Daily Stop & Thinks

Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. (Hal Borland, late author and naturalist)

This is the time to review the events and activities of 2017. There were highlights and disappointments—things we want to remember and others we wish we could forget. As we reflect on them, we should be grateful for the accomplishments and evaluate all that wasn’t so successful. The question to consider now is “How does this influence our plans for next year?”

Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity. (Proverbs 21:5)

If you see someone without a smile give them yours. (Dolly Parton, singer, songwriter)

Dolly Parton and many other popular entertainers bring smiles to people’s faces in their light-hearted performances. But, life doesn’t involve only times for amusement and recreation. In fact, life is most often just day-after-day ordinary, sometimes with great disappointments and struggles. Encourage someone with a smile today.

What a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God! (Genesis 33:10) When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them. (Job 29:24)

Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago. (Warren Buffett, investor and philanthropist)

In a day of lightening speed Internet, we’ve become accustomed to getting what we want when we want it—like right now. The word-picture Buffett uses is a great lesson, not just in patience, but in working for long-term value rather than instant gratification. Maybe we should think beyond the present, looking to the future. What lies ahead that we can plan and work for now?

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts. (Marcus Aurelius, 2^nd century Roman philosopher)

Our thought-life is a very private thing, isn’t it? Sometimes we wish people could know what we’re thinking. At other times we are no doubt glad that they can’t read our minds. We need to understand that what’s in our mind is really the indication of who we are and what we value. Keeping our minds right before God and man is critical to living with happiness and success.

Letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. (Romans 8:6)

Happy Day after Christmas! Merry rest of the year; even when Christmas is over, the Light of the World is still here. (Matthew West, musician)

For some folks, December 26 is the day to return unwanted or wrong-sized gifts. Too often the joy and happiness of the Christmas season have disappeared like a vapor. But West is on target to remind us that the real purpose of Christmas continues today and into the unknown future. We must keep looking to the Light of the World, Jesus, for hope and joy.

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12)

A thousand times in history a baby has become a king, but only once in history has a king become a baby. (Often quoted but source unknown)

The Incarnation is fundamental to the Christian faith. Manger scenes often give people tender thoughts about the Christ child, meek and lowly. The Bible teaches that the baby Jesus was God Himself, taking on human flesh to demonstrate what godly living is and to provide a way for men and women to become a part of the kingdom over which He will ultimately reign.

For God is the King of all the earth. (Psalm 47:7)

From home to home and heart to heart, from one place to another, the warmth and joy of Christmas brings us closer to each other. (Emily Matthews, poet and writer)

Many families celebrate the holiday on Christmas Eve. While there may be a confusion of gifts being opened, wrapping papers covering the floor, new toys being tested—yet there’s a calming warmth because joy surrounds the loving family. Take a bit of time, during those moments to recognize the reason for the real, lasting joy that Christmas offers.

I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! (Luke 2:10-11)

Love the giver more than the gift. (Brigham Young, late religious leader)

With Christmas just two days away, the excitement may be building—especially in the hearts of the children as they anticipate the gifts they’ve asked for. Parents hesitate to remind them to be thankful, hoping their children will be spontaneous in showing their appreciation. Have you given thanks to the One who initiated Christmas? He was the original Giver.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. (John 3:16)

You can observe a lot just by watching. (Yogi Berra, late All-Star major league baseball player).

Berra was known for his malapropisms (misused words), but sometimes there’s wisdom in them. As he implied, we often see but don’t fully comprehend what we’ve seen. It may take concentration to really see what you’re looking at. Do you see just a beautiful sunset or do you see a variety of colorful lights in the clouds? Yogi is right, you know.

Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. (James 1:23-24)

Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them. (Albert Einstein, late world-renowned scientist)

Though we are created equal (US Declaration of Independence), we don’t all have equal skills or talents. We experience certain limitations when we try to do something beyond our ability. Unlike Einstein, who seemed to have unlimited intellectual abilities, most of us would do well to realize that when we know our limits, then we can strive to achieve more.

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. (1 Peter 4:10)

Not knowing how or what could fill the deep longing of our soul is a gnawing ache. (Lysa Terkeurst, Devotional writer)

“Empty is a heavy load to bear,” Terkeurst writes. She says that such “a search can seem both futile and shattering at times.” So many people appear to be looking for something to soothe the ache in their heart—or the emptiness they feel within. Other writers remind us that such longings are an indication that we were created for more than an unsatisfying physical life.

Let them no longer fool themselves by trusting in empty riches, for emptiness will be their only reward. (Job 15:31) For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. (1 Peter 1:18)

Do for someone what you wish you could do for everyone. (Andy Stanley, pastor & TV preacher)

We live in a troubled world, and whether it’s somewhere across the oceans or in our own neighborhood, we see many people with great needs. We wish we had unlimited resources so we could help them all. But we don’t, so we can’t. However, we can and should do something to help, even if it’s only one person in our own little world.

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and he will repay you! (Proverbs 3:27; 19:17)