Rose Island Suspension Bridge Photo by Vaido Otsar
Good morning, beloved,
I followed Ann Voskamp’s 25 Point Manifesto for Sanity yesterday. It flows so very well with my other routines I have begun. One thing that was an amazing reminder for me was a lit candle. Here’s her response:
Light a candle first thing in the morning.
So you remember: You are the light that is put on a stand so that it gives light to everyone in the house.
Now, I’m sure you don’t have anyone in your house that bends toward the dramatic. I have no idea where one in my household would view this type of personality. Ahem. One of my blessings woke up grumpy and it deteriorated from this point. I kept looking to the light. Remembering who lives in me and in this grumpy gus. I finally was pushed to the brink and I gave in. I went to hide in my room to calm down. and I remembered our verses we are memorizing. “He does not slander with his tongue…” and “5 Love is not ·rude [disrespectful], is not ·selfish [self-serving], and ·does not get upset with others [is not easily provoked/angered].”
And I walked back down into the chaos. The child came to me and asked for forgiveness. The frustration broke within me, within my blessing. We began anew, focused on the brightness of the flame. Remembering our verses, we started again.
Luke Manor Park by Valeo Otsar
7 And God’s peace, which ·is so great we cannot understand it [transcends/surpasses all comprehension], will ·keep [guard]your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
8 [L Finally; In conclusion; or Now then] Brothers and sisters, ·think about [focus your thoughts on; fill your minds with]things that are true and honorable and ·right [just] and pure and ·beautiful [lovely] and ·respected [commendable]. If there is anything that is ·good [morally excellent] and worthy of praise, ·think about [focus your thoughts on; fill your minds with]these things. 9 Do what you learned and received and heard ·from [L in] me, and what you saw ·me do [L in me]. And the God ·who gives [L of] peace will be with you. (Philippians 4 EXB)
God’s peace. So great…surpasses all comprehension…
Rõuge Parish, Võru County, Estonia. by Valeo Ostar
We were watching an episode of Drive Thru History yesterday and my kids were struck by the costume, outfit of the Roman Soldier..
Roman soldier in lorica segmentata
God’s peace protects, guards, keeps your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. My heart. Your heart. My mind. Your mind. Look at the protection given to this soldier. God’s peace is better. His Son’s blood…gift.
When our minds begin to focus on our rights, (how dare he be human? why can’t she be perfect like me?) we have such a battle! We are in the midst of the battle. Fill our minds. Fill…powerful to remember love. Cry out for His peace.
A girl pouring cold water from a plastic bottle with a blue lid.by Clementia
Here’s the list. Fill our minds with:
true:
…· 24become [put on; clothe yourself with] the new ·self [L person; or Man; C become like Christ]. That new person is created ·to be like God [or in God’s image; L according to God]—truly good and holy [or in the righteousness and holiness that comes from truth].
25 So you must stop telling lies. ·Tell each other the truth [L Let each one of you speak truthfully to his neighbor; Zech. 8:16], because we ·all belong to each other in the same body [L are members of one another]. Ephesians 4 EXB
honorable:
18 Pray for us. We are ·sure [convinced] that we have a clear conscience, ·because [or and] we always want to ·do the right thing [act honorably]. 19 I especially ·beg [urge; exhort] you to pray so that ·God will send me back [L I may be restored] to you soon. Hebrews 13:18 EXB
right [just]:
7 The ·path [way] of life is level for ·those who are right with God [the righteous];
·Lord [or Upright One], you make the way of life ·smooth [straight; level] for those people. Isaiah 26:7
pure:
3 And all who have this hope in ·Christ [L him] keep themselves pure, just as ·Christ [L he] is pure. 1 John 3 EXB
beautiful [lovely]:
respected [commendable]:
5 Be wise in the way you ·act with [behave towards] people who are not believers, making the most of every opportunity.6 When you talk, you should always be ·kind [gracious] and ·pleasant [winsome; engaging; or wholesome; L seasoned with salt] so you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should. Colossians 4 EXB
worthy of praise:
5 So do not judge before the ·right [appointed] time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light things that are now hidden in darkness, and will make known the secret ·purposes [motives] of people’s hearts. Then God will ·praise[give appropriate commendation to] each one of them. 1 Corinthians 4 EXB
Focus your minds. I think of this picture:
Canal tunnel
Where will your focus be as you travel through the tunnel? Will it be, as you are steering, to look back? To look up? To look to the sides? No way, we need to focus on what is ahead. The light. And as Christians, we place our focus on the Light. Focus on the truth that one day these trials, temptations will be aside and we will be forever in the Light.
My thankfuls:
A gift before dawn, at noon, after dark (Ann Voskamp, Joy Dare):
139. Waking up in the dark, watching the sun rise as I type away at my Bible study..thankful for sun rises.
140. Thankful for kitchen appliances that function and help me feed my blessings. Thankful.
141. Thankful for routines that set us all up to succeed the next day. Thankful for each child’s way of saying goodnight.
Pray on. Focus on Him. Pray on.
Related articles
- In Christ (savedbygraceblogdotcom.wordpress.com)
- A study of Philippians 4:6-7 (godguysandgirls.wordpress.com)
- Rejoice in the Lord Always (writerwithacause.wordpress.com)
- A Prayer for a New Beginning in Christ (peacefulwife.com)
- Peace Be with You (livethree65.wordpress.com)
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