whatsoever is lovely// CONCLUSION + giveaway + giveaway winners

If you havent been following our series, then START HERE with the INTRO!

Are your thoughts TRUE? Are they based on what is real and factual? And be sure to go and enter our giveaway if you havent already! :) Brianna brought out some really interesting thoughts on how our thoughts should be HONEST and JUST! Staying PURE is so important, but sometimes I think we let ourselves get a little deceived, we think that we can get away with impure thoughts, but thats not true! Have you ever thought about your thoughts being ugly or LOVELY? Hannah S. had some really good thoughts on how a GOOD REPORT is our testimony! Mrs. Stahl had a lovely post reminding us to work on our VIRTUOUS character! And Mrs. Crane wrapped up our week with some awesome thoughts on what is PRAISEWORTHY!

I am so excited at how the LORD is using this blog! Its funny, because even though I started it to reach out to other people, the Lord has been using it to bless me too! It has been such a blessing to get to know each of the ladies that are writing, and read their thoughts and see what they come up with! 

I hope the Lord is using this blog to be a blessing to you too! I would like to encourage you all to share this with your friends and family> spread the Word so that God can use it and you! We need to try to make an impact on those around us!!!!

We have finished our first series on our theme verse up there^^^^^^^, so now we will be moving on to some other fun stuff this week! 

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Our givewaway winners are.....

whatsoever is true>> Sarah Covey

meet our authors>> Hope King

Please email us at allthingslovelyphil4.8@gmail.com with your mailing address!!!!

***If you do not respond within 24 hours we will redraw a winner!

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We have another giveaway today! >>>Did you know that every 10 followers we get, or every 10 likes on facebook we will do a giveaway???? Thats pretty cool, so spread the word! :)

We have 9 different ways that you can enter!!!!

1. Leave a comment telling us what your favorite topic of the week was!!! <true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous or praiseworthy> {Required!}
2. Follow our blog!
3. Like our facebook page!

4. Share this giveaway on Facebook{and/or twitter/g+/your blog} >leave a link in your comment.

5. Follow our pinterest board

6. Repin our giveaway pin!

whatsoeverthings// VIRTUOUS

First of all, I want to thank Hannah for inviting me to contribute to her new blog.  I consider it an honor and a privilege to be a part of it, and I pray that it will be a blessing and encouragement to all who visit. It is my desire to see young ladies grow and become all that God designed them to be. Titus 2:3-5

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Often when Christian ladies hear the word virtuous, our minds go straight to that one particular woman who makes us cringe - Mrs. Proverbs 31.  She is the original supermom who seemingly can do no wrong. When we compare ourselves with her we can feel so inadequate! Looking at the activity (vs. 10-31) that comprises her life, it’s easy to begin to compile a mental to-do list. Get up at 4:30 am, go out and kill the fatted calf for breakfast, which, by the way, is served at 6am SHARP! Then it’s out to the barn to feed the myriad of farm animals, tend to the acres of gardens, come back in and sew some frocks to sell at the local farmer’s market, find time to buy a vineyard – and then plant it!  Accomplish all of that by noon, so you can have lunch on the table for your brood. After lunch, go out and find some poor people to help, make some fancy clothes to wear, get dinner on the table, and then stay up late into the night making fine linen.  Not to mention taking care of your husband and all of your children.  Oh, and by the way, do all of this while being very kind and wise.  Well, I don’t know about you, but I get tired just typing that! If we measure women by those standards can anyone be virtuous? But here is why I think the Proverbs 31 woman has gotten a bad rap. You see, it isn’t her schedule or her particular tasks that we are to focus on, but rather, we are to glean the very characteristics which make her virtuous. She wasn’t virtuous because she woke before the sun came up, or because she bought a vineyard, or because she could sew, for many wicked women have done those things.

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary has a very simple definition of virtuous – it means morally excellent.

 

Even though we aren’t supposed to make her particular tasks our focus, she isn’t in the Bible for us to simply scoff at, either. Verse 10 says: “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” God says that she is valuable. How many women do you know who are morally excellent? God’s Word tells us that she is rare.  It isn’t that women lack the potential to be virtuous, but rather that very few desire to be, or will allow God to make them virtuous. Since purity and holiness can only come from God, a woman who will not walk with God will not be virtuous.  A price far above rubies indicates that such a woman is priceless and highly sought after. An overview of Proverbs 31 shows a woman who loves her husband and her children, she is hard working. She isn’t lazy. She is resourceful and uses her skills for the good of her family. She is a kind and nurturing mother who faithfully sees to the keeping of her household. She is honorable and strong. She is godly. Virtuous women teach others to be so. They pass their virtue and character on to their daughters, and to other young women.

Titus 2:3-5 tells us:  “The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children. To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. “

When we compare virtuous women of the Bible with the average woman today, there is a great contrast! Remember Esther, Ruth, Sarah, Hannah, Mary, Lois, Eunice, Lydia. How many women do you know today whose behavior “becometh holiness”?  How many “wear the pants in the family”, are bossy, rude, loud, provoking, immodest in attire and behavior, brawling, contentious, vulgar, lazy, incompetent and irresponsible mothers, can’t (or won’t) cook, keep a messy and chaotic home, are selfish, rebellious, ungodly……the list can go on and on.

If we will be virtuous women we first need to possess virtuous character, and that starts with a desire for holiness and purity, and a hatred of sin. Realize that God has the power to make you a Proverbs 31 woman, but you have to be willing to let Him. Don’t look at the Proverbs 31 woman in awe, imagining that being virtuous is unobtainable. It is God’s will that every woman be virtuous. Simply determine to be one of the few who will let Him make you so.                     

whatsoever things// OF GOOD REPORT

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, 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

First, thank you Hannah for the opportunity to write this devotional. It’s a real blessing to be able to be an encouragement to other young ladies, and also to learn more about God and His Word. I’d also like to thank God for helping me to write this, and for giving me a better understanding of what a “good report” actually is! I hope it is a blessing! 

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So, what is good report? It was not until very recently that I actually began to understand through God’s Word what this actually means. God used 1 Timothy 3:7 to show me: “Moreover, he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” This verse, speaking of God’s requirements for a bishop (pastor), says that he must have a good report of them which are without- “Oh (light bulb!), it’s a testimony! We must seek to have a good testimony, by God’s grace. Don’t worry, this isn’t a rabbit trail- it’s just for the record: we’re supposed to follow our pastors (Heb. 13:7)! If they are required to have a good report among a lost and dying world that needs a Saviour, then so are we. (Do you ever feel like you’re starting to write a sermon, and then realize that you’re not supposed to?)

So, to continue the thought here, there are 5 specific kinds of reports mentioned in the Bible.

1). A good report   2.) A true report   3). An honest report   4). An evil report   5). A false report

These can be put into general categories of good reports and evil reports. Think of a Biblical example of someone with an evil report, and someone with a good report. For an evil report, I thought of Hophni and Phineas- raised in the temple- the “pastor’s kids” if you will! And yet, Eli had to say this to them, because of their rotten testimony: “Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord’s people to  transgress.” ~ 1 Samuel 2:24.

For a good report, Enoch came to mind. “By faith, Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” ~ Hebrews 11:5.          

So the last thing to say is this: “How is your report looking?” When people think of you, what comes to mind? Now, don’t get me wrong! We don’t want to be going through our daily life with the mindset of “Oh, what is everyone going to think?!!?” Honestly, if we lived every day worrying what other people think, we would never accomplish anything, especially for our Saviour! But we do have to remember that we are ambassadors for Christ, and according to Acts chapter 8 and Matthew 28, we are here to be winning lost souls to Christ. The Bible says in Ephesians 4:5, “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” Them that are without - that’s people who are not saved.

 You and I must seek the Lord’s face every day, and ask Him for the wisdom and grace to have a pure and holy testimony for THAT day, and to think on things of good report.  We have to think about those people in the Bible that walked faithfully with God- they are there for our examples!  Let’s seek to have a good report of our lives, for the honor and glory of God. The world sees enough of their own kind- what they don’t see enough of is Jesus Christ. Think ;) about this! Pray about it!

whasoever things// LOVELY

Focus:

Philippians 4:8 (KJV)  “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, 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.”

Definition: 

Lovely means that which is pleasing, dear to the heart, amiable, agreeable to others, positively influential.

To think on also means to do.

Quotable Quotes:

             “Whatever makes an impression on the heart seems lovely in the eye.” Unknown Author

My Heart:

God wants us to make a positive impression on the hearts of those around us.  Making an impression is inevitable.  Our character determines that impression.   Is the impression we are making in the hearts and eyes of others LOVELY or UGLY? God tells us to think about things that are “LOVELY“,  for the simple reason that  no heart is at peace when it is thinking on things that are anything but lovely.  Hearts are encouraged,  energized, changed, challenged, tickled, and revived by thoughts of  those things that are “LOVELY “. 

On the flipside, character that is sour, crabbed, and irritable injures and replaces our “lovely” thought on those around us with an “ugly” one of severity and unkindness that finds fault in everything around.  A lovely spirit is contagious.

Something to think about:

Thoughts of things that are lovely bring peace to the soul like things that are ugly produce turmoil.

What am I branded?

LOVELY       OR       UGLY

What am I bringing to the hearts of those around me?

PEACE          OR       TURMOIL

Both kinds of character are contagious!!!

On your own:

How to have a LOVELY  spirit.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.  And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.  (KJV)

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 I am Lynn Marie Crane (Eulian), born and raised in the mountains of Massachusetts. I spent most of my younger years engrossed in athletics, loving school and enjoying playing around in the fresh country air.  There was never a dull moment.  I have always believed that life is a precious gift from God, meant to be whole heartedly lived.  After graduating from Wahconah Regional High School in 1987 I completed a Bible degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education.  In May of 1992, shortly before finishing my college education, I became the wife of Ken Crane.   Currently I am filling the role as Mrs. Ken Crane and mother of four ambitious children in the State of Michigan.  Daily life for me consists of keeping up with my husband, a teacher and coach in the middle school, and my four children ages 18 years, 17years, 16years and 18months.  I enjoy making sure that my 18 month old not getting into too much trouble as curious “ Sam” as he keeps me smiling with his new accomplishments, and sticking my nose is into the lives of  my older three children. Each one of them blesses my life with giggles, tears, and those “I never knew that” moments.  In the midst of such a busy life, my love of the outdoors helps me to appreciate an occasional few minutes resting on the couch listening to the sounds of the birds and crickets outside my window while breathing in the fresh breeze.  I am not sure whether I will have more or less time to enjoy those sounds with three high school graduates and an 18 month old all establishing  themselves in this world.  My husband and I love riding our bikes after dinner most nights.  It is a refreshing time of exercise and chatting on the bike trail for Ken, Sammy and I.  Another thing that I enjoy as a big part of my life is music. Listening to cd’s, my children playing their instruments or spending time playing piano or flute encourage my soul. I hope to be able to share my love of music with others as I strive to establish myself as a piano and flute teacher, giving private lessons in my area.   Some share their -“bucket list”- I think of it as my list of goals and dreams.  It is never too late to learn something new or add memorable experiences that will help us grow as a person.  Publishing women’s devotional books and children’s books; advancing my painting skills; and making my Spanish skills useful enough to help others are all included on my list. 

whatsoeverthings// PURE

>>>>>Please get your parents permission to read this post if you are under age 16!<<<<<

"Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
II Timothy 2:22

Purity.
If you have been in church for any length of time, you've no doubt heard the countless lessons and sermons on the importance of it. Especially as a teen. In our culture today however, it seems that there can't be enough of those lessons. As much as they are drilled into us, I would think more Christian teens would take it more seriously. Yet sadly, I witness more and more young people with such potential for God fall into the trap the devil has set for us, myself included. Teen pregnancy, pre-marital sex, and pornography run rampant outside, and even inside the church. There seems to be no shame in anything. Young people's minds are corrupted at such early ages; filled with wicked images and the wrong ideals, which they pick up in the public school systems, on the Internet, or through the television. By high school, most have been exposed to pornographic images at one point or another, and they have been presented with, and sadly many have taken the opportunities to have sex. 

In the world, purity is something regarded as "weird", "abnormal", or "immature". The devil has taken the picture of intimacy that was originally reserved and ordained by God, between a man and wife within the sacred confines if marriage, and turned it into something perverse and corrupt. It is something given and taken loosely and effortlessly. Sex is easy to get, the definition of "love" is turned around and more often than not, is the equivalent of lust. There is no commitment, no giving, and no honor. This generation has stooped to the lowest possible rung of the ladder when it comes to sex. I find it sad how people are shocked when I tell them I have never " messed around" with any guy, even my boyfriend. Their jaw often drops and they ask things such as, "How are y'all still together?", or "How does he know you love him if you don't have sex?", or they question how we keep a good relationship for three years with no sex. Now, I will readily admit; it's hard. Even as a Christian - whether you're in a relationship or not, staying pure can be hard. But not impossible. After all, with God, all things are possible, right?

For a Christian girl, purity should be important. It should be kept and guarded as something sacred and holy, as God intended. Once it is lost, it can never be taken back, no matter how sorry you are, or how much you try and forget about it. We must be very, very careful with ourselves. Not just with our bodies, but also with our minds. It is easier than you might think, to sin with your mind. That's where lust comes in. And many times it doesn't just stop there. Like fire, lustful thoughts can spread, and they can swiftly turn into actions, and oftentimes, that is how we lose our purity. The good news is though, if we keep our hearts and minds pure before God, it is easier to keep our bodies pure. In Psalm 119:10-11, David writes, "With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." David sought the LORD with his whole heart. He didn't want there to be any room for impurity or sin. If we strive to seek God with our whole hearts, it will make it difficult to have any room for the wrong thoughts as well.

As girls, our purity is also something very special. It is a gift from God for us to give to the man we will someday marry. It is a way we can express our love for this person in the closest, most intimate way possible, a way we connect with the one we love so deeply. I like one writer's take on it from a guy's perspective. He says, "Sex should be as pure and holy as worship. It is not a pastime to play with your friends, like shooting hoops or jumping on the GameCube. When you make love, there is a connection made with another's soul. It is a connection God intended for you to make with your bride, a connection that will defend the relationship against the world and against the hard times to come." Although he was addressing teen guys, the same can be applied to girls. It is not something we should give away carelessly to anyone, not even your boyfriend. It is something that should be designated for your husband, and him alone, in the right time. 

Keeping your mind free from the wrong kind of thoughts, such as lust, is the first step in being pure. In Psalm 139:23-24, David intreats the LORD by saying, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Like David, I often find myself asking God the same thing quite often. It can be hard to keep my thoughts right. But I like what a verse in Proverbs 16 says. It says, "Commit thy works unto the Lord , and thy thoughts shall be established." It reminds me that, when I'm busy serving God, my thoughts will be established on Him. It becomes more difficult to dwell on things I shouldn't, because I'm doing what I should for Him. 

I encourage you to stay pure and draw closer to God today, by keeping your mind on Him completely, and off the world. Maybe by keeping the TV off, and spending a little extra time in your Bible. Whatever you do, make sure it is pleasing to Him. Have a great rest of your week!

whatsoever things// JUST

Philippians 4:8—“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, 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.”

In my Scofield study Bible, the cross reference for the word just is Deuteronomy 16:20, which says, “That which is altogether just shalt thou follow.” According to Dictionary.com, three words that relate to just are truth, reason, and fairness. If we are to follow that which is just, we must follow that which is honest, reasonable, and fair. We are not called to be blind followers of anyone or anything, even God Himself. We must consider whether something is true, fair, and sensible. The Bible says in Psalm 91:12 that the angels will bear us up, but does that mean we can go jump off a cliff and not be harmed? Of course not. But the Bible is true! Yes, the angels will bear us up, but it is not sensible to jump off a cliff, so, if you do, you will reap the consequences. What we follow must be altogether just; it must agree with every aspect of the word just. So, my thought for today is use reason to find out the truth, being fair to all parties, and follow that which is just.

whatsoever things// HONEST

Philippians 4:8—“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, … think on these things.”

Being honest means that someone is not a liar, right? In the Bible, honesty is almost always describing a person's walk, or way of life. According to Romans 13:13, we are commanded to walk honestly. Christians are supposed to live honestly, but what exactly does that mean? I looked up the dictionary definition of honest and discovered that living honestly simply means to consistently live honorably. We as Christians are to live our lives in such a way that the world cannot accuse us of wrongdoing. We do this by allowing the Holy Spirit to shine through us so that we, our personalities, are completely hidden behind the image of Christ. This is much easier said than done, but if we consistently read our Bibles every day, and pray, and then apply what we learned from that to our daily lives, shoving ourselves out of the way so the Holy Ghost can work will get much easier as time goes by.

Now, that defines the word honesty, but it does not explain what makes things honest. What are the honest things we as Christians are to think about? Does the word honest mean we can only think about those things that are actually true? Or does it mean we can only think about those things that don't perpetuate lies? (Wouldn't this cut out much of the media today?) I believe this is simply saying Christians need to think on honorable things. Disney movies aren't exactly honest in the sense that they did not happen in reality, but they are honorable, for the most part, because almost all of them portray some kind of good conquering evil. This is simply an example to get the brain juices flowing. If you believe that Disney is wrong, please don't get upset with me or think I am trying to convince you they are right. Every single person has the right to believe what she chooses the Bible says. No one, except your parents, has the right to force you against your will. This verse is simply saying that Christians need to think on those things that are honorable, that strengthen biblical principles and our faith.

whatsoever things// TRUE + a giveaway!

What are you thinking about? Are the thoughts running through your mind edifying? Are they building you up, or tearing you down?

The very first thing that Philippians 4:8 tells us to think about is whatsoever is TRUE! So are you and I thinking about things that are true?

>>What things are true anyways?

TRUE- conformable to fact; being in accordance with the actual state of things; genuine; pure; real; not counterfeit, adulterated or false; faithful; free from falsehood;

So… are the thoughts running through our minds proven facts? Are they things that are real? Are they pure?

Or are the things going through our minds falsehoods and lies?

If we are thinking about things that aren’t really true> like I’m a loser  or God cant use me, I’ve made too many mistakes or nobody loves me, then we are just going to drive ourselves into the ground and away from God!

When we think about these untruths and allow ourselves to ponder them, we are letting ourselves be overcome by the devil.

James 4:17 says,

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

So… if God wants us to think about the TRUTH, and we are thinking and believing and pondering on lies> then we are sinning!

We need to replace the lies that have been put in our heads by the devil >through society, our peers, tv and internet, etc< with TRUTHS!

What are some truths that we can meditate on?

>God is wonderfully merciful!

It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

 Lamentations 3:22-23

>God is our protection!

The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Proverbs 18:10

>The LORD hears us when we cry out to HIM!

LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble:

thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:

Psalms 10:17

>God will give us strength and guidance!

It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

Psalms 18:32

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whatsoever things// intro

true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, praiseworthy…

some of these words are very familiar, but have you ever stopped to think about the real meaning of them? Maybe we’ve looked them up in a dictionary, but have we taken the time to ponder these words and what they mean?

These are the things that we are supposed to think about... God wants us to think positively. He wants our thoughts to be based on this verse.

What are you thinking about? What am I thinking about? This week we will look at each of these words separately>>> and we will see… are our thoughts pleasing to God?