Daily Stop & Thinks

Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning. (William Arthur Ward, 20th century American writer)

They say that curiosity killed the cat. We must not let that canard stop us from pursuing the unknown. After all, we’re not cats. We do have a measure of intelligence, and if we exercise caution and care in our searching for truth and developing ideas, our inquisitiveness will increase learning for the benefit of all.

Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning (Proverbs 9:9).

Freedom of expression is not more important than truth. (Jesse Deloe, writer, editor)

Tolerance of contrasting views is a privilege of a free, democratic society. When we attempt to silence differing opinions, we cheat ourselves and others from the opportunity to discuss ideas and, in the process, make it a learning experience. We must remember, however, that, while expressing ideas is important, we must always seek to discover the truth.

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32).

Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything. (George Barnard Shaw, 19^th-20^th century Irish playwright)

As someone else as said, change is the only constant in life. To take a positive view, consider what Robin Sharman says, “Change is hard at first, messy in the middle, and gorgeous at the end.” When you face change, take an optimistic outlook; determine to weather it well, to progress, and to be happy with the results.

Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress (1 Timothy 4:15).

When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself. (Wayne Dyer, self-help, best-selling author)

When we are tempted to judge someone, we must be careful to limit our effort to an evaluation of their work or their words, not their character or motives. What they say and do will reveal their character, so we should let that be the evidence without our judgment. As Dyer suggests, our judgment of others really reveals more about our character than theirs.

In the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you (Matthew 7:2).

Character, like muscle, must be developed. The real test for character is not creed or conduct . . . [but] a man’s motives. (Halverson, late United States Senate chaplain)

For a fitness buff, the proof of his strength is not in his exercises and workouts; it is demonstrated in the post-exercise experiences of life. As Halverson says, it’s the same for character. Life experiences and our responses to them demonstrate how strong our character has become. Those tests show why we’ve developed integrity, and it’s not just for show.

[When] the Lord comes [,] He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart (1 Corinthians 4:5).

Your work is an excellent commentary, for as you are, so you labor. (George Washington, first president of the United States)

We hear a lot from political candidates about what they will do if elected. In job interviews, applicants are often asked what they would do in certain situation. A better question would ask what they have done in such situations” It’s not what you think you would do that shows your effectiveness; it’s how you have worked and what you have accomplished.

All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. . . . One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys. (Proverbs 14:23; 18:9)

Nobody is bored when he is trying to make something that is beautiful, or to discover something that is true. (William Inge, 20^th century American playwright and novelist)

Sometimes life seems so boring. Whether it’s the routines of our job, the repetition of exercises, or just the monotony of daily chores—boredom can overtake us at times. But, as Inge suggests, when we’re involved in being creative or searching for new discoveries, we can become energized and excited. Step out of the routine and beginning searching.

So I turned my mind to understand, to investigate and to search out wisdom and the scheme of things . . . “Look,” says the Teacher, “this is what I have discovered: Adding one thing to another to discover the scheme of things” (Ecclesiastes 7:25, 27-28).

Perseverance [is the] secret of all triumphs. (Victor Hugo, 19^th century French poet and novelist)

Some people are good starters and poor finishers. Others procrastinate, but when they once get going, they finish well. Whichever you are, Hugo’s statement is an important reminder. Sticking with it, hanging on to the end—whatever the cliché, it’s helpful to be encouraged to work hard to the completion of the task. Only then, can you achieve real success.

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1). Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:4).

Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of joy, you must have somebody to share it with. (Mark Twain, 19^th century American humorist)

We might not agree that “Grief can take care of itself,” because most of us have benefitted from warm companionships in times of sorrow. But, Twain is right about joy. We are happy when good things happen to us, but to have the fullness of rejoicing, it’s so much better when we share it. It’s good for us, of course, but it’s good for those we share with, too.

Rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15).

If we work upon immortal minds and imbue them with principles, with the just fear of God and the love of our fellow men, we engrave on those tables something that will brighten to all eternity. (Daniel Webster, 19^th century American statesman)

Webster began this statement with the following, “If we work on marble, it will perish; if on brass, time will efface it; if we rear up temples, they will crumble into dust…” Then, he stated the quote above. What lasts is not what is sculpted, engraved, or constructed—those things are all temporal. What lasts are the principles which live on in men’s eternal souls.

Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right (Proverbs 16:13). [An overseer] must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine (Titus 1:9).

Scatter seeds of kindness everywhere you go . . . You will find more happiness than you have ever known. (Amy R Raabe)

Raabe continues: “Scatter bits of courtesy, watch them grow and grow. Gather buds of friendship; keep them till full-blown.” In a world of confusion and depression, this is good advice. Our own unhappiness or disappointment will not be an encouragement to anyone else, but if we scatter the right kinds of seeds, we will be able to give a boost to many.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up . . . encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone (1 Thessalonians 5:11; 14).

Greatness lies not in being strong, but in the right use of strength. (Henry Ward Beecher, 19^th century American social reformer)

Fitness seems to be one of the highest goals for modern man. Exercise equipment and strengthening programs are advertised continually, promising not only fitness but better looking bodies and social approval. The real value in strength, however, is how you use it. The greater our physical ability, the greater our responsibility to serve others.

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves (Romans 15:1).