Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – Feelings of worth can flourish only in an atmosphere . . . that is found in a nurturing family. (Virginia Satir, 20^th century American author and social worker)

Satir described this atmosphere as one “where individual differences are appreciated, mistakes are tolerated, communication is open, and rules are flexible.” There is a lot of emphasis today on self-worth and self-image, and, perhaps, the best place to create and sustain such worth is in a family where such values are lived out and love flourishes.

Be devoted to one another in love; honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10)

STOP AND THINK – Change has long been a fearful thing for human beings … and at the same time, it is our most Divine opportunity. (Chelle Thompson, Inspiration Line)

Thompson goes on to say, “Clinging to the banks of the river may seem safe and more secure, but life’s possibilities are truly engaged only when we trust, release and become part of The Flow of the Universe.” We may not understand what the “flow of the universe” is, but we do get the point: don’t let the fear of change keep you from participating in life.

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

STOP AND THINK – We’re in the land of the dying, preparing for the land of the living. (Heard at a Christian funeral)

When a friend or loved one passes on, we begin to think more about death. Otherwise, it’s a subject we prefer to ignore. But it’s a startling statement, isn’t it? We will all die—that’s part of the human experience. Death is to be followed by “the judgment,” according to the Bible. It would be wise to prepare for what follows: forever life for the people of God.

Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. (Daniel 12:2)

STOP AND THINK – When you carry out acts of kindness, you get a wonderful feeling inside. (Harold Kushner, popular American Rabbi and author)

Kushner continues, “It is as though something inside your body responds and says, ‘Yes, this is how I ought to feel.’” What causes that warm, fuzzy feeling when you do something good? Maybe we were created to do good, to show kindness to others, to “do unto others,” as the Bible teaches. Begin to practice doing good, and see how good it makes you feel.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people. (Galatians 6:10)

STOP AND THINK – As we become people of character and integrity, we’re committed to being honest even when we don’t have to be honest. (Mike Lee, pastor)

We admire the stories of “Honest Abe,” 16^th president of the United States. Those anecdotes illustrate a quality that seems to have been lost in modern society. But, as Lee points out, honesty is the result of character and integrity. If we’re not honest when “we don’t have to be,” we very likely will fall into dishonesty when we really need to be truthful and candid.

Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right. (Proverbs 16:13)

STOP AND THINK – I count myself in nothing else so happy, as in a soul rememb’ring my good friends. (William Shakespeare)

Do you find it hard to be happy when you’re alone, all by yourself in a difficult circumstance of life? It’s the camaraderie of friends that adds so much to life, giving it an extra dimension. When friends are together, it multiplies the joy that each one might have when alone. So, seek good friends and maintain a close relationship.

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice. (Proverbs 27:9)

STOP AND THINK – Where we start from matters less than where we’re going. (Author unknown)

Whether it’s from a wilderness log cabin or the luxurious nursery in a palace, the judgment of one’s life will be determined by where he or she ends up, not by where they started. Many have found their way to success in spite of their start in poverty or obscurity. Don’t look back; plan your steps and move forward tirelessly to worthy accomplishments.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

STOP AND THINK – I need a faith that nothing can shake. Emphasis on NOTHING. Even when I do not know why, I can endure with a faith like that—even if I never find out why! (Charles Swindoll, pastor and author)

To a lot of people, faith is a difficult word. Some think that if they just had enough faith, they could achieve greater success in their life pursuits. Others discount faith as if it were just a wishful, hope-so longing. The kind of faith Swindoll is talking about, however, is based on the knowledge of the faithful one. It’s the object of faith (God) that enables you to endure.

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings. (Hebrews 10:22)

STOP AND THINK – I consider my ability to arouse enthusiasm among men the greatest asset I possess. The way to develop the best that is in a man is by appreciation and encouragement. (Charles Schwab, businessman and investment advisor)

Some business executives lead like tyrants and dictators. “Do it my way, or else.” They are often harshly critical of their employee’s mistakes. Schwab suggests a better way. Many of us have experienced both kinds of leaders, and no doubt we would agree that we do better when our bosses express appreciation and encourage us in our work.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

STOP AND THINK – I would rather be able to appreciate things I cannot have than to have things I am not able to appreciate. (Elbert Hubbard, 19^th-20^th century American writer, artist, and philosopher)

In a consumer age like ours, we seem to have created a new kind of people, hoarders. They accumulate vast stores of “stuff” they can neither use or enjoy. On the other hand, many people who don’t possess much in worldly goods have learned to appreciate not only what they do have but what they see and enjoy in life’s experiences.

God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them (Ecclesiastes 6:2). But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity (Psalm 37:11).

STOP AND THINK – In our life there is a single color, as on an artist`s palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the color of love. (Marc Chagall, 20^th century Belarussian-Russian-French artist)

Life is full of physical color, and during this fall season we can appreciate the variety of hues and revel in their beauty. There is such a thing as emotional or spiritual color, too. We can be blue with sadness or red with anger, for example. But the emotion that gives us the most complete palette of sensual color, as Chagall suggests, is love.

Love never fails. … These three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 1: 8, 13)

STOP AND THINK – People . . . who believe in physics, know that the distinction between past, present, and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion. (Albert Einstein, renowned 20^th century physicist)

Time divisions are just a natural part of our understanding of life. We think in terms of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. If we asked Einstein, “How else can you talk about life?” we probably wouldn’t understand his answer. But the Bible reveals a God who is eternal; He has no time limitations. That same God is also the One who offers eternal life.

And this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (John 17:3)