Dinner: What Are You Thinking About?

Philippians 4:8-9

8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

We are working on the fifth month of Adam's battle. We all have had a lot of time to think — some more than others. We will continue to have time to think. What should we think about? Paul tells us to think about anything that is excellent or praiseworthy!



Here is a song for the youth that are praying with us.



Thoughts of temptation or discouragement can arrive at anytime, without invitation. I don't think Paul was talking about being able to control every thought that comes to mind. However, we can discipline ourselves to limit the "bad thoughts" to "fleeting thoughts." I know that I need to work at this. I can do a better job of making an intentional choice to contemplate good thoughts and escort the bad thoughts out the nearest exit.

Right now, I want to contemplate the loving God, the healing Jesus, and the present Holy Spirit. I want to contemplate how They will be glorified when Adam is able to speak and sing praises to God.

In the future, I need to pick up my Bible more quickly to feed my brain with things that are pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Here is a passage that works:

Mark 12:41-44
The Widow's Offering

41Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins,worth only a fraction of a penny.

43Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."

That, my friends, is faith in action — going "all in" for God. A very admirable act that is worth pondering. A selfless act that we can use as a yardstick for measuring our own "faith in action."

One more post, later this evening, then one in the morning. Right now, pray that even as Adam struggles to move up the Rancho scale, that he would have good thoughts — praiseworthy thoughts about God.