Daily Stop & Thinks

Faith is salted and peppered through everything at Christmas. (Amy Grant, singer-songwriter)

As we approach Friday’s holiday, consider Amy’s further comments: “I love at least one night by the Christmas tree to sing and feel the quiet holiness of that time that’s set apart to celebrate love, friendship, and God’s gift of the Christ Child.” This year make Christmas more than fun and frivolity. Gratefully consider the great gift of God’s love.

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15).

Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won’t make it ‘white.’ (Bing Crosby, American singer and film actor)

People who live in the North often think of Bing Crosby’s hit song and dream of a white Christmas. Of course, snow might make the day pretty and provide some outdoor fun, but it doesn’t provide permanent value to anyone’s life. Christmas offers the opportunity to share the significance of the holiday, reminding us of its life-changing miracle.

Jesus: “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10).

Christmas is a tonic for our souls. It moves us to think of others rather than of ourselves. It directs our thoughts to giving. (B. C. Forbes, founder of Forbes magazine)

This is the season of the year when we do think of others more than any other time. We read with pleasure the annual updates from our friends around the world. We have been thinking about family and friends and have likely given something extra for our less fortunate neighbors. We share God’s love with all we can, and we are blessed because of it.

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed (Proverbs 11:25).

Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas. (Peg Bracken, late American author)

When we think about the gifts we want to give at Christmas, we quite often consider material things like clothes, toys, gadgets, and much more. But, as Bracken suggests, it’s the intangible gifts that may have the greatest impact of lasting value. Spending time with the people you care about, showing affection and concern—such gifts are of inestimable value.

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. (African proverb)

We’ve all had times when we really wanted to do something by ourselves because having someone else along would slow us down. That happens too often in today’s fast-paced society. On the other hand, for the long haul, we do need the companionship of others. The camaraderie, the able assistance, the encouragement—they all enable us to go a lot further.

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed (Ecclesiastes 4:9).

How many observe Christ’s birthday! How few, His precepts! (Benjamin Franklin, early American statesman, inventor, and author)

Christmas is just one week away now, and we’re hearing more and more Carols and messages about the Christ Child, peace, and good will. Does Franklin imply that many people give lip service to the meaning of Christmas and Christ’s coming, but ignore His teaching? Jesus came, not for temporal blessing but to give life to those who receive Him by faith.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him (John 3:17)

It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped. (Tony Robbins, self-help author)

Expressing the same idea, a film some years ago was titled, “Decision determines destiny.” Another way of putting it might be “Choices have consequences.” There are not many things in life we can control, but making a choice or a decision is one of them. In light of the future outcome of our decisions, we had better give careful thought when we choose.

Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her (Proverbs 8:10, 11).

To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time. (Leonard Bernstein, late noted composer and conductor)

Bernstein’s first criterion is well accepted, no doubt. To accomplish anything of worth, you surely need to have a plan. Rarely do great achievements occur spontaneously. His second idea, however, may seem strange. Perhaps the writer is suggesting that we achieve more when we’re pressed for time, when the deadline demands concentrated effort.

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification (Romans 14:19). Redeeming the time … (Ephesians 5:16).

Whatever leisure time we are able to invest in relationships is time well spent. (Charles Swindoll, pastor and author)

Life is so busy for many people that they don’t seem to have time to establish close relationships. They work with or for people, and they see people in the store, at the gas station, and at community events, but most of those associations are brief and transient. Swindoll suggests we should spend time and effort to establish lasting friendships.

A man who has friends must himself be friendly. . . . A friend loves at all times, (Proverbs 18:24 and 17:17).

The best way to keep one’s word is not to give it. (Napoleon Bonaparte)

That statement seems to be rather cynical, doesn’t it? Of course, if you never make a promise or commitment, you’ll never fail to keep it. It used to be that a man’s word was as good as his bond. Only a handshake or a verbal agreement was enough. Today, it almost takes a lawyer to establish agreement. The Bible says our “yes” should be sufficient.

All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one (Matthew. 5:37).

Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers. (Michael Korda, editor and author)

We often think that great leaders are men and women of vision, and we may suppose that the strategy of forward-thinkers involves intricate means for fulfillment. Korda implies, however, that their dreams may be lofty, but good leaders make their plans simple. They leave the complicated details to their aides. Keep it simple is the maxim of the wise.

We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer . . . the Lord determines our steps (Proverbs 16:1, 9).

A creative artist works on his next composition because he was not satisfied with his previous one. (Dmitri Shostakovich, Russian composer and pianist)

Creative people seem never to be satisfied with their work. We may view their art, hear their music, or read their writings and think them to be near perfect. But the artist always feels a need for improvement. There is some better way to express the inspiration he feels. Artist or not, we should all try to make our next effort better than the previous one.

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart (Colossians 3:23).