Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – All other vices are embedded in evil, but vanity expresses itself in good works. (Augustine, 4th -5th century B.C. Christian theologian)

Augustine identifies vanity, or pride, as a vice, an undesirable character flaw. We can probably all agree to that, but his statement that vanity is expressed “in good works” is a little surprising. Think about that for a moment, however. Aren’t we inclined to flaunt our good deeds sometimes? We want people to know that we’ve done some good thing. That’s vanity!

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind. (Ecclesiastes 1:14)

STOP AND THINK – At times I’m so discouraged with problems of the day, I fail to see the joyful things that are along the way. (Author unknown)

The poem continues: When troubles overwhelm me, it’s then my nerves may fray, that’s when I need to take the time to simply sit and pray; I must try to remember though problems come my way, not to miss the joyful things and the beauty of the day.

But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. (Psalm 68:3)

STOP AND THINK – There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered. (Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa)

It has sometimes been said that “You can’t go back.” If you do, however, you will likely find that things have changed greatly in your absence. But, even if things are pretty much the same as when you left, there will no doubt be significant change, as Mandela suggests. The change, however will most likely be in you. And that will affect your return for good or bad.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2)

STOP AND THINK – Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will never come again. (Jean Luc Picard, a television character)

The statement was made in a television show, but it does give us a valuable reminder of the importance of time. We all have a limited time on earth, and we should value it and use it wisely. It’s good for us to evaluate our use of time, since it is so fleeting and uncertain, and to recognize that we must make the best use of it while we can.

You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. … You ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that. (James 4:14-15)

STOP AND THINK – As any change must begin somewhere, it is the single individual who will experience it and carry it through. (Carl G. Jung, Swiss psychiatrist)

Sometimes we would really like to see some change. “If only someone would do something,” we might say, sensing a need for another way to accomplish the goal. But, as Jung says, “Change must begin somewhere.” And, of course, it has to begin with someone. Could it be that the change needs to occur in us? And how can that change come about?

And all of us, who contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being changed into his image with ever-increasing glory. (2 Corinthians 3:18, paraphrased)

STOP AND THINK – None … are so unable to sympathize as those who have never had trouble themselves—and none are so able to feel as those who have drunk most deeply the cup of pain and sorrow. (J. C. Ryle, 19th century Anglican bishop)

Haven’t you found it so? It’s difficult to sympathize with someone who is going through great trials, when you have no understanding of personal troubles. However, most of us have had difficulties at one time or another, so we can appreciate another’s trouble and can offer meaningful help, because we’ve been there and understand.

[God] comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Corinthians 5:4)

STOP AND THINK – Your Reputation is learned in an hour; your Character does not come to light for a year. (William Hershey Davis, Welsh poet and writer)

How quickly a reputation can be made! An otherwise good person can make one big mistake, and his reputation is instantly tarnished. On the other hand, a person can live a very good life, but it takes time before he or she is recognized as a person of integrity. Actually, it sometimes takes a lifetime to establish character.

The integrity of the upright guides them. (Proverbs 11:3) May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in you. (Psalm 25:21)

STOP AND THINK – Doing what you said you would do is simply an issue of integrity. (Charles Swindoll, American pastor)

They used to say, “A man’s word is his bond.” That and maybe a shake of hands were all that was necessary for a verbal contract, an agreement between two honest people. Swindoll writes further, “There is no substitute for having the guts to keep your word.” Today’s culture, however, almost demands a carefully worded contract, drafted by lawyers. How sad!

All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. (Matthew 5:37)

STOP AND THINK – People and things do not upset us; rather we upset ourselves by believing that they can upset us. (Inspiration Line)

We often blame others when we are upset, don’t we? What someone does or says can cause us to become angry or depressed, or at least that’s the way we often think about it. But in reality, seldom do outside influences or events affect us that greatly. It’s just that we allow those things to bother us. We must take charge of our attitudes and control our reactions.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control. (2 Peter 1:5-6)

STOP AND THINK – The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. (Marcel Proust, 19th and 20th century French novelist and essayist)

We enjoy the stories of the great world discoverers who traveled the globe to find new places and new passageways. But many wonderful discoveries have been found in laboratories, libraries, and the normal events of life by those who examine things from new perspectives—with “new eyes.”

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. (Psalm 119:18)

STOP AND THINK – How things look on the outside of us depends on how things are on the inside of us. (Confucius, 6th century BC Chinese philosopher)

In spite of our efforts to hide our real feelings, it often is too easy for others to recognize how things really are. Our face gives us away, or our body language and behavior do. So, instead of working hard to make ourselves look good, maybe we should spend more time working on the real person, our character and integrity; that will determine how we act—and look.

A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit (Proverbs 15:13). As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart (Proverbs 27:19)

STOP AND THINK- Do not go where the path may lead. Instead, go where there is no path and leave a trail. (Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19th century American essayist)

For many of us with a less adventurous spirit, it’s just too hard to make a new trail. We’d prefer to follow a path with a clear destination. That’s the way of ease and comfort. Blazing a trail into the unknown can be frightening. But the never-before traveled path may just lead to new discoveries that will bring joy to the trail-blazer and good to many others.

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand (Psalm 16:11)