Daily Stop & Thinks

Health

It is health that is real wealth, and not pieces of gold and silver. (Mahatma Gandhi, 19^th-20^th century independence leader in India)

Have you seen all the TV commercials, touting silver and gold as the safest place investments for  your money? Or, the innumerable competing ads of the money-managing firms? You would think that the most important task in life is to manage your assets. But money won’t buy health and if you’re not well, your accumulated wealth won’t bring extended life or happiness.

And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. (Ecclesiastes 5:19)

Freedom

Freedom is liberty within bounds: liberty to obey. … True . . . liberty never sets us free to indulge our lusts or to follow our fallen impulses. (A. W. Tozer, 20^th century pastor and author)

On this 4^th of July holiday, we celebrate the freedoms and liberties guaranteed to Americans by the battles and acts of our forefathers. Tozer reminds us that there are limits to our freedoms. He describes the purpose for good laws. They are “to serve mankind [and] to develop to the full all the latent possibilities within our … natures.” Free to serve—what a noble thought!

For you have been called to live in freedom, . . . [U]se your freedom to serve one another in love. (Galatians 5:13)

Future Plans

It is good to know where you came from. It is even better to know where you’re going. (Antonin Scalia, late justice of the U.S. Supreme Court)

Scalia’s comments in a commencement address are most appropriate for graduates who are excited about having completed their course of study, but who face an unknown future. The future is the focus of graduation exercises, hence the name commencement, which means beginning. The value of what has been learned is limited if you don’t know where you’re headed.

For the wise can see where they are going, but fools walk in the dark. (Ecclesiastes 2:14)

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).