or Alexa, your seemingly omniscient assistant. But, learning to think for yourself will enable you to become more than a storehouse of knowledge.

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

Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Romans 12:2)

Education

The brain originally is like an empty attic, and you have to stock it. (Arthur Conan Doyle, author of Sherlock Holmes mysteries)

When you buy a computer, it is already loaded with basic apps and software. But to make it capable of processing the work you intend for it, you will have to add other software and apps. At birth, certain abilities and capabilities are already “installed” in the baby. But for one to be a competent child, teen, and adult, a lot has to be “installed” through education and training.

Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. (Proverbs 22:6)

Freedom

Freedom comes only through deeds, not through thoughts taking wing. (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, martyred German pastor in WW II)

On this Independence Day holiday in the U.S., we celebrate the freedoms that were won for us by the brave men and women of Revolutionary Days. We also remember with gratitude those who sacrificed so much for our liberty. As Bonhoeffer said and demonstrated in his own life, it isn’t just by good intentions, but by meaningful actions that our liberty is maintained.

For you have been called to live in freedom . . .  use your freedom to serve one another in love. (Galatians 5:13)

Humility

Honorable: to do things that are honorable and not seek honor for them. (Larry P. Arn, president of Hillsdale College)

Honor seems to be a missing ingredient among many leaders in America. Almost every day newspapers, magazines, and TV newscasters report on some sort of scandals in business or politics. And too often, those who are not involved in dishonorable behavior are tooting their horns about their achievements. Arn’s definition sounds a lot like humility, doesn’t it?

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. (James 3:13)

Success Part II

Failure is not the opposite of success. It is part of the process of success. (James Lenhoff, financial advisor, author)

What do you do when your project doesn’t work as you had hoped? Do you give up and move on to another venture or do you re-work your original plan? Lenhoff, no doubt, would agree with Edison’s experience that you arrive at a success only after hundreds of failures. If you view your momentary failure part of the “process of success,” you will often find great success.

And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful! (Psalm 90:17)

Success Part I

Success is to be measured not by the position one has reached in life, but by the obstacles which one has overcome. (Booker T. Washington, 19^th-20^th century educator)

We often think of someone who has reached a high level social status as successful whether or not they were born with a “silver spoon” in their mouth or inherited wealth and position. Washington argues that real achievement is earned by overcoming the difficulties that we face in pursuing our goals. Don’t always avoid difficulties; work to overcome them. That’s success.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21)

This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4)

Expectation

Keep looking up … that’s the secret of life. (Snoopy, cartoon character)

Snoopy is a dog in the “Peanuts” cartoons. Such characters can teach some helpful lessons while giving us a laugh or two. Have you ever noticed that some people walk with their heads down as if they were counting the cracks in the sidewalk? Think of how much they miss of the scenery and activity around them. But, there’s an even more important lesson about looking up.

So when the troubles begin, don’t be afraid. Look up—raise your head high, because the truth is that your liberation is fast approaching. (Luke 21:28)

Generosity

Generosity is a function of the heart, not the wallet. (Wayne Dyer, late self-help author)

“You may have convinced yourself that giving is impossible because you have too little for yourself. If you are not generous when it is difficult, you will not be generous when it is easy.” We’re told that surveys reveal that people with less often give to charities more generously than those with more. Learning to be generous will not only help others, it will give you joy.

Since you excel in so many ways . . . I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving. (2 Corinthians 8:7)

Love

Love is giving to others’ basic needs without having as my motive personal reward. (Bill Gothard, speaker and writer)

“I just love apple pie.” “I love baseball.” “I love ‘Star War’ movies.” We hear such statements all the time. How loosely we use the word “love.” Even when we talk about “puppy love” or “romantic love,” there is a sense of self-gratification. Our feelings are based on what we get out of it: good feelings, joy, companionship. The best kind of love, however, is unselfish.

Love is patient and kind . . . is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. (1 Corinthians 13:4)

Judging

It is hard to believe that a man is telling the truth when you know that you would lie if you were in his place. (H.L. Mencken, 20th century essayist)

What does this say about character? First, it suggests that the hearer has his doubts about the character of the speaker. Then, it raises the same question about the hearer. It’s a shame if we really doubt our own honesty, suggesting we would lie if the circumstances seemed to demand it. It seems highly judgmental to doubt another’s character because of our own weakness.

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. (Matthew 7:1-2)