Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – Someone has said that an education is a growing awareness of our ignorance. (Quoted by Bruce Triplehorn, American teacher in Brazil)

The honest learner would confess that the more he learns the more he realizes there is so much more to learn. It is the purpose of education to help students master the skills needed in life to progress and to develop. It’s a delight to acquire a new skill or to achieve a new accomplishment. After that, there’s more to pursue, more to accomplish. That’s education.

Let the wise listen and add to their learning (Proverbs 1:5). Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning (Proverbs 9:9).

STOP AND THINK – Sweater: a garment worn by child when its mother is feeling chilly. (Inspiration Line)

We can all remember our mothers caring for us this way. Sometimes, it was unnecessary, maybe, but it was their overwhelming love that motivated them to protect us from danger (or colds). Such love is worthy of imitation. Shouldn’t we be looking out for those who are less able to care for themselves, trying to protect them from potential harm?

The righteous care about justice for the poor (Proverbs 29:7). Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people (Galatians 6:10).

STOP AND THINK – There is no practical value in believing. The value comes from what we do with what we believe. (Mike Lee, American pastor)

It has been noted before that belief or faith is only as good as the object of that faith. But, as Lee points out, there’s another factor to consider. It isn’t enough to have faith—to believe in a reliable, trustworthy entity. If that faith doesn’t cause you to change, to act upon what you say you believe, then it brings into question whether you really do believe.

Set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)

STOP AND THINK – The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread. (Mother Teresa)

Hunger is still a serious problem in our world, and we should do all we can to alleviate it. Providing nutritional food will help, and we must make it available. But there are also many people who are starving for affection, having no self-worth and devoid of anyone who cares. We must find ways to take that love to such needy people, too.

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:14)

STOP AND THINK – Belief isn’t just about being sincere. If you really really believe you can fly, you’ll really really get hurt. (Kevin DeYoung, theologian and author)

Many people seem to think that as long as you have faith, you’ll be okay. But, as DeYoung points out, faith must be placed in something that is real and true. Blind faith will lead nowhere good. The strength of faith is all about what you’re placing your faith in. Be sure to trust in what is eternal and true.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. … And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:1, 6)

STOP AND THINK – We teach what we know, we reproduce what we are. (Winston Churchill, 20th century British prime minister)

Too often teaching is merely the transferring of information. Was Churchill saying that there’s something more to learning than just remembering the facts? The goal of education ought to include wisdom and understanding, and it must equip the students for life. The teacher, then, a person of character and integrity, will pour his life into his students.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. (James 3:13)

STOP AND THINK – Coaches help others do what they don’t want to do in order to achieve what they want to achieve. (Tom Nebel, leadership trainer)

Whether it’s in athletics, the arts, or almost any other profession—strenuous exercise and practice in the endeavor are required for success. Very often, it takes a mentor or coach to enforce the training regimen. The coach lays out the plan and holds the student accountable for carrying it out. Without such encouragement, success might not be achieved.

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training (1 Corinthians 9:25). Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things (1 Timothy 4:8).

STOP AND THINK – The secret to happiness, of course, is not getting what you want; it’s wanting what you get. (Hyman Schachtel, 20th century rabbi)

Like so many other things in life, it is attitude or perspective that makes the difference. As a child you may have really been disappointed (unhappy) when you didn’t receive what you wanted at Christmas. If we can learn to be grateful for what we receive, that attitude will bring with it contentment (happiness) and satisfaction with what we receive.

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. (Philippians 4:11)

STOP AND THINK – Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, and skillful execution. (William A. Foster, U.S. Marine, Medal of Honor winner)

Foster is probably thinking of quality as excellence, which is not developed passively. He suggests further, that “It represents the wise choice of many alternatives.” In other words, you have to be intentional, pro-active, to develop such qualities. It is a worthy pursuit to establish good character, and it will benefit many others whom you will influence.

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

STOP AND THINK – Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person’s ultimate good as far as it can be obtained. (C. S. Lewis, 20th century Christian apologist)

In a love-saturated society, the real meaning of love is lost. It’s confused with mere affection on the one hand or unbridled passion on the other. It is often very selfish, each lover trying to fulfill his own desires for satisfaction. As Lewis notes, however, genuine love—the kind noted in the Bible—thinks first not of self but of the other, seeking his or her very best.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. … Love is not self-seeking … It always protects, always trusts. (1 Corinthians 13:4, 5, 7)

STOP AND THINK – True friendship is like sound health, the value of it is seldom known until it [is] lost. (Charles Caleb Colton, 19th century English cleric and writer)

Health is a great example of one thing in life that we take for granted until it’s gone. It’s a shame, isn’t it, that we so undervalue our health—and our friendships? Strong friendships, like good health, take time and attention. So, let’s work at both and thank God both for health and precious friends.

Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord.” (1 Samuel 20:42)

STOP AND THINK – Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant. (Robert Louis Stevenson, 19th century Scottish novelist)

We’re eager to see results, aren’t we? We impatiently wait to see what we’ve accomplished. But, of course, the harvest depends on what we planted in the first place. A lot of elements contribute to a good harvest, and some are beyond our control. But we are responsible for the planting. It’s a great analogy of life, so be careful to sow good seeds everywhere you can.

A man reaps what he sows. . . . Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:7, 9)