Minding Your Thoughts
A Biblical Overview of Obtaining and Maintaining a Biblical Thought Life
Philippians 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Tommy Lemons was my friend. I say was because a few years ago he crossed over and is now with the Lord. He was a second-generation cabinet builder and did wonderful work. He owned a cabinet shop that his son now owns and operates. Tommy, his brother, and his son worked together for so long that they were truly of one mind on a job. They even had their own language that only they could understand. Phrases that to any outsider made no sense made perfect sense to them and their work was quick, efficient, and very professional.
Once they were doing some work for our church and I asked how I could help. After all, I am kind of handy with woodwork and have knowledge and experience in using power tools. Tommy told me to just leave them alone and let them work, I would only slow them down because he would have to explain everything to me. I was a little bit wounded, until I hung around and watched them work. The way they communicated meant nothing to me, but they knew exactly what the other person needed or was saying. Phrases like “a little long” meant to make the cut about a 1/16 inch longer, “a little short” just the opposite. “Low grade dog food” meant that the food they ate was great, and a “beer” meant a Dr. Pepper. Go figure.
Tommy and his crew reminded me of Ecclesiastes 4:9, Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. You see, these men had worked together (you could say strived together [see the above verse]) for so long that they were of one mind. The same should be true with all believers, that we work together (strive together) for the cause of Christ, the faith of the gospel that we become one mind. This is God’s will, and it is possible.
May the Lord Bless and be pleased with your thought life today.
Dr. William T. Howe
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