Chapter Ten Comments

                The Gate of Praiseworthy Thoughts...

In thinking about having thoughts on things that are praiseworthy.  The scripture verses in this chapter are real encouraging to me.  Ps 78:4. Encourages us to continue to share  things that the Lord has done in our lives with our children.  So many praises happen that we need to share with them so that not only we remember what the Lord has done so that our children can see what the Lord has done.
1 Peter1:7 says the trial of your faith being much more precious then gold and....found to be praiseworthy. Even though our trails are not enjoyable at the time.  As we endure grief and wrongfully sufferings it is praiseworthy it says in 1 Peter 2:19.  Ps 150 says that we are to praise Him ... in fact all of the verses say praise Him.....everything that has breath Praise the Lord.  Eph 1 where it says, to the praise of the glory of his grace...everything is from him and is worthy of praise.  Sometimes this is very hard to do.  This week in an attempt to praise the Lord in everything has been found to be difficult.  The stories in the chapter are very powerful. It speaks to me to do things in secret so not to draw attention to myself.  I hadn't heard the testimony of the couple that started the voice of the martyrs.  As I read it I wondered if I could do the same. Something to think about.
Blessings,
Cathy

                *     *     *     *     *     *     *

I was in a worldview class and the instructor was talking about how the secular construct of life always ends up borrowing from Christianity. Why? Because there are certain concepts and behaviors we instinctively recognize as praiseworthy. We feel them resound in our spirits as what is good and right. The same can be said when you look at secular media (books, movies, TV, reporting, etc.) They cannot help include what they know we marvel and praise when such actions are taken. A major example of this is self-sacrifice. Our lives are the most precious thing we possess and when someone is willing to risk that for the sake of another, it is praiseworthy. Why? Because

it reflects Christ and the love He gave us, placed in us, and expressed to us when He died on the cross. Every aspects of His character and nature is praiseworthy and when we see it anywhere else it triggers that same marvel and praise, even if it’s the criminal who pushes an innocent bystander out of the way of a bullet, the hero who gives the last of his food to his companion and goes hungry himself, the mom who stays up all night to keep her sick kid company, the dad who skips his golf game with his boss to go to his son’s basketball game instead, the older brother who in the middle of the night runs to sooth his baby brother back to sleep so his mom doesn’t have to, the list could go on and on. We are surrounded by praiseworthy acts and moments all reflecting Christ.

 

Given

                           *     *     *     *     *

I am moved by the kindness of Ebed-Melech and hope that I would be so kind and courageous and the example of the life of Richard and Sabrina Wurmbrand.  The following three paragraphs stand out to me:

"Some praiseworthy acts are accomplished in the dark where no one notices.  These actions are particularly commendable because they are done with no hope of recognition or praise; they are just the natural behavior of people who are committed to the singular task of pleasing the God who has demonstrated His love for them.  These are particularly praiseworthy." pg 104

"While in solitary, Pastor Wurmbrand lived in squalid conditions, without books or other comforts and often in total darkness.  During this time when many would lose their sanity or surrender to self-pity he made it his practice each day to mentally compose a fresh sermon.  When the sermon was fully developed in his mind he would deliver it aloud to the darkness and when he had delivered it he would memorize an outline of it.  His spiritual and mental discipline was worthy of great praise."  pg 105  

And "Surely in all those years of torture and prison and harassment this couple must have encountered thoughts of revenge and bitterness and hatred.  Surely the walls of their minds must have seemed fragile in the face of a battering army of resentful and hostile thoughts, and yet their walls were strong and their gates well built.  We cannot know their minds, but their actions suggest that they had uncommon success in thinking about things that were true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admireable, excellent, and in the process, modeled for us something that was praiseworthy."

This verse blessed me, "These (trials) have come so that your faith--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."  I Peter 1:7

This chapter gave wonderful examples of praiseworthy things to think on.  I'm looking forward to the next chapter on taking thoughts captive.

Chapter Nine Comments - Excellent Thoughts

The Gate of Excellent Thoughts

This chapter begins with the following quote by Charles Swindoll:  "The secret of living a life of excellence is merely a matter of thinking thoughts of excellence.  Really, it's a matter of programming our minds with the kind of information that will set us free."

I appreciated the focus on forgiveness in this chapter.  This is a theme which I seem to need to visit again and again, maybe because the need for forgiveness in human relationships is so ongoing and necessary.  I was blessed by his explanation of forgetting as not remembering in contrast to not having any memory of a thing, it is instead the renewing of our minds to not recall it or seek revenge.

"This is hard spiritual labor.  Not remembering means coping with the insidious attacks of memory that would bring the offense to mind over and over.  It means taking control of our thoughts with the personal discipline necessary to avoid talking about the forgiven offense, to pass up any opportunity to remind the offender of the offense or to allow it to interfere with our relationship.  It is tough.  It was tough for Jesus, who sweat blood in the Garden of Gethsemane at the very thought of enduring the physical and spiritual pain required to forgive us.   And it is tough for us, but it is a thing of excellence."

I loved the quote by Mark Twain, "Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it."  That is what I want to characterize my life and I have a LONG WAY TO GO!!


                  *     *     *      *      *     *     *


Excellent thoughts:  So often our thoughts miss the mark of Philippians 4:8.  Paul's letter to ask them "what are you thinking about?" hasn't changed for us today.  It has been a roller coaster ride with thoughts this week. The author's writing about forgiveness is so good.  It is such a blessing that God doesn't remember our sins.  I have tried this week to not remember some of the things I have done and it is not easy for me.  It is hard spiritual labor. The story of Jacob and Fuchida is an incredible story. Praise the Lord for the "Black Book" that gives us the excellent word.  I have been blessed lately with the all the studying I have had in the past and how I can recall different passages and be blessed or instructed by them.
The idea in this verse speaks to me but I tried looking it up and I know it is not Titus in the King James or NIV  (if any one knows where it comes from I would be interested in knowing).
 
 "I want you to stress these things, so that those who have   trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing      what is good.  These things are excellent and profitable for everyone."





     Titus 3:5
Thinking excellent thoughts
Blessings
Cathy

Chapter 8 Comments

Comments have really fallen off - I'm not sure if that is because we are all busy with Spring things.  I'd like to hear from more of you on this next chapter later this week.  I've started it and am already convicted!  It's a much-needed message - I look forward to hearing your responses to it.

Thank you, Given and Cathy for your faithfulness - Given, your comments have been in my inbox for 10 days already and I was glad to get yours today, Cathy!! 

                          *     *     *     *     *     *

How can we better focus on admirable things? Well, one of the things I loved about attending Ellerslie Bible School is the focus on who God really is. It's easy to just be like, well yeah, He’s God, and just leave it at that, but to really study who He is and all that He loves and desires and has done is to find what is of “euphemos” of good repute. When asked the question who or what do you admire I often struggle to answer, because often I admire part but not the whole. It’s not this way with God, all of Him is admirable, and that is wonderfully amazing.

Given

                               *    *    *    *     *     *

This chapter on admirable thoughts was very encouraging to me.  He starts out with the question "Hey what are you thinking?"  I have found since we started this book I have been asking that question of myself lately.  What is it that I am thinking about  there is a whole list in the first paragraph:  finances, responsibilities, and fears and anxieties are the ones
that get me off on tangents.

The thoughts we need to have are the ones that would be a  Good Report. Things that have the character and quality that is worth talking about. Things that are commendable.
The story of the women with the 2 mites means so much more after reading the background on the chests that were called "trumpets" because of the shape and causing a sound when the coins were dropped in to it.  The 2 mites could not have made the sound that the other coins would have but Jesus heard them because they were given from the heart. The story of Glenn Cunningham is one that speaks to me.  He never gives up. He  continued to persevere. When we read the account of the three Hebrew men I have realized that they were truly blessed.  They stood for what was right which was admirable in an of itself.  God chose to use them in a deeper way by not dying in the furnace and witnessing to the king. 

Been thinking on doing things with my whole heart, persevering and doing what is right so God can use me.
Blessings to all
Cathy
                       *    *     *    *     *     *
                            

I appreciated the stories he gave as examples of things that are admirable to think on.  This gate isn't just a gate to keep out what is not admirable, but a gate to welcome in that which is worthy of our thoughts.  So many things influence what we will spend time thinking about.  I think books, movies, and friends all play a very important role in providing admirable things to think on along with time in the Word.  As we raise our children we are helping them learn what to choose to think on.  Our conversations as well as our book choices for them will play a part in what the whole family thinks about.  I feel blessed to live in an age when so many good books are available to us.  

I appreciated the quote on perserverance -
"Perserverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other." -Walter Elliot  It's easy to get discouraged and tired when we need to keep on keeping on, but this reminds me, I only have to conquer this bit at this moment.  God's grace is sufficient for this moment and the many moments add up to a life.  

Blessings on your week and I hope to hear from more of you this coming week.  Blessings, Patti
  
                             *    *     *     *     *     *

Chapter Eight Study Guide

Chapter 8   The Gate of Admirable Thoughts

Define “euphemos”-

How is Paul’s intended meaning different than the English word euphemism?

Think about who you admire and why.  What character qualities are admirable to you?

Manningham takes us again to the quality of self-sacrifice.  Read the story of the widow’s offering in Mark 12:41-44.  How did Jesus get to the motives behind the actions?  Refer to verses 38-40 for more insight into Jesus’ view of the religious leaders’ motives.

When have you given self-sacrificially or witnessed another giving in this way (it could be gifts of time or talents, not necessarily financial)?  How does self-sacrifice make us feel?

What is the difference between perseverance and patience?  

How did Glenn Cunningham live out Isaiah 40:31?  

In what ways can we persevere in our own circumstances?

Read the familiar story of  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3.  What do you admire about these three young men?

The world is full of negative, distressing thoughts, but God wants us to focus our minds instead on what is admirable.  Are there ways that you can change your thinking to better focus on this quality?

Choose a quote and a Bible verse from pp. 136 & 137 to meditate on.

Chapter Seven Comments

Chapter Seven is Lovely Thoughts - Here are our comments:

                              *    *    *     *    *    *    *

I am enjoying the study on Lovely thoughts this week. The idea of lovely being "toward a deep and moving affection" was so useful. I always read that word as thinking on things beautiful, not bad in itself, but being moved to affection makes much more sense. 

The quote by Brian Tracy, “The value of a relationship is in direct proportion to the time that you invest in the relationship.” was also good food for thought. 

The study on pure thoughts last week was also a blessing. Being crushed isn’t very pleasant, yet the refining work of His Holy Spirit is precious beyond measure. James 1:2-4!!  Eileen

              *     *     *     *     *     *     *

I had the thought, there is so much UNLOVELY in today's world -- that it takes deliberate effort and time to pull the lovely into your days and thoughts . . .

The quote at the beginning: "...thinking determines life."  is so very true.  I tell Monica when we're trying to get Math done, "stay on the Math path" -- like you're walking a puppy on a leash (your mind being the puppy) and you just need to keep PULLING it back...pull it back...

I've always loved the story of the woman washing Jesus' feet . . . her abandonment and spontaneity, her lavish love . . . He was her "soul-satisfying treasure."  "She could see both where she had been and where she was" -- and that was why she wept . . . . beautiful!

And the flash of the rainbow was amazing.  Love that thought!                                  Hope

                   *     *     *     *     *     *

This was an encouraging chapter for me these last week.  There are number of paragraphs that stood out to me.  Movement toward things that are worthy of affection is a very powerful definition.  If something is true, honest, just, and pure it will move us toward things that are worthy of affection.
The first paragraph speaks so much like what is happening in peoples lives today.  It is considered wrong if you don't accept everyone's point of view.  I am so glad that healthy and holy thinking began in the beginning and Paul wrote this verse we are studying. Many times when you hear a great story you are encouraged to do or think lovely thoughts. (bottom of Pg 70)  On the top of Pg 71 one was so good "to meditate on the love of God, His mercy, my forgiven sin and the love that binds sinners to the Savior.  Creates lovely thoughts.  I was blessed by the quote and desiring to be more like the candle:

"A candle is a lovely thing:
It makes not noise at all,
But softly gives itself away"
Blessings, Cathy

                *     *     *      *     *     *

 The things that are worthy of affection, let my mind dwell on these things. There are so many beautiful stories in the Bible and in this world, yet in our own lives and in the news particularly we seem to focus on the ugly and depressing things like what we didn’t get to do or what bad is happening. I think one of the most beautiful things about the Bible is that all of if even the stuff spoken in the midst of

darkness points always to the Way, the Truth, and the Life. In every story there is the promise of Jesus Christ. The way Joseph forgave his brothers, Boaz taking and providing for Ruth, and one of my favorites, the way people come to Jesus on behalf of someone else (like we do in prayer), often a child or servant, and Jesus helps them.

Yes, there is beauty in a night sky full of stars, but there is also beauty in the face of someone who is sick yet who trusts

God to walk with them through it. There is beauty in the face of a peacefully sleeping child, and also in the face of a child who has repented of their wrong and seeking to now do the right thing. When we look for it, beauty is everywhere.

Given

                    *      *     *     *     *     *     * 

I loved this paragraph: "Sometimes lovely is common like the beauty of creation, or more intense and complex like a broken prostitute delivered from herself, or deeply moving like faith and creativity in the face of personal adversity.  Lovely is whatever draws us into that sense of prosphiles, of being drawn toward something worthy of a strong sense of affection; something that reveals the loveliness and magnificence of a great Creator. When God looks at the redeemed, He sees the loveliness of Jesus."  So much of life is in how we "see" it how we interpret it we need to look at life through the lovely lense of Jesus Christ - He changes everything!  He puts possibility and hope into every dark scene.  There is so much in our world that is dark and ugly and evil, but even though I am more aware of this now than ever before this past year has been a year of joy for me because of the miracle changes in Anna - it has changed the way I view life, it has given me confidence to pray strong prayers and to have faith for marvelous answers.  Lovely thoughts - this is where I want to dwell!   Patti

                                 *       *      *      *     *      *     *     *

Chapter Seven Study Guide

Chapter Seven     The Gate of Lovely Thoughts

The word translated lovely that Paul uses in Philippians 4:8 is used only once in the New Testament.  What does it mean?  (p. 68)

There are many stories in the Bible whose characters endear us to them as examples of men and women who lived out Godly principles under difficult circumstances.  Share a few of your favorites:

Read Luke 7:36-50.  This story is a beautiful example of the love of God which binds each of us to our Savior.  Manningham focuses on three things in the action of this woman.  Comment on each:

1.  Her sacrifice-

2.  Her disregard for social and religious customs-

3.  Her tears-

How does God’s love touch your heart?

What are some of the ways you have witnessed God’s glory?  What gives you a sense of wonder?

The author gives three examples of people who lacked outer beauty but possessed a quality of inner loveliness.  How can we match our thinking to God’s rather than having the shallow view of the world’s in this area?  

How do humans as God’s created beings express this attribute of loveliness through things that we produce (in the Arts, for example)?  Why are these expressions important to our society?  How might they be used in worship of God?

Meditate on Psalm 145:5:   “On the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works, I will meditate.”

Chapter Six Comments

Sorry this is late - we went out of town unexpectedly....  But here are your thoughts on this chapter....  Hope to hear from more of you this next week....  I'll send out the questions for next week tomorrow morning. 

                  *     *     *     *     *      *     *     *

Quite a chapter!! Here are my thoughts on thinking what is pure:

This chapter was so good - it was a real blessing and encouragement.  The authors examples of the gold mine and John Newton were very good and so many things can be taken from them. It spoke to me about how the Israelites were now in the Promised Land and they had the temple set according to Gods design.  They had begun to do what the law had required for them to be pure (right) with God yet their hearts were not pure.  God started to teach them what they needed to do to cleanse their hearts.  To do things with their whole heart.  So often I can do the physical things that are before me but where are my thoughts.  Are they pure thoughts? Before reading this book I hadn't even considered that my thoughts were wrong.  Now  I can ask if my thoughts are what God would want or what
self would want. The section on faith was also very good.  The verse from Rom 10:17 has spoken to me for a long time "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."  The word is Jesus because it says in John 1:1 that "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God." He speaks to us and we hear and do what he wants us to do.  When we do that our faith is stronger.  I like the sentence(pg64) that says "without some stabilizing faith in those things we would live in a state of paralyzed indecision and fear about every detail of life.  When I feel like I am in a
paralyzed indecision and/or have fear than I know my faith at that moment is not stable.  Then I know to pray for the Lord to give me ears to hear what He has for me to do. I also like "Humility is pure."  The Lord has made us who we are for a
purpose and has put in us something that makes us a part of the whole body. Very thankful that God fills in and makes us more than we are so that we can minister to others.  The quote by Oswald Chambers is also good,  "There is a difference between innocence and purity. Innocence is the characteristic of a child: Purity is the characteristic of a man or woman who knows what the tendencies and temptations to go wrong are and who has overcome them."

Blessings,
Cathy

                        *     *     *      *     *     *     *     *

I was intrigued by the example of the gold mines in its relation to pure thoughts. Purity isn’t an easy process, yet I tend to see things as if they should just be pure not in light of them needing to be purified. When God allows blasting to take place in a part of my life and a whole truck load of hopes and dreams trucked off, my thoughts usually turn toward the impure. I question His love, His motives, His faithfulness, His care, because here all this stuff is happening and He isn’t stopping it, and yet the purity comes when we allow Him to take all that stuff in our lives and refine it and remove all that is just dirt and get to what is actually the gold. Gaining this perspective helps me to filter my thoughts for those that are pure, in the recognition that what He is doing is for good, as He has promised.

Given

                              *     *     *    *     *     *      *     *     *