Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – You can’t experiment if you don’t have time to fail. (Kary Oberbrunner, author and motivational speaker)

The fear of failure keeps many people from trying something new, from stepping out of the normal routine to move at a difference pace. Where would we be if everyone lived that way? Work in a laboratory often produces less than desirable results, but the scientist learns from the experiment, and tries again. Don’t be foolish, but try moving out of your comfort zone.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed. (2 Timothy 2:15)

STOP AND THINK – The energy it takes to hang onto the past [may be] holding you back from a new life. (Mary Manin Morrissey, teacher and author)

Some of us really like to live in the past, don’t we? We’re nostalgic, and we’re often longing for “the good ole days.” Maybe, those days weren’t so good for you, and you’re trapped in the fear or pain of the past. In that case, stop wasting time and energy over what can’t be changed and put that effort into worthy steps into the future.

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 – Leadership is not just a matter of action, but a matter of attitude. (Beau Stanley, pastor)

When we think of leaders, we often picture a strong person, leading the troops out front, facing the obstacles, and encouraging his team to follow him into action. He or she is a person of action. That’s often true, of course, but a leader may also be a less physically active person whose ideas are powerful and whose attitude motivates his team to follow.

“Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him.” (Numbers 27:18)

STOP AND THINK – There are three kinds of giving: grudge giving, duty giving, and thanksgiving. Grudge giving says, I have to ; duty giving says, I ought to ; thanksgiving says, I want to. (Robert Rodenmeyer, author)

It’s Thanksgiving Day, a day when Americans thank God for His blessings. If you are truly thankful, how do you express your attitude of gratitude? Do you give, whether it’s money, encouragement, or time grudgingly or out of a sense of obligation. Giving can be a joy when you give willingly, because you want to. Try it!

I will offer to [God] the sacrifice of thanksgiving. (Psalm 116:17)

STOP AND THINK – You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me. (C. S. Lewis, Christian apologist)

I wonder what Lewis had in mind. Was he merely commenting on his great love of tea and good books, and how he could enjoy drinking his tea and reading good books endlessly? What is it that you think you could enjoy doing without limits? On the other hand, is there a sense that there’s never enough of what you like, leading ultimately to dissatisfaction?

Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. (Ecclesiastes 5:10)

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)