Daily Stop & Thinks

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).

Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. (Calvin Coolidge, 30th president of the United States)

Yet, sometimes families and friends are separated because of past grievances or hurt feelings. Christmas is a time for giving love and mending damaged relationships. The big day is just two weeks away. That’s just enough time, perhaps, to repair those strained relationships that sometimes separate those who should be close at the holiday season.

Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace (2 Corinthians 13:11).

We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit. (Albert Schweitzer, medical missionary to Africa)

That was Schweitzer’s conclusion after he said, “In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being.” All of us have had those times of discouragement, when we need a kind word from someone else. The result often is a rejuvenated sprit and a desire to press on.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up. (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don’t unravel. (Author Unknown)

Is it possible that we take our blessings for granted without fully appreciating what we enjoy every day? Health, sufficient food, good friends, steady employment—these are all elements of life that we sometimes fail to recognize as blessings. Many in this world do not have what we take for granted. So, let’s be thankful for these things and live grateful lives.

In everything give thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18). . . . Always giving thanks for all things (Ephesians 5:20).

Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (The Bible)

What people really value in life is demonstrated by their activity, their habits, the way they use their resources. We may say that we love God, or we’re altruistic and want to help people who are less fortunate than we are. But, when more of our time and money are spent in pursuing the personal pleasures of this life, we show what we really value most.

I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces . . . everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind (Ecclesiastes 2:8, 11).

A stumble may prevent a fall. (English proverb)

When we stumble and almost fall, it may make our heart skip a beat. We may be shaken up a bit, but it helps to realize that, at least, we didn’t fall down and hurt ourselves. The same can be true in the social world. We may stumble verbally or make a bad choice that is disturbing. But, that stumble may have been a warning that will prevent a serious failure.

We all stumble in many ways (James 3:2). So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! (1 Corinthians 10:12)

You can never make the same mistake twice because the second time you make it, it isn’t a mistake; it’s a choice. (Michael Baisden, radio personality)

No one is above making mistakes. We all do it. An honest mistake should not discredit an otherwise truthful person. But, if people repeat their mistakes, you might question their sincerity. When you become aware of your mistake, you have the responsibility to correct it and, even more importantly, not to intentionally repeat it.

Have I not written . . . sayings of counsel and knowledge, teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth? (Proverbs 20:20-21)

It’s better for a society to hold strong truths weakly rather than weak truths strongly. (R.R. Reno, magazine editor and former university professor)

In a day when many reject the idea of absolute truth, people think almost anything is acceptable if you believe strongly enough. Of course, believing in something that is not real or is false will result in disaster. The true test of truth is discovering its source. A little faith in a genuine truth is better than strong trust in something that is untrue.

Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17). Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6).