Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you. (Carl Sandburg, 20th century American writer and poet)

Another way of saying it is “Time is the measure of life.” Or, at least, how we spend our time, what use we make of it will be the gauge of our success or failure. And, as Sandburg notes, we are responsible for that measure. Don’t let anyone else control your use of the time you’ve been given.

Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time . . . in reverent fear. (1 Peter 1:17)

STOP AND THINK – The best learning I had came from teaching. (Corrie Ten Boom, holocaust survivor)

Every teacher would likely agree with Ten Boom’s observation. We really begin to learn our subject when we prepare to teach it and actually experience the interaction of teaching and learning. The teacher, then, may well become the greater learner. Look for opportunities to teach others—not only for their benefit but for yours.

You, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? (Romans 2:21)

STOP AND THINK – Change has long been a fearful thing for human beings … and at the same time, it is our most Divine opportunity. (Chelle Thompson, Inspiration Line)

Why do so many people fear change? To paraphrase Thompson, “Clinging to the banks of the river may seem safe and more secure, but life’s possibilities are truly engaged only when we trust, release and become part of the flow.” The possibility, even the necessity, of change will most often provide a unique opportunity that will prove to be of great benefit.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity. (Ephesians 5:15-16)

STOP AND THINK – Life is mostly froth and bubble, two things stand like stone: kindness in another’s trouble, courage in your own. (Adam Lindsay Gordon, 19th century Australian poet)

We might not think of life as “froth and bubble,” but we can certainly benefit from Gordon’s conclusion that kindness and courage are rocks to build your life on. You will more likely be remembered for your kindness to others and your courage in the midst of life’s struggles than you will be the fun and games you enjoyed with others.

It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy. (Proverbs 14:21) Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
(1 Corinthians 16:13)

STOP AND THINK – Everything we paint is a statement about ourselves. (Mark Davis, American radio host and columnist)

We may be inclined to think that what we do is often insignificant and unnoticed. Yet, as an author’s writings reflect his personality and the artist’s paintings reveal her inner character, so the product of our lives tell the world who we really are. That may be even truer of the small characteristics of our lives that we think others don’t observe.

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

STOP AND THINK – There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events [in life] are blessings given to us to learn from. (Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, 20th century Swiss-American psychiatrist)

Kubler-Ross also says, “Know that everything in this life has purpose.” Many today live as if life was just a series of happenstances. Rather than planning and living life with purpose, they merely react to the current circumstances, hoping for the best. What will be will be, they think. How much more exciting and fulfilling it is to pursue life with purpose.

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me. (Philippians 3:13-14)

STOP AND THINK – True integrity implies you do what is right when no one is looking or when everyone [else] is compromising. (Charles Swindoll, American pastor and author)

Did you ever say, “Everyone else is doing it,” when you wanted your parents’ permission to do something they didn’t approve of? Of course, the statement is never totally true, but what’s more important is that the standard of right and wrong is not what everyone else does or doesn’t do. There has to be a higher authority—your parents, the law, and especially God.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. (Colossians 3:23)

STOP AND THINK – There is no more miserable human being than one in whom nothing is habitual but indecision. (William James, 19th-20th century American philosopher)

It’s good to develop habits that promote good health (exercise, flossing your teeth), and learning (reading, study), etc. And bad habits should be avoided, of course, like continually refusing to make decisions, waiting until the “right” moment, or leaving it to someone else. Such indecision leads to idleness and unhappiness.

Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold. (Proverbs 8:10)

STOP AND THINK – Always laugh when you can. It’s cheap medicine. (Lord Byron, 19th century English romantic poet)

Do you remember the last time you had a really good, a belly-shaking guffaw? They are all too few nowadays, it seems. Remember how good you felt after such an outburst? While we may not want to have such an ostentatious display of humor too often, at least a good laugh once in a while would be a welcome relief from the day’s pressures, wouldn’t it?

A cheerful heart is good medicine (Proverbs 17:22)

STOP AND THINK – Wherever you are, be all there. (Jim Elliot, 20th century missionary martyr)

Life today offers a multitude of distractions. It’s often hard to concentrate on the business at hand. Elliot, no doubt, was thinking of his role in a cross-cultural ministry. You can’t be working in a foreign country, for example, and be constantly thinking of the way things were “back home.” Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, be sure you’re “all there.”

A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways (James 1:8)

STOP AND THINK – A friend is someone who knows all about you, but loves you anyway. (Source unknown)

How many true friends do you have? The one who discards you and walks away when times are hard is called a “fair-weather friend.” But the person who sticks with you when difficulties arise or others are putting you down—that’s a real friend, one who, as the Bible says, is “closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24)

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity . . . and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice (Proverbs 17:17; 27:9)

STOP AND THINK – The heart of the giver makes the gift dear and precious. (Martin Luther, German monk and early leader in the Protestant Reformation)

Have you ever given to someone for the wrong reason? Perhaps a bridal shower or wedding or graduation gift because you felt like you had to? A gift is more meaningful and valued when it is given out of a heart of appreciation and friendship. Perhaps more precious are the gifts of time, conversation, and warm fellowship from a heart of love and caring.

But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving (2 Corinthians 8:7)