Daily Stop & Thinks

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)

STOP AND THINK – When you are content to be simply yourself and don’t compare or compete, everyone will respect you. (Lao Tzu, 6th century BC Chinese poet and philosopher)

It’s hard in today’s culture not to be competitive. Everything seems to be some kind of game. We’re constantly comparing or competing. No wonder, so many people have such deep psychological problems. The pressure is too great. The advice, then, is to just be yourself, not to compare or compete. What peace of mind and self-satisfaction that would create.

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment. (Romans 12:3)

STOP AND THINK – The right response to [suffering] is not pleasure; it’s holiness. (Paraphrased from political and cultural columnist David Brooks)

What’s your first response to pain? How to get rid of it, right? But, if you believe that life is more than just a material, physical existence, you probably also want to discover the purpose of the trial. Surely, it’s not to bring happiness but, as Brown suggests, it may be given to cause us to think beyond the physical to discover God’s higher purpose for us.

God to a suffering Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

STOP AND THINK – We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. (Plato, 5th century BC Greek mathematician and philosopher)

Do you remember what it was like to be afraid of the dark? You felt a lot better when a little night light was left on, didn’t you? Some people grow up, however, pursuing a life that seems to be motivated by fear and evil. Like bugs that crawl out of the woodwork, they scatter when the light is turned on. Such people should turn from evil to God’s light.

People loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. (John 3:19)

STOP AND THINK – The longer we take to make up our minds, the less time there is to enjoy the decision. (Jesse Deloe, teacher, editor)

Today’s thought was prompted by one of Mark Twain’s, “I must have a prodigious quantity of mind; it takes me as much as a week, sometimes, to make it up.” Another word for that might be “procrastination.” But the more we put things off, the more we delay the benefit of achievement. Get the facts, make a decision, and move on.

Letting [God’s] Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. (Romans 8:6)

STOP AND THINK – It is not how much you do, but how much love you put into the doing that matters. (Mother Teresa)

We live in an age of hyperactivity. We seem to have to be doing something always. Our schedules are packed with appointments, games, shows, work projects, and other time-consuming ventures. More important than how much we do, however, is our motivation in doing. We must be concerned about people and how we can encourage and build them up.

Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds . . . [and] encouraging one another. (Hebrews 10:24-25)