Daily Stop & Thinks

The secret of getting ahead is getting started. (Sally Berger, author and curator)

Inertia is a law of physics that says an item at rest tends to stay at rest until moved by an external force. A person suffering from inertia might be said just to be lazy. (Think of Garfield, the cartoon cat.) If Berger is right, maybe all it will take to get us “off our duff” is to just get up and get started on a worthy project, maybe even self-improvement.

Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave. (Proverbs 12:24)

Community is the fruit of our capacity to make the interests of others more important than our own. (Henri Nouwen, Dutch theologian)

“United we stand, divided we fall” is an adage that is played out the world over. Yet, nations are often divided by widely different political viewpoints. Nouwen clearly shows us what it takes to have unity; he calls it “community.” It’s a biblical principle that, if adhered to, would foster a much greater sense of camaraderie that could avert harmful interactions.

In humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4)

A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out. (Walter Winchell, late newspaper and radio columnist)

Were you ever deserted by people you thought were friends? That really hurt, didn’t it? “Fair-weather friends” stay with you when things are good, but disappear when times are tough. As Winchell says, a really good friend is one who comes to your aid and sticks with you in troubled times. Be that kind of friend.

Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? . . . A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. (Proverbs 20:6; 17:17)

I’m so sick of February. It’s the shortest month but it sure doesn’t feel that way. (Toby Flenderson, TV fictional character)

For those of us who live in the northern hemisphere, winter months can seem to drag on forever, especially in the so-called snow belt. Frigid temperatures and ice-packed roads and walks are not only dangerous; they’re really disagreeable. March may be a longer month, but at least it brings the prospect of spring. Don’t allow your circumstances determine your feelings.

 I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation. (Philippians 4:11-12)

Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the commonplace simple, awesomely simple, that is creativity. (Charles Mingus, 20^th century musician)

Have you ever read an article or book and wondered why the author chose to use arcane words (like that one) when he could have chosen a simpler one (like obscure), understood by everyone? Whether it’s college professors or elementary school teachers, their students will learn more effectively (and enjoyably, no doubt), if they use simple, understandable language.

My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge. (Proverbs 8:9)

Silver linings come at the cost of some very dark clouds. (Mary Carver, late TV actress)

“Every cloud has a silver lining,” they say, hoping to encourage the person who’s going through a difficult time and doesn’t see any hope. But Eugene Bengtson suggests, “If the days are darker, the light is going to be brighter.” So, if you’re going through tough times, look ahead with hope.

We who have fled to [God] for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. (Hebrews 6:18-19)

Tell me the facts and I’ll learn. Tell me the truth and I’ll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever. (Native American proverb)

More and more is being said today about orality, the increased value of learning by hearing the spoken word, rather than traditional “book-learning.” Workers among people groups that don’t have a written language or have low literacy rates are finding that story-telling is a much more successful learning method. It works well with the more literate, too.

Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field.” (Matthew 13:24)

Cultivate your own capabilities. . . . Enjoy being you! (Charles Swindoll, author)

Swindoll illustrates his point: “Rabbits don’t fly. Eagles don’t swim. Ducks look funny trying to climb. Squirrels don’t have feathers. . . . Stop comparing. There’s plenty of room in the forest.” One of life’s problems for many people is comparing themselves with others and envying some trait or ability they wished they had. But God created each us differently. Be happy about it.

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. (Romans 12:6)

Your career is what you’re paid for; your purpose is what you’re made for. (Zig Ziglar)

Do you know people who are successful but unhappy in their job? They’re working this job only for the paycheck. Going to the office, school, or factory is a dreaded chore, and they can hardly wait for retirement. Ziglar suggests that if we can determine what our real purpose is, we could have a career we really love.

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. (Psalm 37:4)

Friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation. (George Washington)

Though we celebrated President’s Day a few days ago, today is the actual anniversary of Washington’s natal day. His comments range from the political to the everyday facets of life. Speaking of friendship, he further said, “Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence.”

Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? . . . A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. (Proverbs 20:6; 17:17)

The world is moving so fast these days that the man who says it can’t be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it. (Elbert Hubbard, 19^th-20^th century author, publisher)

It is difficult to keep up with new technology appearing almost daily. No sooner do we get a new device or app and a new and better one is being promoted. The gadgets or ideas we once thought were impossible are being developed almost every day. In days of such swift change, we need something solid and permanent to hold onto to maintain our peace of mind.

[God] set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. (Psalm 40:2) 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)

Position may give you power to control, but trust will give you permission to lead. (Dave Adamson, author)

In today’s society we have seen what people with too much control have done to destroy confidence in their leadership. As Lord Acton famously said, “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” The leader who leads in a demonstration of integrity and character will not only gain the trust of his people, but he will have their support in following him.

The trustworthy person will get a rich reward. (Proverbs 28:20)