Down with the Bad; Up with the Good

One of the predicaments of tendinitis and a tender right knee is reminding myself of the best way to go up and down stairs or curbs.  Since my weaker side is now having to perform as the stronger side, I have to think through the process when encountering these challenges.  Figuring out that it is best to step down with the hurt foot and up with the good has made it much easier to walk or step without as much discomfort.  I catch myself saying, “Down with the bad; up with the good” before taking the step.  This experience has reminded me that these are beneficial sayings/lessons for life as well.

* Sometimes the weaker needs to step up and carry the load.

* It’s good to take time to figure out the best ways to proceed and carry out plans.

* Reminders are beneficial when needing to make progress.

* I need to be conscientious about stepping down/away from the bad in life that causes me to be less than my best.

* When one gets rid of the bad, you make room for the good to grow and bloom.

* It takes effort and concentration to set one’s mind’s attention and heart’s affection on embracing and stepping up to the good.

* Keep moving.

The Bible lists specific traits we are to get rid of as well as virtues to embrace.

GET RID OF:

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:19-21

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Ephesians 4:31

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

Ephesians 5:3-4

ADD ON AND EMBRACE:

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.

            And what does the LORD require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy

            and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:22-24

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:32

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:1-4

Therefore, as chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Colossians 3:12-14

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

A Valentine Kind of Heart

“I follow three rules:  Do the right thing, do the best you can, and always show people you care.” 

~ Lou Holtz

Sometimes opportunities come our way and we are given a few minutes time to think and respond.  Other times, more time is needed to make and carry out a plan, which is what three young people chose to do to make others feel special on Valentine’s Day.

Jayme Wooley, 15, is a sophomore at Axtell High School, outside of Waco, Texas.  Last Valentine’s Day, Jayme noticed that while several girls received flowers or other gifts, there were some girls that were left out.  Not wanting that to happen again, Wooley bought 170 flowers so that every girl at his school would receive a Valentine.  Jayme told CNN, “Over the past couple of years that I’ve been at Axtell, not all of the girls were able to get flowers and stuff.  Sometimes, it’d just be a secret admirer or popular girls.  It felt heartbreaking that not every girl was feeling special.”  On Valentine’s Day, Jayme handed a flower to every girl from 6th to 12th grade.  Because of his act of kindness, other guys took the lead and held the door open for the girls.  Wooley responded, “I’ll probably never forget that moment of just seeing their faces brighten up.   I don’t want anybody to feel less important than anyone else.”  Jayme is hoping that this is a tradition that will continue even after he graduates.

Kayleigh Whatley is a second grader at King Elementary in Katy, Texas.  She has already developed a tender heart for others.  This year she bought 20 carnations so she could give one to every classmate.  She knew that would make them happy and feel special.   

A student at Troy High School in Troy, Ohio, began working on a Valentine surprise in September.  Using different colors of paper, origami hearts were made and the student wrote “you are loved” on the outside part of each of the folded hearts.  Other than a few faculty members who gave permission and let the student in the school, the giver of the hearts remains anonymous.  On Valentine’s Day, as the 1,504 students entered the school, they were greeted with a colorful origami heart attached to each locker.  A well-planned idea, which took hours and months to complete, was a delightful and appreciated success.

Whether it’s spur of the moment or an idea that takes extra time, energy, and planning, may we each be willing to do our part to lift others up and accomplish the good works God prepared for us to do.

Do everything in love.

1 Corinthians 16:14

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:3-4

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17

Acknowledging Attributes

Starting on February 1^st, all six grandkids awakened to find a heart, on the kitchen door, with one of their attributes listed on it.  They immediately wanted to know what word was written on their heart.  I told them the word, but also made it a point to tell them why that attribute had been chosen.  We talked about it during the day as examples of that characteristic were displayed.  The hearts on the door were the first thing they checked on each morning.  The grandkids also wanted to see what was written on their siblings’ hearts.  During the 14 days we did this, the kids began noticing characteristics that needed to be added for a brother or sister.  We talked about it being a positive quality that was being recognized.  The hearts were made up until Valentine’s Day.  One grandchild mentioned that it would be OK to keep making the hearts every day.  The hearts will stay up, during February, as a reminder to look for and express gratitude for the positive attributes we see in others.

What a reminder of how much it must please God when we acknowledge His attributes, take the time to express why we recognize and appreciate them, and then take time to give thanks for the difference He is making in our lives.  And I’m sure He would like it and look forward to it if we did it every day. 

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.

1 Chronicles 16:8-9

I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.

Psalm 7:17

I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.

Psalm 13:6

You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.

Psalm 59:17

Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will proclaim your praise.

Psalm 79:13

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

Psalm 100:4

For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.

Psalm 117:2

The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.

Psalm 118:14

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.

Psalm 145:3

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that openly profess his name,

Hebrews 13:15