Daily Stop & Thinks

Knowledge becomes evil if the aim be not virtuous. (Plato, classical Greek philosopher)

There is more available knowledge today than ever before, and with the Internet, that knowledge is accessible to millions of learners. It’s important to be knowledgeable about our areas of interest, but the mere possession of knowledge doesn’t guarantee wise application of its truths. Meaningful achievement requires understanding, wisdom, and upright character for the learner.

Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge. (2 Peter 1:5)

Yesterday is ashes, tomorrow wood. Only today does the fire burn brightly. (Eskimo Proverb)

As we grow older, we tend to become more nostalgic. We long for the “good old days,” and we rehash the good memories, probably forgetting the less pleasant experiences. Others of us, perhaps the younger ones, are concentrated on the future, concerned about what may or may not happen. Both extremes rob us of today’s opportunities. Work your plan today.

How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone (James 4:14).

Thinking is one thing no one has ever been able to tax. (Charles Kettering, late engineer and inventor)

On tax day in the U.S., a little humor might help. Will Rogers said, “The income tax has made liars out of more Americans than golf.” But Kettering’s comment is more helpful and challenging. No matter what tax bracket we may be in—or even if we don’t have to pay any income tax—we should exercise our tax-free right of freedom to think widely and deeply.

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)

You must master your time rather than becoming a slave to the constant flow of events and demands on your time. (Brian Tracy, public speaker and author)

We all have the same number of hours in a day and days in a year. It’s what we do with them that is the critical issue. Some of us struggle with the demands of our lives: work, family, community involvement, to name a few. It’s difficult, sometimes, in the tyranny of the urgent to evaluate the opportunities to prioritize what is really most important and pursue that first.

Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom (Psalm 90:12). Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life (Proverbs 9:11).

The best teachers are those who don’t fear being overshadowed by their students. (Author unknown)

Caring teachers want to see their students succeed; that is often what motivates them to follow education as a career. Successful athletic coaches take pride in their players who move on to stellar careers at the next level of competition. The same is true for leaders in the various arts (music, dance, painting, etc.). We should ask ourselves, “Whom are we grooming for success?”

Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher. (Luke 6:40)

Laziness is nothing more than the habit of resting before you get tired. (Jules Renard, French author)

Resting is important. We do need to take time to rest; our bodies need relaxed time to recover energy and strength. But, as Renard suggests, to “take 5” when there is work to be done and time is critical, your resting may just be the laziness he refers to. Be sure to take time to rest, but don’t use excuses for avoiding the work that needs to be done and that you’re capable of doing.

Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich. . . . Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper. (Proverbs 10:4; 13:4)

The greatest oak was once a little nut who held its ground. (From a Norman Rockwell calendar)

An acorn may not have had any ability to determine its future, but we do. The nut was safely buried in the soil, but when a sprout emerged and began to grow, it experienced all kinds of opposition like storms, wind, hungry predators, fires, and more, no doubt. The acorn was defenseless, but we can be alert to dangers and hold our ground to grow and be productive.

Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. (Revelation 3:10)

Treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend all the care, kindness, and understanding you can. (Og Mandino, late American author)

How would our lives be changed if we followed Mandino’s advice? How would it affect our community, our world? If we knew our death was imminent, would we be more concerned about ourselves or those we engage during our remaining hours? Those are really tough questions, but there is no doubt that we should learn to care and encourage no matter how much time we have.

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. (Colossians 3:12)

It is not what we do that determines who we are. It is who we are that determines what we do. (Charles Ryrie, professor and author)

The saying “What you do speaks so loud, I can’t hear what you say” suggests that actions speak louder than words. As Ryrie says, it’s a person’s character and integrity that ought to guide his or her behavior. What you do is important, of course, but what you are is essential. Our reputation should be reflected in activity that is wholesome and beneficial to our community.

Be careful to live properly among your . . . neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God . . .” (1 Peter 2:12).

If you want to stand out, you must prepare to stand alone. (Author unknown)

It’s not wrong to want to be a leader, but today’s quote offers some good advice. Often there will be opposition, differing opinions, questionable counsel. As someone else has said, “You should do the right thing, even if no one else agrees with you.” “Be strong enough to stand alone, be yourself enough to stand apart …” Mark Amend). When you’re right, stand strong!

But you must continue to believe [the] truth and stand firmly in it. (Colossians 1:23)

Like a good meal, life is meant to be savored, not just consumed. Be present. (Kary Oberbrunner, motivational speaker and author)

Often we are in such a rush that we eat fast food and hardly take time to enjoy the tasty flavors. Oberbrunner takes such behavior to task, comparing it to the pace of life that moves so fast, we don’t appreciate what’s happening now. His remedy: “Be present.” Don’t you sometimes suddenly realize that you can’t remember what just happened? Learn to be present each moment.

So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. (Ecclesiastes 2:24)

Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder at what makes the universe exist. Be curious. (Stephen Hawking, late theoretical physicist)

Hawking claimed to be an atheist, yet his suggestion sounds a bit like a person of faith who looks to the heavens and sees the hand of God in it all. His encouragement to be curious and ponder what is all around us is not just good advice for the scientist who looks for explanations about reality; it might open up more than scientific knowledge. It might lead to faith.

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. (Psalm 19:1)