Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – Imagination was given to us to compensate for what we are not; a sense of humor was given to us to console us for what we are. (Mack McGinnis)

Life would be pretty dull without imagination. To take life as it is, without seeing beyond reality (which sometimes can be pretty harsh), can be colorless and maybe even depressing. Perhaps that’s why God gave us minds that can imagine and humor that can rise above the hard times. With them the ordinary can become extraordinary.

A happy heart makes the face cheerful. (Proverbs 15:13)

STOP AND THINK – The great successful men of the world have used their imagination . . . think ahead and create their mental picture in all it details . . . steadily building—steadily building. (Robert Collier, 20^th century self-help author)

When we were children, we often used our imaginations to invent games, create skyscrapers, or simply dream dreams. Great architects, artists, and other professionals have often achieved their goals by starting with an imagined idea or structure. Before all the planning, drawing of blueprints, or working at an easel, these people saw the end in their minds and pursued it.

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

STOP AND THINK – Imagination is as good as many voyages—and how much cheaper. (George W. Curtis, 19^th century American writer and speaker)

With the technology available today, you may not need much imagination; it’s all provided in the illustrations in ads and printed stories. Whether it’s a TV or iPod screen—or a smart phone, almost anything you can imagine is already provided for you. Using the creative minds God has given us, let’s not allow artificial devices do our thinking for us.

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable . . . think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

STOP AND THINK –

If scholarship is about wisdom as much as truth, then it is about practice as much as knowledge. (Chris Gehrz, college history professor)

We assume that scholars are always seeking to find truth in their special field of study. Gehrz is suggesting that it isn’t just truth (the facts) that you should look for but wisdom—how you apply that truth to life. Furthermore, it isn’t just learning more but putting that learning into practice—seeing life change and growth from discovering truth.

The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out (Proverbs 18:15). All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in [Christ Jesus] (Colossians 2:3)

STOP AND THINK – Knowledge is experience; everything else is just information. (Albert Einstein, leading 20th century scientist)

So, according to Einstein, it isn’t just what you know intellectually but what you learn by putting that knowledge into experience. The test is not in the knowing but in the doing. We all know people who know a lot but who don’t seem to be able to live successfully. We need to practice what we’re learning to prove it is true to life and reality.

Jesus: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (Matthew 7:24)

STOP AND THINK – Planning isn’t as valuable as learning. And learning comes from trying. (Peter Skillman, British innovator)

Skillman goes on to say, “And trying inevitably involves initial failures. But from the less-than-stellar first attempts, eventual triumph emerges.” Any business teacher will emphasize the importance of planning; it is essential. But what you learn from working your plan may provide the most significant lessons. Plan, try, and learn: keys to success.

You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. (Proverbs 19:21)

STOP AND THINK – Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start. (Nido Qubein, businessman, motivational speaker, and educator)

We often begin an excuse with, “Under the circumstances…” as if we are controlled or limited by the events that surround us. But, as Qubein suggests, circumstances don’t dictate the future; we are not limited to today’s experiences—good or bad. Today’s situation isn’t determinative; it is merely the place from which we begin our movement forward.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

STOP AND THINK – If it’s meant to be, it’s up to me. (Attributed to Robert Schuller, retired American televangelist)

Others put it this way: “Be the change you seek” and “Do not wait for leaders. Do it alone, person to person.” (Mother Teresa). This is the opposite of the often-heard, “Let George do it.” In a society that seems to be becoming more and more dependent on others, it would be better to follow Nike’s epigram, “Just do it.”

If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. (James 4:17)

STOP AND THINK – If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant—if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome. (Inspiration Line)

After a long, hard winter, spring is eagerly anticipated and enthusiastically welcomed. But, what if we had no winter? Would spring become commonplace, taken-for-granted—even unappreciated? Prosperity may be like that, too. It’s only after difficult times—trials that test what we’re made of—that we really appreciate the good times. Let’s be grateful for them.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

STOP AND THINK – Whatever you are by nature, keep to it; never desert your line of talent. Be what nature intended you for, and you will succeed. (Sydney Smith, 19th century English writer)

Sometimes, it seems, young people want to be something that they don’t really seem suited for. Dissatisfaction with your natural abilities—wishing you had someone else’s gifts—too often leads to failure and depression. Discovering and developing your talents will bring satisfaction and fulfillment and, most likely, bring joy to others, as well.

Each of you has your own gift from God (1 Corinthians 7:7). Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others (1 Peter 4:10).

STOP AND THINK – Never explain—your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway. (Elbert Hubbard, 19th-20th century American writer and philosopher)

Katherine Mansfield wrote, “I always felt that the great high privilege, relief and comfort of friendship was that one had to explain nothing.” There are undoubtedly times when a person does need to offer an explanation, but often it should be unnecessary. Your friends trust you, and you don’t need to explain your actions or motives; they’ll always trust your word.

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice (Proverbs 27:9). A friend loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17).

STOP AND THINK – Reputation matters but character leads the way. (Lolly Daskal, leadership consultant)

Reputation is gained in many ways—having a great success (in sports or entertainment, for example) or a big public failure (moral problem, criminal act, etc.). In the latter case, you might have been known as a person of character, but that has been destroyed quickly. We should work to build a reputation that is based on evident character maintained over time.

[God’s leader] must also have a good reputation with outsiders. (1 Timothy 3:7)