The Tribune

By Rev Angela C Bosfield Palacious

ST PAUL challenges us in Philippians 4:8 to change our minds, to think differently: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

There is no question that the thoughts we think influence the words we speak and the actions we perform, as well as the feelings we experience.

Have you ever fingered an old hurt until you become furious all over again? Have you been frightened by a rubber snake and felt foolish when you found out it was not real?

Things are not always what they seem on the surface. Often we overreact to what a person says only to discover that we jumped to the wrong conclusions.

To keep our minds focused on what is true means that we will not indulge in telling lies, gossiping about rumours and slandering others. To consider what is noble means aiming for a higher level than the ordinary.

To insist on thinking about what is right involves refusing to contemplate doing what is wrong or illegal. To remain pure in thought is to reject whatever is immoral or indecent. Pondering things that are admirable forces us to avoid what is disgraceful or in poor taste.

We need to change our minds about the importance of education if we want our children to believe that their efforts to broaden their minds will ultimately broaden their horizons. It is not only about making money, though this is an important component of a good education.

An excellent education requires the following:

1. Parents who are disciplined, loving, offering consistent examples, sacrificing for their children, and involved in school activities such as the PTA and parent-teacher conferences

2. The church as a support base to provide extensive teaching on moral and spiritual values, worship, prayer and ministry as children

3. The community to lend support to raise funds and raise the consciousness of the residents to become mentors and role models, along with providing scholarships

4. Qualified and caring teachers who are themselves persons of spiritual excellence, prayer, order, creativity and motivation

5. Students who want to learn, are willing to work hard and are grateful for the gift of education

As a nation, we need to be a people who listen for the voice of God. It is necessary for us to seek heavenly approval, and to be willing to confess our sins and turn from wickedness. Let us intercede for one another, especially for the children and youth of our country and their parents and teachers. Let us also speak words of blessings over all families to overcome domestic violence, incest, and addictions.

We need to change our minds about engaging in perverse, promiscuous behaviour, polluting our systems with violent, pornographic programs, and anti-social activity that degrades human nature and diminishes our spiritual greatness.

Let us make this our memory verse for the rest of the year: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”