​            What an appropriate verse for Tuesday’s thought – think about it!  So, what have you been thinking about today?  Has it been true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable?  As your day, or week unfolds, you think somewhat continuously.  A thought process is necessary to perform the routine tasks of the day.  The most elementary and somewhat insignificant events such as engaging the snooze button, or fixing a breakfast, picking an outfit to wear, all require some brain engagement.  As the day unfolds, your brain will inevitably make thousands of decisions.  Your thoughts guide your actions. Have you thought about truth and noble things?  Did the ways of God cross your mind?  Are your thoughts pure, according to God’s standards? Have you pondered lovely things or things that are admirable, praiseworthy and excellent?  

There sure is plenty of evil in this world.  Look at the newspaper, listen to the nightly news, walk down the halls of any school, watch children or adults interact.  Evil is inescapable!  Surely it has and will impact your life.  If we are not careful, looking at, hearing, or reading about all the evil in this world can certainly overcome us and leave us feeling rather gloomy. If it has happened to us, we might even feel like retaliating! 

Timeout! Timeout!  The chances to converse with the players on the court in a dedicated, set apart discussion are taken at opportune moments in an athletic contest.  Last night, I was able to observe the coaches from North Carolina and Villanova use timeouts to instruct their players.

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
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​Is there any kind of struggle or event that you do not think that you could handle?  It is interesting to ponder for a moment.  What if we had to leave our communities because of persecution against our faith?  What if we were falsely accused of a crime and put in prison?  Are we capable of handling the struggles of life? Don’t spend too much time pondering what might happen, but be encouraged to look to Jesus who gives daily strength to overcome such trials. 

​A few springs ago, I borrowed my neighbor’s lawn tractor to work up a patch of yard for a vegetable garden.  Things were going great until I tried to fill the tractor with gasoline.  Pouring the gas was not the problem. The problem was that this tractor’s gas tank was not in the same place as it is on my tractor and I unknowingly filled the hydraulic oil tank with gasoline.  I couldn’t figure out why it wouldn’t start again.  Anxiety was building.  Can you picture it?