Daily Stop & Thinks

Change

Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself. (Leo Tolstoy, Russian writer)

In this election year, many citizens are hoping for change, whether in local, state, or federal elections. We’ve already been inundated with charges, name-calling, and promises that often are hard to evaluate with our limited knowledge. Tolstoy’s comment is worthy of note. Don’t put too much hope on others to bring about change. Successful change often begins within ourselves.

I preached . . . , that all must repent of their sins and turn to God—and prove they have changed by the good things they do (Acts 26:20).

Reading

A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one. (George R. R. Martin, American novelist and screenwriter)

It is undoubtedly true that most great writers have been great readers. Ideas for characters, description of geography and scenes, personality quirks—all of these influence the writer, giving him or her increased vocabulary and imagination. The reader experiences the excitement and tragedy of the characters he reads about, and his own imagination grows and becomes creative.

These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age (1 Corinthians 10:11).

Awards

Most things are more rewarding when you break a sweat to get ’em. (Matthew McConaughey, American actor)

Awards are not usually given to just anyone. Winning a race, writing a best-seller, scoring a winning basket or touchdown—those are the kinds of accomplishments that are rewarded. And the winners didn’t achieve their awards by chance. They practiced long and hard. They sweated a lot. Such medals mean more because of the effort it took to receive them

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? (1 Corinthians 9:24)

Work It Out

Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out. (John Wooden, noted basketball coach)

How do you respond when difficulties arise, or things aren’t working out the way you wish they would? That’s a more important question than trying to find out why things happen the way they do. Sometimes we can’t change the circumstances that trouble us. But we can note Wooden’s observation and work hard to discover how to remedy the situation.

Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right, for there is a time and a way for everything, even when a person is in trouble. (Ecclesiastes 8:5-6).

Charity

If charity cost nothing, the world would be full of philanthropists. (Jewish Proverb)

If we were more generous by nature, always wanting to give to the needs of others, we probably wouldn’t have “Giving Tuesdays” every year. Why do we need to be prodded to give? Do we have to see traumatic tragedies before we open our wallets? The motive for giving should be love (the basic meaning of charity) which is a gift that helps us respond to those in need of help.

Since you excel in so many ways . . . I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving (2 Corinthians 8:7).

The Real Battle

The battles that count aren’t the ones for gold medals. (Jesse Owens, Olympic gold medal winner)

Against all sorts of local prejudice when he ran in the Olympics in Nazi Germany, Owens won four gold medals. That is outstanding, of course, but his perspective on life is even more notable. He said, “The struggles within yourself–the invisible battles inside all of us–that’s where it’s at.” It takes the supernatural gifting of God for us to conquer our inner selves.

So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control (1 Peter 1:13). Better . . . to have self-control than to conquer a city (Proverbs 16:32).

Right Thinking

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. (Plato, ancient Greek philosopher)

The chaos around the world—war, poverty, crime—is the result of someone’s thinking. And there are a lot of thoughtless ideas about the difficult issues of life today. As Plato suggests, when you read or hear the thoughts of well-known and outspoken public figures, consider them carefully, but don’t accept them without careful thought. Think right and choose right to act right.

Riches

There are two ways to be rich: one is by acquiring much and the other is by desiring little. (Jackie French Keller, children’s author)

The contrast could not be greater! Just look at the accumulation of “stuff” that you find in many garages, attics, and storage units. Think back a few days ago to Christmas. How many gifts were under the tree? Many, no doubt, that were just to be added to the toy box or sports bag. We just can’t seem to learn that contentment doesn’t come with more stuff but learning to live with less.

First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs (Proverbs 30:8).

Couch Potatoes

Failure is the one thing that can be accomplished by doing nothing. (Payton Christian, horse rescuer)

“Couch potato” has become a common term to describe people who seem to have nothing better to do than watch TV. He or she may  not be lazy necessarily, but there’s little that moves them to activity. You may be able to accomplish something by getting off the couch and going to work. Otherwise, as Christian says, you will achieve nothing because you are doing nothing. Get up!

Get up and prepare for action (Jeremiah 1:17).

Keep On!

Champions keep playing until they get it right. (Billie Jean King, former professional tennis champion)

We may joke about someone’s repeated attempts at work or in games, “Are  you going to keep doing it till you get it right?” Winners, as King says, practice continually. But they must practice the fundamentals correctly, because continual practice may make your actions permanent. So, keep at it, but first be sure you are doing it right.

Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart (Psalm 119:34).

Speaking the Truth

Fears, however justified, should never stymie constructive and necessary action. (Dale Stoffer, university professor and author)

Sometimes we may be tempted to refrain from saying or writing what we know to be true because of the expected audience or readership. It’s the fear of ridicule or rejection that makes us hesitant to speak out. It would be better to evaluate the importance of the truth we are withholding and not let personal fear prevent us from sharing what needs to be heard.

We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:14-15).

New Opportunities

New Year is a new morning, and a new morning is a new opportunity, and a new opportunity is a new path and finally a new path is a new richness! (Mehmet Murat ildan, Turkish playwright)

Maybe you need a fresh, positive look for the New Year. Last year may not have been so good for you, but  2024 brings with it time to make improvements and explore new opportunities. Every day can be a new experience of growth and progress. Set and expect to accomplish worthy goals and work diligently to achieve them.

Make the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:16).