GOD OF HOPE

Daily Stop & Thinks

Stop & Think: June 25, 2022

Words

The raw material of language is to the mind what chewing gum is to the jaw. (Paraphrase of Antonin Scalia, late Supreme Court justice)

Words, words, words! We’re besieged with text messages, blogs, podcasts, and “talking heads.” It’s more than the mind can digest, but Justice Scalia paints a word-picture that could help us make sense of the constant flow of words. As a cow chews her cud to digest her food, so we must take the time and effort to pay attention to words and grasp their significance.

The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain (Proverbs 10:11). And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak (Matthew 12:36).

Stop & Think: June 24, 2022

Experience

Experience is the hardest kind of teacher. It gives you the test first and the lesson afterwards. (Oscar Wilde, 19th century playwright)

We might wish it weren’t true, but we have to admit that experience is often the best teacher. Unfortunately, as Wilde suggests, we can’t prepare in advance for life’s unexpected events. Even if it’s unpleasant, we can profit from it if we’ll learn the lesson such experiences can teach. Consider what changes it should lead to as you go on.

The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old (Proverbs 20:29).

Stop & Think: June 23, 2022

Adversity

It’s your reaction to adversity, not adversity itself that determines how your life’s story will develop. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, German airline executive)

They say that in every life a little rain must fall. Rain is a necessary element, but we often see it as a metaphor for problems and discouragement. And it’s true that everyone faces adversity at some time, so Uchtdorf’s observation is helpful. We can’t always control the difficulties of life, but we can control our attitude. Accept adversity with grace and move forward with confidence.

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you (Isaiah 43:2).

Stop & Think: June 22, 2022

Family

The web of this nation is made from the thread spun in the home. (Billy Sunday, late evangelist)

In his time, Sunday preached against alcohol, drugs, and immorality with a strong voice and wide acceptance. Today when the traditional family is under attack, his comment may be counter-cultural, but it is an essential principle to reconsider. We should model a healthy family for the benefit of our children and society in general.

The wicked die and disappear, but the family of the godly stands firm (Proverbs 12:7).

Stop & Think: June 21, 2022

Others

If all men knew what each said of the other, there would not be four friends in the world. (Blaise Pascal, 17th century French philosopher)

Pascal’s observation is not very encouraging, is it? Could what he thought of 17th century society be true in the 21st? It may be true that we wouldn’t want our private thoughts and opinions of others to be made public, but surely, we don’t have evil thoughts about everyone, do we? It would be so much better to learn to think positively of others and share only those thoughts.

Don’t speak evil against each other (James 4:11). Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed (Proverbs 11:25).

Stop & Think: June 20, 2022

Live with Joy

Work like you don’t need the money. Love like you’ve never been hurt. Dance like nobody’s watching. (Satchel Paige, late baseball player)

Paige isn’t encouraging hypocrisy—pretending to be something you’re not. He’s proposing that we live our lives with enthusiasm and joyful abandon. It would be great if we could live as he suggests. Think of the encouragement it would be to others who may be going through personal difficulties and feeling discouraged and alone.

Living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible (Proverbs 10:23). You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever (Psalm 16:11).

Stop & Think: June 19, 2022

Father’s Day

One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters. (George Herbert, 17th century Welsh poet)

Fatherless homes have become a major cause of unhealthy child development. The single-parent family must depend more now than ever on outside help. School teachers are an important part of the mix, but, as Herbert suggests, fathers should be a key proponent, and we should do our best to help raise young men to accept responsibility as fathers.

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).

Stop & Think: June 18, 2022

Worry

Worry is like a rocking horse—it keeps you going but it doesn’t get you anywhere. (Rev. J. Davis Illingworth, Sr.)

Worry and anxiety are far too common in the lives of busy and overactive 21st century citizens. Our deep-seated concerns trouble us all day and keep us awake at night. Tums don’t help our ulcers and sleeping pills often don’t solve those middle-of-the night worry sessions. Seeking counsel from friends and professional advisors can be helpful, but finding divine help is best.

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you (1 Peter 5:7).

Stop & Think: June 17, 2022

Success

I don’t know the key to success, but I do know the key to failure is trying to please everyone. (TV comedy actor)

In the midst of a variety of possible “keys to success,” it might be helpful to look at just one negative key, the one quoted above. How many politicians have failed because they’ve tried to “please everyone,” changing positions on various issues because of the pressure of different influencers? It’s better to adopt your standards and goals at the outset and stick to them regardless of outside pressures.

As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority … It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide . . . Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due (1 Corinthians 4:3-5).

Stop & Think: June 16, 2022

Rules

Lord, help me follow established procedures today.

In a Myers-Briggs personality type survey, that statement was followed by, “On second thought, make that for a few minutes.” When we respond that way, we are suggesting either that we don’t like the “established procedures,” or we just want to suspend them until we can get through the current activity. We may feel we have a better way, but following the rules is a good practice.

And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules (2 Timothy 2:5).

Stop & Think: June 15, 2022

The Future

We forget that we work today not just for the present but for the long-term future. (Carl Trueman, author)

Trueman observes: “We want results now” which is exactly the reason we often don’t think enough about the implications of our actions. It’s just that we are so involved in immediate or near future results that we don’t think of or plan well for the long-range consequences of today’s work. We must not forget that our actions can have influence for generations to come.

 . . . riches don’t last forever, and the crown might not be passed to the next generation (Proverbs 27:24)

Stop & Think: June 14, 2022

Flag Day

Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong. (James Bryce, 19th-20th century British academic)

Sadly, some people don’t regard the flag as anything special and will go so far as to burn it. But other Americans are proud to fly the flag on patriotic occasions and boast of their pride in their country. Many have served the country in far away and dangerous places to defend our liberty. But, as Bryce points out, an even better loyalty will be found in strong faith and righteous living.

Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race (Psalm 12:1).