Daily Stop & Thinks

Emotion alone can be as empty as cotton candy. Logic alone can be clinical, a tasteless meal of vitamin pills. Together, they are a full course meal. (Craig Brain Larson, author)

Remember eating cotton candy at the county fair? It was tasty but soon gone. Emotions are a lot like that. We surely cannot live on emotion alone. On the other hand, simple reasoning can be tedious and unfeeling. But, as Larson suggests, together in proper balance, the two can be fulfilling and productive.

God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise . . . the weak things of the world to shame the strong. (1 Corinthians 1:27).

Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested. (Francis Bacon, 16^th-17^th century English philosopher)

James Emery White, a current preacher and author says it another way: “Read each book to the degree that it deserves, and no more.” Comic books and light fiction, for example, may be enjoyable, but biographies and history require a little more attention if they are to be profitable. Then, there are a few—like the Bible—that demand serious contemplation.

“Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll” (God’s Word). . . . So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. . . . So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth. (Ezekiel 3:1-3)

I’d prefer a life of significance over a life of success. (Aaron Walker, life and business coach)

Everybody wants to be successful. Whether it’s in entertainment, sports, business, or any other profession, success is the goal. That might mean fame and fortune or merely a sense of accomplishment. At the end of life, however, a more important concern ought to be, “Was my life of any significant benefit to others?”

See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord (Colossians 4:17).

Every successful man I have heard of has done the best he could with conditions as he found them, and not waited. (Edgar Howe, 19^th-20^th century American magazine editor)

It’s important, of course, not to be impetuous when you want to launch a new idea or product. On the other hand, waiting for “perfect” circumstances before you move ahead, may likely delay your project until it is too late. Most of the time we can’t change circumstances, so it’s wise to move forward, making the best of the current conditions.

Keep your head in all situations, endure hardship . . . discharge all the duties of your ministry (2 Timothy 4:5).

I wonder often whether any other generation has seen such astounding revolutions of data and values as those through which we have lived. (Winston Churchill, British prime minister during World War II)

In mid-20^th century, he went on to say, “Scarcely anything material or established which I was brought up to believe was permanent and vital has lasted. Everything I was sure or taught to be sure was impossible, has happened.” Churchill lived before the Internet, computers, and other technical advances. So, what do you think the future holds for us?

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.\ (Jeremiah 29:11).

Commitment; it separates DOERS from DREAMERS. (John Maxwell, author and speaker)

Maxwell explains the difference between two types of people. There are those who have great ideas, vision, and foresight but who never seem to accomplish much. Then, there are people who, also, might have vision, but who are noted for putting their ideas into action and achieving a result. The difference, he says, is commitment.

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans (Proverbs 16:3).

Art, like morality, consists in drawing the line somewhere. (G. K. Chesterton, 19^th-20^th century English writer and philosopher)

Most of us are not genuine art critics. We usually just say, “I know what I like.” And tastes differ greatly. What to one person is beautiful and inspiring to another is boring or beyond understanding. Morality is like that in many minds, too. Wherever you personally draw the line determines the boundary. What we really need, however, are clear, specific limits.

Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully (Proverbs 28:5).

Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time. (Jim Rohn, American author and motivational speaker)

Getting more money may be more difficult that it sounds in this quote, but the statement is true and good to understand. You can’t get more time, no matter how much you may want to. Stewardship of time, therefore, is really more important that good stewardship of money. We must learn how to make the best use of time for personal and social benefit.

For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter (Ecclesiastes 8:6). Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12).

The legacy we leave is not just in our possessions, but in the quality of our lives. (Billy Graham, world-renowned evangelist)

In doing their estate planning, many folks allocate certain of their possessions to be given at their death to various family members and friends. That’s a very wise and gracious act, but, as Graham suggests, it’s far more important to live lives of good character and integrity, passing on such qualities to those who follow.

In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned (Titus 2:7-8).

Some of the world’s greatest feats were accomplished by people not smart enough to know they were impossible. (Doug Larson, 20^th century newspaper columnist)

“I don’t think it can be done” might well be the motto of the wanna-be inventors who can’t ever seem to pursue an idea to its conclusion. It isn’t necessary to be dumb (“not smart enough”) to give up too soon. It’s just the lack of persistence—the drive to keep at a promising project—that dooms many good intentions. Keep working at it!

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters (Colossians 3:23).

Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Wishing is not enough; we must do. (Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, 18^th-19^th century German writer)

The older we grow and the more we learn, the greater knowledge we accumulate. But, knowledge, as Von Goethe says, is not sufficient in itself. How we use what we know is the important issue. Likewise, hoping for good things to happen is not enough either. We must put into action what we wish to see achieved. Only then can we reach worthy goals.

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me (Philippians 3:14).

All healthy relationships involve careful listening. (André Neher, 20^th century Jewish scholar and philosopher).

Ernest Hemingway, 20^th century novelist, gave similar counsel: “When people talk, listen completely.” Neher’s goes on to say that good relationships depend on two –way communication. Many of us speak well but need to develop the art of careful and attentive listening.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen [and] slow to speak (James 1:19).