Daily Stop & Thinks

Only in quiet waters do things mirror themselves undistorted. Only in a quiet mind is adequate perception of the world. (Hans Margolius, 20^th century ethicist)

You can’t get a good reflection of yourself if you’re looking into the ocean or a river or even a lake disturbed by wind or a passing boat. You can gaze into a quiet pond, however, and get a pretty good image of yourself. With no end to the information and images in our minds, we’re often frazzled and confused. To be thoughtful and reflective, we have to quiet down to think.

Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10). In quietness and trust is your strength (Isaiah 30:15).

Preconceived notions are the locks on the door to wisdom. (Merry Browne, late athlete)

“Don’t confuse me with the facts; I’ve already made up my mind,” we joke. But it’s no joke. Our prejudices and biases often pre-determine what we think before we consider the evidence. Instead of honestly looking for the truth, we often “discover” what we were hoping to find anyway. Truth is not that elusive; it can be found when we look for it with open minds.

When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth (John 16:13).

A wise lover values not so much the gift of the lover as the love of the giver. (Thomas A. Kempis, 14^th-15^th century churchman)

Whether it’s Christmas, your birthday, Valentine’s Day, or a surprise, everyone likes to receive gifts. With children it’s the gift that matters, not the giver. Soon after the gifts are unwrapped, they have forgotten who gave them. More mature receivers consider what the gift and the giver means to them. It isn’t the size or the value; it’s the expression of the love of the giver.

God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. … We love because he first loved us (John 3:16, 1 John 4:19).

Freedom without moral commitment is aimless and promptly self-destructive. (John W. Gardner, late government official)

Some people seem to think that freedom means they can do whatever they want to do whenever they feel like it and wherever they may be at the time. We teach our children, however, that freedom has boundaries. “Your freedom ends where the other kid’s nose begins.” We must consider the rights of others, their well-being and safety. Granting freedom to those who have no sense of right and wrong would present a danger to everyone.

You … were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13).

It is the best and truest friend who honestly tells us the truth about ourselves even when he knows we shall not like it. (R. C. H. Lenski, scholar and author)

It’s tough to be corrected or criticized, isn’t it? Even when the criticism is right or we need to be corrected. And if the correction comes from a friend, Ouch! But when we recognize that it’s for our own good and will make us a better person or improve our performance, we should be grateful.

Wounds from a friend can be trusted. … Pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel (Proverbs 27:6, 9).

Gratitude can be a vaccine that can prevent the invasion of a disgruntled attitude. (Clinton C. Cox, late preacher)

A lot of people seem to be unhappy, down-hearted and negative much the time. Why is that? Are their circumstances really that different from the rest of the world? Maybe they just need an attitude adjustment. Developing and maintaining an attitude of gratitude will go a long way toward a happy disposition.

Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving (1 Timothy 4:4).

Your Character is what God knows you to be. Your Reputation is what men think you are. ( William Hershey Davis, 20^th century Greek scholar)

Everyone likes to be well thought of. We all want to have a good reputation, and that’s important. But character, ultimately, will determine one’s reputation. If you develop strong character, reflecting virtue and high values, your reputation will demonstrate it. It’s what is inside you that determines the impression you will make on others, whether good or bad.

Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

Stick with the optimists. It’s going to be tough enough even if they’re right. (James Reston, 20^th century journalist)

The pessimist fears the worst. If things turn out that way, he can say he was right. If they don’t, he’s happy because things are better than he thought they would be. But even when the optimist is right, and things turn out well, they’re seldom perfect. Life still has its difficulties and trials. So, it’s best to have strength and hope rather than just our feelings of what might be.

In all your ways acknowledge [God], and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:6).

Prayer is the most aggressive, offensive, pro-active, invasive work you can ever engage in. (Jennifer Kennedy Dean, author and speaker)

Is prayer a last resort for you when nothing else seems to work? Or is it the repetition of memorized liturgy that can be spoken without much thought or sincerity? True prayer acknowledges the significance of the one to whom you pray. Prayer should be a first resort and a constant practice, recognizing that only God knows and can provide what we really need.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Before trying to keep up with the Joneses, be sure they’re not trying to keep up with you. (Erma Bombeck, late humorist)

Keeping up with the Joneses is like a game, isn’t it? It doesn’t often work, and even when it does, it rarely satisfies. It’s not just keeping up, It’s trying to get ahead of the Joneses. It would be better to learn to be content with what we have, to find joy in the more important things of life like family, friends, social involvement, and faith rather than in material possessions.

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation (Philippians 4:12).

Faith is a living and unshakable confidence; a belief in God so assured that a man would die a thousand deaths for its sake. (Martin Luther)

The important thing about faith is not how much you have or how often you claim it. The critical issue is in what or whom you put your faith. Faith in a broken chair will not provide a safe place to sit. Putting your trust in an unreliable person will surely bring disappointment. Be sure to put your faith in a trustworthy resource.

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you (Psalm 9:10).

He who holds his tongue is wise. (The Bible)

We would all agree, no doubt, that this is easier said than done. How often have you wished you hadn’t said something? Or, at least you hadn’t said it in anger or accusation? The man or woman who can control the tongue is well on the way to having and keeping friends and not offending other people. It’s a grace we should all want to improve.

No man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. … If anyone is       never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check (James 3:8, 2).