Daily Stop & Thinks

Accepting the conundrum that arrogance is weakness and humility is strength builds foundations for rich leadership. (Dan Rockwell, leadership writer)

A conundrum is a puzzle, an unusual idea. Rockwell explains this one a bit: “Arrogance creates emptiness. Humility builds connections.” In modern minds, humility is often seen as a weakness. People say, “You have to stand up for yourself; don’t let others walk all over you.” In this perspective, just the opposite is true. Avoid pride; create a healthy self-image.

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment (Romans 12:3).

If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world. (C. S. Lewis, 19th century British academic and Christian apologist)

We are born we all kinds of desires, and most of them are satisfied as we grow and have experience. Channeling those desires into appropriate venues will bring satisfaction and contentment. But, as Lewis suggests, there may be an innate, unsatisfied longing that cannot be filled by any of life’s experiences. There is an eternal void that longs for eternity.

[God] has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

A religion that gives nothing, costs nothing, and suffers nothing, is worth nothing. (Martin Luther, 15th-16th century German Reformation leader)

People turn to religion for a variety of reasons. For some it’s to fill a sense of emptiness. Others are looking for help, like hanging on to a rabbit’s foot for good luck. Martin Luther, who held onto his faith at great personal cost, understood that genuine faith in God opens a relationship with Him that may involve difficulties designed to produce spiritual growth.

We are . . . heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. . . I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:17-18),

Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men. (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 18th & 19th century German statesman and writer)

Similarly, Marcus Aurelius, 2nd century Roman emperor had said, “Dream big dreams; only big dreams have the power to move men’s souls.” Perhaps it’s true that little ideas come from little minds while great ideas come from great minds. In any case, the greater the challenge, the more likely that people will be moved to participate in fulfilling the vision.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails (Proverbs 19:21).

The future belongs to those who believe in their dreams. (Eleanor Roosevelt, former US First Lady and political activist)

Two lessons can be seen in Roosevelt’s quote. 1) To have an impact on the future, you must be a dreamer—someone who has a vision for what can be done. 2) The dreamer must be more than a visionary; he or she needs to have a strong sense of confidence in the dream. And then, of course, the dreamer will have to put every effort into achieving the vision.

Where there is no vision, the people perish (Proverbs 29:18).

Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond to it! (Zig Ziglar, late motivational speaker and writer)

We often have very little control over what happens to us. We didn’t choose our birthplace, our parents, or our nationality, but those are factors that we must live with. We can be resentful about those issues and wish they were different, but that’s a waste of time and effort. We must look at such things realistically and determine to make the best of them.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life (Psalm 23:6).

Don’t let making a living prevent you from making a life. (John Wooden, renowned basketball coach)

Many of the athletes that John Wooden coached were perennial champions in their sport. Some of them went on to play professional sports, earning fame and fortune. However, his life lessons were more important to his players than his sports training. You can make a good living but lose out on the values of a rewarding life. It’s all a matter of priorities.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33).

The most I can do for my friend is simply to be his friend. (Henry David Thoreau, 19th century American writer, philosopher, and naturalist)

The basis for friendship today is often merely mutual appreciation for similar things—sports teams, political parties, common causes, etc. Thoreau sees friendship as something more simple but significant: “If he knows that I am happy in loving him, he will want no other reward. Is not friendship divine in this?”

[Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres (1 Corinthians 13:7).

Failures are only temporary tests to prepare us for permanent triumphs. (Charles Swindoll, author and minister)

No one likes to fail, and some people never seem to recover from a failure, no matter how minor. But, as Swindoll suggests, most failures are not permanent, but they may be great learning experiences that will provide opportunities for recovery and success. He goes on to write, “Start doing something that you’ve put off because of the risk of failure.”

Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again. (Proverbs 24:16).

God Himself doesn’t propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you? (Nubiagroup.blogspot).

Two important lessons spring from this quote. First, we should be very careful about judging others. After all, we rarely know all the circumstances that surround the behavior we criticize. Second, there is to be a final judgment, and the judge is an all-knowing God of righteousness. We should avoid the first and prepare for the second.

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged (Matthew 7:1). Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment (Hebrews 9:7).

A real friend is not someone you feel free to be serious with as much as someone you feel free to be silly with. (Sidney J. Harris, 20th century American journalist)

In times of difficulty and stress, we most often seek out friends who will take us seriously and respond to us with care and concern. Those are very special friends, of course, but, then, there are other friends that don’t always take us too seriously. They are the ones we can have fun with, “let our hair down,” so to speak. Their friendship and confidence are invaluable.
A friend loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17). Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice (Proverbs 27:9).

Leadership is not about being in charge. Leadership is about taking care of those in your charge. (Simon Sinek, inspirational author)
We often think of a leader as a strong, almost overpowering, figure who is clearly in charge of what’s going on. But some people with leadership skills don’t seem to have very good people skills. They may run roughshod over their followers, caring little for their well-being. As Sinek points out, however, a better leader is one who truly cares for his followers.
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them . . . because you are . . . eager to serve (1 Peter 5:2).