Daily Stop & Thinks

It is easier to cry against a thousand sins of others than to kill one of your own. (John Flavel, 17^th century English clergyman)

We are sometimes distressed by the cruelty and violence we see in the world, and we want to cry out against it, demanding that the guilty be punished for their gross sins. Quite often, however, we are not even aware of our own shortcomings, perhaps not as gross and public but no less offensive to a holy God and hurtful to others. Clearly, Flavel is right.

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. . . . Why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? . . .  Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. (Matthew 7:1-5)

Talent develops in quiet places, character in the full current of human life. (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 18^th-19^th centuries German writer and statesman)

Gifted musicians and athletes appear frequently in public places to much applause—but only after years of hard work in private places. Their achievements are due in large part to those grueling hours of practice and training. Integrity and character, on the other hand, are developed, tested, and demonstrated only through the experiences lived publicly.

Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. (Proverbs 23:1). A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume. (Ecclesiastes 7:1)

In golf find your game means to learn to play the best you can within your unique set of capabilities and with the most complimentary equipment. (Jim Sheard and Wally Armstrong, golf authors)

Not everyone who plays golf can be a prize-winning player. But, if you can discover your best level of competition, you can enjoy the game whether you win or lose. The authors suggest, however that “In life [finding your game] means to find out how God has uniquely designed and gifted you for service in his kingdom.” You win in life’s game when you follow in God’s plan.

Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. . . . We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. (Proverbs 16:3, 9)

Some people feel the rain, others just get wet. (Bob Dylan, singer, songwriter)

It’s pretty hard to avoid the rain. When it rains, it rains; there’s not much you can do about it except to come in out of it. Perhaps Dylan is pointing to something less obvious. Like so many other things in life, we can just be an unthinking observer, or we can be consciously thinking and evaluating what’s happening. Be aware and learn.

For as the waters fill the sea, the earth will be filled with an awareness of the glory of the Lord. (Habakkuk 2:14)

All the world is full of suffering. It is also full of overcoming. (Helen Keller, author)

We are often amazed when we hear the stories of individuals who have overcome severe handicaps and lived productive lives. Nick Vujicic is a prime example. He was born without arms and legs, but if you were to see him today you, would marvel at his mobility. Furthermore, like Helen Keller, he has told his story and motivated untold numbers of young people to overcome.

Think of all the hostility [Jesus] endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. (Hebrews 12:3)

The almond tree bears it fruit in silence. (Thomas Merton, late American Catholic writer)

Have you ever watched a newly planted seed, hoping to see it sprout? Or, confirming Merton’s thought, have you ever tried to hear a tree grow and produce fruit? “Of course not,” you say; “how stupid.” Perhaps there is a good lesson to learn from these silly word-pictures. Humility in service calls no attention to itself but, nonetheless, will bear good and lasting fruit.

Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands. (1 Thessalonians 4:11)

A team is not a group of people who work together. A team is a group of people who trust each other. (Simon Sinek, British-American marketing consultant)

Have you ever watched a basketball game where one team is not doing well, and the other team is wearing out the net with basket after basket? What’s the difference? It might be a talent gap, of course. But, most often the difference is teamwork. Successful teams, whether in sports or in the workplace, have confidence in their teammates, working together effectively.

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)

A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen. (Douglas McArthur, late military leader)

McArthur defines a great leader in three simple concepts: 1) the confidence that does not depend on others for the courage 2) to make choices that are not easy and may be challenged, and 3) the consideration of others that gives them the right to be heard. That’s a rare combination worth developing.

Wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability (Proverbs 12:14). If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. (Romans 12:8)

The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot. (Michael Altshuler, sales and performance expect)

It’s been said that “Time flies when you’re having fun.” It does seem that way, doesn’t it; and time seems to drag when you’re going through a difficult time or task. Well, Atlshuler reminds us that we’re in charge of our time. We’re allotted only so much, but we have to take charge to determine how well that time will be used. Don’t give up hope, take charge!

If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. (Romans 12:8)

The only certain means of success is to render more & better service than is expected of you, no matter what your task may be. (Og Mandino, late American author)

Are you looking for the secrets to success? Self-help books and expensive seminars may help some people to become successful. Often, however, we know intuitively what we need to do. Do what is expected of you to the very best of your abilities and even better if possible. Even in the mundane tasks of life, it is rewarding to try to do even better than you thought you could.

Wise words bring many benefits, and hard work brings rewards. (Proverbs 12:14)

Joy and cynicism. Both are contagious. Everyone infects the world with one or the other. (Scott Sauls, author)

There’s a good reason to stay away from someone who has a contagious illness. Caution in this regard is important, of course. But Sauls suggests that we should be more concerned about how our attitude affects others. Are we causing someone to be cynical because we are cynical or are we spreading real joy?

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health. (Proverbs 15:30)

What we are today is more important than what we plan to do tomorrow. (Jesse Deloe, writer, editor)

Our success in business, education, or in any other endeavor may very well depend on our advanced planning. We need to know where we want to be and how to get there. But, our future achievements will depend on our integrity as much as our hard work. So, paying attention today to developing personal character is vital to tomorrow’s good work.

Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. (Proverbs 16:3)