Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – Every man has three characters: that which he shows, that which he has, and that which he thinks he has. (Alphonse Karr, 19th century French critic, journalist, and novelist)

The “character” we show is our reputation. The “character” we think we have is our self-image. Our real character is the integrity or lack of it that we have. We all want to think well of ourselves and hope that others do, too. But the real question is, what are we really like on the inside, where no one else can see—but God?

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment. (Romans 12:3)

STOP AND THINK – You can’t dream yourself into character; you must hammer & forge yourself one. (James Froude, English biographer, historian, and editor)

As much as we might like to think that by studying and trying mentally to develop good character, it just doesn’t happen that way. Like most qualities, it takes experience and trials to cultivate integrity. Character must be tried in adversity and hardship to demonstrate its reality. Such a quality is seen only when it is put to the test.

You know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:3-4)

STOP AND THINK – What a man’s mind can create, man’s character can control. (Thomas Edison, 19th-20th century American inventor)

Is Edison saying that a creative inventor would naturally see that his creations were put always and only to moral purposes by ethical means for the good of society? More likely, he was implying that inventions will be put to good and proper use only if the inventor is a person of good 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)

STOP AND THINK – The proper time to influence the character of a child is about a hundred years before he’s born. (William R. Inge, 19^th-20^th century English author and Anglican priest)

If poverty is generational, so can moral integrity and character be. What Inge wants us to realize is the importance of living a life of integrity that will instill character into the next generation and beyond, firmly establishing our grandchildren and theirs. How are you influencing your posterity?

[Put my commandments] on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)

STOP AND THINK – The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically… Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education. (Martin Luther King Jr.)

Education is certainly an essential element in our growth and maturity. Along with the accumulation of knowledge, we must gain understanding and use what we’ve learned. We haven’t taught if the student hasn’t learned—not just the “facts” but the ability to apply the facts in keeping with an ethical standard.

Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance. (Proverbs 1:5)

STOP AND THINK – Men of intemperate minds cannot be free. Their passions forge their fetters. (Edmund Burke, 18th century Irish statesman and philosopher)

When we do not have control of ourselves and become passionate beyond reason, we easily become the victims of our own excesses. Learning “moderation in all things” is tough, but it can save us from becoming prisoners of our intemperance.

Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. (Titus 2:2)

STOP AND THINK – The best things in life aren’t things. (Art Buchwald, 20th century American humorist)

Is this just merely simplistic or is it deeply profound? Looking around; it appears that accumulating “things” really is most important to many of us. Someone has said, “We don’t need more than one of everything.” Really? Do we need even one of everything? There is a great need—not for things—but for good stewardship of all we have been given.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth . . .but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Matthew 6:19-20)

STOP AND THINK – Conviction is worthless unless it is converted into conduct. (Thomas Carlyle, 19th century Scottish philosopher)

It’s important to have convictions, to be absolutely certain about what you believe. People respect others who have strong principles. It’s a noble virtue. Yet, unless one acts upon his beliefs, they really have very little impact. Your behavior must reflect the certainty of your convictions that will translate into life-changing behavior.’

… so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. (Luke 1:4)

STOP AND THINK – What really matters is what you do with what you have. (Shirley Lord, author)

A person’s value is sometimes measured by what he has accumulated: a grand home; large bank account; fancy cars; possessions of all kinds in great number. A better judgment, however, would be based on what a person has done, or is doing, with what he has. Is it all for himself? Is it invested in worthy ventures? Is it used for the benefit of others?

Solomon: “I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. . . . Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 2:8, 11)

STOP AND THINK – You are the only person on earth who can use your ability. (Zig Ziglar, late American motivational speaker)

Some people think they have no talent, that they are pretty worthless when it comes to contributing anything to society. Well, it’s for sure that if they don’t offer what they are capable of, no one else can. Everyone has certain gifts that are intended not so much for their own pleasure but for the benefit of others.

Now to each one the gifts of God are given for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:7, paraphrased.)

STOP AND THINK – There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. (C. H. Spurgeon, 19th century British preacher)

In some parts of the world April 1 is called “April Fool’s Day,” a day when people play practical jokes on each other. Whether joking or not, the person who thinks he knows it all is really the greatest fool because he has fooled only himself, no one else. It’s better to recognize the wisdom of learning from others.

The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. (Proverbs 15:14)

STOP AND THINK- The best learning I had came from teaching. (Corrie Ten Boom, Dutch Christian survivor of the Holocaust)

If you’ve ever had the opportunity to teach, you discovered early on that you were learning more than your students. When you prepare to teach a subject—not just read or hear about it—you begin to understand the topic more clearly. So, try to be a teacher whenever and however you can; you’ll not only help students, but you’ll be a lifetime learner, too.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom. (Colossians 3:16)