Daily Stop & Thinks

Potential

It is always difficult to measure future potential in the present tense. (Kenneth J. Brown, author)

Some people seem to have the ability to judge well the potential in an aspiring actress, musician, or athlete. Baseball and football scouts recommend to team owners the players they think will “surely make it” in the big leagues. Far more important in the long run is assessing the potential a young person has to make worthy contributions in learning, research, and spiritual growth.

 The Lord said to Samuel, “. . . The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7).

Love

Love makes you do strange things. (Charlie Brown, “Peanuts” cartoon character)

The “Peanuts” comic probably had in mind the kinds of crazy things people might do in response to love’s strong emotion. Love songs speak of scaling impossible mountains or crossing oceans to express one’s feelings. In reality, of course, genuine love may lead to sacrifice of time, energy, money, or even one’s life to preserve the life of the one you love.

Love is not jealous or . . .  rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. Love never gives up . . . and endures through every circumstance (1 Corinthians 13:4, 5, 7).

Work

Want without will doesn’t work. (Tom Kight, investment manager)

He continues, “If you are not willing to make the required investment . . . to pay the price, if you don’t have an ‘I will’ mindset, you will not achieve what you want.” Success is earned by those who pay the required price. While a few might be born with “a silver spoon in their mouth,” that’s not true for most people. For them, success requires hard work.

Make it your goal to live a quiet life . . .  working with your hands, just as we instructed you before (1 Thessalonians 4:11).

Encouragement

We need to be givers and receivers of encouragement in our home, to our friends on the golf course, and to people in the rest of our life. (Jim Sheard and Wally Armstrong, golf writers)

If you watch professional golf matches on TV, you may wonder how the competitors get along. Are they wishing each other well on their difficult shots or are they, at least secretly, hoping they’ll slice the shot into a sand trap or the water? The authors do well to urge all of us to be encouragers, wishing the best for others and, actually, helping them along the way.

The words of the godly encourage many, (Proverbs 10:21). Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them (Ephesians 4:29).

“Some Action Required”

Between dreams and reality lies action. (Yvonne Farley, social worker)

The late Dr. Jonas Salk explained it a bit further, “Hope lies in dreams, in imagination, and in the courage of those who dare to make dreams into reality.” There are lots of dreamers, people who have really good ideas, but there are too few of them who take the necessary action to bring their aspirations to life.

Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed (Proverbs 16:3). So, prepare your minds for action (1 Peter 1:13).

Joy

Joy is not a choice, but a result of our choices. (Janine Lansing, author)

Most faces in the crowds today don’t seem to show much joy. Instead, you’ll likely see concern, worry, even fear. It’s not just life’s circumstances which are often difficult; quite often the dour expressions are the result of poor choices in health, family, or financial issues. You can’t just choose joy, you have to make choices all along the way that will allow you to experience joy.  

Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. The life of the godly is full of light and joy (Proverbs 3:13; 13:9).

Independence Day

May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right. (Peter Marshall, late US Senate chaplain)

We are grateful for those who made it possible for us to live in an independent republic where freedom is guaranteed to its citizens. And the truth of Marshall’s comment must be re-learned by every generation. We have seen how freedom is often misused, thinking you can do whatever you want to satisfy your own needs or wants. Let’s return to the fundamental truth of liberty.

For you have been called to live in freedom . . .  But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13).

Children’s Books

No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally (and often far more) worth reading at the age of fifty . . .  (C. S. Lewis, late British apologist)

Lewis added: “– except, of course, books of information.” A lot of us have probably forgotten most of the books that were read to us as children. We might remember a few. But to rediscover them now in reading to our own children brings back many memories and maybe a bit more understanding. It might be beneficial to find and read those books again.

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do (Joshua 1:8).

Truth

Without courage there cannot be truth, and without truth there can be no other virtue. (Sir Walter Scott, 18th-19th century Scottish playwright and poet)

For some people truth seems to be elusive and relative. It means one thing now and another thing later. In reality, of course, there is such a thing as absolute truth, and, as Scott suggests, to stand by it may demand courage in the face of skeptics and scoffers. He further states that every other virtue stands or falls with truth. We’d best give ourselves to finding and defending it.

God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone . . . (2 Timothy 2:19). You must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it (Colossians 1:23). 

Power

The power is between your ears. The power is in your heart. (Jim Brown, late pro football legend)

Brown was one of the most powerful runners in college and professional football. He knocked over or simply dragged would-be tacklers with him. Yet, he was smart enough to realize that physical strength is not the real force in life. What a pity that some fight for positions of authority while overlooking power’s true source–wisdom and compassion that come from God.

When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan (Proverbs 29:2).

Relationships

If we are called to live at one extreme, it is extreme godliness. Beyond that, we must seek balance and moderation. (Beau Stanley, spiritual trainer)

Every year seems to be a political year these days. As a result, we hear loud voices at both extremes of the partisan spectrum. But, as Stanley suggests, extremism is good when it has to do with our relationship with and obedience to God. That very connection with God will lead us into moderation and balance in our application of truth in our relationships with people.

The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue godliness (Proverbs 16:9),

Be Quiet

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens and nature. (Inspiration Line Newsletter)

With the rising incidence of crime, a lot of people are afraid, and that’s to be expected. Others are lonely in spite of the crowds in the stores and sports arenas. And many people are unhappy even though they have all the toys and amusements one could want. For all who are facing those tensions, the really good advice is: Slow down, go outside and enjoy God’s calming creation.

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams (Psalm 23:1-2).