Think about such things....

The other day, I was feeling so overwhelmed by all that is happening in our country and in the world.  And, I was reminded of these words; I certainly couldn't express these thoughts any better. Phillipians 4:  8-9 "Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious--the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.  Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized.  Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies."  ~MSG.  I absolutely love this version of this scripture.  I am so done with all the negativity and ugliness going on right now.  I am choosing to think on these things.

I think we all need to go sit in our "time out chair" and think seriously about what matters most in this life.  For me, it all boils down to one thing: Am I serious about Jesus' call upon my life to love others...regardless?  Jesus said in John 13:35, "By this they will know that you are my disciples...if you love one another."  Do I always get it right?  Absolutely not.  It is for this reason, when I am at the end of myself and when I face my own ugliness and sin, that I depend only upon God's grace.

my mom's hand and her favorite verse