Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – There is no more lovely, friendly, and charming relationship, communion, or company than a good marriage. (Martin Luther, 16th century German Reformation leader)

In a day when marriages are crumbling, and there are new and troubling definitions of this age-old institution, it’s good to note how rewarding and fulfilling a happy marriage can be. Like anything worthwhile, marriage takes effort, time, and agreeable compromise. Don’t give up, persevere, and seek help from the one who created marriage.

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2:18)

STOP AND THINK – If you cannot find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it? (Dogen, 13th century Zen Buddhist teacher)

Before the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, He was asked, “What is truth?” That’s really the big question, isn’t it? Truths may be obvious—like gravity or the cycle of the seasons—and can be proved scientifically. Others, however, must be accepted by faith in the authority of the one who carries the message, but they are no less true.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to [God] except through me. (John 14:6)

STOP AND THINK – All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them. (Galileo Galilei, 16th-17th Italian scientist and philosopher)

“Why didn’t I think of that?” we might say when we learn something new to us that is so obviously true, but we had overlooked or not known about. When it’s brought to our attention, we immediately recognize its veracity. It makes us wonder what other truths are “out there” that we don’t know about yet. Let’s set our minds to seeking truth.

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17) Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. (John 17:17)

STOP AND THINK – There’s only one beautiful baby in the world, and every mother has it! (Anonymous)

Mothers are like that, aren’t they? Men, in general, may look at a newborn and say, “Well, that’s a baby.” But mothers will talk about the beautiful baby. It’s a trait born of great love, the kind of love that wants to nourish and care for the child. On this Mother’s Day in America, we salute our moms who showered us with undeserved but encouraging love.

May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful! (Proverbs 23:25)

GOD OF HOPE – You must be careful where you walk, and where you go, for there are those following you who will set their feet where yours are set. (General Robert E. Lee)

Sunday School children used to sing, “Be careful, little feet, where you go.” Looking for role models, children will follow in the footsteps of parents or peers, unaware where it may lead them. Since kids aren’t discerning, adults, especially parents, need to be careful where their feet take them, not only for their own good, but especially for those who may follow them.

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)

STOP AND THINK – God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know it’s ME. (Inspiration Line)

This is an interesting change to a familiar saying. And how true it can be! Most often we cannot change others; we have to accept them as they are. Change, most of the time, has to begin with us, with me. What a difference it would make if we were to recognize this truth and practice it!

If possible, as far as it depends on you, live peaceably with everyone. (Romans 12:18)

STOP AND THINK – The only way to find the limits of the possible is by going beyond them to the impossible. (Arthur C. Clarke, British science fiction writer and futurist)

Are you content to stay in your “comfort zone,” not stepping outside it to experiment with anything unfamiliar? If you are, it may limit what you can achieve. To accomplish something significant, we may have to disregard our fears and go beyond into the realm of what we may have previously thought impossible.

If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. (Mark 9:23) With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26)

STOP AND THINK – Stop thinking in terms of limitations and start thinking in terms of possibilities. (Terry Josephson, motivational speaker)

Such advice was highlighted in the book, The Power of Positive Thinking. It’s an important life principle. When you concentrate on what you think you can’t do, you are almost certainly doomed to failure. But if you consider the great opportunities before you and use your strengths to pursue them, you will more likely succeed.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity. (Ephesians 5:15-16)

STOP AND THINK – Humility is not a personality trait, it’s a choice…to put others and their interests first. (Gary Vet, American pastor)

Some people seem to be naturally humble, often regarding others more worthy or important than they are. This attitude may come naturally to some, but most of us have to work at considering others before ourselves. It’s usually “look out for No. 1.” Humility is a desirable quality that can be the result of an honest, but difficult, choice to put others first.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition . … Rather, 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 – Don’t let success go to your head or failure to your heart. (Bianca Khanna, actress and model)

Good advice! Sometimes people let failures go to their heart, and it takes them into depression and continued failure. Others may let success go to their head, causing them to become proud and over-confident. Too often that leads to failure down the road. Both success and failure are part of life. Do not let either control your sense of well-being.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. (Colossians 3:23)

STOP AND THINK – Before speaking, consider the interpretation of your words as well as their intent. (Andrew Alden)

We all know how beneficial an encouraging word can be. We also know how hurtful words can be. And, as Alden points out, it’s not just the words themselves or their specific meaning, but their intent is important, too. When we speak, what do we intend? To hurt or to help? We must give careful thought to our words and intentions.

Everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. (Matthew 12:36-37)

STOP AND THINK – All doubt, despair, and fear become insignificant once the intention of life becomes love, rather than dependence on love. (Sri da Avabhas)

Everyone wants to be loved. To many, love is some kind of romantic feeling, like spooning under the moon by the lagoon in June. To others, it’s a very sensual emotion that may lead to promiscuity. True love, however, is seeking to serve another in his or her own best interest, doing what is good and right for them.

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8)