Daily Stop & Thinks

Anticipation

An intense anticipation itself transforms possibility into reality… (Samuel Smiles, 19th century Scottish author)

Remember, when you were a child, how you looked forward to a long planned vacation trip? Sometimes, the reality wasn’t nearly as much fun as the anticipation. But Smiles was speaking of good planning and effort that almost guarantees a good result. He continued: “our desires being often but precursors of the things which we are capable of performing.”  

Anything is possible if a person believes [expects]. (Mark 9:23)

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Winning

The game of life is a lot like football. You have to tackle your problems, block your fears, and score your points when you get the opportunity. (Inspiration Line)

Football is a complicated game. Only the coaches, players, and sports commentators seem to be able to keep the X’s and O’s straight—Oh, and the referees, too. For the rest of us who enjoy watching the game, we understand the quote above: we can recognize tackling, blocking, and scoring. Applying the stated observations can really help us win in this game of life.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24)

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Unity

Diversity without unity makes about as much sense as dishing up on a plate flour, sugar, water, eggs, shortening, and baking powder and calling it a cake. (C. William Pollard, businessman and author)

Today’s society is full of talk about diversity, but we must do more than just tolerate people who are different from us, whether the differences are of origins, economic status, gender, or other divisive issues. We are to be welcoming and encouraging. But as Pollard suggests, diversity by itself cannot reach common goals and interests. Unity is essential for achievement.

Finally… have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. (1 Peter 3:8)

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Imitation

What we revere, we resemble, either for our ruin or our restoration. (Gregory K. Beale, seminary professor)

When children or teenagers begin to “idolize” an athlete, an actor, or a musician, they often begin to dress like the admired one and mimic their behavior patterns. Even adults may begin to talk and act like a highly respected community leader or a government official. We all need to be careful that we emulate people of integrity and good character.

The Apostle Paul, “And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)

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Giving

For it is in giving that we receive. (Francis of Assisi)

It’s two weeks until Christmas so it’s a good time to think about your giving and why you give. Consider Assisi’s remark. By giving gifts of love, you will experience the joy of sharing with family and friends. You are not giving to get a gift in return; your motivation is to honor someone as a token of your love and respect for them. The people who receive your gifts will be grateful and enjoy the present, but you may very well be the one who enjoys it most.

It is more blessed to give than receive. (Acts 20:35)

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Forgiveness

The only thing evil can’t stand is forgiveness. (Fred “Mister” Rogers, late television personality)

We see evil in lots of ways—anger, bullying, verbal abuse, and more. Have you ever noticed that when you respond to such behaviors in the same manner, it only escalates the madness? But if you confront an angry person with a soft answer, it most often startles them and they hardly know what to do next. Forgiving evil conduct can defuse some tough situations.

A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. (Proverbs 15:1)

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Kindness

Kindness and politeness are not overrated at all. They’re underused. (Tommy Lee Jones, actor)

It seems that Jones’ observation is all too true. In today’s overly-politicized society, there is almost a complete lack of basic courtesy among people of different opinions. Unfortunately, if the attitudes of acceptance and kindness are not “caught” early, children will not learn these basic concepts of courtesy. Don’t just teach kindness and politeness, practice them daily.

Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. (Proverbs 3:3)

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Change

If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. (Maya Angelou, late American poet)

There are always things that displease us, things we’d like to change. But many times we can’t do much to bring about the change we want. When we can, we should do it graciously with the interest of others in mind. When we can’t, as Angelou suggests, we’ll need to change our attitude. Gracious acceptance and tolerance will enable us to accept the status quo.

Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3)

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Mistakes

A man should never be ashamed to own he has been in the wrong…  (Alexander Pope, 18th century English poet)

Why is it so difficult for us to admit we’ve made a mistake? We seem quick to make excuses or place blame elsewhere, when it would be more helpful just to acknowledge we were wrong. Is it just a matter of pride? Pope continues his thought to encourage us. He says that when we admit our error, we are “but saying… [I am] wiser today than [I] was yesterday.”

When you become aware of your guilt… you must confess. (Leviticus 5:5)

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Contentment

The content of the mind determines the contentment of the heart. (Gladys Deloe, entrepreneur)

Is it possible in a topsy-turvy world like ours to be content? Whether it’s international relations, national or local politics, or personal associations, there appears to be a lot of turmoil. And then, there are the concerns we all experience as individuals. Deloe’s comment points us in a good direction to discover peace. What we need is a “renewed mind.” (See Romans 12:2)

Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8)

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Promises

We must not promise what we ought not, lest we be called on to perform what we cannot. (Abraham Lincoln)

Lincoln had a lot of defeats in his political career before he finally reached the U.S. pinnacle, President of the United States. We might wish that his comment could be impressed upon the minds of modern-day candidates for office. Promises may be made with good intentions, but they often are not (or cannot be) fulfilled. It’s better to promise only what you can deliver.

Don’t make rash promises . . .  let your words be few. . . . It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it. (Ecclesiastes 5:2, 5)

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Christmas Is Coming

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. (Norman Vincent Peale, late Positive-thinking author)

Though Christmas is still three weeks away, we’ve seen yard displays and houses decorated with lights since before Thanksgiving. It’s like someone turned on the switch and everything has changed. But Peale probably had a different “softer and more beautiful” idea in mind. Knowing what the true Christmas story is, we all should be treating others with good will and joy.

For God … made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6)

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