Daily Stop & Thinks

Learning

A children’s story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children’s story in the slightest. (C.S. Lewis, late British scholar)

Even though Lewis wrote both children’s fiction and Christian apologetics, readers of The Chronicles of Narnia will attest to the deep philosophical and theological allusions illustrated in his stories. Likewise, the readers of Dr. Seuss’ children’s books can benefit from his good life application principles. In either case, child-like belief helps everyone learn.

I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it. (Luke 18:17)

Goals

All paths lead to the same goal: to convey to others what we are. (Pablo Neruda, late Chilean Nobel Prize winner in literature)

It is no doubt true that people generally want to be known for who they are rather than just what they look like or what their ethnic background is. After all, what we are is more important than what we do, because actions are the result of who we are. A far better goal, however, is to achieve recognition for what we have become rather than what we once were.

For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son. (Romans 8:29)

To Be Loved

I have feelings too. I am human. All I want is to be loved for myself. (Marilyn Monroe, late movie actress)

What a sad commentary from a world-famous personality. She was known, of course, for her physical beauty, and several men pursued and married her. None of those marriages lasted, because they were not based on genuine love, which is selfless, always seeking the good of the loved one. We should seek for the unloved, care for them, and introduce them to God’s love.

Sadly, while the world craves love, it too often settles for mere physical pleasure.

 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud . . .  [It] rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13:4, 6-7)

Wisdom

Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad. (Arthur Brooks, author and speaker)

Tomato is an interesting word. Is it pronounced tomAto or tomAHto? Is the plural tomato or tomatoes (either is correct, by the way). Is it fruit or vegetable? Apparently, it is a fruit, but Brooks is right. You don’t want to put it in a fruit salad, but it’s a necessity in a vegetable salad. Its usage is a small but excellent example of practical wisdom.

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. (Psalm 111:10)

Hearts & Hands

Strive to be like a good watch, have busy hands, be full of good works and be clean inside. (J. Davis Illingworth, Sr., late pastor)

Wrist watches today do a lot more than just tell time. You can use them to set alarms, time your laps, count your steps, and even answer your questions. They might not even have hands, but still, they are marvels of invention and creativity. Like timepieces, we should maintain clean hearts and have busy hands in service to God and others.

I know all the things you do. I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can see your constant improvement in all these things. (Revelation 2:19)

On Time

Better three hours too soon than a minute late. (William Shakespeare)

In this quote from The Merry Wives of Windsor, we read what might seem an exaggerated note. Some people will wait three hours in line to get a good seat at a ball game or a concert, but most of us become irritated if we have to wait two minutes at a stop light. On the other hand, just a minute late can be a real problem. Good planning and early prep may help avoid either situation.

When you make a vow to the Lord your God, be prompt in fulfilling whatever you promised him. For the Lord your God demands that you promptly fulfill all your vows. (Deuteronomy 23:21)

The Elderly

A test of a people is how it behaves toward the old. (Abraham J. Heschel, 20^th century Polish-American Jewish philosopher)

Herschel continues: “It is easy to love children.  . . . But the affection and care for the old, the incurable, the helpless are the true gold mines of a culture.“ Various cultures treat the elderly in different ways. Some keep them in their enlarged homes. Others see that they are cared for in qualified retirement facilities. Such care is a significant indication of a culture’s character.

As for you, Titus, . . . Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. (Titus 2:1-3)

Character

Character is the bedrock of success, for it shapes our actions, earns us respect, and inspires others to greatness. (George Washington)

Considered the “Father of our Nation,” George Washington gave sage military and political advice as an Army General and our first president. Today, on the anniversary of his birthday we acknowledge his wisdom in the area of social and personal behavior. By personal example and public service, he demonstrated what a true gentleman and loyal citizen should be.

May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God. (Philippians 1:11)

A Better Life

They say if you become a better person, you’ll have a better life. (Charlie Brown, Peanuts cartoon character)

The late Charles Schultz often used humor to fill his cartoons with biblical truths that can be easily understood and remembered. Many people seem to think that a better life comes through greater earnings, winning at sports, or in public service. They may achieve some measure of social approval, but being a better person is a matter of character and integrity, not achievement.

Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Gratitude

The unthankful heart… discovers no mercies . . . (Inspiration Line)

The quote continues: . . . “but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!”  It’s interesting, isn’t it that people who seem to be ungrateful are the same people who never find things to be thankful for? What a tragedy, because, as we noted above, a grateful person finds much to be thankful for.

Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. (1 Timothy 4:4)

Bitterness

Defeat is not bitter unless you swallow it. (Joe Clark, late American educator)

A TV sports network used to talk about “the agony of defeat,” and that can often describe your feeling when you lose a game or fail a test.  But how long do you carry that bitterness? Clark suggests that it can be short-lived if you don’t “swallow it.” Don’t dwell on it mentally; move on to the next event with hope and enthusiasm.

Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. (Hebrews 12:15)

Imagination

Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations. (Mae Jemison, former NASA astronaut)

Fiction writers need to have a vivid imagination. Writers of children’s stories like Dr. Seuss and C. S. Lewis take us easily to new worlds and ideas beyond our thinking. And we can be grateful that inventors like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Edison were not hindered by the limited imaginations of those of us who are stuck in our own lack of curiosity.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. (Ephesians 3:20)