S.T.O.P.

Miranda and I recently completed a course on hunter education. This is a requirement to obtain a permit to acquire a handgun in the state of Hawaii. A portion of the class discussed surviving in an emergency situation. They used the acronym STOP to help in the event of an emergency. It stands for the following:

Stop (or sit down)
Think about how you got there
Observe your environment and state of being
Plan

I believe this can also be used in day to day life as a wonderful way of helping us in making a better tomorrow. I encourage you today to stop what you’re doing and think for just a moment. Think about your past. Think about how you got to where you are today. The efforts you’ve put forward. The things you’ve achieved and the knowledge you’ve gained. Now ask yourself how you feel about your possessions, residence, jobs, pastimes, and environment. By doing these things you can work toward a better tomorrow like you would work toward surviving the wilderness.

Luke 17:25-27 (New International Version)

24For the Son of Man in his day[a] will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. 25But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.
26"Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.

Psalm 68:3 (New International Version)

3 But may the righteous be glad
and rejoice before God;
may they be happy and joyful.

Psalm 46:9-10 (New International Version)

9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields [a] with fire.
10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."

God bless America