Interesting, hopefully the good thoughts will equip us in such a way, that we lead good lives. If we want to cross a road we think about it, we have a choice, is it safe etc.From what I have learned, is that the sinfull things are a burden, which Jesus died to free us from. The good thoughts and actions  are not a burden at all. Not saying its easy, its not . Bit like you J , cant always put my thoughts into words.I am sure that we are being helped along the way,going in the right direction. Good topic, Best wishes to you John.Tired thoughts now - Asleep nearly.  

Should be doing the packed lunches, but you enticed me in...

 Yes, there's all sorts of stuff, esp in the sermon on the mount (Matt 6 ish) about what's in our hearts being the important thing, hating being like murdering, etc. Which can seem at odds with the fact that (as James says in his epistle), we need to get off our backsides and DO something useful. (=My paraphrase!). But I don't think there's a contradiction. The first is about our status before God, and the second is about how much use we are in the world.

-- No amount of impressive stuff we do will ever impress God

--Our motives will be, at best, mixed, and at worst, awful

--Despite which, He's loving and accepting; crazy but true

--We can, in some small measure, show Him our gratitude by making an effort to do good, but we do it because He loves us, not 'so that'.

(sorry- you know all that already, but I told you these were random ramblings...) 

I might decide to do something 'good' but just be being a 'whitened sepulchre' and God will not be chuffed if I'm only doing it to show off, with entirely selfish motives.

Or, I might do something out of real genuine love, but make a complete pigs-ear-disaster of it. (eek.. involuntary wincing at this point!!)

Either way, the grief and suffering caused will be temporary (Rev 22). Not that that means I don't have a responsibility to make sure I don't continue to leave a trail of destruction... But the only things that last for ever are faith, hope and love (1 Cor 13). Yes, this world matters enormously. But it's not the be-all and end-all.

It's quite freeing to think that as I muddle along with good intentions he understands and is able to rescue my mistakes from eternal catastrophe! Aiming for the best and accepting the worst about ourselves - hard to hold those 2 together. I seem to remember you yourself saying when you led the worship that sunday, it's all about integrity. God in His mercy loves both of me, the aspiring saint and the crummy sinner, and somehow they can become whole in Him. He ain't finished with me yet though...

 

just a hunch - maybe the thinking is that bad thoughts can poison the mind, and dwelling on them goes on to colour the next thing and the next.  By consciously trying to clear our minds & find the good in everything,you start to look at things more positively in general.

(good variety of Emoticons Kath!!)

Thank you Julia. I'm rather proud of them. (Is that a bad thought??!)

I think you are right Julia. 

I'm just trying to work out how to think good thoughts about those school-run drivers  (see message about Mercy!)

Is it better to let another driver in in front of you whilst muttering murderous threats against them, or to put your foot down?

hang back and smile benignly- that really annoys them

Hell has no fury ,like a womans wrath. I am normally chauffer driven.