Daily Stop & Thinks

The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing that you might make one. (Elbert Hubbard, 19th -20th century American writer and philosopher)

How many times have you hesitated to start a project because you were afraid you might make a mistake? We all have such fears, but the truth is twofold: 1) it isn’t absolutely certain that you will slip-up; 2) but even if you do, blunders aren’t fatal. In fact, we often learn so well from our mistakes that we do much better when we try again.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever (Psalm 73:26).

Prejudice, a dirty word, and faith, a clean one, have something in common: they both begin where reason ends. (Harper Lee, American novelist)

There is that similarity between those two terms, of course, but there is a huge difference, too. Prejudice is the result of misinformation or poor logical deductions. Faith, on the other hand, exercises careful thinking, recognizing that there is truth beyond human understanding. Genuine faith is based on a solid foundation of revealed truth.

The righteous will live by faith (Romans 1:17).

Your value does not decrease based on someone’s inability to see your worth. (Ted Rubin, public speaker)

Is your self-image determined by what others think of you? It’s unfortunate that some of us think less of ourselves because someone else doesn’t see our worth or value to the community. We must remain true to ourselves and to our calling. Let’s demonstrate our value by living worthy of Him who created us in His image.

We constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling (2 Thessalonians 1:11).

Work is not always required of man. There is such a thing as sacred idleness. (George MacDonald, Scottish author and minister)

In today’s busy society our world seems to revolve around nothing but work. Little time is taken for relaxation and rest, “the cultivation of which,” MacDonald says, “is now fearfully neglected.” He calls such rest “sacred idleness.” God mandated a Sabbath for man to give him rest, an essential ingredient for healthy living and productive work.

For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a day of sabbath rest to the Lord (Exodus 35:2).

Assumptions are the termites of relationships. (Henry Winkler, American actor and director)

Assumptions are often our guesses at something we don’t know for sure. We often assume things about others on the basis of scant evidence or the influence of others’ opinions. Sometimes, even when our suppositions are wrong, we can’t shake them off, and our relationships suffer. Better not to jump to conclusions without the facts.

Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish (Proverbs 18:13).

We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid. (Benjamin Franklin, 18th century political leader and author)

The human baby is a magnificent creation. Its inherent capabilities are almost unlimited, but it begins with very little evidence of its ultimate abilities. We marvel at these wonderful infants, but we would not want them to remain as weak and unknowing as they appear in the crib. Thank God, for their learning capacity and the worldly contribution they will make.

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me (1 Corinthians 13:11).

An honest mistake should not discredit an otherwise truthful person. (Jesse Deloe, editor)

We all make mistakes and quite often they are honestly made without evil intention. Such mistakes can and should be corrected quickly and should not discredit an individual’s reputation. In fact, we often learn best from the mistakes we have made. Let’s be less judgmental of others’ errors and more helpful in giving loving correction.

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently (Galatians 6:1).

The beginning is the most important part of the work. (Plato, classical Greek philosopher)

It has been said that you should begin your work with the end in mind. What is the goal or purpose of your work? That’s important, of course, but even more important is how you start the project in order to achieve your ultimate goal. Good endings rarely have bad beginnings. Start right to end right.

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

Life is either a daring adventure, or it is nothing at all. (Helen Keller, author, speaker)

To many people, life seems to be little more than a humdrum repetition of hours and days without much purpose or goal. Keller, who overcame multiple significant handicaps, found life to be an exciting journey because she refused to focus on possible limitations and concentrated instead on positive involvement in life.

For those who find me (wisdom) find life and receive favor from the Lord (Proverbs 8:35).

We don’t really see ourselves clearly until our behavior is reflected in someone else’s life. (Maggie Rowe, actress and writer)

Rowe also said, “Our faults irritate us most when we see them in others.” Parents might be surprised (shocked?) when they see that their children’s behavior is merely mimicking what they have seen in their mom or dad. We need to be careful how we live; our behavior will likely be imitated by others.

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. (Martin Luther King, Jr.)

In the United States today, special tribute is given to the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr., perhaps the major influence in the Civil Rights movement of the last century. His life and death certainly illustrate the principle he stated above. It’s easy to stand up for right when there is no conflict; the real test comes when one has to face difficult opposition.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand (Ephesians 6:13).

Science can tell us how to do many things but it cannot tell us what ought to be done. (Author Unknown).

We are living in the scientific age. The reality of almost everything seems to be in question if it cannot be measured in a test tube or pass laboratory examination. Yet, we all innately recognize that some things are not quantifiable or measurable. Right and wrong, for example. We need a moral compass to enable us to live wholesomely.

The proverbs of Solomon[are] . . . for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair (Proverbs 1:1, 3).