Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – Success in marriage depends on being able, when you get over being in love, to really love. (Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of the 32nd president of the United States)

Love is the popular theme of music, books, movies, TV shows, and all kinds of communications. But, as Mrs. Roosevelt suggests, that romantic feeling of newlyweds doesn’t last forever. Then, the test really begins. It’s not an emotion so much as a commitment to act toward your spouse in his or her best interest. That can be romantic, too.

[Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:70)

STOP AND THINK – There are not many original thinkers in the world. Most men are like sheep, they follow a leader. (J. C Ryle, 19th century Anglican bishop)

In a list of dangers for young men, Bishop Ryle included “Fear of Man’s Opinions.” He spoke of men being like sheep, following a leader. Of course, young men—and all of us, really—should not follow others blindly. We must keep our eyes open, our minds clear, and examine both the character of the leader and the worthiness of the cause.

[Jesus said], My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27)

STOP AND THINK – It is with trifles, and when he is off guard, that a man best reveals his character. (Arthur Schopenhauer, 19th century German philosopher)

It’s a truth we need to be reminded of often. The character of a person is really not what is on public display; one can put on and take off a persona as he pleases in order to suit a particularly crowd. But, character is best revealed when you don’t think anyone is looking and you act out of your personal integrity.

The integrity of the upright guides them. (Proverbs 11:3)

STOP AND THINK – I read a book one day and my whole life was changed. (Orhan Pamuk, Nobel Prize-winning Turkish writer)

In our fast-paced life, it is often difficult for us to find time to read, yet many of us can remember the stories we read as a child and how they entertained and enlightened us. To lose the benefit of the knowledge of the ages that is stored in books is to lose an invaluable resource. The only caution: pick books that are wholesome and challenging.

Keep this Book of the Law [the Bible] always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (Joshua 1:8)

STOP AND THINK – There is more to life than increasing its speed. (Mahatma Gandhi, 20th century nationalist in India)

What would Gandhi think if he were alive now? The pace of our lives today would probably only reinforce his conclusion. How quickly we can get there or how speedily we can accomplish our work seems to be the essential question. Yet, if we were to slow down a bit to spend time with friends, read a book, or meditate, we might discover a much fuller life.

Jesus: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

STOP AND THINK – Obedience is the pathway to freedom. (Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Christian author)

In the United States we celebrate Independence Day today. Liberty and freedom are the keynotes. But freedom must have its limits, and recognition of the boundaries allows for even more freedom. That’s a hard thought for some people, but when you recognize properly established limits and act within them, you will enjoy a fulfilling freedom.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)

STOP AND THINK – The great end of life is not knowledge but action. (Thomas Henry Huxley, 19th century English scientist)

In response, someone has written, “Knowledge is an essential pre-requisite without which no meaningful action is possible.” There must be more to life than mere knowledge, however. What we know should motivate us to pursue good and to validate the purposes for which we were created.

All who are prudent act with knowledge. (Proverbs 13:16)

GOD OF HOPE – If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly. (G. K. Chesterton, 20th century English writer)

Now, that’s a switch on the usual adage, isn’t it? It’s usually said that if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well. So, which is it? You can look at it either way. If you can’t do a project perfectly, shouldn’t you do it anyway if it’s a worthy project? However you look at it, you should always do your very best, striving for excellence even if the result isn’t perfect

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. (Colossians 3:23)

STOP AND THINK – In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us. (Flora Edwards author)

In an ideal world, this would certainly be true. How pleasant it would be to know that whatever good we did would result in more good—not only for us, but for many in the “circle.” At least, we should always do our part to start the circle with helpful and good actions toward others.

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)

GOD OF HOPE – By fasting, the body learns to obey the soul; by praying the soul learns to command the body. (William Secker)

Prayer and fasting are practices pursued by people who are spiritually minded. Fasting is denying yourself something you really like to eat or do in order to focus more completely on an even better purpose. Often, it’s prayer. Prayer, then, is the practice of communicating with God, a two-way experience that enables you to pursue worthy goals in your life.

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer. (1 Peter 3:12)

GOD OF HOPE – Light tomorrow with today. (Elizabeth Barrett Browning, 19th century English poet of the Victorian Era)

It is true that we can’t know what tomorrow will bring. But, as Browning suggests, we can anticipate and be somewhat prepared for what tomorrow will bring if we learn from “the light” of today’s lessons. We can anticipate good things in the future if we fill our hearts and minds with the good things of today.

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable . . . think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

GOD OF HOPE – There are no limitations in what you can do except the limitations of your own mind. (Darwin P. Kinsley, 20th century American business leader)

That’s a pretty high-sounding claim, isn’t it? Can anyone really achieve his highest aspirations if his only limits are on his imagination? Well, it is very likely true that most of us have limited ourselves by an unwillingness to dream big. We do need to think positively and creatively if we are to accomplish our highest goals.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27)