Saturday, April 12, 2014

Steeped in Excellence

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8, NLT)

Regardless of what cuppa life serves us, each of us should steep it in excellence. Whether circumstances of disturbing dispari-TEA, unfamiliari-TEA, unclear directionali-TEA, lack of sereni-TEA or frivoli-TEA and gaie-TEA are poured out, one must measure these "thought" events by today's verse. 
As Kay Arthur taught me years ago, if you can to know if a thought is excellent and praiseworthy.....just "Philippians 4:8 it!" If one's thoughts don't t measure up to the excellence put forth in that verse; true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good repute, don't dwell there. Don't "brew" unwholesome thoughts in your mind. Steep goodness----it might take time, but it's the key to allowing God to make any cuppa (circumstance) palatable. Similar to looking for beauty.
Hm-m....covering a cuppa when steeping tea can keep the flavor in and the "bugs" out--
just like in our thought life when we steep it by covering it in the excellence of God's Word.
Keep those good thoughts brewing. Steep all thoughts in excellence. Cover them with God's word.

Steeping releases flavor for us and favor to God from us. A worthy cuppa.