Daily Stop & Thinks

Veterans

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. (John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 35^th U.S. President)

Today is the day we honor all veterans of military service for our country. There are fewer and fewer survivors of World War II and the Korean War, and we thank them for their service. Many veterans alive today served in battles largely in the Middle East, but wherever and whenever, it’s not just the nice things we say about them today, but how we live in appreciation for their valor.

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

Words 2

Be careful with your words. Once they are said, they can be only forgiven, not forgotten. (Carl Sandburg, late Pulitzer Prize American poet)

Sandburg continues, “There are all kinds of words: words of wisdom, words of encouragement, fighting words, words to live by, foreign words, simple words, big words, naughty words, strong words, last words.” We’ve heard them all, and we remember with joy those that encouraged but struggle to forget those that hurt. Let’s be sure to spread cheer and joy with our words.

Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. (2 Corinthians 13:11)

Words

Words are seeds that do more than blow around. They land in our hearts and not the ground. (Author unknown)

A great word picture! Once words are spoken or written, they’re in the “public domain,” so to speak. Who knows the influence they will have on their hearers or readers? The unknown writer continues with a warning, “Be careful what you plant and careful what you say. You might have to eat what you planted one day.” Guarding on our words may prevent that distasteful meal.

The wicked are trapped by their own words, but the godly escape such trouble. (Proverbs 12:13)

Education

There is no end to education. (Jiddu Krishnamurti, late noted philosopher)

He adds that we might think that having read a book or passed an examination we are educated. Those efforts may help us learn and grow, but as the writer added, “The whole of life, from the moment you are born, to the moment you die is a process of learning.” Formal schooling is important, but so much of value is gained just by experiencing a good life.

“And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. . . .  If you seek him, you will find him.” (1 Chronicles 28:9).

You will grow as you learn to know God better and better. (Colossians 1:10)

Commitment

We are not one because of our consensus, but because of our commitment to something bigger than our individual opinions. (Gloria Gaither, poet and songwriter)

People may agree on a lot of things. We may agree, for example, that orange is a prettier color than green, but what does that accomplish? Not much unless we’re creating a bouquet. To succeed together, we must go beyond agreement. Unless there is a strong commitment to work together to complete the project, not much of value will happen

Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. (Philippians 2:2)

Dreams

If you want to make your dreams come true, the first thing you have to do is wake up. (J. M. Power, author)

Dreams can be frightening, funny, or at times even challenging. It’s comforting to wake up from a nightmare and realize it was only a dream. Sometimes, even while we’re dreaming, we might think, “I can’t wait to wake up to make this vision a reality.” And that’s the key. Even a creative, realistic dream won’t accomplish anything until we wake up and begin to make it happen.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life . . . It is pleasant to see dreams come true. (Proverbs 13:12, 19)

Learning

Teachers must be learners. Only then can we help others to learn. (Jesse Deloe, writer)

Poor is the teacher—and unfortunate are his students—who has reached the place where he thinks he has mastered his material. As professor R. C. Sproul put it, “A great teacher is teachable. If he is not, he will have precious little to teach.” Learning should be an enjoyable exercise, especially if we are prepared to share what we’ve learned with others.

Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. (Proverbs 18:5)

Election Day

Every election is determined by the people who show up. (Larry J. Sabato, political analyst)

Did you vote today? Or earlier by mail-in or absentee ballot? As civil rights activist Marian Edleman put it, “Democracy is not a spectator sport.” It’s a civic responsibility, and a privilege that many citizens of the world wish they could exercise. While our role is important, it’s comforting to know that, ultimately, God is in control.

Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. (Romans 13:1)

Mindset 2

A negative mind will never give you a positive life. Stay positive and keep negativity away. (Lewis Hamilton, British racing driver)

“You’ve got to ac-cent-chu-ate the positive, E-lim-i-nate the negative, [and] Latch on to the affirmative” is a catchy tune from the 1940s. There are people who seem to see the downside of everything—the half empty cup or the mud puddle instead of the daisy within. That kind of life is unhealthy and unpleasant. Develop and practice a mindset that “accentuates the positive!”

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)

Mindset

Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will. (Zig Ziglar, late motivational speaker)

When someone who’s naturally negative begins to look at life from a positive perspective, he or she will almost certainly find life going better. Ziglar adds another thought: “You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.” That should be an encouragement for all of us to pursue a consistent positive mindset.

Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. (Colossians 2:8)

Election Choices 2

While it’s true that we can’t save the country with a single election; the reality is that we could very well lose it. (Tony Perkins, President, The Family Research Council).

We’d like to think, wouldn’t we, that this (or any election) would bring unity among our citizens and just settle things down for decades to come? History has clearly demonstrated, however, that there may be a brief “honeymoon” period after an election, but people revert to their previously strong divisive opinions, and disunity resumes again. Thankfully, God remains in control!

All authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God . . . The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. (Romans 13:1, 4, 5)

Election Choices

Instead of not voting or simply casting your ballot for “the lesser of two evils,” vote to lessen evil. (John Stonestreet, The Colson Center)

Nearly every presidential election cycle, we’ve been told: “This is the most important election in the history of our country.” Even though we may think that neither candidate meets the standards we’d like to uphold, it is not only our privilege, but our duty to vote. Let’s consider Stonestreet’s good counsel when we enter the voting booth in a few days.

The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe. (Proverbs 16:17)