Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts. (Daniel Patrick Moynihan, late United States Senator)

This significant statement should be remembered in times of heated discussion and debate. We all have opinions that we arrive at by reasoning and from a variety of sources. While we must allow others to have ideas different from ours, in order to discover truth we must evaluate those ideas on the basis of the facts, which are the same for everyone.

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. (John 16:13)

STOP AND THINK – We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is awaiting us. (Joseph Campbell, American writer and lecturer)

Does that mean that we shouldn’t plan? No, Campbell’s statement is an encouragement to think “outside the box,” to consider opportunities online casinos beyond our limited vision and plan. He also puts it another way, thinking, perhaps, of the lifecycle of snakes, “The old skin has to be shed before the new one is to come.” So, when you plan ahead, also look for new horizons.

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

STOP AND THINK – It is only romance that is blind; love, not all. (Maureen Mullarkey, author)

Have you ever said that love is blind? True love according to Mullarkey, however, “is clear-eyed; it has tooth. Love does not blush to admit that among those we are called to love are a thumping number of unlikeables.” Sounds like a biblical principle when she says, “But we are called to love our neighbor according to his needs, not our own.”

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:7, 8)

STOP AND THINK – Freedom is not worth having if it does not connote freedom to err. (Mahatma Gandhi, 20th century nationalist in India)

The freedom to make mistakes or to be wrong. Wow, that’s an interesting thought, isn’t it? Gandhi went on to say, “It passes my comprehension how human beings . . . can delight in depriving other human beings of that precious right.” After all, we learn most by mistakes—whether ours or someone else’s. Don’t let fear of failure keep you from moving forward.

Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil. (1 Peter 2:16)

STOP AND THINK – If you want to enjoy the rainbow, be prepared to endure the storm. (Warren Wiersbe, Pastor and author)

“What a beautiful rainbow!” we might exclaim when we see that multi-colored arc in the sky. Of course, it’s the result of sunshine breaking through the moisture in the air. Quite often, as in the case of Noah and the great flood recorded in the Bible, the rainbow appears after a great storm. To see the bow, we must have the rain, but it brings a promise of hope.

Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth. (Genesis 9:16)

STOP AND THINK – A single event can awaken within us a stranger totally unknown to us. To live is to be slowly born. (Antoine de Saint Exupery, 20th century French writer)

Each day is a new day, isn’t it? We can’t always know what to expect. In that sense, it’s like being “born again” to new adventures and hopes. All of life becomes a learning and growing experience if we are alert to its changes. So, let’s learn to live expectantly, anticipating each new day and its prospects.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

STOP AND THINK – Sooner or later we must realize there is no station, no one place to arrive at once and for all. The true joy of life is the trip. (Inspiration Line)

There may be both truth and error in that statement. It is true that striving toward a never-found goal in life is a joyless pursuit. Consequently, finding joy in life’s journey, regardless of the goal, is rewarding. The danger in this philosophy, however, is ignoring the fact that physical life will come to an end and there is something beyond to prepare for.

People are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment. (Hebrews 9:27)

STOP AND THINK – If you stop to be kind, you must swerve often from your path. (Mary Webb, 20th century English romantic novelist and poet)

Many people are linear in their approach to life. They are on a straight line to whatever goal they have for the moment, and almost nothing will make them deviate from that line. But think of the biblical story of the Good Samaritan. He interrupted his journey and went out of his way to help someone who was suffering. Jesus said it was an example we should follow.

And who is [a good] neighbor? The one who has mercy. Go and do likewise. (Excerpts paraphrased from Luke 10:29-37)

STOP AND THINK – Every day above ground is a good day. (Church signboard)

It’s a bit trite, yet there’s something to be said for the simple truth it expresses. If you’re alive, at least there’s some hope for good to happen to you. More important, you can do something worthwhile, make a worthy contribution to society, or encourage someone. The opportunities are almost limitless—as long as you have life. Make it a good day.

Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. (Hebrews 13:16)

STOP AND THINK – Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. (Martin Luther King, Jr., 20th century civil rights leader)

It’s a simple observation of physics. But when it is applied as a metaphor in life, it remains a simple truth but with powerful application. Fighting evil with evil does not resolve conflict. Engaging immorality with unethical behavior merely makes the conflict more severe. Only light can dispel darkness; only right behavior and attitudes can overcome evil and wrong.

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. (1 Corinthians 4:5)

STOP AND THINK – Who is wise in love, love most, say least. (Lord Alfred Tennyson, 19th century Poet Laureate of Great Britain)

Many are the words of love. Gifted artists have given us innumerable songs, poems, and prose tributes to the illusive qualities of love. While almost everyone appreciates hearing words of love, the best evidence of caring for someone is not in the quantity of prose, but in the thoughtful actions that encourage, benefit, and uplift the loved one.

Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:18)

STOP AND THINK – The genius of life is to carry the spirit of childhood into old age. (Inspiration Line)

Aging is an inevitable but complex phenomenon. In some ways, the elderly revert to certain childhood characteristics—most of which are not desirable. However, there is one childlike feature that would make aging an exciting and profitable experience: faith, viewing life with anticipation and hope as in the eyes of a child.

Jesus: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3)