focus crocus church
TRANSCRIPT
FOCUS ON THE CROCUSPhilippians 4:8-9
The Fractured World, fashioned from the pieces of the 9/11 WTC
Crocus - one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring.
Philippians 4:8-9 Think Different
Philippians 4:8-9(New Living Translation)And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. [9] Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9 (Message Bible) 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. [9] Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
TAKE HOME
• My mind needs a gate-keeper. All sorts of ugly, seductive, repugnant, selfish and negative thoughts are ready to jump in and commandeer my heart.
• My mind needs a gate-keeper. All sorts of ugly, seductive, repugnant, selfish and negative thoughts are ready to jump in and commandeer my heart.
• This means searching for and identifying the beauty that is all around me, but often camouflaged. • This means searching for and identifying the beauty that is all around me, but often camouflaged.
• Everybody needs affirmation. This is a good time to start acknowledging virtues in others…with sincerity, of course.
• Everybody needs affirmation. This is a good time to start acknowledging virtues in others…with sincerity, of course.
• Lord, I will look for the best in people and situations…even challenges and pain. I’ll work at “taking every thought captive”.
• Lord, I will look for the best in people and situations…even challenges and pain. I’ll work at “taking every thought captive”.
ANNOUNCEMENTSANNOUNCEMENTSANNOUNCEMENTSANNOUNCEMENTS
We also have more We also have more encouraging encouraging
announcements…announcements…
We also have more We also have more encouraging encouraging
announcements…announcements…
Worship in SongWorship in SongWorship in SongWorship in Song
THINK ABOUT SUCH THINGS! PONDER THEM! FIX YOUR MIND ON
THE GOOD STUFF!
THINK ABOUT SUCH THINGS! PONDER THEM! FIX YOUR MIND ON
THE GOOD STUFF!
This is about ‘taking every thought captive’.
--2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
• Memorize Scripture
• Rehearse
• Invite God to call forth the memorized
THINK ABOUT SUCH THINGS! PONDER THEM! FIX YOUR MIND ON
THE GOOD STUFF!
THINK ABOUT SUCH THINGS! PONDER THEM! FIX YOUR MIND ON
THE GOOD STUFF!
• I have a choice about my thought life …but it takes concentration.
• Thoughts start as seeds and need nurturing, cultivation and prompting.
Sow a thought, reap a deed... Sow a deed and reap a habit… Sow a habit, reap a character.
EXERCISE YOUR WILL AND INVITE THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
EXERCISE YOUR WILL AND INVITE THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
• ANYBODY CAN SEE THE SHADOWS AND IMPERFECTIONS… I’ll keep my eye peeled for splendor and beauty in others, places and things.
• Memorize Scripture “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11
• Rehearse• Invite God to call forth the memorized Word to convict or comfort or direct.
DEVELOP AN “UGLY FILTER”DEVELOP AN “UGLY FILTER”
• Doug Gentry’s warning: “Viruses are out there knocking on doors day and night, seeking out vulnerable computers to exploit and ravage.”
• Doug Gentry’s warning: “Viruses are out there knocking on doors day and night, seeking out vulnerable computers to exploit and ravage.”
• Train yourself to recognize ugly thoughts. Vindictive, Proud, Jealous, Greed, Lies and Stinkin’ thoughts.
• Train yourself to recognize ugly thoughts. Vindictive, Proud, Jealous, Greed, Lies and Stinkin’ thoughts.
• Slam the door… put up ‘No Trespassing” signs…refuse to cultivate, feed and rehearse trash talk in your head.
• Slam the door… put up ‘No Trespassing” signs…refuse to cultivate, feed and rehearse trash talk in your head.
YOU ARE INVITED TO THE MOST CELEBRATED MEAL
EVER SERVED
Confession:I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus is my Lord Jesus is my Lord and Savoir.and Savoir.
Philippians 4:8-9
Don’t waste an opportunity to affirm somebody!
THE OLD SONG IS STILL TRUE! THE OLD SONG IS STILL TRUE!
“You've got to accentuate the positive Eliminate the negative Latch on to the affirmative Don't mess with Mister In-Between
You've got to spread joy up to the maximum Bring gloom down to the minimum Have faith or pandemonium Liable to walk upon the scene”
WINTER GARDEN: CrocusesWINTER GARDEN: Crocuses
“Seeing beauty in everyday life is as easy as looking for it .”
Share those “true, noble and worthy of praise” thoughts with others.
GOD: WORSHIP (Psalm 23)GOD: WORSHIP (Psalm 23)
• Psalm 48: 9 We meditate on your unfailing love as we worship in your temple.
• Psalm 47:1-2 Come everyone! Clap your hands! Shout to God with joyful praise! For the Lord Most High is awesome.He is the great King of all the earth.
• Psalm 66:8 Let the whole world bless our GodAnd loudly sing his praises. Our lives are in his hands and he keeps our feet from stumbling.
OTHERS: AFFIRMATIONOTHERS: AFFIRMATION
Don’t waste an opportunity
to affirm somebody!
Don’t waste an opportunity
to affirm somebody!
JESUS IS OUR BEST EXAMPLE OF “Philippians 4:8-9” BEHAVIOR
JESUS IS OUR BEST EXAMPLE OF “Philippians 4:8-9” BEHAVIOR
He always saw the flower in the weed patch.
The Woman at the Well“…You are a truth-teller!”
Worship in SongWorship in SongWorship in SongWorship in Song
OFFERING
Jesus paid it all.All to Him I owe.
Worship in SongWorship in SongWorship in SongWorship in Song
PRAYER & PRAISE
TAKE HOME
• My mind needs a gate-keeper. All sorts of ugly, seductive, repugnant, selfish and negative thoughts are ready to jump in and commandeer my heart.
• My mind needs a gate-keeper. All sorts of ugly, seductive, repugnant, selfish and negative thoughts are ready to jump in and commandeer my heart.
• This means searching for and identifying the beauty that is all around me, but often camouflaged. • This means searching for and identifying the beauty that is all around me, but often camouflaged.
• Everybody needs affirmation. This is a good time to start acknowledging virtues in others…with sincerity, of course.
• Everybody needs affirmation. This is a good time to start acknowledging virtues in others…with sincerity, of course.
• Lord, I will look for the best in people and situations…even challenges and pain. I’ll work at “taking every thought captive”.
• Lord, I will look for the best in people and situations…even challenges and pain. I’ll work at “taking every thought captive”.
