Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are? (Satchel Paige, late major league baseball player)

Because he was African-American, Paige came late to the major leagues, but he was an exceptional pitcher in spite of his age. So, this quote has meaning from personal experience. Not matter our actual age, it’s our attitude toward it that has the most important influence, no doubt. You are only as old as you feel, they say.

[The righteous] will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green (Psalm 92:14).

STOP AND THINK – Discernment is seeing through a surface problem to root causes. (Bill Gothard, speaker and writer)

When you face a difficult problem, ask yourself, “Am I responsible for this situation?” Rev. J. Davis Illingworth suggests, “If you could kick the person most responsible for all your problems in the behind you wouldn’t be able to sit down for a long time.” Even if you’re not the cause of the problem, some careful introspection may help you find the will to overcome.

The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

STOP AND THINK – Originality is the fine art of remembering what you hear but forgetting where you heard it. (Laurence J. Peter, Canadian educator)

Peter’s statement can be taken in two ways. 1) You’ve forgotten the source of something you’re using in a speech or article you’re writing, and you treat it as your own. That’s not good. Better check your sources and give credit where it’s due. 2) You’ve heard something and you don’t know whether it’s true, so you intentionally don’t pass it on. That’s good.

Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down (Proverbs 26:20).

STOP AND THINK – This is the true joy in life — being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one. (George Bernard Shaw, late Irish playwright)

Everyone likes to think that he or she is accomplishing something worthwhile. To toil in a pursuit that seems to be going nowhere or producing nothing of value does not give anyone a sense of accomplishment. But there is more than mere self-satisfaction to be gained. Try to find God’s purpose for your life and pursue it diligently.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

STOP AND THINK – A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself. (Author unknown)

They say he’s man’s best friend. Maybe that’s because dogs seem so loyal and unquestioning. We really can’t say how much or how little a dog loves himself, but his response to his owner often epitomizes the very best signs of friendship and affection. Humans would do well to show such loyalty and love to their friends.

A friend loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17). [Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres (1 Corinthians 13:7).

STOP AND THINK – I must be willing to give up what I am in order to become what I will be. (Albert Einstein, late noted scientist)

We would do well to act on the truth of Einstein’s observation. I can never be something different or better than I am right now until I’m willing to learn, to change, and to grow. Just as we grow and change physically over time and with proper nutrition, so we must grow socially, intellectually, and relationally to become all we are meant to be.

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:4).

STOP AND THINK – The person who succeeds is not the one who holds back, fearing failure, nor the one who never fails—but rather the one who moves on in spite of failure. (Charles Swindoll, minister and author)

Because the future is unknown, many are hesitant to try something new or to take an unknown path. No one likes to fail, but it’s important to learn that mistakes and failures are among life’s best teachers. It follows, then, that if we hope to accomplish something significant, we must plan carefully, move forward with courage, and learn from our mistakes.

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans (Proverbs 16:3).

STOP AND THINK – Share and enjoy your treasures instead of keeping them hidden away. (Robert Herskovitz)

Have you seen the TV program “Hoarders”? It’s amazing what some people keep as if it were valuable treasure. Others pack away their keepsakes, saving them for … who knows what? If something is of personal worth and value to you, it would likely interest someone else, too. So, share it. Then, both you and they can enjoy your treasure.

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share (1 Timothy 6:18).

STOP AND THINK – When you forgive, anxiety gets better; depression gets better. You have more hope. (Everett Worthington, psychologist and professor)

Many people today seem to be anxious. And that often leads to depression. Worthington suggests that one of the causes of anxiety may be an unforgiving spirit. Someone has been hurt so deeply that he or she simply can’t get over it and can’t forgive the offender. Learning to forgive will relieve the anxiety, avoid depression, and restore lost hope.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other (Ephesians 4:32).For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you (Matthew 6:14).

STOP AND THINK – If you are not ready today, you will be less ready tomorrow. (Publius Ovidius Naso [Ovid], 1^st century B.C. Roman poet)

We often put off doing today what we think we’re not quite ready for. That’s a wise decision if you haven’t made proper preparations that will mean success is less likely. But, too often, it’s not the lack of preparation so much as the fear of inability or of failure that keeps us from moving on. Take courage, prepare, and work hard.

Anyone . . . must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need (Ephesians 4:28).

STOP AND THINK – The garden of the heart must be tended with great care. (William Wilberforce, 18^th-19^th English politician and anti-slavery leader)

Wilberforce understood that it’s what is inside a person that determines what he does. He also said, “Life is confusing. What was to be our highest pursuit is lost as our hearts and minds become consumed by lesser issues.” Outside influences can affect one’s heart and mind, so we need to recognize that what is essential is a heart of integrity.

As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man. (Proverbs 27:19)

STOP AND THINK – It is only utterly impossible until someone actually does it. (Kenneth J. Brown, author)

We sometimes face circumstances that seem impossible to overcome. But if we take a look at all the “things” around us that were once thought impossible, we should be encouraged to move forward expectantly. Iphones, computers, spacecraft—all of these were once only imagined, but they are realities today. Take hope. Attack your dreams with courage.

Jesus: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).