Daily Stop & Thinks

STOP AND THINK – The smallest deed is better than the grandest intention. (Roger Nash Baldwin, one of the founders of the American Civil Liberties Union)

The Irish have a similar saying: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” In other words, don’t talk about what you plan to do, just do it. You can accomplish far more with down-to-earth, practical good deeds than with lofty ambitions.

Good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever. (1 Timothy 5:25)

STOP AND THINK – Great things are accomplished by talented people who believe they will accomplish them. (Warren G. Bennis, American author and consultant)

It is important to have confidence when you set out to accomplish something worthwhile. When you begin a journey or project, you need to believe that you will achieve your goals. On the other hand, it’s good to realize that little is completed well without the help of others. Be strong but work with others to accomplish mutual goals.

… Solomon had finished building the temple of the Lord and the royal palace, and had achieved all he had desired to do. (1 Kings 9:1)

STOP AND THINK – If nothing ever changed, there’d be no butterflies. (Inspiration Line)

To many people, change is threatening. They like the status quo, to leave things as they are. “I like it the way it is now,” they say. But change can be good. You wouldn’t want to have the Model T Ford as the only choice for your family car, would you? Look at change as an opportunity to grow, improve, and discover something better.

God had planned something better for us. (Hebrews 11:40)

GOD OF HOPE – Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. (Inspiration Line)

It’s a hard lesson to learn, isn’t it? How often we try to “get even” with someone who has wronged us, and we display our anger to our own hurt more than our antagonist. If we could only learn to control our anger, no one would be hurt.

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. (Psalm 37:8)

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)