Finally, sisters . . .

Do you ever get weary from too much negative "stuff"? Too much negative talk, and my heart gets heavy and my spirit gets sad. What about yours? Whether I am the giver or the receiver of complaints and whinings, it doesn't take long before I find myself wallowing in a quagmire of despair and doubt. I start to believe all the negative stuff, and things begin to seem pretty hopeless. Sometimes I feel bombarded and battered from it all. It quite literally takes its toll on me physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. So why are we so drawn to the negative? Why do we listen to it and allow our minds to be filled with such poison?

Philippians 4:4-9 sounds so wonderfully positive! If you haven't read it lately, or even if you have, read it again. It talks about rejoicing and the nearness of our Lord. It talks about not being anxious, but instead taking all our requests to God. It talks about being thankful, and about a peace that transcends all understanding that will guard our hearts and minds. I don't know about you, but my heart and mind are in dire need of guarding!

This blog is an attempt on my part to take a stand for things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. It is an attempt to invite sisters to come along with me as we purposefully search for these things as if they were treasures to be discovered and turned over and over in our minds as one would carefully examine every facet of a valuable jewel. Let's share them and fill our hearts and minds so full of "These Things" that there is no room for the negative. Let's spend our days rejoicing in the goodness of our God who leads us beside still waters, and steer clear of the undercurrents that threaten to suck us under into the murky waters of the deep.

So, if you would like to join me on this potentially mind-altering adventure, I would love your company. Here is our first assignment. 1. Read Philippians 4:8 over and over this week. 2. Commit it to memory if you will. 3. Choose one of the kinds of things we are told to think about, and search for it all week long.
4. When you notice it, jot it down if you can, so you won't forget 5. Thank God for it. 6. Rejoice! 7. Share it with the rest of us.

May the God of peace be with you.