Daily Stop & Thinks

May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right. (Peter Marshall, late chaplain to the U.S. Senate)

It’s Independence Day in the United States, the day to celebrate the launching of the unique American republic. As we think of the liberties we enjoy as U.S. citizens, we should be reminded of Marshall’s statement. Freedom is limited, but it can be most fully enjoyed as we use our liberty to serve others, doing what is right, fitting, and beneficial.

Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil (1 Peter 2:16).

When you boil life down to the nubbies, the name of the game is change. (Charles Swindoll, pastor and author)

And change is sometimes hard, because we’ve become pretty set in our ways. We often don’t want to change even when we know that doing or thinking differently might be good for us. A. C. Benson wrote, “Very often a change of self is needed more than a change of scene.” So, we must start with ourselves; our positive change will help both us and others.

Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3).

The fight is won or lost far away from the witnesses. (Muhammad Ali, world champion boxer)

He continued reporting where the fight is won: “. . . behind the lines, in the gym and out on the road, long before I dance under those lights.” Any champion has won, not only because he was best in the race, the ring, or on the court, but because of the hours of hard work in training and preparation. We would do well to apply the same principles to our daily living.

Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow (Joshua 7:13).

The life which is unexamined is not worth living. (Socrates, classical Greek philosopher, 4^th century B.C.)

Are you rushing through life, busy with activity, but never taking the time to think about what you’re doing? If we don’t examine ourselves from time to time, we’re likely to keep doing what we’re doing without thought of how to improve or make better use of our time and efforts. Surely, we would benefit from careful reflection and change.

Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways (Proverbs 4:26).

I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying. (Michael Jordan, former pro basketball star)

Even Michael Jordan had bad games, missed shots, and made mistakes; but he persevered and has been honored as one of the best ball players of all time. Few of us will achieve the heights as he did, but we should adopt his work ethic. No matter how difficult, no matter how many times we fall, we determine to get up and keep trying until the job is done.

Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again (Proverbs 24:16).

One person can go faster, but two people can go further. (Jim Brown, minister)

It’s often a temptation when we’re in a hurry to go it alone, knowing that working with someone else will always slow us down a bit. That’s a pretty selfish attitude, when you realize that having someone with you is a learning opportunity for them and a help to lessen your load, too. We should look for ways to increase our effectiveness by working as a team.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor. (English proverb)

We’re always looking for calm seas and smooth sailing; they make the ride so much more pleasant than choppy waves and strong wind. Anyone with only a little training can sail under the easy conditions. But in times of strong winds and storms, you want a sailor who is experienced, having developed his skills in the difficult seas.

Men of Sidon and Arvad were your oarsmen; your skilled men, Tyre, were aboard as your sailors (Ezekiel 27:8).

Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted. (William Bruce Cameron, American humor columnist)

Cameron may be a humorist, but his comment here can carry a significant message. So much of what people count on (money, jobs, emotional fulfillment) can be taken away with devastating consequences. The more secure and trustworthy foundations are often things that can’t be measured or counted: love, faith, hope. These you can count on.

Now these three remain: faith, hope and love (1 Corinthians 13:13).

If we are willing to settle for less than the best, we can be sure that less is exactly what we will get. (Cal Thomas, columnist)

A lot of organizations include “excellence” in their list of values. They claim to strive for distinction in their work, and we commend such efforts. Many find, however, that the pursuit of quality achievement is difficult and requires dedicated time and hard work. Some give up in that pursuit. The result is often a disappointment that could have been avoided.

Finally, brothers and sisters . . . whatever is noble . . . admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Philippians 4:8).

We become leaders of integrity when we learn to serve without concern for recognition. (Scott Morton, fund-raiser, author)

Entrepreneurs who want to be leaders can be energized by a number of incentives. Some try to create a profit-making enterprise by introducing a new means of production or a unique strategy. Others may be motivated by ambition and self promotion. Respected leaders, as Morton suggests, however, are more concerned about their contribution to society’s benefit.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves (Philippians 2:3).

Setbacks are just temporary timeouts that let you catch your breath and regroup so you can bring your A game to life. (Shonn Scott, motivational speaker)

Many would probably like to live a life of ease, one filled with happy experiences and no hindrances or obstacles. But as we mature, we learn that life is not like that. When difficulties arise, you have to take the time to evaluate the situation and determine a strategy to overcome the setback. That regrouping time is invaluable for future success.

God: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore . . .  I delight in weaknesses . . . in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

Love is what we were born with. Fear is what we learned here. (Marianne Williamson, author and lecturer)

Children raised in a loving home learn very early what it is to be loved. They are constantly shown love in word and action. Children learn quickly to respond in loving words, too. As to fear, our experience might be different from Williamson’s. Little children express fear quite naturally, it seems, but the loving care of good parents will help to lessen that fear.

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe (Proverbs 29:25).