the greatest resolution

One of the greatest resolutions you can make in 2016 is not something you DO, but rather something you THINK.

What you THINK determines what & how you DO. 

One of my favorite scriptures is Philippians 4:8. It's so powerful in it's simplicity. 
"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."

I don't know about you, but I can have a lot of thoughts run through my brain that are the very opposite of the things in this verse. & that's been especially true this last year & a half.

But guess what, we have the ability (& the commission) to change the way we think! It's time to renew our minds to the Word. We can't always control the thoughts that run through our minds, but we sure can stack the deck in our favor. 

(Someone's) Mama always said: garbage in, garbage out.

If you want to start to take control of your thought life, start to take control of what your eyes see & your ears hear. Spend more time in front for the Bible than in front of the TV, internet, games, or even other books. 

I'm not saying you have to cut out all non-Christian material from your life, but how bad do you want it? 

It's a simple "formula." 

Spend time in the Word. The Word brings faith, and as faith grows so does your thought life. It is an automatic response to the living Word. Don't leave your mind to it's own thoughts, take control of the foundation. Your mind doesn't become renewed simply by catching every bad thought that runs through it, but rather by filling it with truth & giving yourself something to fight with!

It's not a one-time-flip-a-switch-cure-all, it's a lifestyle & a life-line. God didn't leave you to battle alone. He gave you the tools & the more you use the tools, the more you realize God is bigger than the enemy we face. 

Tools can't build anything while they are laying on the ground. So pick them up & start renewing your mind. It'll be the best resolution you ever made. 

short, but encouraging

Some thoughts...

When everything falls apart, your strength will not be enough. 
Lean in to Jesus.
For He is your Shield & Buckler, He is round about you. 
He is the One who is strong enough & His strength never fails or wears out. 
He cannot become weary or tired. 
He is your constant, He is your stay. 
Encourage yourself in the Lord, in His promises & in His truth,
For the joy of the Lord is your strength, not the joy that's found in life. 
Life changes, God does not. 

Philippians 4:8

I just can't seem to get past this verse today.

Remember: either you control your thoughts, or they will control you.

I've included a couple of translations for you, I just love the context & content they give you.

Philippians 4:8

ESV
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

TLB
And now, brothers, as I close this letter, let me say this one more thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about.

MSG
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.

NKJV
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

dedicated to my girl

Happy Birthday to my sweet little love. 

Abi Gwyn, you're the best of the best. You took our hearts & made them explode with love. The days we spent with you were beyond words. 

You were beautiful & strong & beyond sweet. We loved the moments we shared & we'll never forget. You will always be in our hearts.

You changed our lives forever & we're thankful we were chosen to be your mommy & daddy. 

We ache to be with you again & hope beyond hope to make you proud with this time we live apart. 

We know that God will use your life to touch the world around us. You have & will continue to change & affect people & bring them closer to Jesus. 

As much as we miss you, we're so happy for you to be with Him. We're so happy you get to be perfect & pain free. & we're so excited for the day when we will all get to be in His presence together. 

Until then, we'll be here... loving you big, living out the plans He has for us, sharing your story & His hope to this hurting world.  

xoxoxoxoxoxo forever

thoughts

I wanted to share something my Pastor said on Sunday,

"Don't stew, brew & chew on what they did (or what happened), just DO what's right & forgive."

Painful things are going to happen in our lives, but the more time we spend thinking on IT the more power we give it. Whether it was a person who hurt us, or just the circumstances of life. The sooner we begin to take that pain to God, the sooner the healing will come. Also, the more we take painful memories to God, the less power they will have over our lives. 

It's a two-fold process. We can't fool ourselves into thinking that once we start moving on from a painful experience we'll never have to deal with it again. There will be times when those memories try to come back, the pain will try to come back. We can't just brush those times off, we must take them to God & let Him continue His healing. 

When is it easier to pull out a weed? When the ground is hard & the roots are large or when the ground is soft & the root is small? Dealing with the little thoughts that are trying to grow roots will keep you. 

The Bible tells us not only to think on things that are true and honorable and right and pure, but to FIX our thoughts on those things! Don't let your mind control your thought life. Let God's Word permeate your heart & your mind. It is life & it brings health & joy in ways nothing on this earth ever can.