GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: July 19, 2024

Books

The best books are those whose readers think they could have written them. (Blasé Pascal, 17th century French philosopher)

If a book is easy reading, one that pictures life as we’ve experienced it, we may well think, “I could have written that myself.” There is one book, however, that is full of stories of real people and principles for living that couldn’t have been written by any human. It’s author is God himself, who wants us to know him. If you haven’t ever read it, today would be a good day to start.

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword. (Hebrews 4:12)
Humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. (James 1:21)

Stop & Think: July 18, 2024

Leadership

Leadership opportunities come to those who seek to serve rather than those who seek to lead. (Tom Julien, late missionary statesman)

Understanding Julien’s observation will help immensely in developing strong and lasting leaders. There are many who want to lead, but whose motivation is sometimes misplaced. Leading is not simply being in front of the troops or chairing a committee, hoping others will follow and do the serving. The example of a servant leader will accomplish more than simply giving orders.

Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant. . . .  For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others. (Matthew 20: 26, 28)

Stop & Think: July 17, 2024

Imagination

Nothing is more free than the imagination of man. (David Hume, 18th century Scottish philosopher)

You can be thrown into solitary confinement, chained to the wall, and not allowed to communicate with anyone. Unfortunately, that has been the fate of many over the centuries—and even today. Of course, those who are holding prisoners can restrict the body, but they can’t limit the imagination. It may be that the ability to imagine is what enables the prisoner to survive.

We who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. (Hebrews 6:18)

Stop & Think: July 16, 2024

Honesty

Honesty is vital to the discovery of happiness. (Begg, Bible teacher and author)

Begg continues, “Joyful, contented people do not lie to themselves or to anybody else.” We sometimes kid ourselves, thinking that a little white lie shouldn’t be an obstacle in our “pursuit of happiness.” But Begg argues further, “We cannot deceive ourselves and enjoy genuine happiness; deceit and happiness don’t sleep in the same bed.” Be honest in lip and life.

Honesty guides good people. . . .  The godly are directed by honesty. (Proverbs 11:3, 5)

Stop & Think: July 15, 2024

Memories

Die with memories, not dreams. (Tom Parker, author)

Author Annette White writes, “Dreaming is the beginning of getting everything you want.” In contrast speaker John Maxwell says, “Dreams don’t work unless you do.” In the later years of life, will you still be dreaming about what could be? How much better, as Parker wrote, to have wonderful memories of your life rather than the dreams that were never fulfilled.

We have happy memories of the godly. (Proverbs 10:7)
Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! (Deuteronomy 4:8-10)

Stop & Think: July 14, 2024

Growing Up

The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows. (Sydney J. Harris, 20th century American journalist)

It takes awhile for a child to realize that he or she is not the center of the world. After all, the little boy or girl has been given so much attention it’s no wonder they see others as a way to make them happy. There is only one image in their mirror, but when they begin to see others, as if through a window, life expands to include the rest of the world.

When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. (1 Corinthians 13:11)

Stop & Think: July 13, 2024

Passion

A great leader’s courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position. (John Maxwell, speaker and author on leadership)

Some people who aspire to be leaders think that the key for successful leadership is to exercise the authority that comes with their position. They may think that as a corporate executive or department manager, they will have all that it takes to achieve success. But, as Maxwell suggests, whatever really drives you when shared with your team will bring the desired end.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. (Colossians 3:23)

Stop & Think: July 12, 2024

Be Yourself

Stop comparing. Enjoy being you! Cultivate your own capabilities. (Charles Swindoll, pastor, author)

Swindoll wrote that in the following quotation: “Rabbits don’t fly. Eagles don’t swim. Ducks look funny trying to climb. Squirrels don’t have feathers. . . . Stop comparing. Enjoy being you! There’s plenty of room in the forest.” What a great variety in God’s creation! His gifting, likewise, makes each of us unique in what we contribute to life in our community.

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. (Romans 12:6)

Stop & Think: July 11, 2024

Just Do It!

The only impossible journey is the one you never begin. (Tony Robbins, author)

Robbins’ comment has been noted in many ways. Philosopher George Herbert says, “Do not wait. The time to start will never be just right.” Author Kenneth Brown wrote, “You may regret that you didn’t start sooner. But that doesn’t stop you from starting today.” So, if you’re hesitating, remember that “The secret of getting ahead is getting started” (writer Sally Berger).

So Joshua said to the Israelites: “How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has given you? (Joshua 18:3)

Stop & Think: July 10, 2024

Thoughts

Be careful what you think. Thoughts become words. (Lao-Tzu, ancient Chinese philosopher)

Lao-Tzu continues “Be careful of what you say. Words turn into actions [which] become your habits, [which] become your character” (paraphrased). Speaking before we think happens too frequently for all of us. Ideas or responses pop into our minds, and we blurt them out, sometimes to the harm of ourselves and others. We should learn to be quick to think but slow to speak.

The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking. (Proverbs 15:28)

Stop & Think: July 9, 2024

Wisdom

Wisdom is the fruit of a balanced development. (Alfred Whitehead, 19th-20th century English philosopher)

Balance in life may be hard to achieve, but it is important. Whitehead continues his observation, “It is this balanced growth of individuality which should be the aim of education to secure.” If our life is overcrowded with any one thing—even a good thing—we will likely lose out on other very good involvements that would give us a greater sense of balance and stability.

O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures. (Psalm 104:24)

Stop & Think: July 8, 2024

Learning 2

Where there is much desire to learn, there of necessity will be much arguing, much writing, many opinions; . . . (Milton,17th century English poet)

Milton explains more about how learning takes place: “. . . for opinion in good men is but knowledge in the making.“ In a day when political and social division seem to exclude the peaceful sharing of ideas, we may very well be limiting our growth in knowledge, much to society’s great loss.

Let us learn together what is good. (Job 34:4)
Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more. (Proverbs 9:9)