Daily Stop & Thinks

Thinking

The real problem of thinking [is] thinking you know everything. (James Emery White, pastor and teacher)

White continues: “Unless you spend time with someone long traveled along the road you wish to take, you don’t have any idea what it is you have no idea about… You think you know everything there is to know – but you don’t know what it is you don’t know.” The more we experience life, the more we realize there is more to learn—and that’s a valuable lesson.

There is more hope for fools than for people who think they are wise. (Proverbs 26:12) 

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. (Colossians 3:2)

Respect

This is the final test of a gentleman: his respect for those who can be of no possible service to him. (William Lyon Phelps, late American author and critic)

We live in a society today where it seems that so many people try to build relationships with others only because of what might be in it for them. It’s a practice that we must avoid in our own associations. Rather than “what’s in it for me,” our purpose should be “what can I do for them?” If widely practiced, such an attitude would make life much more rewarding.

Respect everyone… (1 Peter 2:17) 

…take delight in honoring each other. (Romans 12:10)

Just Do It!

It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed. (Theodore Roosevelt, 26th U.S. president)

“Teddy” also said, “The only man who never makes mistakes is the man who never does anything.” It’s the fear of failure that often keeps someone from stepping out of his or her comfort zone to try something new. Of course, there can be no achievement without working for it, and refusing to attempt a new or difficult task leads to nothing of worthy being accomplished.

You will succeed in whatever you choose to do, and light will shine on the road ahead of you. (Job 22:28)

Beauty

Everything has beauty but not everyone can see. (Confucius)

If a half-dozen viewers were to examine an abstract painting, there would probably be at least six different opinions about its beauty and worth. One of the critics would very likely judge that it isn’t even art. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” they say. It would be helpful if we could teach art appreciation and if we could find some kind of common ground to make judgments.

From Mount Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines in glorious radiance. (Psalm 50:2)

Get Back Up

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. (Nelson Mandela, late president of South Africa)

No one likes to think of falling, failing to live up to expectations when you’re being counted on. But it happens to everybody and, while we work hard not to fall, we must be prepared to respond well when we do drop the ball. It’s good to have a supporting team that will be there to help, but we have to determine always to get up and move forward as quickly and resolutely as possible.

The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. (Proverbs 24:16)

Time II

Your greatest danger is letting the urgent things crowd out the important. (Charles E. Hummel, former college president)

Hummel addresses a problem that most busy people face almost on a daily basis. There are the phone calls or emails that demand an immediate answer. There’s the unexpected interruption of a visit at your desk. It is often difficult—but always necessary—to set up priorities. Establish in advance what simply MUST be done today and determine to get that done first.

Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right. (Ecclesiastes 8:5)

Time I

Too much time spent on yesterday can lead to regrets . . .  (Chris Suit, pastor)

Suit continues: “. . . too much time spent on tomorrow can lead to worry, so spend time today rejoicing, which can lead to peace.” Samuel Ullman, another faith writer, put it this way, “Time is not a time of life—it is a state of mind.” It can be helpful to contemplate both ideas when life seems to become too difficult to bear. Find reasons to be joyful, and “time” will be easier.

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven… Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11)

Order

Outer order contributes to inner calm. (Gretchen Rubin, American writer and speaker)

What does your desk or work area look like? Is there a sign on your very cluttered desk that says, “God bless this mess?” Or is it so organized, with every pen and paper in its proper place, that a speck of dust seems out of place? Rubin’s observation is probably mostly true. And order should certainly characterize out conduct as well as our desks.

But be sure that everything is done properly and in order. (1 Corinthians 14:40)

Family

Your success as a family… our success as a nation… depends not on what happens inside the White House, but on what happens inside your house. (Barbara Bush, former first lady)

It follows without question that what happens in the White House is a reflection of what’s going on in our homes. What a challenge! Parents have the awesome responsibility of raising children who might one day become world leaders. Maybe we should think twice before telling our children they can be president, since that depends on how well we prepare them.

My children listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment, for I am giving you good guidance. (Proverbs 4:1-2)

Spring

No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn. (Hal Borland, late outdoors author)

The long-awaited spring arrives today. Hallelujah! Of course, in many parts of the U.S. it doesn’t look like spring yet. We may have several days to wait, but the longed-for warmer weather and the anticipation of its arrival are enough to keep us going for a little while longer. The constancy of changing seasons is another evidence of the marvelous creation of God.

Then God said, “Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark the seasons, days, and years.” (Genesis 1:14)

Generosity

Your measurement of generosity becomes the measurement of your return. (The Bible)

Business people want to know what profit they’re going to get from their investments (ROI). They probably don’t often think of generosity; they’re concerned only about the health of the business. While it can’t be measured in gold, there is a greater ROI when it comes to helping those in need—whether individuals or organizations. That’s where generosity is most important.

The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:25)

Wisdom

God gives men wisdom as He gives them gold; his treasure house is not the mint, but the mine. (Arabian proverb)

We tell our kids that money doesn’t grow on trees—neither does gold. The first you have to earn, the second you have to dig out. Wisdom doesn’t grow on trees either, and it isn’t available from a resource like a precious metal exchange. Like money it can be gained by hard work. In many ways, wisdom is even more precious than money because it doesn’t lose its value.

Wisdom and money can get you almost anything, but only wisdom can save your life… For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. (Proverbs 7:12; 3:14)