Daily Stop & Thinks

Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical. (Yogi Berra, late professional baseball player)

This is another of Berra’s malapropisms for which he was as famous as he was for his athletic accomplishments. His comment, though mathematically impossible, is not far from the truth. Any sports coach or musician’s mentor will affirm that a proper mental attitude is critical for the achieving of one’s goals. To excel, be physically fit and put your mind to the task at hand.

So be on your guard . . .  Stay alert and be clearheaded. (1 Thessalonians 5:6)

Discipline

Discipline, like the hazards of the [golf] course, is placed strategically in our path as a reflection of God’s desire for us to grow in his wisdom and love. (Jim Sheard and Wally Armstrong, golf writers)

The word discipline strikes many of us with a certain amount of fear. After all, who likes to be disciplined—whether physically or not? The term is actually associated with disciple, one who is a follower, a learner. Well intended discipline is always for our good. When we encounter the hazards of life, it’s helpful to recognize that God has allowed them to help us grow as his disciples.

For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He corrects each one He takes as His own. (Hebrews 12:6)

Ill-chosen Words

Don’t mix bad words with your bad mood. You’ll have many opportunities to change a mood, but you’ll never get the opportunity to replace the words you spoke. (Source unknown)

Can you  remember a time when you let your emotions show in a really poor choice of words? Even among close friends, the thoughtless use of  poorly chosen words can have a long-lasting effect. Trying to correct those misspoken words later may not meet with acceptance. Choose your words carefully and be silent when you can’t control your emotions.

The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words. . . The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking. (Proverbs 10:32; 15:28)

Friendship

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: What! You too? I thought I was the only one. (C. S. Lewis, late Children’s author)

It’s a precious moment when someone shares an idea that you felt was your own unique thought. You’re asking yourself, “Does someone else really think that way, too?” In realty, of course, we realize that we have probably never had an original thought. We may not remember hearing it elsewhere, but hearing it from your new friend really makes your day.

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. (Proverbs 27:17)

Opportunity

Everything negative – pressure, challenges – is all an opportunity for me to rise. (Kobe Bryant, late professional athlete)

Like any sportsman, Bryant faced many obstacles in his career and life. Fame and fortune do not protect anyone from life’s challenges. In fact, quite often they are greatly increased because of their public status. Bryant’s attitude is a worthy example to follow. Don’t give up in hard times; determine, instead, to make good use of an opportunity to overcome.

Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. (Ephesians 5:16)
[W]hen troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. (James 1:2)

Influence

All I need is a sheet of paper and something to write with, and then I can turn the world upside down. (Friedrich Nietzsche, 19^th century German philosopher)

And he did exactly that. Nietzsche’s writing conveyed his atheism: “Is man one of God’s blunders or is God one of man’s blunders?” His despair: “Hope in reality is the worst of all evils because it prolongs the torments of man.” And wisdom: “The mother of excess is not joy but joylessness.” In contrast, be sure you have something worthy to say before you put pen to paper.

Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. (2 Corinthians 5:11)

Real Faith

There is no great future for any people whose faith has burned out. (Rufus M. Jones, 18^th-19^th century college professor)

Jones emphasizes the critical importance of faith. Without it, he says, there is not much hope for our future. As a religious writer, he is thinking about faith that is more than an “I hope so” mentality. People have faith in a lot of things: jobs, other people, religion, science; but Jones would no doubt argue that the critical issue is not our faith, but the object of it.

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. . . . And it is impossible to please God without faith. (Hebrews 11:1, 6)

Powerful Words

Your words have power. Speak words that are kind, loving, positive, uplifting, encouraging, and life-giving. (Source unknown)

We can all remember times when words really hurt us. It may have been a childhood experience or an even more serious offense when a close friend or spouse said something that wounded us deeply. Even after forgiving the offender, the hurt may remain. So, remember the power of your words; fill your vocabulary with words that build up and encourage others.

Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. (Ephesians 4:29)

Faith and Works

Sojourners who think the most of the next world are usually those who are doing the highest good in this one. (Joni Eareckson Tada, author and leader in disability assistance)

We’ve sometimes heard fervent Christians described as being “so heavenly minded, they’re no earthly good.” Tada is arguing just the opposite. History demonstrates that many hospitals, schools, and social helps organizations were founded by “next world” thinkers. Their faith is practical and down-to-earth while practicing heavenly love and grace in the here-and-now.

How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds. (James 2:18)

Silence

Silence is of different kinds, and breathes different meanings. (Charlotte Bronte, 19^th century English author)

There may be many reasons for being quiet. Bronte continues, “Silence can be the result of…nothing to say, nothing happening, too much happening, waiting for the right time.” In modern society it seems that almost everyone has lots to say and does so continuously. But it’s good to know when to be quiet and listen before responding with care and purpose.

[There is a] time to be quiet and a time to speak. (Ecclesiastes 3:7)
You should clothe yourselves . . .  with the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. (1 Peter 3:4)

Small Tasks

I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble. (Helen Keller, late American author and political activist and lecturer)

How did someone who was blind and deaf achieve such outstanding accomplishments as Keller did? Her secret, perhaps, was her understanding that it all begins with the “small tasks.”  When they are regarded as “great and noble,” and are pursued with vigor, they lead to the achievement of the more obvious worthy tasks.

Be strong and finish the task! (Zechariah 8:9).
Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. (1 Timothy 4:15)

Words or Actions?

Those who teach by their doctrine must teach by their life . . . (Matthew Henry, 17^th-18^th century British minister and author)

Henry concludes, “. . . or else they pull down with one hand what they build up with the other.” It’s like the old adages, “What you do speaks so loud, I can’t hear what you say” or “Actions speak louder than words.” When we’re bombarded with lots of words on social media, podcasts, and blogs, it will pay us to look carefully at the actions to discern the value of the words.

Words alone will not discipline a servant; the words may be understood, but they are not heeded. there is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking. (Proverbs 29:19-20)