Daily Stop & Thinks

What we see depends mainly on what we look for. (John Lubbock, 19th century British politician and philanthropist)

Lubbock’s statement should be a warning to the honest student and researcher. When we set out to find answers to puzzles, we begin with pre-conceived ideas that too often influence the solutions we find. An open mind and disciplined procedures are necessary to discover truth. And make sure you start with reliable sources of information.

Have I not [taught] you to be honest and to speak the truth, so that you bring back truthful reports to those you serve? (Proverbs 22:20-21)

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul. (Harry Ward Beecher, 19th century clergyman)

It’s uplifting to be around grateful people, people who don’t hesitate to say “Thank You,” and always seem to appreciate the kindness of others. On the other hand, ungrateful companions can really be a downer. So, develop an attitude of gratitude and try always to be thankful. It will make you nicer and encourage those around you.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful (Colossians 4:2).

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. (Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19th century American essayist)

Things seem to go so slowly for us at times, that we become very impatient and try to hurry them along—sometimes with great loss. As the seed in the soil needs moisture and nutrients, it also requires time. You can’t hurry its growth along without damaging the fruit. Life is like that, too. Successful living demands effort and lots of patience.

The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. (Ecclesiastes 7:8).

Mountaintops inspire leaders but valleys mature them. (Winston Churchill. WW II British leader)

People often refer to their “mountaintop experiences,” those momentous occasions when some life-changing event occurred or decision was made. In reality, of course, everyone has to come back down to “real life” and face the tough circumstances of daily living. It’s in those everyday situations—where real life happens—that one grows and becomes strong.

And the God of all grace . . . after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast (1 Peter 5:10).

You cannot step into the same river twice. (Heraclitus, 6th century B.C. Greek philosopher)

What do you suppose Heraclitus meant? If you step into the Mississippi at Dubuque, Iowa, are you in a different river from the water you might step into in New Orleans? Or if you dip in at the same place but at a different time, is it the same river? Perhaps the philosopher is merely reminding us that nothing is ever the same even a moment later; change is constant.

But “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

We are shaped by those things we habitually choose. (Aristotle, 4th century B.C. Greek philosopher)

We are constantly making choices, often without much forethought. When we make those choices again and again, they become habits and, as Aristotle suggests, those habits do shape our personalities. In a sense, we become what we do as a result of our own choosing. Be careful what you choose. Is it what you want to become?

Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve . … But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).

If you want good fruits you gotta have good roots. (from a church-related tweet)

Deep, solid, well-nourished roots are essential for healthy plant growth. If the roots are shallow, the tree may be blown over in a storm. If the roots don’t receive sufficient moisture, the plant will dry up and wither. The metaphor is helpful in understanding the importance of a solid base for individual or family growth, too. Nourish the roots.

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord … They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. … It … never fails to bear fruit (Jeremiah 17:7-8).

New Year’s Resolution: To tolerate fools more gladly, provided this does not encourage them to take up more of my time. (James Agate, British diarist and critic)

Many people make resolutions, but most of us soon fail in keeping our pledges. Agate even provided a caveat in his promise: “provided [it] does not encourage them to take up more of my time.” Rather than looking for ways to duck out on our promises, we would do better to make resolutions that are character-building and sustainable.

When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it (Ecclesiastes 5:4:5).

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. . . . The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day. (Edith Lovejoy Pierce, English-born poet )

Pierce notes that “We are going to put words on [the blank pages] ourselves.” Many events will occur during 2016, and most of them will likely be beyond our control. Ultimately, however, each of us will determine pretty much what we make of this New Year. Let us begin with the determination to do our best to honor God and serve our community well.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers (Galatians 6:10).

Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. (Hal Borland, American author and journalist)

It’s New Year’s Eve, for many people a time of unrestrained pleasure and frivolity. In reality, as Borland suggests, this is “neither an end nor a beginning”; it’s a continuation. What we do with the next 366 days (it’s a leap year), will determine whether it’s a good and positive year. Let’s approach it with an attitude to honor God and serve others in the New Year.

Through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. . . . The fear of the Lord adds length to life (Proverbs 9:11; 10:27).

A new year is on the way, and the possibilities are endless. (New Year’s greeting card)

We’re about to turn an important corner. The last page on the calendar will be turned tomorrow, and we will put up a calendar with nothing but blank days with numbers. We cannot control all that will happen on those days, but we must choose what we will do with each of them. Consider your choice carefully, because it will be your life.

Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve . . . But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).

Leadership is . . . leading others to the next level. (Tom Roy, author and sports evangelism founder)

When we think of leaders, we often are picturing the end of their pursuit, the goal they wish to achieve. That’s critical, of course, but an equally important facet of leadership is how the leader interacts with those he leads. What have they achieved personally in the pursuit of their mission? Are they more skilled? Have they grown? What have they learned?

The Apostle Paul: “Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do (Philippians 3:17).