Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – – It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation. (Herman Melville, 19th century American author)

No one likes to be called a “copy cat.” On the other hand, most of us would probably admit that we’ve had very few original thoughts. Our thinking is almost always the result of input from multitudes of teachers, friends, and books. Imitation is not necessarily bad; just be careful whom you imitate and where you get your ideas and thoughts.

Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. (3 John 1:11)

STOP AND THINK – Failures are only temporary tests to prepare us for permanent triumphs. (Charles Swindoll, pastor and author)
When we experience a failure of some kind, we are inclined to stop trying. After all, we don’t want to fail again.

Swindoll goes on to challenge us: “Start doing something that you’ve put off because of the risk of failure.” Don’t let the fear of failure keep you from moving forward in the pursuit of something of lasting value. Exercise your faith. It’s worth the effort!

For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4)

STOP AND THINK – Big results require big ambitions. (James Champy, management consultant)

It’s a simple statement with a profound conclusion. Not much of value is accomplished without a big vision, a vision that may be staggering in its ambition. Leaders with such vision and ambition, of course, must be able to influence others who will provide the resources, expend the energy, and recruit others who can complete the task.

Where there is no vision, the people perish. (Proverbs 29:18)

STOP AND THINK – Afraid to live generously? The thing to be afraid of isn’t generosity. The thing to fear is refusing to be generous. (Mike Lee, American pastor)

Economic hard times often affect donations to churches and charities and a willingness to help the poor and struggling. Is it selfishness or good stewardship that causes us to hold back on our charitable giving? Actually, the generous people are the ones who are doubly blessed. While blessing others to whom they give, they reap the benefit of generous living.

Just as you excel in everything . . . see that you also excel in the grace of giving. (2 Corinthians 8:7)

STOP AND THINK – Providence has hidden a charm in difficult undertakings, which is appreciated only by those who dare to grapple with them. (Anne-Sophie Swetchine, 19th century Russian mystic)

Many of us are looking for the simple life. Don’t give us anything too difficult to pursue. Dedication to the pursuit of learning seems to be a lost art in many circles today. But the wonderful and unexpected discoveries are most often hidden in a place that takes hard work and perseverance to uncover. The discovery, however, is worth the hardships.

Flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. (1 Timothy 6:11)

STOP AND THINK – Whatever you value, be committed to it and let nothing distract you from this goal. The uncommitted life . . . is not worth living. (Father Hesburgh, former president of Notre Dame University)

Life is so complex and diverse today that it’s often difficult to concentrate on a single project or goal. Many of us are not efficient multi-taskers, so we would do better to commit ourselves to a single, worthy goal and press on to its successful completion. That will add purpose and value to our daily living.

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me (Philippians 3:14)

STOP AND THINK – Success in marriage depends on being able, when you get over being in love, to really love. (Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of the 32nd president of the United States)

Love is the popular theme of music, books, movies, TV shows, and all kinds of communications. But, as Mrs. Roosevelt suggests, that romantic feeling of newlyweds doesn’t last forever. Then, the test really begins. It’s not an emotion so much as a commitment to act toward your spouse in his or her best interest. That can be romantic, too.

[Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:70)

STOP AND THINK – There are not many original thinkers in the world. Most men are like sheep, they follow a leader. (J. C Ryle, 19th century Anglican bishop)

In a list of dangers for young men, Bishop Ryle included “Fear of Man’s Opinions.” He spoke of men being like sheep, following a leader. Of course, young men—and all of us, really—should not follow others blindly. We must keep our eyes open, our minds clear, and examine both the character of the leader and the worthiness of the cause.

[Jesus said], My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27)

STOP AND THINK – It is with trifles, and when he is off guard, that a man best reveals his character. (Arthur Schopenhauer, 19th century German philosopher)

It’s a truth we need to be reminded of often. The character of a person is really not what is on public display; one can put on and take off a persona as he pleases in order to suit a particularly crowd. But, character is best revealed when you don’t think anyone is looking and you act out of your personal integrity.

The integrity of the upright guides them. (Proverbs 11:3)

STOP AND THINK – I read a book one day and my whole life was changed. (Orhan Pamuk, Nobel Prize-winning Turkish writer)

In our fast-paced life, it is often difficult for us to find time to read, yet many of us can remember the stories we read as a child and how they entertained and enlightened us. To lose the benefit of the knowledge of the ages that is stored in books is to lose an invaluable resource. The only caution: pick books that are wholesome and challenging.

Keep this Book of the Law [the Bible] always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (Joshua 1:8)

STOP AND THINK – There is more to life than increasing its speed. (Mahatma Gandhi, 20th century nationalist in India)

What would Gandhi think if he were alive now? The pace of our lives today would probably only reinforce his conclusion. How quickly we can get there or how speedily we can accomplish our work seems to be the essential question. Yet, if we were to slow down a bit to spend time with friends, read a book, or meditate, we might discover a much fuller life.

Jesus: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

STOP AND THINK – Obedience is the pathway to freedom. (Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Christian author)

In the United States we celebrate Independence Day today. Liberty and freedom are the keynotes. But freedom must have its limits, and recognition of the boundaries allows for even more freedom. That’s a hard thought for some people, but when you recognize properly established limits and act within them, you will enjoy a fulfilling freedom.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)