STOP AND THINK – Ever forward, but slowly. (Von Blücher, 18th-19th century Prussian general)
Two very meaningful instructions, especially coming from a military officer. Surely, we don’t want to retreat; we must always be moving ahead. On the other hand, ill-advised haste can be disastrous, and caution may be necessary. A well-thought out strategy may well be the key to success in any endeavor.
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. (Proverbs 16:3)
STOP AND THINK – There’s a crack in everything—that’s how the light gets in. (Leonard Cohen, Canadian singer-songwriter, poet, and novelist)
It’s the old pessimist-optimist quandary. Some people see the crack and think of damage. Others find some hope and help in the same break. For the optimist every circumstance in life provides an opportunity to see and do good. Certainly, that’s the preferred outlook if you want to live happily.
You were taught . . . to be made new in the attitude of your minds. (Ephesians 4:22-24)
GOD OF HOPE – If you aren’t fired with enthusiasm, then you will be fired with enthusiasm. (Vince Lombardi)
It is more than just a play on words, isn’t it? Lombardi seems to be saying that if we don’t approach our work (in his case, playing football) with excitement and eagerness, we very likely won’t do it well. And for him, that meant you’d very likely be off the team. But if you go to work with passion, you will be a great encouragement to other workers, also.
Your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. (2 Corinthians 9:2)
GOD OF HOPE – Luck is believing you’re lucky. (Tennessee Williams, 20th century American playwright)
Is that really all it is? If I just think I’m lucky, I will be? Well, what is luck anyway? A definition of the word might well include the term “chance.” And it can be either good or bad. So, is that what we want to depend on—mere chance? Wouldn’t it be better to act on what we know to be true? Stick with what you have learned from trusted teachers.
Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it. (2 Timothy 3:14)
STOP AND THINK – Every job is a self-portrait of the person who does it. (Author unknown)
The unknown author of this statement, also said, “Autograph your work with excellence.” Are you proud to have people know of your work? When someone views what you have done, are they impressed favorably? If we want our work to be appreciated, we need to work to the very best of our ability.
Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically. (Romans 12:11)
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)