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FROM THE BACK PEW - Meditate on things true and noble

Pastor Ed Brouwer dispenses wit and wisdom in his regular column to the Boundary Creek Times.
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Use a pen and correct the following paragraph. As you read, place capitals, periods, commas, etc., it is important that you do not go back and change your first response:

“He is a young man yet experienced in sin and wickedness he is never found in opposing the works of satan he takes delight in the downfall of his neighbors he never rejoices in the prosperity of friends he is always ready to help in destroying the peace of society he takes no pleasure in serving the lord he is uncommonly active in spreading hatred among his friends he finds no joy in helping to promote the cause of christianity he has been very active in trying to tear down the church he makes no effort in trying to overcome his evil passions he works hard to build up satan’s kingdom he lends no aid in spreading the gospel among heathen people he contributes daily to the devil he will never go to heaven he must go where he will receive his reward.”

Now that you have completed this little experiment, compare it to the correct version. The sad tendency is for a very negative “first reading”. We must actively pursue opportunities that think the best, not the worst.

“He is a young man. Yet experienced in sin and wickedness he is never found. In opposing the works of Satan he takes delight. In the downfall of his neighbours he never rejoices. In the prosperity of friends he is always ready to help. In destroying the peace of society he takes no pleasure. In serving the Lord he is uncommonly active. In spreading hatred among his friends he finds no joy. In helping to promote the cause of Christianity he has been very active. In trying to tear down the church he makes no effort. In trying to overcome his evil passions he works hard. To build up Satan’s kingdom he lends no aid. In spreading the gospel among heathen people he contributes daily. To the devil he will never go. To heaven he must go where he will receive his reward.” Philippians 4:8 (Message)

Summing it up, 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. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God and will work you into his most excellent harmonies.