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Lebanon County Farmhouse The cold temps and heavy winds do not get in the way of clothes being hung out to air dry on this Amish farm.
The clothespins used on this line requires some heavy duty springs to clasp clothing during the high winds. Click on photo to enlarge
"Think Right™"
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Message summary: Today let us strive to have a non-congested mind! Let us keep our head on straight and have a clear mind!
"But you, keep your head in all situations" (2 Timothy 4:5a). "The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray" (1 Peter 4:7).
I (Stephen) deal regularly with nasal congestion due to asthma and allergies. While many take for granted the blessing of
being able to breathe in and out without obstruction, those who deal with asthma and allergies know just what I'm talking about. Sometimes it would be no different if I just put a clothespin on my nose!
VapoRub helps some, I suppose due to the menthol. But many years ago I tried the Breathe Right™ nasal strips and found they helped me breathe much better at night. Nasal strips are shaped like band-aids, but when they're placed on the exterior of
the nose they open up the nasal passage to relieve congestion. These nasal strips are now seen on many football players and other athletes, presumably to help them as they physically exert themselves making it easier for them to breathe.
But there's another type of congestion most all our readers will readily identify with. If I were to describe this as a medical term it would be mind congestion. People need their thoughts to be clear-minded and
non-congested. It would be great to have something like a Think Right™ to help us think clearly. Rubbing VapoRub on our heads won't help with this type of congestion although it might smell good to some (me); but for some it's an unpleasant medicinal smell!
We need Think Right™ in light of the increasing evil that permeates our society along with the prevailing philosophies and confusion (or should I say delusion) of our day. Increasingly, it seems that wrong is endorsed as right
and right is denounced as wrong. I've written about this theme many times, but it seems everyday there are more and more examples that we come across.
We must be on our guard lest we be seduced into this topsy-turvy, touchy-feely system of beliefs based on popular and politically correct notions of morality, especially to the exclusion of critical or sound judgment. To hold to ancient, proven truths is being viewed more and more as old fashioned and will
likely bar you from the “cool, hip or cutting edge” in-crowd (not that I’m really trying to get in that setting in the first place.) Here in America and around the world a battle for the heart, soul and mind rages.
I believe among the greatest challenges for us as believers in any age is keeping a non-congested mind. We live in a time of moral confusion and I believe Greg Nelson and Phil McHugh got it right when they wrote: “We are called to take His light to a world where wrong seems
right....” in the inspiring song, “People Need the Lord” written in 1983.
In Paul’s final letter to Timothy he writes, "Keep your head in all situations". Other versions translate the phrase "always be sober-minded" (ESV), "control yourself at all times" (NCV), "keep a clear mind" (NLT).
Greek scholar Fritz Rienecker points out that in this passage Timothy is called "to be in a vigilant, wakeful, considerate frame of mind, taking heed of what is
happening and pursuing a course with calm and steady aim."
In a similar way Peter wrote, "The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray" (1 Peter 4:7).
Today let us strive to have a clear and non-congested mind!
Daily prayer: Father, we seek to be clear-minded in this generation where many seek to confuse, delude, and undermine that which we learn from Your holy Scriptures. Instead of feeling
despair help us to see it as a challenge to more deeply embrace the ancient Holy Word. Its truth does not change according to the whim of society nor the ills of the day. We resolve not to interpret Scripture in light of our generation, but we interpret our generation in light of Scripture, clearly defining right and wrong, good and bad as taught in Scripture not in the “scholarly” academia of our time. We must keep our head in all situations on a personal level and that which affects our
society at large. We desire a clear mind, trusting spirit, and a steady aim at following You no matter the cost. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
We continue to enjoy photos from our bird feeder camera I bought for Brooksyne for Valentine's Day. Yesterday we had a visit from this Downy woodpecker. Usually they go for our suet
packs, but perhaps this one enjoys the kind of seed we offered.
Smile: “A joyful heart does good like medicine!”
Regarding Breathe Right nasal strips I have wondered as to whether there might be spiritual uses for the nasal strips in church and other ministry settings so I came up with a few light-hearted suggestions:
Perhaps they would be helpful for the preacher and give greater liberty and power in preaching. Some may even determine the use of the nasal strip leads to a greater anointing.
Musicians may use the strips and the church’s music ministry would improve. Perhaps purchase color-coordinated ones to match the choir robes.
Encourage those who tend to fall asleep in church to use the strips, particularly those that are prone to
snoring, especially the double snort type.
Include the nasal strip in the visitor’s packet. People may very well appreciate it more than the customary pen that is so often given. Due to volume buying you may be able to purchase the strips with your church name on them and this will remind your guests that your church really does care.
Encourage using the strips as a witnessing aid using the WWJD theme. Why hide your faith on a sissified bracelet
under your sleeve when you can boldly proclaim it right on your nose!
For a more humorous use, in very small letters, proclaim on the strip, “In case of rapture this nose will disappear.”
Those of us with larger noses may actually have ones with Scripture verses on them upside down so that we can read them through the day and as an aid to memorizing Scripture.
I am confident that other uses will be
devised for the nasal strip.
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Daily prayer: Father, we seek to be clear-minded in this generation where many seek to confuse, delude, and undermine that which we learn from Your holy Scriptures. Instead of feeling
despair help us to see it as a challenge to more deeply embrace the ancient Holy Word. Its truth does not change according to the whim of society nor the ills of the day. We resolve not to interpret Scripture in light of our generation, but we interpret our generation in light of Scripture, clearly defining right and wrong, good and bad as taught in Scripture not in the “scholarly” academia of our time. We must keep our head in all situations on a personal level and that which affects our
society at large. We desire a clear mind, trusting spirit, and a steady aim at following You no matter the cost. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
