On weeks like this, with an upcoming retreat at weeks end you’ll generally see me fade in and out of the woodwork on the blog scene as I give way to preparation for the event. But this week (possibly for months) I have been somewhat scarcer! This morning as I prepared to take time in His word, and seek out His message to me (that’s who I write for) my thoughts drifted… or perhaps I should say slid into place I hate to go. Frustration. I’m frustrated with me, I’m frustrated with other people. It’s like standing on the edge of a miry mud hole. Have you been there? You’re aware of the fact that you’re about to slide in, but you can’t seem to stop it. Oh, you could have not been around the mud hole to start with, but now it’s too late for that and it’s about to go down; or your song book is, or your instrument case or possibly even you and it’s going to stain whatever it touches. Possibly even to the point that the stain will me irremovable.

Or so Satan would have me believe.

My friend Gloria gave me the gift of “sloggers” recently. They are the cutest little slip on rubber mud shoes for summer nights of pickin’ at some less than paved bluegrass venues. They’ll keep my feet dry and with the deep tread on the bottoms they’ll hopefully keep me upright and beautiful as I don the stage to perform. This morning I needed sloggers in the kitchen. Something that would keep my mind upright and beautiful.

And then I am reminded what the Psalmist said in Psalm 37:31

The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

I have the Lord Jesus in my heart, and with His words I won’t slide. They’ll shore me up and keep me upright and beautiful. This is where my mind should be this morning! Not teetering on the edge of ickiness (so not a word) but it is an emotion, but holding on to the whatsoever’s.

Philippians 4:8 says “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.”

True

Romans 3:4 ~ God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

GOD IS TRUE, SATAN IS A LIAR. I am judged by no man, but God is my Judge and He is just.

Honest

Luke 8:15 ~ But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

I’m on good ground. I’m not perfect, but I must continue on in sincerity serving the God who created me with purpose in the place He has called me to be. Waiting for the promised fruit.

Just

Galatians 3:11 ~ But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

I cannot live “good enough” to justify the price God’s Son paid. I must live by faith alone that God loves me regardless.

Pure

Hebrews 10:22 ~ Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

There is no purer water than that which cleansed my soul the day of my salvation. And though I am saved by grace alone, I need the cleansing water of the Word of God to be my spiritual washcloth that cleanses my soul each day.

Lovely

Song of Solomon 5:16 ~ His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.

Jesus. My Friend.

Good Report

Hebrews 11:1-3 ~ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Faith is a good report. Sometimes I do well to muster a mustard seed of faith. But I want that good report that the elders received and so I’ll continue on. Slogging through the mud if necessary. Believing God’s going to bring me through the other side. This world is a dirty place to live in… but my God is a cleansing God. Glory!

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