Daily Stop & Thinks

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand it’s at the end of your arm. (Audrey Hepburn, late British actress)

An attitude of entitlement seems to be a growing trait today. We think the world owes us something. Some folks always seem to be looking for a “free lunch.” Hepburn, however, encourages an attitude of self-help. Of course, we want to help those who truly need assistance, but maybe that should not be in a hand out but a hand up.

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. (Proverbs 3:27)

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. (Theodore Roosevelt, 26^th U.S. president)

Some of us are dreamers, wishing we could accomplish some great feat but thinking we are limited by our lack of special ability, the environment, or the lack of resources. Roosevelt, himself a soldier and intrepid explorer, would undoubtedly rebuke us for our lack of initiative. We need to look at what we have, our opportunities, and push forward aggressively.

[We pray], asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God. (paraphrase of Colossians 4:12)

When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things—not the great occasions—give off the greatest glow of happiness. (Bob Hope, late American comedian)

It’s just two weeks till Christmas. As we plan and prepare for the holidays, we can’t help but look back to our experiences of past Christmases. As Hope implies, those memories often reflect on the simple things—not the extravagances but the pure joys of family times, the quietness of reflection, and the worship of the one whose birth we celebrate every day.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:17)

Babies may be born with an inherent personality, but character must be developed! (Jim Hines, pediatrician and gubernatorial candidate)

Babies are so cute and lovable; it’s hard to think of them ever growing up to be less than perfect. But, the truth becomes evident as selfishness and temper are demonstrated all too soon. That’s why good parenting is so critical. From the very earliest age, right and wrong should be taught by the example of our own words and actions.

Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. (Proverbs 22:6)

Have the courage to act instead of react. (Oliver Wendell Holmes, 19^th-20^th century jurist)

Quick reflexes are valuable when you are faced with an unexpected and, perhaps, dangerous situation. We may delay reacting to other less perilous circumstances in our lives for a variety of reasons: the pressure of time, the fear of making hasty decisions, or other priorities. It would be much better most of the time, as Holmes suggests, to act rather than delay.

The virtuous think before they act. (Proverbs 21:29) Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. (Ephesians 5:17)

Experience is that marvelous thing that enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again. (Franklin P. Jones, author)

We all make mistakes. Hopefully, they’re easily forgiven with an appropriate apology. Sometimes, however, it’s harder to forgive ourselves when we make the same mistake over and over. Let’s learn to recognize the tendency to repeat our errors, and begin to establish a habit of doing right the first time we speak or act.

Indeed, we all make many mistakes. (James 3:2) People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. (Proverbs 28:13)

Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth. (Muhammad Ali, late boxing champion)

In a similar vein, humanitarian Dan O’Deens writes, “Rent is still due if you are still breathing whether life treats you well or not. “ Both Ali and O’Deens are challenging us to serve others. Those are worthy goals for us who have so much. But, we must not fail to recognize that our service to others is not in order to merit favor with God but as a reflection of our love for Him.

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. (1 Peter 4:10)

A healthy outside starts from the inside. (Robert Urich, late American actor, producer)

People give a lot of attention to their physical well-being today. Television ads promote healthful diets, exercise equipment, and dietary supplements—all of which are purported to give us amazing health and strength. The Bible teaches, however, that a truly wholesome person’s wellness comes from inside him or her, an integrity that is reflected in healthy living.

Fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:7-8)

Truth is what is real; it describes how things really are. (Henry Cloud, self-help author)

It can sometimes be difficult to see things as they “really are.” How do we confront someone with truth that may be hard for him or her to face. Cloud suggests that truth must be joined with grace. “Truth without grace,” he says, “is just judgment, and grace without truth is just deception.” We need to blend both into our speech and behavior.

The Word (Jesus) became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

Christmas isn’t a season. It’s a feeling. (Edna Ferber, 20^th century Pulitzer Prize-winning author)

Have you begun to feel it yet? It’s three weeks away yet, but all around us the decorations have been put up and the stores are offering all kinds of Christmas clothes, toys, and trinkets. So, the season is here, and we’re beginning to feel it. But Ferber isn’t totally right. Christmas is more than a feeling. It is actually an annual reminder of God’s great love in sending us His Son.

When the time had fully come, God sent his Son … to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. (Galatians 4:4-5)

It isn’t where you came from; it’s where you’re going that counts. (Ella Fitzgerald, late jazz singer)

Ella Fitzgerald was sometimes called “The First Lady of Jazz.” Regardless of her background, she knew what she wanted to achieve, and she reached the heights in her profession. It’s something we might all strive for, but it’s a reminder, too, that, whatever our origin, we need to consider carefully how to prepare for the future.

Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. (Proverbs 24:14)

Judge each day not by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant. (paraphrase of Robert Louis Stevenson)

We are eager to see the results of our efforts. But, we don’t always see the fruit of our work right away. The harvest rewards the farmer for his diligent work months earlier. So, we shouldn’t judge our success too soon. We can, however, evaluate our work on the basis of the seeds we’ve planted. Plant them widely and carefully, and leave the results to God.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)