Daily Stop & Thinks

Isn’t it interesting that all these secrets have been preserved for so many years just so we could discover them? (Orville Wright, pilot of the first powered airplane flight)

When Orville and Wilbur Wright accomplished the impossible by flying a self-propelled, heavier-than-air machine in 1905, they were working on principles of physics that had always existed. Orville’s comment is a wise discovery in itself. It suggests a Creator who is waiting for us to discover the hidden truths He brought into existence.

God’s wisdom [is] a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began (paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 2:7).

True happiness consists not in the multitude of friends, but in their worth and choice. (Inspiration Line)

Young adults today seem to be looking for something in the big, noisy crowds—parties, music festivals, entertainment centers—wherever there are lots of people and contemporary music. Often, they find themselves with people they really don’t know. How much better to seek friends you can know well and who have common values.

The righteous choose their friends carefully. . . . One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 12:26; 18:24).

The right train of thought can take you to a better station in life. (Unknown)

What you focus your mind on will not only pretty well determine the direction of your life but also its ultimate goal. One thought leads to another and that to another; they are all linked together—thus the train imagery. It is critical that we learn from a young age not only how to think but what to think about—what to focus our thoughts on.

 Whatever is true, whatever is noble . . . right, . . . pure, . . . lovely, . . . admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Philippians 4:8).

Where fear is, happiness is not. (Seneca, 1^st century Roman Stoic philosopher)

A simple statement but an obvious truth. Have you ever known a fearful person that was truly happen—even for a short time? Happiness depends, at least in part, on some sense of security. Insecurity is probably the basis for a lot of fear—panic in an unknown situation or dread of an unknown future. Shun fear and embrace security and its sense of happiness.

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe (Proverbs 29:25).

Men do less than they ought, unless they do all they can. (Thomas Carlyle, 19^th century Scottish philosopher and satirist)

No one can do everything, so is it sensible to give some effort here and more somewhere else, spreading our efforts widely? Carlyle’s statement is certainly a challenge to consider carefully how much we become involved in worthy activity. No doubt, it’s a matter of priority, but we certainly must do our best at whatever project we choose.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart (Colossians 3:23).

If you want to find happiness, find gratitude. (Steve Maraboli, motivational speaker and author)

There’s something about being grateful that is self-enhancing. It may be counterintuitive, but when we express thanks to someone, we discover that we feel better about ourselves. It isn’t that we are trying to do something for ourselves, it’s just that when we say thanks to someone, it seems to release a warm, personal feeling of well-being. So, say thanks often!

For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, (1 Timothy 4:4).

Try not to become a man of success but a man of value. (Albert Einstein, renowned scientist)

Success seems to be the goal for most young people. To be the best known athlete or actor. To be the winner in an important election. To be named “author of the year.” All of these—and more—are the ambitions of many young people. But, as Einstein notes, to be recognized for integrity and high values is far more important than those achievements.

Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right (Proverbs 16:13). Godliness has value for all things (1 Timothy 4:8).

Contentment is realizing God has provided everything I need for my present happiness. (Bill Gothard, speaker and author on life principles)

Are you working hard to find happiness? Many are, but never seem to be satisfied with their present circumstances or place in life. They continue to look to others to make them happy or to provide something that seems to be missing in their lives. The Bible says, however, that happiness is associated with learning to be content with what we have.

 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that (1 Timothy 6:8).

The purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one. (Malcolm Forbes, 20^th century American entrepreneur and publisher)

Remember readin’, writin’, and ‘rithmetic? It was mostly just cramming our brains with facts, dates, and ideas. And with that we very likely had a mind that was closed to new ideas and new ways of thinking. Forbes had a better idea: teach students to approach ideas with a mind open to discern truth and evaluate various courses of action carefully.

Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning (Proverbs 9:9).

Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one’s values. (Ayn Rand, U.S. Russian-born novelist)

Rand reminds us once again that happiness doesn’t just happen. We don’t get it by waiting for events or people to bring it to us; we must pursue those activities and goals that will bring contentment and a sense of fulfillment when we achieve them. In other words, make it your purpose to do something worthwhile When you do, the reward is happiness.

I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live (Ecclesiastes 3:12).

Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness. (George Sand, pseudonym for 19^th century French novelist, Amantine-Lucile-Aurore Dupin)

Sand suggests a number of characteristics of kindness. But what does it mean to “give without hesitation”? Do we give quickly to another’s need? What about “losing without regret”? Are we willing to sacrifice if necessary? Does “acquiring without meanness” mean working fairly to earn what we have? Maybe the summary is to be generous.

Since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge . . . see that you also excel in this grace of giving (2 Corinthians 8:7).