Daily Stop & Thinks

Joy is the flag that flies over the castle of our hearts announcing the King is in residence today. (Walter Knight, author)

Happiness is often a fleeting emotion, dependent upon circumstances or happenstances (are the words related?). Joy, on the other hand, is an expression of lasting contentment and satisfaction. You can have confidence and joy when the proper authority is in control, like a king in residence. Who’s in control of your life?

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

To ignore facts doesn’t change the facts.
(Andy Rooney, late television social commentator)

We often are like the ostrich, aren’t we: hiding our heads in the sand so we don’t have to face the facts? When we pull our heads out, though, the facts remain. First, we must know the truth and then we can respond to it with thought and courage.

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:32)

You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one. (James A. Froude)

We would all like to be known for our stellar character, but how do we gain that reputation? It doesn’t come without effort and the determination to live and act honorably. And often it grows stronger as a result of bearing trials courageously.

We know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:3-4)

It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.
(George Washington)

Politicians in America continually take sides on the question of religion and government. It’s clear, however, that America’s founders were more concerned about government interference in religion than the church’s influence over government. In any case, we would do well to seek counsel from God in the affairs of men.

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. (Psalm 46:10)

Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have . . .. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you. (Carl Sandburg, American poet and Lincoln biographer)

We all have 24 hours in a day, 7 days in a week, and 52 weeks in a year. No one has an advantage when it comes to time; we are all created with an equal amount while we live. Who will determine how you spend your time and for what purpose? Be your own person, looking to God for wisdom in the use of your time.

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15, 17)

The world is in greater peril from those who tolerate or encourage evil than from those who actually commit it.
(Albert Einstein, perhaps the most influential physicist of the 20th century)

What an insightful thought! We often respond strongly to those who do evil among us, applying the strongest punishment the law allows. But, is it possible that our toleration of those who promote evil, though not committing it, plays a more dangerous role?

Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves? (Habakkuk 1:13)

Life is the sum of your choices.
(Albert Camus, 20^th century author, journalist, and philosopher)

There really are only two things we can control in life: our attitudes and our choices. We may not have chosen our environment, so the question is how do we respond to the circumstances that our beyond our control? Do we choose on the basis of temporal and passing fancies or on the lasting values that will determine what our life will be like?

How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver! (Proverbs 16:16)

It is not how much you do, but how much love you put into the doing that matters. (Inspiration Line)

We love activity, don’t we? We like to be busy, and when we’re doing something good for others, we feel good about ourselves. Sometimes we do our good deeds out of a sense of obligation. It’s what is expected of us. But we really need to examine our motivation.

If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:3)

 What I say is important, what I do is very important, but what I am is the most important. (William Male, Ph.D., retired educator)

That sequence may be contrary to common logic. But, consider: what you do reflects what you really are, and what you are pretty much determines what you do. So, it’s important to work from the inside out, beginning with what’s in your mind and heart.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is. (Romans 12:2)

Change has long been a fearful thing for human beings … and at the same time, it is our most Divine opportunity. (Chelle Thompson, Inspiration Line)

For some people change is really difficult. The status quo is so familiar and seems so comfortable. But ignoring or refusing to change often will result in missing greater opportunities to move forward and improve.

Be very careful, then, how you live . . .making the most of every opportunity. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. (Ephesians 5:15-17)

The purpose of life is a life of purpose. (Robert Byrne, American author)

Men are still asking the age-old questions: Who am I? Why am I here? What is life all about? We might well ask author Byrne “What is a life of purpose” or “What indeed is life’s purpose?”

If a man cleanses himself from [ignoble purposes], he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. (2 Timothy 2:20-22)

Wherever a man turns, he can find someone who needs him.

(Albert Schweitzer, 20^th century German medical missionary and philosopher)

“No man is an island,” wrote John Donne. Stated another way, an African proverb says, “It takes a village.” We don’t live to ourselves; we must be aware of those around us, and very often, we’ll see someone in need. The question is, “How will we respond?”

There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land. (Deuteronomy 15:11)