T R U E

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"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." ~ Philippians 4:8

I want to focus on true things: walks with Olivia and Gracey, our hopes to move soon and return to school, the dream of teaching, the memory of our last moments with close friends, the thrill of new discoveries, the knowledge that I am not alone in my convictions, the fact that I have a job and a house, a glimpse of my beautiful nieces via webcam, a solid church family, a deepening walk with the Lord.

I want to focus on the true things, but the world is so loud and so desperate to shout out the true with the false, the bad, the compromised, the fallen, the sensational, and the evil. I had to press back in today. I had to focus on the Lord, push out the noise of life and remember what was really true, what really mattered. I pressed in and He was right there waiting, whispering, reminding.

Even now, I remember more and more true things: I have been blessed. I am healthy. I have a family that loves me. I have had wonderful opportunities. I've wandered the streets of London with a Scottish truck driver who borrowed 20 pounds from me to by a drink and never came out of the bar, visited a Turkish Bath (in Turkey!), played with orphans in Mexico, seen Broadway musicals, and walked among a tribal people for 2 years to share Jesus with them. I've been to Israel 4 different times!

And still, the true things keep coming: I am married to a living miracle. I have children waiting for me in heaven with my Savior. I have been forgiven (a lot!). I have been adopted. I've been chosen. I have a calling. The God of the Universe has a plan for my life.  Jesus loves me.

I praise God for reminding me of these true things today. Now that I'm focused on them, it's amazing that I haven't been blown away by them more often than I have. I haven't meditated on them. Sometimes I hardly even remember some of them. I've lost focus too often. The world doesn't want me to see, to hear, to meditate on what is true.

The Prince of this world knows there is a reason God calls us to focus on what is true, it gives us victory over him. He knows our encouragement re-presents and re-creates his defeat on the cross and in eternity. So, he shouts, whispers, distracts, confuses, and lies. As a result, sometimes it is hard to meditate on the truth. When that happens, remember that Jesus said, "I am the way, the life, and the TRUTH." When everything else is blurry, meditate on Jesus.

noble

just

pure

lovely

of good report

virtuous

praiseworthy

—meditate on these things.

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true