Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – Life, love, and laughter—what priceless gifts to give our children. (Phyllis Campbell, American journalist)

Parents want to give their children the very best opportunities to become mature adults and productive citizens. And Campbell has suggested a good foundation. The key is love, which is not always giving them what they want, but doing for them what is in their best interest. Provide for them the security that will enable them to learn by example and experience.

[Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
(1 Corinthians 13:7-8)

STOP AND THINK – An optimist is a person who sees a green light everywhere, while a pessimist sees only the red stoplight… The truly wise person is color-blind. (Albert Schweitzer, early 20th century German/French medical missionary)

This statement may be over-simplified, but it often does reflect the attitude of some people. The pessimist sees nothing positive; the optimist refuses to see anything negative. In reality, we shouldn’t be strictly “color-blind” or we’ll miss the danger signals of red and the fresh opportunities of green. We should view life with the wisdom gained from learning and experience.

A discerning man keeps wisdom in view. (Proverbs 17:24)

STOP AND THINK – Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. (Soren Kierkegaard, 19th century Danish philosopher)

Maybe this is just another way of stating the old adage, “Hindsight is 20/20.” Don’t we often wish we could have a “do over” of certain past events with the knowledge that we now have? Well, it just doesn’t work that way, does it? So, knowing what we have learned from the past should inform the way we live in the future, taking full advantage of life’s experience.

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4)

STOP AND THINK – Everything that is done in the world is done by hope. (Martin Luther, “Father” of the Protestant Reformation)

It would be a dreary world without hope, wouldn’t it? Some days bring troubles and difficulties, but there’s always tomorrow. Yesterday may have been tough and today might not be altogether pleasant, but we dare not give up hope for tomorrow.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope. (Romans 15:13)

STOP AND THINK – Conviction & commitment without connection don’t work. (Mike Lee, American pastor)

It’s important to have strong convictions. And it’s equally important to be committed to a cause or an ideal. But conviction and commitment alone will be of little value without relationships (connections), where your firm beliefs and your strong allegiance can have limitless influence for good.

Our gospel came to you [commitment] not simply with words, but also with power . . . and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you [connection] for your sake. (1 Thessalonians 1:5)

STOP AND THINK – If you can’t accept anything on faith then you are set for a life filled with doubt. (From the movie, Miracle on 34th Street)

In the movie these words were spoken by Santa Claus. Of course, it takes a lot of faith (or is it just “let’s pretend”) to believe in Santa. But, his words do strike a chord of reality. We have to have faith in something or we’ll live lives without any hope. What’s important is the focus of our faith.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. … And without faith it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:1, 6)

STOP AND THINK – The greatest treasures are those invisible to the eye but found by the heart. (Maryanne Williamson, international lecturer and author)

When we think of treasure, we often have visions of gold, silver, and precious gems. But, as beautiful and valuable as they may be, they can be lost, stolen, de-valued, or destroyed. Treasures of greatest value are those that can never be lost. Although they are intangible, things like appreciation, sensitivity, joy, peace, and love last. Hang on to those things.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. (Matthew 6:19-20)

STOP AND THINK – Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. (Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19th century American essayist)

It would be great, if we could follow Emerson’s advice, wouldn’t it? To begin each day thinking it will be the best day ever would surely prepare us well for whatever might happen that day. But not every day is always great, so to be realistic, we have to remember that every day is a gift from God, and we should enter it with determination and joy.

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)

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

Almost everybody likes a good hug. It’s a sign of friendship and can be a great encouragement to someone who may be hurting or lonely. Maybe it’s like the ancient Middle Eastern custom of kissing, which is still practiced in many parts of the world. Even the Bible sanctions such behavior.

Greet one another with a holy kiss. (2 Corinthians 13:12)

STOP AND THINK – Not thinking is one simple reason why thousands of souls are thrown away forever into the Lake of Fire. (J. C Ryle, 19th century Anglican Bishop)

Bishop Ryle was speaking of dangers young men face. His language is pretty strong, but is worth serious thought. How much meaningless talk and activity are the result of simply not thinking carefully before acting or speaking? Be careful to think and to think carefully.

Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. (1 Corinthians 14:20)

STOP AND THINK – Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an individual and of nations alike. (Theodore Roosevelt, 26th president of the United States)

The leader of a great nation might be inclined to look back with pride on his accomplishments. “Teddy” Roosevelt was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and was a hero in the Spanish-American War. Some credit him for restoring the presidency to its rightful place of prominence. Yet, to him, character, not accomplishment, was “the decisive factor” of life.

I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. (1 Chronicles 29:17)

STOP AND THINK – Millions of spiritual creatures walk the Earth unseen, both when we sleep and when we wake. (John Milton. 17th century English poet, author of Paradise Lost)

Probably many—if not most—people in the West are not aware of the spirit world. Many would deny the existence of spiritual beings. But Milton was merely acknowledging what other societies have long recognized. In fact, the Bible teaches that we must be prepared to fight against spiritual attacks, since humans, also, are spiritual beings.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against . . . the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God. (Ephesians 6:12-13)