Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – Not in the flight of ideas, but only in action is freedom. (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, 20th century German Lutheran pastor and anti-Nazi activist)

Ideas are important. As Robin Williams once said, “No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.” But Bonhoeffer makes it clear that ideas must be put into action. He continued, “Make up your mind and come out into the tempest of the living.” Pursue your worthy ideas with actions that bring them into reality.

May [God] give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed (Psalm 20:4)

STOP AND THINK – If you stop to be kind, you must swerve often from your path. (Mary Webb, 19th-20th century English romantic novelist and poet)

How often do we pass by someone in need, because we don’t want to go out of our way? Our time is important; our task is critical, so we ignore the needy because it’s inconvenient to help. The biblical story of the Good Samaritan tells of a man who went out of his way and used his own money to help someone in need. We would do well to follow his example.

It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy . . . whoever is kind to the needy honors God (Proverbs 14:21, 31)

STOP AND THINK – Funny how I judge others by their actions but want them to judge me by my intentions. Maybe not so funny. (Mike Lee, American pastor)

Isn’t that the truth? We are likely to judge another person solely by what we see him do without giving much thought to his intentions. On the other hand, we expect others to know why we’re doing or saying something and to judge us on our intentions rather than our actions. Let’s begin to change that bad habit today.

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged (Matthew 7:1)

STOP AND THINK – It’s almost impossible to smile on the outside without feeling better on the inside. (Source unknown)

Is that really true? Try it the next time you see someone who seems to be discouraged and unsmiling. See if you can make him or her smile and then ask if he or she feels better. Or, try smiling when you feel sad. You’ll likely begin to feel better right away. Maybe it works the other way, too. Change your attitude; maybe the smile will come.

“If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile’” (Job 9:27).

STOP AND THINK – Boys take, Men give. Boys create problems, Men solve problems, Boys complain, Men figure it out. Boys pout, Men endure. (John Bryson, business executive, former US Secretary of Commerce)

Bryson is speaking about maturity, isn’t he? And, his comments certainly apply to girls and women, too. One way we can evaluate one’s maturity is observing whether they take or give, pout or endure, and so on. Childhood is a fun, learning, and growing time, but it must come to an end as maturity enables a person to make a worthy contribution to society.

When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me (1 Corinthians 13:11).

STOP AND THINK – Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass…it’s about learning how to dance in the rain. (Vivien Greene, author, designer, and speaker)

Everyone encounters storms in life. Difficulties and trials are inevitable. Since you can’t avoid them, what can you do about them? We can prepare for some that might be anticipated. We can look for help to get through them. Or, we can learn to accept them and make the best of them. Make lemonade out of lemons, as the saying goes.

Consider it pure joy . . . whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance (James 1:2-3).

STOP AND THINK – Appreciation can make a day—even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary. (Margaret Cousins, 20th century Irish-Indian educationist)

“Thank you!” “You are appreciated.” Those are simple words, but when spoken or written sincerely, they are powerful. But they are powerless unless expressed. Look for opportunities to say thanks to someone who has served you well. You will make their day—and maybe spur them on to greater achievement.

I thank my God every time I think of you (Philippians 1:3).

STOP AND THINK – There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. (Edith Wharton, 19th-20th century American Pulitzer Prize-winning author)

In our highly technical age we’ve learned that our lives are no longer private. Everyone seems to know what everyone else is doing and saying. It’s all over social media. So, we need to be careful what people are seeing when they look at us. We want them to see the good of our own lives and the good we are reflecting from our associations or from God.

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14)

STOP AND THINK – What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal. (Albert Pike, 19th century Confederate officer, attorney)

You Can’t Take It with You was the popular 1937 Pulitzer Prize-winning atoledo play, whose title boldly states an obvious fact of life. Possessions, awards, estates are all left behind when we die. But, the unselfish life, lived for the benefit of others leaves a legacy that blesses others and provides a long-lasting heritage. Such a life also lays up treasures for life after death.

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal (Matthew 6:20)

STOP AND THINK – Treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness, and understanding you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again. (Og Mandino, 20th century American author and speaker)

Suppose everyone did this every day. Wow! How different would life be! But if only you were to live this way, would it make any difference? If Mandino is right, it would change your life and, no doubt, bring change to many others, also.

Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow (Isaiah 1:17)

STOP AND THINK – Only one decision pleases God: obedience. (Charles Swindoll, pastor and author)

In the universal struggle of mankind to know and please God, men have developed many different images of God and established the “rules” they think they must follow to please Him. Perhaps, it’s too simple a thought, but the Bible is clear: what God wants of His followers is obedience to His will and Word.

Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22)

STOP AND THINK – A girl’s true beauty is the reflection of her inner happiness. (Anonymous)

Physical beauty is paramount in the minds of many young men and women, so this comment is a helpful reminder of what is really most important in life. One’s outward appearance, after all, will change with age, and it doesn’t always improve. But the inward beauty of virtue, morality, and integrity will be reflected in an attractive appearance at any age.

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment . . . Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight (1 Peter 3:3-4)