Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – Next to love, balance is the most important thing. (John Wooden, late award-winning college basketball coach)

Two things are evident: First, love is most important. That’s a biblical principle that Wooden lived by—and so should we! Second, the antidote for the extremism that seems to be so prevalent in our world today is balance. Again, the biblical principle is “moderation in all things.” Our lives would be more peaceful if we were to find that important balance.

Let your moderation be known unto all men. (Philippians 4:5)

STOP AND THINK – An intense anticipation itself transforms possibility into reality. (Samuel Smiles, 19th century Scottish author and reformer)

Smiles continues: “Our desires [are] often but precursors of the things which we are capable of performing.” The person who is really “into” his project can almost will it to completion. That doesn’t discredit hard work, but it shows how important it is to be able to have a vision of what you want to accomplish and pursue it with expectancy.

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

STOP AND THINK – It’s extraordinary how extraordinary the ordinary person is. (George Will, American journalist)

They say that no two snowflakes are alike. Couldn’t the same be said about people? There are many similarities among various people, but each one has his or her own personality, Alle anderen Roulette Formen unterscheiden sich […]Kein Roulettespiel ohne die passenden Einsatze. temperament, and gifting. Each really is extraordinary, and we should encourage those differences that can enable anyone to make a meaningful contribution to society.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

STOP AND THINK – There is no more lovely, friendly, and charming relationship, communion, or company than a good marriage. (Martin Luther, 16th century German Reformation leader)

In a day when marriages are crumbling, and there are new and troubling definitions of this age-old institution, it’s good to note how rewarding and fulfilling a happy marriage can be. Like anything worthwhile, marriage takes effort, time, and agreeable compromise. Don’t give up, persevere, and seek help from the one who created marriage.

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2:18)

STOP AND THINK – If you cannot find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it? (Dogen, 13th century Zen Buddhist teacher)

Before the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, He was asked, “What is truth?” That’s really the big question, isn’t it? Truths may be obvious—like gravity or the cycle of the seasons—and can be proved scientifically. Others, however, must be accepted by faith in the authority of the one who carries the message, but they are no less true.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to [God] except through me. (John 14:6)

STOP AND THINK – All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them. (Galileo Galilei, 16th-17th Italian scientist and philosopher)

“Why didn’t I think of that?” we might say when we learn something new to us that is so obviously true, but we had overlooked or not known about. When it’s brought to our attention, we immediately recognize its veracity. It makes us wonder what other truths are “out there” that we don’t know about yet. Let’s set our minds to seeking truth.

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17) Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. (John 17:17)

STOP AND THINK – There’s only one beautiful baby in the world, and every mother has it! (Anonymous)

Mothers are like that, aren’t they? Men, in general, may look at a newborn and say, “Well, that’s a baby.” But mothers will talk about the beautiful baby. It’s a trait born of great love, the kind of love that wants to nourish and care for the child. On this Mother’s Day in America, we salute our moms who showered us with undeserved but encouraging love.

May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful! (Proverbs 23:25)

GOD OF HOPE – You must be careful where you walk, and where you go, for there are those following you who will set their feet where yours are set. (General Robert E. Lee)

Sunday School children used to sing, “Be careful, little feet, where you go.” Looking for role models, children will follow in the footsteps of parents or peers, unaware where it may lead them. Since kids aren’t discerning, adults, especially parents, need to be careful where their feet take them, not only for their own good, but especially for those who may follow them.

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)

STOP AND THINK – God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know it’s ME. (Inspiration Line)

This is an interesting change to a familiar saying. And how true it can be! Most often we cannot change others; we have to accept them as they are. Change, most of the time, has to begin with us, with me. What a difference it would make if we were to recognize this truth and practice it!

If possible, as far as it depends on you, live peaceably with everyone. (Romans 12:18)

STOP AND THINK – The only way to find the limits of the possible is by going beyond them to the impossible. (Arthur C. Clarke, British science fiction writer and futurist)

Are you content to stay in your “comfort zone,” not stepping outside it to experiment with anything unfamiliar? If you are, it may limit what you can achieve. To accomplish something significant, we may have to disregard our fears and go beyond into the realm of what we may have previously thought impossible.

If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. (Mark 9:23) With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26)

STOP AND THINK – Stop thinking in terms of limitations and start thinking in terms of possibilities. (Terry Josephson, motivational speaker)

Such advice was highlighted in the book, The Power of Positive Thinking. It’s an important life principle. When you concentrate on what you think you can’t do, you are almost certainly doomed to failure. But if you consider the great opportunities before you and use your strengths to pursue them, you will more likely succeed.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity. (Ephesians 5:15-16)

STOP AND THINK – Humility is not a personality trait, it’s a choice…to put others and their interests first. (Gary Vet, American pastor)

Some people seem to be naturally humble, often regarding others more worthy or important than they are. This attitude may come naturally to some, but most of us have to work at considering others before ourselves. It’s usually “look out for No. 1.” Humility is a desirable quality that can be the result of an honest, but difficult, choice to put others first.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition . … Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4)