• Oct. 27th, 2011 31 Days :: Day 27 ~ Does your imagination need a reality check?

    Isaiah 26:3 ~ You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. (ESV) Yesterday we unpacked some tough stuff. It won’t be much easier today. Sorry. Please understand that there is nothing I’ve written about in the past month that I feel I have a handle on. And [ read more ]

  • Oct. 26th, 2011 31 Days :: Day 26 ~ Do you long for peace?

    Isaiah 26:3 ~ You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. (ESV) Today, we are diving into the Old Testament for a look at one of my favorite verses. And one that makes a tantalizing promise . . . one I sometimes feel is virtually unattainable. [ read more ]

  • Oct. 25th, 2011 31 Days :: Day 25 ~ Is there anything worthy of praise?

    Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ~ Philippians 4:8 (ESV) We’ve spent the past several weeks taking this verse apart, almost word for word. Have you noticed how the ideas [ read more ]

  • Oct. 24th, 2011 31 Days :: Day 24 ~ Need a little tweaking?

    If there is any excellence . . . think about these things. Phil. 4:8 (ESV) The Greek word for excellence is “arete” and it is most often defined as “virtuous thoughts feelings, actions; moral excellence and purity.“ My first reaction, when I hear “excellence” is to think of the best of something. The people and things [ read more ]

  • Oct. 23rd, 2011 31 Days :: Day 23 ~ What do they represent?

    Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 (ESV) On this beautiful Sunday, take a moment to look at these photos as you reflect on [ read more ]

  • Oct. 22nd, 2011 31 Days :: Day 22 ~ Need a break?

    Yesterday, I gave you a challenge to make an effort this weekend to focus on the things that are commendable in the people who populate your world. So I thought we’d take a little break today. I’ve collected a handful of some of my favorite “thinking” quotes that I’ve run across as I’ve researched this topic. They are both thought provoking [ read more ]

  • Oct. 21st, 2011 31 Days :: Day 21 ~ You mean I have to practice?

    Whatever is commendable . . . think on these things. We’ve been talking for the past several weeks about renewing our minds by choosing to think the way God wants us to think. Philippians 4:8 gives us a list of things we are to think about – things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, [ read more ]

  • Oct. 20th, 2011 31 Days :: Day 20 ~ Who’s the loveliest of them all?

    Whatever is lovely . . . think on these things. The Greek word translated as lovely is “prosphiles” and it means “acceptable, pleasing” and has the idea of being “winsome, sweet, gracious, attractive.” In classical Greek it means “dear or beloved” when used to describe people and “pleasing or agreeable” when used to describe things. [ read more ]

  • Oct. 19th, 2011 31 Days :: Day 19 ~ Is it stainless?

    Whatever is pure . . . think on these things. The Greek word for pure is “hagnos” and it means “exciting reverence, sacred” and “pure – free from carnality, chaste, modest; free from fault, immaculate; clean.“ The word is used to describe both sexual purity as well as ceremonial purity. One commentator referred to it [ read more ]

  • Oct. 18th, 2011 31 Days :: Day 18 ~ How hungry are you?

    Whatever is just . . . think on these things. The word translated here as “just” (it’s also frequently translated “right”) is “dikaios” and the short definition is “just, righteous, impartial.” The implication is that in every interaction and every relationship, our thoughts should come in line with God’s thoughts. I’m loving the way Paul is layering [ read more ]