Daily Stop & Thinks

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

We often hear a lot about accountability, but we don’t see much of it. Is it because so many people seem to be living their lives with their own agenda and no fear of reprisal? It’s part of Americans’ DNA to have an independent nature. But, as Socrates suggested a long time ago, if we’re not accountable for our actions, our lives may count for little.

People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart. (Proverbs 21:2)

Hope: a wish or desire supported by some confidence of its fulfillment. (American Heritage Dictionary)

“I hope so” is often what we say when there’s something we really want to happen. It might be just a wish, or it could be something we have our heart set on. Either way, we can’t be sure we’ll get what we want. The dictionary’s definition, however, is far more reassuring. It sounds a lot like biblical faith. Confidence in what we’re hoping for makes waiting easier.

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. (Hebrews 11:1)

Embrace the current season of your life. (Gabrielle Blair, designer and author)

Some people long for another time or circumstance that they think would help them to be happy and more productive. Looking forward to another season rather than working hard in your current status is to squander time and opportunity. Yearning for the future while ignoring the present almost guarantees current failure and dismal prospects for tomorrow.

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. (Matthew 6:34)

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)