Daily Stop & Thinks

The only certain means of success is to render more and better service than is expected of you, no matter what your task may be. (Og Mandino, late American author)

Too many of us are satisfied with less than our best effort. We try to do well, but we may have fallen prey to the “menace of mediocrity.” That is, we do only what we are supposed to do—no more, no less. If our work is good enough to get by, why spend more energy or effort to do more. As Mandino implies, that effort will never achieve great success. Work harder!

All hard work brings a profit (Proverbs 14:23). Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. (John F. Kennedy, 35th president of the United States)

To have an attitude of gratitude is to do more than just say “Thank You,” although we should do that often. As Kennedy suggests, it’s not the words we express but the demonstration of our gratitude that is the best witness of our feelings toward someone who has blessed us. Put some thought into how best to thank someone for their kindness.

Give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). I urge . . . that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people (1 Timothy 2:1).

You must master your time rather than becoming a slave to the constant flow of events and demands on your time. (Brian Tracy, Canadian-born American self-improvement author)

Although life spans will differ, we are all given the same number of days in a week, hours in a day, and minutes in an hour. Once we reach a certain age or maturity, and, assuming a level of good health, how we use those minutes, hours, and days is entirely up to us. Let’s learn to value our time even more highly than we value material wealth.

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-17).

The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot. (Michael Altshuler, social worker and therapist)

William Ernest Henley wrote something similar in the noted poem Invictus: “I am the captain of my soul.” Altshuler also said, “You are not defined by your failures, you are refined by them.“ So, Regardless of the times or circumstances, we are responsible for our actions and reactions. Instead of placing blame, we must take charge of our lives and work to reach worthy goals.

 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load (Galatians 6:4-5).

Toil is no source of shame; idleness is shame. (Hesiod, 7th or 8th century B.C. Greek poet)

Today is the Labor Day holiday in the United States. Its purpose is to acknowledge the value of work, which was one of God’s first gifts to mankind. In a day when leisure and amusement activities are so highly valued, it’s good to remind ourselves of the value of a strong work ethic, which produces good both for the worker and the community.

You should mind your own business and work with your hands (1 Thessalonians 4:11).

Teach the children so it will not be necessary to teach the adults. (Abraham Lincoln)

Lincoln didn’t mean that adults should not be taught; there’s always something of value that mature people can and should learn. Perhaps he was thinking of basic fundamental truths including moral and ethical values that will not have to be re-taught to adults if they have learned them as children.

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it (Proverbs 22:6).

The difference between a successful person and others is not the lack of strength or a lack of knowledge but rather a lack of will. (Vince Lombardi, late professional football coach)

No doubt Lombardi used this statement in the context of sports to motivate his players. He knew their strength and he taught them the fundamentals of football. What he felt they lacked was a greater determination to put their best effort into winning games. It has a fitting application to all of life, too. So, add your will to your abilities to achieve success.

And whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men (Colossians 3:23).

Peace is not an external environment but an internal one. (Quoted by Kary Oberbrunner, motivational speaker and writer)

In a world torn with conflict—both personal and global—we often long for the laying down of arms and the end of physical battles. The goal of worldwide peace may be unattainable by human means. But we can enjoy internal peace, which, by the way, could be the first step to a wider, external peace. Inner peace can result in outward harmony.

Jesus: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” . . . “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 14:27; 16:33)

Communion is not something you find, it is something you build; it is not something discovered, it is something forged. (Thom and Joani Schultz, authors)

Communion is having things in common that create unity. It might be in a family, a church, a school, or any venue where people of common interests associate intentionally. As the authors suggest, community rarely “just happens.” It has to be worked at and demands deliberate care and attention for the common good of the group. It’s a worthy goal to achieve and to maintain.

May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and increase your numbers until you become a community of peoples (Genesis 28:3).

Most people do not listen with the intent to understand. Most people listen with the intent to reply. (Stephen Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People)

Did your mother ever ask, “Didn’t you hear what I just said”? The correct answer probably is that yes, you heard, but you weren’t really listening. There is an art to listening. Covey is right on; in conversations, we are usually thinking about what we’re going to say next, rather than concentrating on what is being said. Many of us need to develop good listening habits.

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