Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence. (H. L. Mencken, 20th century American journalist)

God has created us with minds that can accumulate knowledge but also can soar with imagination and creativity. We have more than just brains; we also have hearts that bring meaning and emotion to our lives. Let’s not be satisfied with mere intellectual achievement. Let’s remember that love can add to what is lacking in mere knowledge without heart.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. (Proverbs 3:3)

STOP AND THINK – The two engines that drive communication [are] having something to say and being able to say it in sentences that aren’t half dead. (Thomas Merton, 20th century Anglo-American social activist and poet)

When someone is talking on and on without getting to the point, we may be tempted to interrupt to ask, “While you’re talking, why don’t you say something?” It’s essential not just to talk but to say something worthwhile and, as Merton points out, say it with feeling and enthusiasm. Then, you’ll very like be heard.

Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel. (Proverbs 20:15)

STOP AND THINK – A nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members. (Mahatma Gandhi, 20th century nationalist in India)

History has demonstrated that nations that mistreat or ignore the weak will eventually collapse, On the other hand, nations that support the weak, attempting to lift them out of their impoverished lifestyle, flourish with benefit to all levels of society. Are you doing your part to help?

Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. (Psalm 82:3)

STOP AND THINK – Create as much Heaven on Earth as possible with everyone near and dear. (Inspiration Line)

Chelle Thompson, editor of Inspiration Line, wrote: “My grandma was always ‘biding her time’ until she could get to Heaven. In the meantime, her life was fairly miserable and she treated my mother abusively.” That’s how she learned the lesson quoted above. While we wait for heaven, we should act like its citizens, encouraging and building up others.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3)

STOP AND THINK – We will bankrupt ourselves in the vain search for absolute security. (Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th president of the United States)

What makes you feel secure? In what are you putting your hope? A retirement fund? Savings accounts? Possessions? Inheritance? The Bible tells us that those who put their faith in the monetary system, those who put their hope in wealth, and those who put their trust in material possessions are really bankrupt today and empty-handed for eternity.

Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. (Isaiah 26:4)

STOP AND THINK – Nothing is useful which is not honest. (Benjamin Franklin, a founding father of the United States)

The proverb, “Honesty is the best policy,” has lost some of its luster in a world where dishonesty seems to pay off too often. The gains of dishonest living, however, will often be the undoing of those who have been less than honest. We must not be fooled by the temporary advantage of wrong-doers. In God’s good time, virtue will win the day.

Have I not written . . . sayings of counsel and knowledge, teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth? (Proverbs 22:20-21)

STOP AND THINK – Nobody can hurt me without my permission. (Mahatma Gandhi)

We’ve all known a few people who seem to have their feelings hurt very easily. The slightest misunderstanding will offend them. It may be difficult to manage, but in reality, we can be hurt by others only if we let them do so. Trying to understand their perspective or over-looking their intention, will help us stand strong in our own sense of self-worth.

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. (Psalm 119:165)

STOP AND THINK – Prosperity is a way of living and thinking, and not just having money or things. (Chinese fortune cookie)

We really didn’t need a fortune cookie to tell us that—or, did we? In modern American, it seems that prosperity, indeed, may simply mean more and better—more physical assets, better and more possessions. But, the proverb reminds us that we can have prosperity of heart and mind by living for the eternal and spiritual rather than the temporal and material.

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

STOP AND THINK – God Himself doesn’t propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you? (Popular one-liner)

The Bible does say there will be a judgment after death, but does that mean there should not be any judging during one’s lifetime? It’s true that we should not stand in judgment of others, but we do need to continually judge ourselves, our motives, and our attitudes. To do so will Vad sags om 154 miljoner kronor? 109 miljoner kronor och 60 miljoner kronor?Vill du bli Mega Fortune-miljonar ar Betsson Casino ett bra val! Overlag ger sajtens spelautomater bra aterbetalning och utdelning, sa du ska definitivt vaga prova olika spelautomater pa casinot. not only improve our conduct but it will also result in our doing less judging of others.

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. (Matthew 7:1) For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household. (1 Peter 4:17)

STOP AND THINK – One can acquire everything in solitude—except character. (Henri Stendahl, 19th century French writer)

Stendhal (pen name for Marie- Henri Beyle) raises an interesting concept. We can develop certain abilities and skills by ourselves, perhaps, but how can we develop character alone? Character, after all, is demonstrated by one’s conduct with and toward others. It cannot be proved in isolation; integrity can be learned alone but can be seen only by others.

The light of the righteous shines brightly. (Proverbs 13:9)

STOP AND THINK – When we have enough clarity to turn “Life’s Lemons” into sweet lemonade, we realize what a gift those lemons were! (Inspiration Line)

When life’s trials hit us, it’s easy to consider them as “lemons,” the distasteful, sour events that are so hard to endure. Yet, if we persevere and overcome, we may be surprised to learn that it is those “lemons” that brought significant change and growth in our lives. Don’t fear life’s difficulties; look to God to lead you in ways you can benefit from overcoming them.

Jesus: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

STOP AND THINK – People are anxious to improve their circumstances but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound. (James Allen, 19th-20th century British inspirational writer)

Are you often dissatisfied with your circumstances? Do you wish you had a nicer home, a higher-paying job, or greater acceptance among your peers? What we sometimes fail to realize is that it isn’t our environment or circumstances that need to be changed; it’s us. Perhaps you need to face that reality and do something about it; otherwise you will remain anxious.

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2)