Whatsoever things are lovely.....

I recently had an in depth talk with a dear christian sister and mentor that I have. We talked at length about how she has recently felt the pull to get some not so lovely things out of her life and just how hard it is to give up things we LIKE to do that may not be what we aught to be doing. We talked a lot about our freedom in Christ and just how very far that freedom really does stretch! We just have to remember that when we chose the not so good things that these activities will bear their own fruit....they always do. This scripture kept coming up in our conversation: "whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think on these things. " Philippians 4:8 When we read that verse......it's hard NOT to see just how much we compromise every single day...(well at least me...you may be one of the perfect people out there...but I'm still working it all out ...I definitely could get a badge for effort but not success all the time just yet!!) Compromise.... with what we may read....watch on TV.....do for leisure activities.....even some of the people we hang out with and continue to keep in our lives from day to day. Even if we are not willing to admit it just yet....all these things can affect us for the good....or for the bad.....sometimes in BIG obvious ways....and sometimes in sneaky not so obvious ways!!!! It can be HARD to make these changes in this world today...especially if it's something you enjoy doing! Lets say...for example, you decide R rated movies are no longer for you. Well sounds GREAT....only you've watched them for years! Even enjoyed many of them and all your adult friends think they're A-OK! So now you have to decide.....are they for me or not? If the answer is not, then it may be tough for you. You have to change something and change can be hard.....you'll have to explain and decline and most likely miss out or not even be invited by friends. They may even talk badly of you behind your back about your new choice....you may even loose fellowship with some who don't respect your decision. But this is just an example.....maybe it's something small..like no longer watching certain news shows because they just leave you with a down trodden feeling or buying clothing that's too skimpy.... maybe it's something BIG like no longer drinking or clubbing...or laying down drug addictions! Big or small....hold the things you do up to the scripture and see just how they pan out! If it doesn't bear good fruit then think long and hard about why it's in your life and if you should continue. I am really proud of my big sister in Christ and she has inspired me to look at the things around and in my life.....I'd like to keep the lovely and ditch the not so lovely! Wish me luck!! Now I'm off to go do something lovely....swim with my kids!!! It's summer and HOT out.... and there's nothing as lovely as fellowship with your children and building those family ties!!! If you have a family...BLESS YOURSELF and go spend every second you can with them!!