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Thought: Thoughts Matter

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" 2 Corinthians 10:5

Have you ever noticed that it's not always easy to let our minds rest? Our outer body might be resting while our minds head full speed in various directions. Our thoughts can head down a pleasant track and steam roll into out-of-control fantasies, or head down a track of worry, bitterness, discontent, covetousness, pride, etc.--all disguised, of course, in good-sounding terms. Fantasies are often couched as future goals or dreams, worry as concern/responsibility, bitterness as a right response to injury, discontent as a natural response to suffering--we’re experts at renaming our thoughts to make them sound good.

We often need a good application of the "breaks of truth" to stop our destructive "thought trains" and get us back on the track of truth. The truth is that no matter what's going on in our life, Jesus fought the battle with sin and triumphed, and He offers us His victory. There will be pain. People will hurt us. Circumstances will disappoint us. But God is with His children in it all--He chose to enter this fallen world and bear the cross. And one day Jesus is returning to take those who have trusted Him to a world of eternal joy, where tears cannot enter.

So here are two "thoughts on thoughts" to ponder as we begin a new year:

1) Jesus's death took the punishment for every evil thought and deed. There's no need to sugar-coat sin. Instead, we’ll find freedom in admitting our sin, recognizing that Jesus claimed it as His own (1 Peter 2:24), and knowing that if we believe in Him, then His righteous thoughts and deeds are credited to our account (Romans 4:23-25).

2) What we put into our mind--the things we see, hear, and read--are like coal in our "thought burners," encouraging us to head down a track of truth or one of lies. What kind of inputs are in our lives? Sin is very deceitful, and we all need help fighting it. "But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." Hebrews 3:13

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8

Story: On the Wrong Train

Jason stood at the train station, his army bag in hand. He’d been told by his commander to board the train labeled “True and Pure.” But at the moment, Jason had forgotten this commandment. In fact, he temporarily forgot everything when he saw an amazingly comfortable-looking train pull up and call out, “All aboard.” Without thinking or even asking where the train was headed, Jason hopped on board.

Jason nestled into the plush seat. He was tired from many long battles, and this train felt fabulous. Leaning back, he relished in the sensation of the soft material against him, the clean walls and windows, and the delicious smell of the food the service attendants were getting ready to serve. With everything so nice, why did he feel so uneasy?

He hadn’t gone far before he started to notice a problem. Something wasn’t right with the service attendants on this train. They gave him everything he wanted, but why did he get the impression they were waiting to pounce on him? A glance out the window made his heart pound. Was that enemy territory he saw? Where was this train going, anyway? He chided himself for not having found out. He looked around for any trace of a Pure and True sign, but he didn’t see one. With a groan, he realized he’d been fooled into getting on an enemy train.

Jason turned his attention to figuring out a way off the train. It was going way too fast to jump off, that he knew. He inquired about the next stop, but the servant attendant ignored his question and instead offered him another beverage. He took it uneasily. Where were they going?

Jason was not left in suspense for long. The train soon pulled to a stop in front of a depot that looked more like a prison. Jason tried to run away as soon as the train stopped, but he discovered that the delicious food and beverages he’d consumed on the train had left him weak. He found himself helplessly led inside the depot and thrown in a damp, dirty, and altogether unpleasant room not unlike a prison cell. He was indeed trapped.

Then Jason remembered the radio in his pocket. He quickly found it and radioed his commander. “I got on the wrong train and ended up trapped. I can’t escape. Please help—I’m so sorry I didn’t listen to your instructions,” he whispered, least anyone overhear.

“Make your way to the door. I’ll get you out,” came the prompt reply.

“Right now?”

“Right now. I’m right outside the door—I’ve been near you the whole time, just waiting for you to realize what you’d done and ask for help. I paid the ransom to free you from the enemy years ago, remember?"

Jason hurried to the door, remembering well the tremendous price the commander had paid to ransom him. True to his word, the commander quickly opened the door and, supporting Jason with his arm, led him through a special passageway out of the enemy depot to a waiting jeep. Oh, how good the fresh air felt to Jason!

The commander drove Jason back through the enemy lines to a friendly depot, leaving him there to board a Pure and True train. As Jason waited, he thought back over what had happened. How foolish he had been to jump on a pleasant-looking train without thinking through its destination!

“What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.” Romans 6:21

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:7-9

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8

Tidbits on Math--From a Christian Perspective

Here are the most recent posts from the Math from a Christian Perspective Blog.

Math: A Gift
Have you ever thought about how our very ability to use math is an amazing gift? To start with, you're able to read the numbers! Your eyes take in an image. Your brain turns that image right-side up, connecting it with what you’ve learned about the language of mathematics, and gives an interpretation. And all that happens automatically...and much faster than it takes us to describe it. Read more.

Homeschool Tip: Out-of-Control Thoughts

By Cris Loop

As parents, our thoughts can take us many different directions. Worrying over our children, planning their futures, waxing proud over their accomplishments--these are just a few unbiblical thoughts that tend to creep into our hearts and can quickly get out of control, influencing how we act and how we raise our children.

We can't see thoughts, so, like the dust on the back of a refrigerator, they don't get dealt with as regularly as they should. We constantly battle ungodly thoughts in different forms. They pass by our mind’s depot…but the problem comes when we jump on board. You are probably the only one who knows if you are dealing with "runaway" thoughts...at least in the early stages of this sin. If we are not taking our thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ by holding them up to the truth of God's Word, they could be taking us captive and taking us (and our children through our leading) places we don't want to and/or should not go.

So my tip this month is simple: when you find your thoughts running away in the wrong direction, run to Jesus. Thank Him for saving you and defeating sin. Ask Him to cleanse you. Seek His truth on the subject consuming your thoughts, and do whatever it takes (listen to Scripture, sing praises, pray, etc.) to put your mind back on Him. And don’t be afraid to let your children see you run back to Jesus (and to make them part of the process)—that just might be their most important lesson of the day.

Hymn/Poem: Though troubles assail, And dangers affright

By John Newton, 1791. Taken from Hymnary.org. (You can view additional verses there.)

Though troubles assail,
And dangers affright,
Though friends should all fail
And foes all unite;
Yet one thing secures us
Whatever betide,
The scripture assures us,
"The Lord will provide."

His call we'll obey,
Like Abra'm of old,
Not knowing our way,
But faith makes us bold;
For though we are strangers
We have a good guide,
And trust in all dangers,
"The Lord will provide."

When Satan appears
To stop up our path,
And fills us with fears,
We triumph by faith;
He cannot take from us
Though oft he has tried
The heart cheering promise,
"The Lord will provide."

He tells us we're weak,
Our hope is in vain
The good that we seek
We ne'er shall obtain;
But when such suggestions
Our spirits have plied,
This answers all questions,
"The Lord will provide."

No strength of our own,
Or goodness we claim,
Yet since we have known
The Savior's great name;
In this our strong tower,
For safety we hide,
The Lord is our power,
"The Lord will provide."

When Life sinks apace
And death is in view,
The word of his grace
Shall comfort us through
No fearing or doubting
With Christ on our side,
We hope to die shouting,
"The Lord will provide."