Sheltered by Positive Thoughts

 

Working from home for my day job, I was assigned a few lessons in positive psychology. According to PositivePsychology.com:

 

“Positive psychology focuses on the positive events and influences in life, including:

  1. Positive experiences (like happiness, joy, inspiration, and love).
  2. Positive states and traits (like gratitude, resilience, and compassion).
  3. Positive institutions (applying positive principles within entire organizations and institutions).”

What’s the point? To help us–individually and collectively–thrive and be our best.

Modern psychology has discovered ancient wisdom:

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Finally, brothers and sisters, 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. 

Who’s driving our thoughts? Where’s the focus? Does it build up or tear down? Is it positive or negative?

Your Word, Lord God, tells us to shelter our souls with positive thoughts. As Americans celebrate the birth of our nation, keep our focus on what’s noble and admirable. Let us build up, not tear down. Fill us with good and godly thoughts, in Jesus’ name.

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Mind of Christ


“May the mind of Christ, my Savior, 

live in me from day to day, 
by his love and power controlling 
all I do and say.”
Kate Barclay Wilkinson, 1925

 

Mrs. Wilkinson, a member of the Church of England, was involved in the Keswick Convention that began in 1875 as part of the Higher Life Movement. Founded by an Anglican and a Quaker, its theme was and remains, “All One in Christ Jesus.”

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Change Your Mind

 

Romans 12:2b (CEV)
Let God change the way you think.

If you’re willing, God is able.

 

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A Godly Mindset

 

Definition: mindset (per Merriam-Webster)
1. A mental attitude, inclination
2. A fixed state of mind

 

Philippians 2:5 (NIV)
In your relationships with one another,
have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.

What would Jesus do? What would Jesus say?
When would Jesus speak? When would Jesus listen?
How would Jesus react? How would Jesus debate?
Who would Jesus condemn? Who would Jesus forgive?

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All Your Mind

 

Luke 10:27 (NIV)
Love the Lord your God with . . . all your mind.

 

Mind.” Luke uses the Greek word dianoiadiá, from side to side, and noiéō, to use the mind. Considering both sides. Balanced thought. 

Some folks say faith is anti-science, anti-facts, anti-thought.  What does God say?

Isaiah 1:18a (EXB – Expanded Bible)
The Lord says,
“Come, let us talk about these things
[reason together; or settle this matter;
or consider your options].

God wants us to think things through. He’s not asking for mindless obedience.

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Do You Mind?

 

Do you?

 

 

        • Do you mind if I love folks on both sides of the political aisle?
        • Do you mind if I’m passionate about projects that don’t matter to you?
        • Do you mind if I’m not passionate about projects that matter a great deal to you?

Apparently, there are many who do mind. Lots of people want to surround themselves only with like-minded folks. I don’t think that’s how God wants it.

I’m praying they change their minds.

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A Sheltered View of the Pandemic


I see the COVID-19 pandemic through the lens of my own country. An recent update from World Challenge about Liberia shifted my sheltered perspective.

 

“. . . the country simply doesn’t have the means for a prolonged battle with the virus . . . only one ventilator is available for the entire country . . . School lessons have gone on the radio, a much more common household device in Liberia than televisions or computers.”

World Challenge, an international Christian ministry, follows biblical principles to change individuals and communities for the better–“mentally, physically, socially, financially and spiritually.” They distributed reusable masks and much-needed soap to orphanages; a long war has deprived thousands of children of their parents, and systems are over-stressed.

Thank You, Lord, for shifting my perspective. I am grateful for the resources in my own nation to deal with the pandemic: medications, well-equipped hospitals, on-line school, and an abundance of soap and water. Shelter the dear people of Liberia from more death. Grant ministries like World Challenge the means to help, in Jesus’ name.

 

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Just

 

Lord God, teach me to be
just, not judgmental,
helpful, not hurtful,
right-thinking, not self-righteous.

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Just Right

 

Psalm 89:13 (GNT)
Your kingdom is founded on
righteousness and justice
.

 

Without a clear sense of right and wrong, there will never be true justice.

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Just Punishment

 

“Punishment is justice for the unjust.”
Augustine (354-430)

 

 

Augustine of Hippo (Saint Augustine to the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Anglican traditions), was a bishop of the Christian Church in North Africa. His writings impacted theology and philosophy in his own time and beyond.

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