Day 11 - Doing Math

Moving on in Philippians 4, it's time to examine our thought life.  Here's how Paul explains it:

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing.  Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.  Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."

I began breaking down the sentence, adjective by adjective, to come up with some kind of list.
True—truth, immutable fact, certain, loyal—that could cover anything from algebra to your dog.
Honorable—respectable, ethical—some business people, pastors and judges?
Right—suitable,  proper, accurate—doing your taxes, flossing teeth, being charitable
Pure—unadulterated, clean, chaste—an infant, newly fallen snow, fresh squeezed juice
Lovely—adorable, pleasant, aesthetic—a panorama, a cover girl, a memorable day
Admirable—praiseworthy, valued—a winning sports team, a perfect SAT score

Each attribute in its own right can be easily calculated and understood, however, it's the sum total, like a mathematical equation that makes this passage unique.  Like a math problem, there is only one answer, a single conclusion.  Let me explain:

Many things are true, but that doesn't make them honorable.  Many people are lovely, but that doesn't make them admirable.  A soldier is most likely admirable, honorable and true... maybe even right, but hardly ever pure, and never lovely.

There is only one who can measure up to the the standard, the sum total of each of the qualities (true + honorable + right + pure + lovely + admirable) that Paul implores us to fix our thoughts on and that is Jesus. 
    True + honorable + right + pure + lovely + admirable = Jesus

When your thoughts are going in the wrong direction, remember this wonderful promise... when you think on these things, then the God of peace will be with you.


Eating from the Pantry - Day 11
Breakfast - finished off eggs, with toast
Lunch - hot dogs
Dinner - Chicken parmesan, broccoli and noodles.  The cost was about $9 for all the ingredients with enough chicken to last 2 dinners.  The meat was on sale at $2 a pound, I got the breadcrumbs for free with a coupon, although I had to give my son $1.50 to get some eggs because I forgot that the breading required it.

I always filet chicken breasts with a sharp knife to get two thinner breast portions from each.

These steamer bags of frozen vegetables regularly go on sale B1G1 free.  With coupons, they normally end up costing 60-80 cents each.

Pasta and rice side dishes are even less expensive, costing about 50 cents after coupons and promotions.



Here's the finished product:

Total cost for today's meals about $11


Final Thought
Thoughts are not easily controlled by natural means.  It makes me think of a single domino that sets off the chain reaction solely by its proximity to the next domino.  With synapses firing, our brains connect a single thought to countless others triggering memories and associations, which in turn affect our emotions and physiological responses.
The supernatural means of controlling our thoughts described in Philippians 4, is God's way of redirecting the process into a profitable one.  With negative thoughts rejected and godly thoughts welcomed, we abandon despair and are filled with hope.