CPC THIS WEEK
JULY 28, 2010
THE E-NEWSLETTER OF CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
“WHATEVER IS PURE...”
By Tom Stein
You may know the verse:
“Finally brothers, 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
As parents, we use this verse to warn our children against corrupting images and ideas.
This is good. But I am learning about the other side of this. The issue is not merely what we keep out of our minds - it is what we pour into our minds.
Example #1: I have finally learned how to attach my IPod to my body as I exercise in the morning. I am now listening to sermons or worship music.
Example #2: My children have introduced me to a Christian radio station that plays “positive and encouraging” music.
Through this, I am learning the value of immersing my heart in the true. Instead of welcoming the caustic and sarcastic noise of my culture, I am receiving much more of the noble and the right into my mind and spirit.
The result? The echoes of the pure and lovely are bouncing around inside me more, and I find my soul being re-shaped in admirable ways.
Yes, much ugly yet resides there. But I am discovering that God’s Spirit truly uses the excellent and praiseworthy to make us stronger in grace.
That is me - a sinful man who desperately needs to live a life of joy and peace through the blessings of grace. What about you?
Are you putting the “such things” of this verse into your life? You may do this far differently than me. But as believers who should know better, might we carelessly be allowing our cultural clamor to bombard and burden our minds and hearts?
24/7 screaming headlines. Relentless commercials. Entertainment that is not “dirty,” but is still destructive. Web sites that feed our worst instincts.
What goes in, will come out. So what is going in?
We do not live in a bubble. We are part of a culture. Yet the lousy stuff will come to us, whether or not we chase it. So what input will we pursue?
This verse is for our children, but not just for our children. I urge you to ponder how you may grow in feeding your spirit, even as you go about your daily life.
May God convict us of the need to take out the trash, and convince us of the value of taking in the truth.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
CPC 25TH ANNIVERSARY WORSHIP SERVICE AND CELEBRATION:
SUNDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 19
***SUNDAY SCHOOL RESUMES SUNDAY, AUGUST 15***
**LIFE GROUPS RESUME IN SEPTEMBER - SIGNUPS SOON**
PRAYING FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH: PAKISTAN
Voice of the Martyrs reports:
“Rev. Rashid Emmanuel (32) and his younger brother, Sajid Emmanuel (30), were shot and killed...after they were accused of blaspheming...Muhammad.”
THIS WEEK’S FRIENDLY REMINDER
Please make an effort to clean up after yourself -
after worship, Sunday School, or any other activity.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
July 29 - Sammy Krutz
August 4 - John Gentry
THIS SUNDAY’S SERMON TEXT: JOHN 2:1-11