GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: July 3, 2025

Integrity

What makes you different or weird, that’s your strength. (Meryl Streep, actress)

No one really wants to be considered “weird,” or “different” in a weird way. But Streep’s point can be helpful if we view it correctly. Simply being one of “the crowd,” just like everyone else, is not a desirable posture either. Men and women of honesty, trustworthiness, and good behavior could really stand out in a positive way in today’s society. Character will be seen and emulated.

For we are each responsible for our own conduct. . . (Galatians 6:5).
Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ (Philippians 1:27).

Stop & Think: July 2, 2025

Truth

One claim to truth excludes another claim to truth. Both can be wrong, but both can’t be right. (Chuck Colson, former government official)

In a day when claims to truth are broadcast widely in political, religious, and social debate, Colson’s remark is challenging. Everyone seems to have his or her own truth. Truth is relative, they say; it’s whatever works out well for you. As we are reminded, however, when arguments are clearly mutually exclusive, it’s wise to discover the only one that is true in reality.

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. . . [And] When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth” (John 14:6; 16:13).

Stop & Think: July 1, 2025

Constancy

Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. (Jenny Han, American author and screenwriter)

Not everybody looks at July as Han does. In some parts of the U.S. people will complain about the high temperatures and humidity. Elsewhere it’s the low humidity when hot days seem like living in a pizza oven. Some vacationers are looking forward to trips into the cool mountains, while others will enjoy a breezy day at the beach. It’s all personal preference, isn’t it?

As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night (Genesis 8:22).

Stop & Think: June 30, 2025

Honor

Heroes never die. They live on in the hearts and minds of those who would follow in their footsteps. (Source uncertain)

Real heroes are not the caped characters in comic books and cartoons that children love to imitate at Halloween. Those costume heroes are soon forgotten. We have set aside special holidays to help us remember and honor the real heroes–those who faced danger and even death so we wouldn’t have to. They are the heroes we should never forget.

Give to everyone what you owe them: . . .  if honor, then honor (Romans 13:7).

Stop & Think: June 29, 2025

Excellence in Aging

Excellence is always its own reward . . . (Arthur Brooks, professor and author)

He continues: “. . . and this is how you can be most excellent as you age.” How? “[By devoting] the back half of your life to serving others with your wisdom. Get old sharing the things you believe are most important.” The most significant lessons of your life are probably what you learned from personal experience. Sharing your life lessons with others is its own reward.

Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old (Job 12:12).

Stop & Think: June 28, 2025

Teamwork

There are no problems we cannot solve together, and very few that we can solve by ourselves. (Lyndon B. Johnson, 36th president)

Johnson’s thought may have been a bit optimistic; there are a few issues that we probably can’t solve even if we work in unity. But the sentiment is vital. There are many things that we are not able to achieve, even though we try our very best.  Many of them, however, will be accomplished by the cooperative effort of a team of committed minds.

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live [and work] together in unity (Paraphrase of Psalm 133:1).

Stop & Think: June 27, 2025

Endurance

This is no time for ease and comfort. It is time to dare and endure. (Winston Churchill, World War II British Prime Minister)

Churchill spoke these words in a time of great distress and danger in Europe. It took all that England had to offer along with other Allied nations to restore peace. But in 21st century America, though we may seem to be at ease and comfortable, there are dangers that still need to be addressed with a war-like effort to overcome crime, disease, and poverty.

Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us (Hebrews 12:1).
We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need (Colossians 1:11).

Stop & Think: June 26, 2025

Careful Thought

Think deeply. Live differently. (National Religious Broadcasters)

There is so much information available to us today—media driven AI or personal human relationships– that we simply can’t keep up with it all, much less give it a lot of careful thought. It is essential that we limit the input and give ourselves time to carefully digest the information so we can, indeed, live differently.

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8).

Stop & Think: June 25, 2025

Empathy

In my darkest hour, I don’t need practical advice or solutions. (Robert John Meehan, educational consultant)

Meehan doesn’t mean to be unkind or to turn away someone who wants to help you in your time of difficulty. He makes that clear as he continues: “What I long for is a warm human nod of understanding.” Rather than someone’s advice or personal story, what we need when we’re hurting may simply be a sympathetic, “I’m so sorry you’re going through this.”

If only one person would show some pity; if only one would turn and comfort me (Psalm 69:20).
God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted (Matthew 5:4).

Stop & Think: June 24, 2025

Strength in Numbers

Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable. (Kenyan Proverb)

That seems pretty obvious, doesn’t it? In spite of its self-evident truth, many of us still try to do our own thing by ourselves. Others find it embarrassing to ask for help, so they go it alone. But, if a project is worth pursuing, it would be wise to recruit as much capable help as possible to assure its success.

A person standing alone can be . . .  defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

Stop & Think: June 23, 2025

Authors & Speakers: Beware!

The less you say, the more your words will matter. (J Paul Nadeau, motivational speaker)

Long-winded speakers or “wordy” writers are sometimes faced with the KISS response: “Keep it short, Stupid!” That may be impolite, but it is good advice for anyone who wishes to impact the public. Attention spans seem to be shorter and shorter, so it’s good counsel to share your thoughts clearly and in as few words as possible.

A truly wise person uses few words. (Proverbs 17:27).
The more words you speak, the less they mean. So what good are they? . . . So let your words be few. (Ecclesiastes 6:11; 5:2). 

Stop & Think: June 22, 2025

Baggage

It isn’t how much you carry that matters but how much you are able to leave behind. (Sean Dietrich, American writer)

From Dietrich’s blogs and stories, we can learn about some of the baggage he carries. Many today can relate because of their heavy loads: health, financial, or emotional issues. Many more are full of anxiety and fear. His advice to us today, no doubt, would be to unload some of our baggage and find someone to help us carry the rest. Lightening our loads would be a great start.

Jesus: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30).