Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – Everything will be all right in the end and if it”s not all right …Well, it”s not the end yet. (From the movie, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel)

That’s a worldview with optimism, isn’t it? Not much in this world today lends itself to such hopefulness, though, online casino does it? Wars, civil strife, disease, natural disasters—there’s a lot to cause fear and pessimism. The only hope, then, is to fix our hearts and minds on something beyond the temporal and material. We need to pursue spiritual and eternal truths.

As reeds without water wither, so is the destiny of all who forget God; so perishes the hope of the godless. (Job 8:11-13, paraphrased)

STOP AND THINK – All great achievements require time. (Maya Angelou, American author and poet)

We live in an age of hurry and impatience. We’ve grown used to instant potatoes, instant messaging, instant everything, Unibetin neljan Kasinon pelien ryhmittely herattaa hieman ihmetysta. it seems. We can no longer tolerate delayed gratification; we want what we want, and we want it right now. But, it takes time for seeds to grow, for fruit to ripen, for humans to mature. We dare not rush such things or the results will be disastrous.

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:4)

STOP AND THINK – Hugging is good medicine. It transfers energy, and gives the person hugged an emotional boost. (Many sources)

The quote goes on to say, “We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.” We probably don’t really need laboratory evidence to show how important any show of affection is in sharing warmth and encouragement to those who may be discouraged. Find someone you can encourage today.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

STOP AND THINK – Even if your boss isn’t a good boss, learn from that—what not to do. Maybe that’s part of what you need to learn right now. (Paraphrased from Mike Lee, American pastor)

It isn’t always easy to work under someone who is demanding, harsh, and never seems satisfied with what you do. Unfortunately, that’s what it’s like for some employees. We may also find it hard at times to live at peace with some governmental authority that seems to be unfair or biased. But, life often requires submission even to unappreciated authority.

Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. (Romans 13:3)

STOP AND THINK – All paths lead to the same goal: to convey to others what we are. (Pablo Neruda, 20th century Chilean poet and diplomat)

That’s an interesting worldview. Unless we want to hide ourselves and pretend to be something we’re not, it would seem important that we let people know who we really are. A stronger worldview, however, might focus not on what others think we are but on the contribution we can make to help others become all they can be.

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)

STOP AND THINK – The true test of civilization is not the census, nor the size of cities, nor the crops—no, but the kind of man the country turns out. (Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19th century American essayist)

When we study history, we often judge past civilizations by the size of their territory, their conquests in war, or the monuments they may have left—the pyramids, for example. Isn’t it more important, however, to know the kind of people they produced? Are they known for their evil dictators and cruel warriors or for their artists, philosophers, and teachers?

He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people. (Exodus 18:25)

STOP AND THINK – Charity is never lost; it may meet with ingratitude . . . yet it ever does a work of beauty and grace upon the heart of the giver. (Conyers Middleton, 18th century English clergyman)

Middleton has added an important twist to the essential quality of charity, or love. We most often think of charity as helping others and, in turn, receiving the thanks of the recipient of our love. But when that isn’t the case, there is still great benefit to our acts of charity because it does something good in us.

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)

STOP AND THINK – Don’t be a dark cloud on a sunny day. (Television commercial)

Do you know anyone like that? Things are going well; you’re happy and doing fine, and wham! Somebody comes along and ruins your day with their unhappiness, pouring out their misfortune or bad attitude on you. Wouldn’t you rather be the person who brings sunshine and hope into another’s life? Make it your purpose for today.

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. (1 Thessalonians 5:15)

STOP AND THINK – To feel valued, to know, even if only once in a while, that you can do a job well is an absolute marvelous feeling. (Barbara Walters, American broadcast journalist)

We all want to succeed at something, to do really well, and to be recognized for our achievement even if it’s only in a little thing. It does something for our self-image. Knowing that, it would be good for all of us to lend a hand to others by helping them succeed in a worthy endeavor so they can have their moment of “feeling valued.”

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29)

STOP AND THINK – Character is much easier kept than recovered. (Thomas Paine)

We all stumble from time to time. It’s important that we forgive those who stumble and try to get back up. When the fall is because of moral or ethical failure, it is much more difficult to regain trust. We must be on our guard to maintain the highest standards of personal conduct. That’s easier than trying to regain the confidence of others after a fall.

If someone is caught in a [fall], you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)

STOP AND THINK – The supreme test of goodness is not in the greater but in the smaller incidents of our character and practice. (F. B. STOP AND THINK – Meyer, 19th & 20th century British pastor and evangelist)

The Bible says it’s “the little foxes that ruin the vineyards.” Many times it’s not the big trials that cause us to stumble, it’s the little things. Sometimes we can uphold our reputation in the face of big problems when others are watching, but lose it when we get home. To be tested in little things, shows whether we can be trusted with the bigger. Watch out for the little things!

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. (Luke 16:10)

STOP AND THINK – Reputation is what you have when you come to a new community; character is what you have when you go away. (William Hershey Davis, 20th century seminary professor)

Since you never have a second chance to make a first impression, it’s important to begin any new relationship with a good reputation and from then on, prove to others that you really are what you seem to be. It’s equally important not to misjudge others before knowing them awhile. It’s important that one’s reputation is matched by a life of sterling character.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. (James 3:13)