Daily Stop & Thinks

If it’s important to you, you’ll find a way. If it’s not, you’ll find an excuse. (Jim Rohn, late author and motivational speaker)

No matter how busy we think we are, we do manage to find time to do the things we really want to do, don’t we? When we’re asked to participate in a venture we’re not particularly interested in, we will sometimes find a very creative way to say no. So, the choices we make about involvements will clearly demonstrate what is really important to us.

But they all began making excuses. One said, “I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.” Another said, “I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.” (Luke 14:18, 19)

Character is tested when a person receives power. (Attributed to Abraham Lincoln by John Wooden, late legendary coach)

Wooden points out that key elements of great character: humility, consideration for others and integrity are sometimes severely tested when a person receives power. He adds, “Maintaining these qualities when we have power requires self discipline. A leader’s most powerful tool is his or her example.” Using one’s authority requires a humble concern for others.

When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan. (Proverbs 29:2)

We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them. (Albert Einstein, renowned scientist)

Re-hashing our problems, trying to figure out what went wrong and how we got into this situation is often an effort in futility. Einstein might well agree with the popular advice today to “think outside the box.” Considering new ideas and focusing on creative solutions might just be the change we need to resolve some of those nibbling problems.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. (Romans 5:3)

The reason why we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else’s highlight reel. (Steven Furtick, pastor)

One of life’s personal dangers is comparing ourselves with others. As Furtick suggests, we see only the strong public images of those we admire, knowing little, if anything, about their everyday struggles. They are probably not much different from us. So, let’s be careful to compare ourselves only to God’s standard to become all that He intended us to be.

Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. (2 Timothy 2:15)

The problem with every good idea is that it eventually degenerates into a four-letter word…WORK. (Tom Julien, author)

The world is full of people with ideas. We all have brainstorms that we think could really revolutionize society if we could just bring them to reality. There’s the rub. Ideas don’t just morph into actuality. Good ones require hard thinking, careful strategizing, and most often deep resources. Julien sums up the reason that many ideas don’t mature; they require work.

Work hard and become a leader. . . . Work brings profit. . . . Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity. (Proverbs 12:24; 14:23; 21:5)

If everybody agreed with ME, they’d be all right. (Lucy in the “Peanuts” cartoon strip)

It’s not just children, like Lucy, who think “me-first.” Have you noticed that many people in a crowded place are almost completely unaware of those around them? Or have you tried to carry on a conversation with someone who disregards your ideas and continually interrupts you? Listening to others carefully and putting them first will make life much more pleasant.

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. (Philippians 2:3-4)

Respecting another person is much more about who we are than about who the other person is. (Albert Lee, educator)

Lee, also, expressed a common sentiment today when he noted that “[Some] may say that people need to show themselves worthy of respect before we can respect them.” That attitude may limit the opportunity to establish healthy relationships with other people. Keep in mind that all of us were created in the image of God. Therefore everyone has value and should be respected.

Then God said, “Let us make human beings . . .”  So God created human beings in his own image. (Genesis 1:26-27)

The only way of catching a train I have discovered is to miss the train before. (G. K. Chesterton, 20^th century English writer and philosopher)

Perhaps Chesterton missed a lot of trains, and if so, he apparently took a very positive view of his penchant. We complain and grumble when we are late for a meeting or miss the bus or plane because of some circumstance beyond our control. How helpful it would be for our mental health if we would just realize that there’s another “train” coming.

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

Honest criticism is hard to take, particularly from a relative, a friend, an acquaintance, or a stranger. (Franklin P. Jones, author)

Probably no one really likes to be criticized. We might say we need constructive criticism to help us improve the way we live or act. But, even then, it often hurts, at least a little. The person who wants to grow in his or her relationships and pursuits must learn to accept helpful advice without shame or anger. Learn from the counsel and respond with gratitude.

The godly give good advice to their friends. . . . The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. (Proverbs 12:26; 27:9)

Your choices create your reality. (Jason Harvey, author)

Harvey continues, “You shape your future every day through the choices you make.” Much in life we can’t control—the weather or the pace of time, for example; but we are in charge of our choices. Every day provides multiple opportunities to make decisions that are either good or bad, even better or best. Today’s choices may affect your life today as well as your future.

Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. (Romans 6:16)

In prayer it is better to have a heart without words, than words without a heart. (John Bunyan)

Prayer is a common worldwide practice, whether as a religious rite in a public gathering or in one’s private meditation. For some, their habit is to recite prayers learned as a child or in religious training. Others pray extemporaneously, expressing concerns and desires in everyday language. As Bunyan points out, it’s the heart condition that is most important in prayer.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (Philippians 4:6)

Don’t be afraid of death so much as an inadequate life. (Bertolt Brecht, 20^th century German dramatist and poet)

Death is fearful to many people who have no hope for a future life. It’s the unknown that so often distresses us, but Brecht helps us consider where our priorities should be focused. Pursuing lives of integrity that honor God and serve our fellowmen gives us purpose and value in living. Live honorably in the present and put your faith in God for the future.

Perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced [God’s] perfect love. (1 John 4:18)