Take Out the Trash

"Christian brothers [and sisters], keep your minds thinking about whatever is TRUE, whatever is RESPECTED, whatever is RIGHT, whatever it PURE, whatever  is LOVELY, and whatever is PRAISE-WORTHY. If there is anything GOOD and worth giving THANKS for, think about these things." (Phil. 4:8)


         As kids, my brothers and I shared the daily chore of taking out the trash. Sounds simple enough, but our outdoor trash can sat across a chirt road at the edge of the woods atop Lookout Mountain. Daytime - no problem. Nighttime - it was spooky. 
        One summer evening after the sun had long since dropped behind Sand Mountain - in that fleeting moment between twilight and dark - I cautiously walked toward the trash can and was just about to toss the bag into the barrel when....

        a cat jumped out! 

I was so startled that my scream came out as mooooooan. Ha!

         Recently, the Lord gave me a similar chore: Jill, everyday take out the trash in your mind - worried thoughts, selfish thoughts, prideful thoughts, judgmental thoughts, or worldly thoughts that stick (or stink) in your mind.

           Have you taken out the trash in your mind today?

"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth." (Col. 3:1-2)