Stinking Thinking and the Power of our Thoughts

"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23:7)

What kind of thinker are you? Seems like a strange question doesn't it? At least at first it does. For as long as I live, I'll never forget my mother telling me to "stop that stinking thinking." She always has had a way with words. As I've grown in my knowledge of Scripture over the years, I've realized that mom's saying was biblically based and right. 

The apostle Paul teaches the importance of the content of our thoughts in Philippians 4:8 when he wrote, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." The bottom line is that what we think about matters greatly.

There is a deeper truth here, however. It isn't just an issue in our lives to make sure that our thoughts are productive and God-honoring. The deeper truth is that we actually realize, at least in some way, what we think in our lives. Our thoughts will eventually define us. They make their way out. They mold us. They direct us--"as he thinketh in his heart, so IS he." John Maxwell is noted as saying, "Be careful about what occupies your mind, because it will greatly determine what you'll become tomorrow." 

What about you? Have you done any stinking thinking lately? Remember, our thoughts are a direct influence on the outcome of our lives. Here is a statement that has proven helpful many times:


Be careful with your thoughts, for they will become your words.
Be careful with your words, for they will become your actions.
Be careful with your actions, for they will become your habits.
Be careful with your habits, for they will become your character.
Be careful with your character, for it will become your destiny.

As you and I think, so we are.

Oh Sweet Aspartame!

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles." (Hebrews 12:1)




A poem of the hypocritical attractions of sin and the hypocrites that are born from washing the outside of the tomb while inwardly being full of dead man's bones.


Oh Sweet Aspartame!

I've given up sugar,
seems so long ago!

The taste was so sweet
but round my waist it did show.

So, I've instead taken to aspartame--
now my flirtation is hidden by the word "diet".

I'm satisfied with an indulgence
that I now can keep nice and quiet.

O Sweet Aspartame!
How lovely your name!

How addicted is this man!
You're my sin in a can!

Publicly I've learned
to my sugary sinfulness spurn--

While privately I do linger
in the things that do hinder.

Oh Sweet Aspartame!

The Church of Look Like Us

"I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some."
(1 Corinthians 9:22)


There is a church that causes quite a fuss.
They call themselves the church of “Look Like Us”.

They have many things for you to do,
As long as you don’t look like you.

They’ll teach you how to dress and sing—
And to argue over petty things.

But beware! They’ll throw you underneath the bus,
If you look like you and not “like us”.

A Tale of Too Good Tess

"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain." (Proverbs 31:30)


Too good Tess would dare suggest
she was simply too good for all

Too good to meet, too good to greet
Too good to say words like "ain't" and "y'all"

A mirror carrier by trade
a make-up surgeon made

Only the best for too good Tess
all else was lesser grade

She often stared in mirrors
while striking different poses

She often picked out others' blemishes
from their feet up to their noses

A happy day it was for her
when she modeled for the story

But better yet she took a bet
to show off all her glory

Too good Tess sought to impress
and turn the heads of surface

But as she did she formed regrets
and wondered of her purpose

And as she struggled all alone
she thought of all the moments

When others tried to care for her
but never lived up to her judgments

Too good Tess as a story told
can speak for many others

That sought the lust of many men
but left heartbroken mothers

Serendipitous Design

It was serendipitous design
when you became mine--

God's ordination of all through our choices.

Oh such luck to have met
while the plans had been set.

This heavenly foundation was laid right before us.

So we bobbed and we weaved
as His plan was believed.

In our "yeses" and "nos" we decided.

Oh, such fortune to have met!
The table was set.

God directed our path and our words had been guided.

It was a stumbling in grace--
a reach for holiness.

We prayed that His will we would find.

Your hand now is in mine.
We've been tested by time.

Oh delight, this serendipitous design!

Let My Little One Breathe

A New Year now has just begun
in time to meet my ready son

Wife in bed with nurse by side
a doctor makes ready for daddy's pride

A push or two and then repeat
at first his head and then his feet

My son born new has been received
Alas I pray, "Let my little one breathe."

Yet mere weeks now see him flown away
Watching still with no words to say

In my soul I stop to pray,
"Let my little one breathe."

Machines and beeps as baby sleeps
while oxygen does ugly tales conceive

With his color back I see it is Jack
And yet still pray, "Let my little one breathe."

In days ahead and years to come
my prayers go forward for my little one

That deeper still is more than seen
when even truth oft speaks falsities

So see beyond the surface son
and take the hand of the Risen One

One day I hope you receive him son
For birth anew I pray, "Let my little one breathe."

Of Peace and Pillows

Ellie Kate turns four today! I've called her "Tooter Bug" ever since she was little. I'm not sure I'll be able to call her that much longer--before she starts objecting. But, for some reason, that name just came to be; and, I love it! She means the world to me. And, her smile can definitely light up my day! She knows that her daddy loves her very much. I make it a priority that she always knows that to be true.

Several months ago, I walked by her room and looked in to check on her. I was absolutely captivated by her as she slept. This is what I wrote that night before I went to sleep.

OF PEACE AND PILLOWS

The bedroom nightlight is cast tonight
softly on her cheek.

It is blessed to find this landing place,
as she is comfortably asleep.

With covers to her waist
and her dolls by her side,

I'm helpless as my heart skips beats
watching from the hall outside.

I wonder what she is dreaming
as she shares a midnight smile.

Is she far away in her dreams
playing princess for a while?

What a joy it is to have such peace!
What a blessing for daddy to know!

His little girl is far away in dream--
of peace and pillows.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLIE KATE!!!