Pure /pyo͝or/
What things, exactly, does Paul want us to “think on”?
It’s time to define some terms again.
My theme verse for this series is Philippians 4:8:
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, 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 ASV (emphasis added)
Call me a cynic, but I’m having trouble with that word pure. I have a hard time finding anything pure in our world. A loose, secular definition renders the word to mean simply something that isn’t mixed with anything else, or is free of contaminants. The Biblical definition, the one Paul likely was employing, is
free of faults; immaculate
The only thing I can think of that would be “pure” by those standards is God Himself, represented in the Trinity. And I suspect that’s true. Yet, I also wonder if we don’t have small, sacred glimpses of purity in God’s creation. Paul says these are things for our minds to dwell on… and my hope is that in so doing, I will learn optimism. Would you help me today? Let’s generate a list of things that are pure… together we’ll find a beautiful place for our minds to rest. I’ll start below. You add them in the comments (below), on Facebook (look for the link to this post) or email me directly and I’ll add them.
- A smile
- The hug of a mother
- A crocus pushing out of winter’s soil
- The sound of leaves crunching underfoot in the fall
- Waking to a fresh blanket of snow
- The willingness of a friend to walk through grief and suffering with another
- The first notes of a melody, calling us to worship
[Tweet “What would you add to the list? Contribute here! #thinkonthesethings #write31days”]
I’m counting on you to add to the list!
This post is part of a 31 day series entitled “Think on these things: Learning optimism.” For a full catalog of all the posts, visit the first page in the series by clicking here.
Water flowing over rocks in a stream…such a picture of pure living water to me!
SO GREAT, Lori! I love that you included a photo. Gives me a visual along with the sound. Thank you for adding your thoughts!
A baby’s laugh. Birdsong. Sunlight filtering through the leaf canopy. Kitties purring. Siblings playing peacefully together. 🙂 Snow falling–that sweet little shushy sound. Thanks for this post. It IS tough to think of things, and I believe you hit the nail on the head when you said Him and his creation! Blessings to you!
~april
You’re good at this, April! Are you an optimist? Those are such great examples. Thanks for contributing. I’ll be revisiting this page often to read through them all…
A baby’s laugh. Birdsong. Sunlight filtering through the leaf canopy. Kitties purring. Siblings playing peacefully together. 🙂 Snow falling–that sweet little shushy sound. Thanks for this post. It IS tough to think of things, and I believe you hit the nail on the head when you said Him and his creation! Blessings to you!
~april
A baby’s laugh. Birdsong. Sunlight filtering through the leaf canopy. Kitties purring. Siblings playing peacefully together. 🙂 Snow falling–that sweet little shushy sound. Thanks for this post. It IS tough to think of things, and I believe you hit the nail on the head when you said Him and his creation! Blessings to you!
~april
A “good morning” hug from your kids.
A “good morning” hug from your kids.
A “good morning” hug from your kids.
A moment of silence to hear the still small voice of The LORD <3
A moment of silence to hear the still small voice of The LORD <3
A moment of silence to hear the still small voice of The LORD <3
A moment of silence to hear the still small voice of The LORD <3
A moment of silence to hear the still small voice of The LORD <3
Oh, Sarah! You’re talking to an introvert. Silence is just a beautiful thing to me. And when God speaks into it, all the better! Thanks!
Well…you’ve got me thinking… … : )
Well…you’ve got me thinking… … : )
Well…you’ve got me thinking… … : )
I’m thinking of natural beauty…God’s creation; joyful children; praise and worship when we recognize goodness and beauty…
I’m thinking of natural beauty…God’s creation; joyful children; praise and worship when we recognize goodness and beauty…
I’m thinking of natural beauty…God’s creation; joyful children; praise and worship when we recognize goodness and beauty…
So many for me. The sweet smell of a newborn baby, the prairie winds blowing against my face, a beautiful sunset, a cool rushing waterfall, the gentle touch of a hand against your back, the smell of rain…I could list so many more!
I’m loving this. Thanks, Tara! So many senses that you incorporated into your thoughts. Makes me recognize how God gave us those so that we might experience Him through them.
So many for me. The sweet smell of a newborn baby, the prairie winds blowing against my face, a beautiful sunset, a cool rushing waterfall, the gentle touch of a hand against your back, the smell of rain…I could list so many more!
I’m loving this. Thanks, Tara! So many senses that you incorporated into your thoughts. Makes me recognize how God gave us those so that we might experience Him through them.
So many for me. The sweet smell of a newborn baby, the prairie winds blowing against my face, a beautiful sunset, a cool rushing waterfall, the gentle touch of a hand against your back, the smell of rain…I could list so many more!
I’m loving this. Thanks, Tara! So many senses that you incorporated into your thoughts. Makes me recognize how God gave us those so that we might experience Him through them.
Good ones, Susan!
Good ones, Susan!
Good ones, Susan!
My children laughing 🙂
My children laughing 🙂
My children laughing 🙂
My children laughing 🙂
My children laughing 🙂
My children laughing 🙂
Deborah Procter — beautiful!
Deborah Procter — beautiful!
Deborah Procter — beautiful!
Deborah Procter — beautiful!
Deborah Procter — beautiful!
Deborah Procter — beautiful!
Newborn stretches and squeaks, the sun at dawn, the morning dew, a cat’s purr, tears of joy:)
Newborn stretches and squeaks, the sun at dawn, the morning dew, a cat’s purr, tears of joy:)
Newborn stretches and squeaks, the sun at dawn, the morning dew, a cat’s purr, tears of joy:)
Newborn stretches and squeaks, the sun at dawn, the morning dew, a cat’s purr, tears of joy:)
Newborn stretches and squeaks, the sun at dawn, the morning dew, a cat’s purr, tears of joy:)
leaves, flowers, kindness, compassion, peace, sky, snuggles, animals, creation, the fact that God thought up the uniqueness of my children (of everyone really, but thinking of my kids makes me especially in awe), water, a tender moment, an encouraging word, times when I have especially felt God’s presence.
leaves, flowers, kindness, compassion, peace, sky, snuggles, animals, creation, the fact that God thought up the uniqueness of my children (of everyone really, but thinking of my kids makes me especially in awe), water, a tender moment, an encouraging word, times when I have especially felt God’s presence.
leaves, flowers, kindness, compassion, peace, sky, snuggles, animals, creation, the fact that God thought up the uniqueness of my children (of everyone really, but thinking of my kids makes me especially in awe), water, a tender moment, an encouraging word, times when I have especially felt God’s presence.
leaves, flowers, kindness, compassion, peace, sky, snuggles, animals, creation, the fact that God thought up the uniqueness of my children (of everyone really, but thinking of my kids makes me especially in awe), water, a tender moment, an encouraging word, times when I have especially felt God’s presence.
leaves, flowers, kindness, compassion, peace, sky, snuggles, animals, creation, the fact that God thought up the uniqueness of my children (of everyone really, but thinking of my kids makes me especially in awe), water, a tender moment, an encouraging word, times when I have especially felt God’s presence.
The sound of rain against the window has always been one of the most peaceful, refreshing sounds to me, and has always felt like it’s watering my soul.
I agree! For me, it’s that sound on the roof of our friends’ cabin in the woods. Bliss. Thanks adding to the conversation!
The sound of rain against the window has always been one of the most peaceful, refreshing sounds to me, and has always felt like it’s watering my soul.
I agree! For me, it’s that sound on the roof of our friends’ cabin in the woods. Bliss. Thanks adding to the conversation!
The sound of rain against the window has always been one of the most peaceful, refreshing sounds to me, and has always felt like it’s watering my soul.
I agree! For me, it’s that sound on the roof of our friends’ cabin in the woods. Bliss. Thanks adding to the conversation!
The sound of rain against the window has always been one of the most peaceful, refreshing sounds to me, and has always felt like it’s watering my soul.
I agree! For me, it’s that sound on the roof of our friends’ cabin in the woods. Bliss. Thanks adding to the conversation!
The sound of rain against the window has always been one of the most peaceful, refreshing sounds to me, and has always felt like it’s watering my soul.
I agree! For me, it’s that sound on the roof of our friends’ cabin in the woods. Bliss. Thanks adding to the conversation!
The sound of rain against the window has always been one of the most peaceful, refreshing sounds to me, and has always felt like it’s watering my soul.
I agree! For me, it’s that sound on the roof of our friends’ cabin in the woods. Bliss. Thanks adding to the conversation!
The sound of rain against the window has always been one of the most peaceful, refreshing sounds to me, and has always felt like it’s watering my soul.
The sound of rain against the window has always been one of the most peaceful, refreshing sounds to me, and has always felt like it’s watering my soul.
I agree! For me, it’s that sound on the roof of our friends’ cabin in the woods. Bliss. Thanks adding to the conversation!
I love this post! My husband saying he loves me. The “mmm” someone makes when you give them a strong hug. My kids laughing. Water gushing. Tinkling aspen leaves. The wind. Worship!!! Gods people singing, chanting, praying, Gods word read aloud is the ultimate – living and active!
I love this post! My husband saying he loves me. The “mmm” someone makes when you give them a strong hug. My kids laughing. Water gushing. Tinkling aspen leaves. The wind. Worship!!! Gods people singing, chanting, praying, Gods word read aloud is the ultimate – living and active!
I love this post! My husband saying he loves me. The “mmm” someone makes when you give them a strong hug. My kids laughing. Water gushing. Tinkling aspen leaves. The wind. Worship!!! Gods people singing, chanting, praying, Gods word read aloud is the ultimate – living and active!