"Fix Your Thoughts On what Is True, And Honorable"

The power of habit!

(J.R. Miller, 1893)

A California stagecoach driver had held 

the leather reins for so many years, 

that when he began to grow old, his 

hands were crooked into hooks, 

and his fingers were so 

stiffened into that shape--

that they could not be straightened out.

There is a similar process 

that goes on in men's minds 

and souls, when they continue 

to do the same things over and 

over. If you are trained, and train y

ourself, from childhood . . .

  to be gentle and patient,

  to control your temper,

  to resist all wrong--

your life will grow into moral 

beauty, and the peacefulness 

of your heart will at length shine 

upon your very face.

If, on the other hand, 

you give way from childhood . . .

  to all ugly tempers,

  to resentful feelings,

  to all bitterness and anger--

your life will grow into permanent 

moral disfigurement.

One who accustoms himself 

to think of pure and holy things, 

who sets his affections on things 

above, and strives to reach for 

things which are true, things 

which are honorable, 

things which are lovely--

will grow heavenward toward 

the things which he loves 

and thinks upon.

But one who lets his mind turn habitually . . .

  to debasing things,

  to unholy things,

  to impure things,

  to earthly things--

will find his whole soul 

bending downward, and 

growing sinful, corrupt, and evil.

"Fix your thoughts on what is true, 
and honorable, and right, and pure, 
and lovely, and admirable. Think 
about things that are excellent 
and worthy of praise!" 
Philippians 4:8

    
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GraceGems has published J.C. Ryle's very insightful article,
 "What Time is it?"