Daily Stop & Thinks

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).

The love of family and the admiration of friends are much more important than wealth and privilege. (Charles Kuralt, late American journalist)

During the recent holiday season, many of us enjoyed the extended time with family and friends. And, as Kuralt has said, we realize that those relationships are so much more valuable than the gifts we may have received for Christmas. Some of those gifts have already been damaged or lost their original value. But, friendships and love continues.

Love never fails. . . . And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:3, 18).

I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. (Charles Dickens in A Christmas Carol)

It’s just been two days since that special holiday, and already we’ve likely begun to forget its meaning and joy. But today, Sunday, is another holy day, a day celebrating the climax of the Christ Child’s life: His resurrection. It’s that final victory over death and sin that causes us to recognize God’s wonderful plan in the sending of Jesus on that lonely night in Bethlehem.

God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law Galatians 4:4-5). Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures … he was buried … he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Did you ever notice how all the presents are far more interesting before you unwrap them? (Cartoon caption)

It’s the day after Christmas, and the cartoon quote is pretty accurate, isn’t it? The anticipation is often more fun than the actual experiencing of opening the gifts, and the 26th of December is sometimes a gloomy and sad day. If that’s true, we would do well to remind ourselves of the greatest gift of Christmas, the coming of the Christ Child, and rejoice.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4).

There has been only one Christmas — the rest are anniversaries. (W. J. Cameron, journalist and publicist)

It’s like birthdays. We talk about one day being our birthday, but, of course, it’s only the anniversary of the day we were born. As we celebrate this special day, we should be reminded that it is the anniversary of THE birthday—the day when God took on human flesh and entered our world. Let’s celebrate His birthday with thanksgiving for His coming.

The Word [Jesus] became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (John 1:14).

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. (Roy L. Smith)

Tomorrow is Christmas, and we might well be thinking about the gifts that we will give and receive. Certainly, the children are in high anticipation of what “Santa” may bring them. But Smith cautions us to think more seriously about what is at the heart of Christmas. It is a gift, to be sure—the gift of God’s Son to provide the way that we could know Him.

The one and only Son, . . . is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, [He] has made him (God) known (John 1:18