Daily Stop & Thinks

You can accomplish anything if you’re willing to pay the price. (Vince Lombardi, late professional football coach)

Surely Lombardi’s statement is a worthy challenge to encourage someone to work harder and sacrifice in order to accomplish a desired goal. However, there are many circumstances that might make that achievement impossible. There is hope, though, for the person who earnestly seeks help to do good in the will of God.

I can do all this through him [God] who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)

By three methods we may learn wisdom: first, by reflection . . . second, by imitation . . . and third, by experience. (Confucius)

Confucius ranks them in order of value. The first, he says, is “noblest”; the second is “easiest”; and the third “the bitterest.” Experience, as someone has said, may be “the best teacher,” but it can be very hard to bear. Imitation has value, too, but true wisdom will result in noble benefit and advancement as a result of serious, purposeful thinking.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. (Psalm 139:23)

The great ones are always looking for ways to serve, not to be served. (Chad Briscoe, college athletic director)

The people we see on TV and in the movies are sometimes pictured as prima donnas, demanding that they be treated as celebrities. Often they are expecting—even demanding—that other people serve their every whim. As Briscoe says, that’s just the opposite of the truly “great ones,” as taught in the New Testament.

Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve. (Matthew 20:28) Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others. (1 Peter 4:10)

Discipline is the refining fire by which talent becomes ability. (Roy L. Smith, American animator and film director)

To a lot of people the word “discipline” brings thoughts of punishment. Yet, its basic meaning has to do with training. Though training may be difficulty (think training for the Olympics) its purpose may be to correct errors, or to strengthen and improve skills. For that reason we should welcome any discipline that will make us more effective or skillful.

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11).

I do not think about being beautiful. What I devote most of my time to is being healthy. (Ann Bancroft, late American actress)

Her physical beauty was recognized by many, yet that, apparently, was not her most important concern. After all, as they say, “beauty is only skin deep.” Physical health is exceedingly more important than physical appearance. More important yet is your spiritual health. What is your relationship with God and how does that affect all other relationships?

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. … [and] Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39)

Society has gotten to the point where everybody has a right, but nobody has a responsibility. (John G. Stevens, business developer)

American was born on the principles of human rights. We have fought world wars and cultural issues to guarantee those rights for every citizen. But, we sometimes seem to forget that with rights come responsibilities. To enjoy our rights to the fullest, we must exercise care to protect and guarantee those rights for others. That’s our duty.

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. … Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. (Proverbs 31:8-9)

I don’t know the key to success, but the key failure is trying to please everyone. (From a comedy story-teller)

It’s unlikely that anyone is looking for the key to failure, but the warning here is worth noting. To climb the ladder of success, it might seem a good idea to please everyone; perhaps, they’ll help you in your ascent. But the road to achievement is often strewn with people-pleasers who discovered they could not please everybody.

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? . . . If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10)

Mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life! (John Muir, Scottish-American naturalist)

Muir also said, “Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity.” We would likely agree that time off from our hectic schedules to relax in a soothing, natural environment would be refreshing. But the real fountain of life is to be found elsewhere.

For with you [God] is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. (Psalm 36:9)

Doing something positive toward another person is a practical approach to feeling good about yourself. (Barbara Johnson, author and speaker)

Somehow self-centered people can relate to other people only as the relationship seems to benefit them. They appear to feel good about themselves only at the expense of someone else. How sad that kind of life must be. To really feel good about yourself, try doing good for others. It will improve how both of you feel about yourselves.

Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:25) In humility value others above yourselves. (Philippians 2:3)