Daily Stop & Thinks

Government

All government originates in families, and if neglected there, it will hardly exist in society . . . (Noah Webster, 18^th & 19^th century author)

With so much criticism of government from all sides, we would do well to consider the significance of Webster’s statement. With the evident breakdown of families we might be seeing the reason for the growing lack of confidence in government. If we were to rebuild families, perhaps we could begin to rebuild society and foster successful governing.

When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability. (Proverbs 28:2)

Positivity

No one forces a person to be negative, and no one forces anyone to be positive. (Byron Pulsifer, motivational speaker and author)

It’s difficult, isn’t it, to be around a person who always seems to have a negative attitude? On the other hand, it’s uplifting to be in the company of a positive-thinker. Pulsifer says that the choice of having one or the other attitude is “up to an individual and that person alone.” Don’t blame life’s circumstances for your attitude. Make up your mind to look on the “sunny side.”

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. (Philippians 4:8)

The vow of marriage is not one of unending happiness, but a vow of determined decision making. (Jeff Bogue, pastor)

When we say “I do” at the altar, what are we committing ourselves to? Living with our companion in never-ending bliss and happiness? Like any other promise, our agreement with another party should always be to keep our commitment even when it’s difficult to do so. Happiness is not the goal but the byproduct of faithfulness.

When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through . . . It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it. (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5)

Blowing out someone’s candle doesn’t make yours shine any brighter. (Amber Teamann, elementary school principal)

That sounds like a very good principle to teach elementary school children, who often display a “Me first” attitude. Unfortunately, it’s a lesson many adults need to relearn. How many times have you heard people put down someone else in an apparent attempt to make themselves look better? Let’s relearn that primary school lesson to make life more pleasant for everyone.

Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves. (Romans 12:2)

Freedom is unsustainable without virtue. (John Stonestreet, worldview writer)

Americans love their freedom. After all, that’s what the Revolutionary War was all about, wasn’t it? In reality, we have to constantly ask ourselves what freedom really means. Am I free to do whatever I want regardless of its consequences? Freedom, rightly understood, gives us the ability to live well within the boundaries of propriety, and that requires a strong sense of morality.

Make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence. (2 Peter 1:5)

To be right requires being right not just in what you do and say but in the way you do and say things. (Paraphrased from Eric Metaxas, author)

Sometimes we excuse our unkind actions or harsh words because what we are doing or saying is right and true. Metaxas’ comment, however, suggests that even our best intentions, when offered in an ungracious or unkind way, can do more harm than good. Being right and telling the truth are always important, but expressing truth must be done with grace and care.

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

Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm. (Publilius Syrus, 1^st century B.C. Latin writer)

It doesn’t take a lot of skill or courage to guide a ship when there is no strong wind or high seas. But when the storms come, you really want a trained and experienced skipper at the helm. It’s a perfect analogy for life, isn’t it? The more experience we gain the better able we are to handle the changes and difficulties of life. Even then, though, it’s good to have a capable guide.

Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives. (Exodus 18:20)

Reading makes a full man, meditation a profound man, discourse a clear man. (Ben Franklin, early American statesman)

Three important thoughts:
1) “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body” (Joseph Addison).
2)  Meditate on [God’s Word) day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it (Joshua 1:8).
3) Discourse. “In true dialogue, both sides are willing to change” (Nhat Hanh). If we were to pursue each of these ideas just think how much change we might create!

This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives. (Colossians 1:6)

The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention. (Oscar Wilde, 19^th century Irish poet and playwright)

It’s said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Sometimes another phrase is added: “but heaven is full of good works.” Wilde puts it well. No matter how great our plan is, unless it is actively pursued, it’s fruitless, offering no help to the intended beneficiary. It’s rather crude to say it, but it’s pointed: “Put your money where your mouth is.” In other words, just do it!

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works (Titus 2:7).

Dare to reach your hand into the darkness to pull another hand into the light. (Norman Rice, former mayor of Seattle, Washington)

Sometimes we are so afraid of being hurt or of endangering ourselves that we refuse to reach out to someone in need because he or she is in a dark place, unfamiliar and even frightening to us. But the person who is trapped in the evil of drugs or immorality needs someone to take the first step to bring that unfortunate person into the light and toward freedom and a productive life.

The example of a godly woman: “She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. (Proverbs 31:20)

All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. (Edmund Burke, 18^th century Irish statesman and author)

Evil raises its ugly head far too frequently in modern society. Whether it is drug abuse, civil uprisings, or crime, we see it all too often in the headlines and in our local communities. Unless it affects us directly, we usually avoid thinking about it. As Burke suggests, however, unless we take an active role to overcome it, we will be subject to the spreading of evil locally and globally.

Evil people will bow before good people; the wicked will bow at the gates of the godly. … Don’t fret because of evildoers; don’t envy the wicked. (Proverbs 14:19; 24:19)

At last it dawned on me that … obstacles were my life. (Fr. Alfred D’Souza, (Catholic Archbishop in India)

That is D’Souza’s discovery. He wrote: “For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin—real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way. Something to be got through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin.” It’s essential to live in the present, overcoming the obstacles, not hoping they will just disappear.

Jesus: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)