Daily Stop & Thinks

Peace

First keep the peace within yourself, then you can also bring peace to others. (Thomas à Kempis, 15^th century German-Dutch churchman)

Nearly everyone wants to see peace in his home, the community, the nation, and even the world. But, as has been said, peace really has to begin within each one of us. In today’s fast-moving, world, many are finding it difficult to be at peace within themselves, not to mention in their relationships with others. Peace on a horizontal level must begin with a vertical relationship.

When people’s lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them. (Proverbs 16:7)

Believing II

We have a right to believe whatever we want, but not everything we believe is right. 

Independence and accepting everyone’s “rights,” seems to be out of control today. Everyone is allowed to believe and express whatever he wants. “What is true for you,” some say, “is not necessarily true for me.” But, as was noted above, just because you believe something doesn’t make it true or right. We need to find bedrock truth and hold on to it.

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

[Jesus to God the Father], “Make them holy by Your truth. Your word is truth.” (John 17:17)

Believing I

We don’t believe something by merely saying we believe it, or even when we believe that we believe it. We believe something when we act as if it were true. (Dallas Willard, professor)

In our conversations we often express our views, saying, “I think…” or “I believe…” Sometimes we are merely sharing opinions, perhaps hoping to persuade someone to accept our view of things. Perhaps Willard is recalling an old saying “to put your money where your mouth is.” It’s evident, isn’t it, that we don’t really believe something unless we’re willing to act on it.

Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! (Proverbs 14:15)

What good is it. . . if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? (James 2:14)

Discovery                                           

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes. (Marcel Proust, 19^th-20^th century French novelist)

Christopher Columbus and Amerigo Vespucci were renowned explorers and are noted for their great discoveries of formerly unknown landscapes. Not many of us will ever be thought of as explorers, but we could make great discoveries. Not by world travels or extra-terrestrial journeys. By searching the ordinary with a new focus; who knows what we might discover?

Ears to hear and eyes to see—both are gifts from the Lord. (Proverbs 20:12)

Meeting Needs

Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive because the world needs people who have come alive. (Howard Thurman, 20^th century educator)

Some think what the world needs is relief from poverty; others, a better education; many think love is the missing factor in a depressed world. Thurman seems to argue that the question has no simple answer. Rather, it is best resolved by people who are passionate about what they want to offer and will do their best to provide to meet the needs right around them.

Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives. (Titus 3:14)

Life                                                    

For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin — real life. But. . . (Alfred D’Souza, Catholic prelate in India)

He continues, “. . .there was always some obstacle in the way. Something to be got through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin.” He rightly concluded, “that these obstacles were my life.” Live now, don’t wait to begin living!

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. (James 3:13)

Identity

Don’t allow someone else’s opinion of you become your reality. (Les Brown, motivational speaker, and author)

To a lot of people, the opinion of others about them is a sensitive subject. Many are easily hurt when they are criticized. Others take great pride when they are complimented or given credit for some personal achievement. Brown’s wise advice is a good guide for us. Others’ opinions are one thing, but they are not our real identity. Know yourself for who God has made you to be.

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them. (Genesis 1:21)

Judgment                                           

Have you noticed in your past experience that your kind interpretations were almost always truer than your harsh ones? (Lawrence G. Lovasik, 20^th century clergyman)

Many of us are guilty of jumping to conclusions. We see or hear a bit of news, and we immediately think we have enough knowledge to either commend or condemn what we’ve heard without further investigation. Our judgments are premature and too often they prove to be wrong. What a tragedy to judge someone wrongly. Be careful before you make the next jump!

Get the truth and never sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment (Proverbs 23:23).

Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly (John 7:24).

Time II

There [is] always, to our way of thinking, a connection between the things we [value] most and our personal obligations or efforts. (Clarence Thomas, associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court)

Thomas seems to be suggesting that the way we use our time is largely based on what we value, what we consider to be important or essential. If we hold integrity in high regard, we spend our time in honest and upright endeavors. If we hold to a high work ethic, we will strive to do our best to pursue excellence in everything we do.

Those who obey [the king] will not be punished. Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right. (Ecclesiastes 8:5)

Time I

Time is what we want most but use worst. (William Penn, 17^th-18^th century American leader)

We may have different talents and opportunities, but we all have an equal amount of time. How we spend that time, beyond required school or work hours, is mostly an individual choice. And even then, we often determine how we use our time at school or in the office. Time management may be the most important issue in determining our future success.

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. (Ephesians 5:15-16) (KJV: “redeeming the time.”)

Hardships

Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny. (C. S. Lewis, late British scholar)

What makes a soldier a hero? How does one who’s good at a sport become a superstar? What’s behind the creator of a masterpiece in art or music? There is some innate natural talent to begin with, for sure. And there has been a lot of hard work and persistence in practice and preparation. In many cases, it has also involved overcoming a great difficulty that has resulted in success.

Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7)

Legacy

Create your legacy by fulfilling your potential. (Gino Norris, psychology therapist)

As we age, we begin to think about the future—not our own, perhaps, as much as of our family members and close friends. How will we be remembered? What kind of legacy will we leave them? The answer to these questions lies in the way we’re living now. Are we living up to our potential and building something worth leaving to them?

Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren. (Proverbs 13:22)