Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – Soap and education are not as sudden as a massacre, but they are more deadly. (Mark Twain)

Someone has described this as “Twain’s sour attitude toward teaching/education.” Surely, he used soap, and he certainly had the benefit of learning no matter how much formal education he may have had. Perhaps the lesson for us is that the right kind of learning is most valuable but a poor education can be destructive.

The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life (Proverbs 13:14). In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech (Titus 2:7-8).

STOP AND THINK – Imitation is the sincerest form of laziness. (Don Harrold, financial advisor)

That’s an interesting twist on Charles Caleb Coldon’s more familiar quote, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” But it’s sometimes—maybe too often true—isn’t it? It’s so easy to use someone else’s thinking or idea rather than doing the study or giving it your own original thought. But ideas and values that stick are those that are our own.

The upright give thought to their ways (Proverbs 21:29). Give careful thought to the paths for your feet (Proverbs 4:26).

STOP AND THINK – There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. (Edith Wharton, Pulitzer prize-winning novelist)

No one has a complete grasp of knowledge, wisdom, and truth. But we can share what we do know as a candle serves as a source of light. But our knowledge is limited, so as we learn from others, we become reflectors of their knowledge. Such shared knowledge is certainly no less significant. So be quick to be a mirror of what you’ve learned, sharing it with others.

No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light (Luke 8:16).

STOP AND THNK – To be persuasive, we must be believable. To be believable, we must be credible. To be credible, we must be truthful. (Edward R. Murrow, 20^th century American broadcast journalist)

Have you ever lost an argument because you couldn’t convince anyone of your position? Was it because your reasoning was poor, your position unbelievable? Or, as Murrow suggests, was it simply that you didn’t have credibility among your peers? If you are known for being truthful and trustworthy, you will do better in convincing others of your argument.

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor (Ephesians 4:25).

STOP AND THINK – Integrity and virtue have to be practiced. What we habitually do shapes us. Small habits become lifestyles. (Augustine, quoted by John Stonestreet, Christian apologist)

Those statements make it clear that if we want to be people of good character, we must practice moral and ethical living. Our habits truly do indicate what we are really like—more so than what we say. In addition, Augustine said that we are what we love. So our conduct and our emotional attachments are important when it comes to character and integrity.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true … are honest, … just … pure … lovely … of good report, … think on these things (Philippians 4:8).

STOP AND THINK – I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t done. (Lucille Ball, TV actor, comedienne)

Some people seem to live lives of regret, always grieving over things they’ve done or relationships that didn’t work out well. Such memories are hard to deal with, but Ball encourages us to think rather about the opportunities we’ve missed to make a difference. That should spur us on to be on the lookout for the better things we could do in the future.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:15-16).

STOP AND THINK – To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world. (attributed to Bill Wilson, founder of Alcoholics Anonymous)

When we think of the world population of multiple billions, it’s easy to feel like we’re lost in the crowd and that we’re not even noted as “one person” among the multitudes. But as we develop meaningful relationships with family and friends, we may indeed, in a sense, almost be “the world” to them. We must protect and enhance those one-of-a-kind friendships.

A friend loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17). Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends (John 15:13).

STOP AND THINK – The person I am today is a direct result of my past experiences and the fact that I chose to pay attention and learn. (Chelle Thompson, editor and publisher)

Thompson says, “The common denominator in each and every relationship in our life is: ourselves.” She seems to be saying that we can benefit by paying attention to our relationships. The people we interact with have an impact on our lives and we on theirs. Every such association is an opportunity to learn and grow and help other to do the same.

I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw (Proverbs 24:32).

STOP AND THINK – I would never follow a leader that doesn’t follow a leader. (John Maxwell, author and motivational speaker)

Maxwell’s thought is worthy of consideration. There are lots of leaders out there who seem to be “Lone Rangers.” They are doing their own thing and gathering a following that seems intent on doing whatever the single leader dictates. Perhaps we would be wise to ask who this leader is following. That will give us a good sense of the direction we’re heading.

The Apostle Paul, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).

STOP AND THINK – Live simply so that others may simply live. (Quoted by Paula A. Bowser, actress)

To “live simply” in our western civilization may be difficult. There is such an abundance of everything—goods to be purchased, entertainment to be pursued, activities to engage in. It would take strong discipline to live simply, but if we were to do so, we would no doubt be healthier and happier and could contribute so much more to the well-being of others.

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have (Hebrews 13:5

STOP AND THINK – Fact one: Everyone who lives is deeply hurt by others. Fact two: Everyone who lives has deeply hurt others. (Darryl Tippens, American academic administrator)

Nearly every adult would acknowledge that at some time or another he or she has been deeply hurt by another person. It’s the unfortunate but common experience of all of us. Is Tippens right about fact two? Wouldn’t we all have to confess that we have hurt someone else very deeply? Those are the experiences that demand both confession and forgiveness.

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone (Colossians 3:13).

STOP AND THINK – Those who follow the crowd usually get lost in it. (Rick Warren, pastor and author)

Almost everyone wants to be a part of the crowd. We don’t like to be left out of what’s going on. But we should use caution in following others. Just because a group is large doesn’t mean it’s going in the right direction. Besides, to be lost in the crowd may mean that you’ll lose your personal identity and the opportunity to stand out as leader who should be followed.

Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong (Exodus 23:2).