Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – Man is always inclined to be intolerant towards the thing, or person, he hasn’t taken the time adequately to understand. (Robert R. Brown)

We might conclude from Brown’s comment that we could reduce a lot of intolerance and misunderstanding if we would just take the time and effort to learn about those things and people we don’t like. A little bit of “walking in their shoes,” perhaps, would improve our attitude of intolerance and dislike. It is certainly worth the effort.

No one should seek their own good, but the good of others (1 Corinthians 10:24). In humility value others above yourselves . . . not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others (Philippians 2:3-4)

STOP AND THINK – If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there’d be peace. (John Lennon, British musician and founding member of the Beatles, popular 20th century band)

Sounds like something Thomas Jefferson (quoted yesterday) might agree with. It’s another evidence that material possessions ought not to have the top priority in our value system. Lennon’s statement may be a bit naïve because peace is more than just stopping wars and riots. Lasting peace must have a spiritual dimension beyond mere human aspiration.

Jesus: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

STOP AND THINK – Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching. (Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States)

Today is Presidents Day in the U.S. Washington and Lincoln were born in February, so we take this one day to honor all of our presidents. Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence and penned many other valuable writings. The statement above reminds us that we don’t live alone; we live in community. So, be thoughtful of others.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4)

STOP AND THINK – Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. (Nelson Mandela, late president of South Africa)

It’s doubtful that anyone would argue against that statement. But we must ask, “What is being taught and for what purpose?” History has often demonstrated that when education is based on falsehoods or harmful assumptions, societies suffer. We must be careful to qualify the source of education and the teachers.

The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death. (Proverbs 13:14)

STOP AND THINK – Snowmen fall from heaven unassembled. (Author unknown)

Sounds like a silly, childish cartoon saying, doesn’t it? Yet, when you think about it, there may be some deeper thought to it. Somebody has to put those snowflakes together to make a snow-man, a snow castle, or anything else made of snow. Maybe we can learn that we are to take what God sends us and make something out of it—something more lasting than a snowman.

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. (Romans 8:28)

STOP AND THINK – You can always give without loving, but you can never love without giving. (Amy Carmichael, 19th-20th century Christian missionary and author)

In the USA today thousands of Valentines cards, boxes of candy, and flowers will be given to express love. They are pleasant gifts, of course, and they symbolize the real significance of love, as Carmichael has pointed out. Love is an action word, a deliberate giving of oneself to another and acting toward that loved one in his or her best interest.

Jesus, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34). “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13)

STOP AND THINK – Be the change you wish to see in the world. (Mahatma Gandhi, 19th-20th century leader of nonviolent nationalism movement in India)

Almost everyone wants to see changes, improvements in circumstances or in the political arena. Politicians often campaign on platforms promising change. But, as Gandhi suggests, real change has to begin with the individual. If you want to see change, make sure you change in the desired way. Then, you can be an example of change that others can follow.

In everything set them an example by doing what is good. (Titus 2:7)

STOP AND THINK – Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then, stand firm. (Abraham Lincoln)

Today we note the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, “Honest Abe,” the 16th president of the United States. In spite of many personal and political defeats, he persevered to become one of the most respected men in American history. He surely lived out what he said, standing firm when he felt he was right, an attribute we should all cultivate.

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. (1 Corinthians 16:13)

STOP AND THINK – Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where others see nothing. (Camille Passarro, 19th century Impressionist painter)

It’s a gift—the artist’s ability to see things differently from the way the less creative person sees them. Whether it’s a painter, a sculptor, or a building renovator—he or she sees the potential in a scene, a piece of stone, or a run-down house. Acting on their vision of what it could be, they offer beauty and restoration that encourages and benefits the rest of us.

[God] has made everything beautiful in its time. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

STOP AND THINK – All that we are is the result of what we have thought. (Buddha)

There may be a lot of ways to say what Buddha said. For example, Marcus Aurelius (2nd century Roman emperor) said, “Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.” So, we must be careful what we think about—what we put into our heads.

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 – The block of granite which was an obstacle in the pathway of the weak becomes a stepping-stone in the pathway of the strong. (Thomas Carlyle, 19th century Scottish philosopher)

What is it that makes some people balk when an obstacle arises in their way and others immediately accept the challenge to remove or get past the barrier? Carlyle suggests that the problem may be “nothing more than a decision.” How we respond reveals more about us than about the obstacle. Are we weak or strong? Uncertain or decisive?

Who, then, are those who fear the Lord? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose. (Psalm 25:12)

STOP AND THINK – The wise man does at once…. what the fool does finally. (Baltasar Gracián, 17th century priest, philosopher, and writer)

Is this writer speaking of procrastination, putting off till later what we know we should do right away? Or, is he suggesting that you we can too easily rationalize what we need to do, finding excuses for delay that make us feel comfortable. That is, until it’s really late and we realize we were mistaken and had misjudged the timing. As Nike says, “Just do it.” Now!

For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them. (Proverbs 1:32)