Whatsoever Things Are Lovely

Rhonda Rhea

Description

A beautiful bracelet, stylish new scarf, or pair of sleek sunglasses--there's always room in a girl's closet for the perfect fashion accessory. But what about spiritual accessories? In Whatsoever Things Are Lovely, humorist and Bible teacher Rhonda Rhea challenges women to pursue those with the same passion that might be inspired by a blowout sale at their favorite department store.Pure things, holy things . . . lovely things. These are the life "accessories" that are must-haves, says Rhea. And using Philippians 4:8-9 as a springboard, she takes women on a fun adventure infused with practical spiritual truth about how focusing on those things can lead to more fruitful, more blessed, and more peace-filled lives. Includes a discussion guide, making it great for small group Bible studies.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie

Informations

• Publié par: Baker Publishing Group
• Date de parution: 01 septembre 2009
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781441204974
• Langue: English

Extrait

W HATSOEVER T HINGS A RE L OVELY
W HATSOEVER T HINGS ARE L OVELY Must-Have Accessories for God s Perfect Peace
R HONDA R HEA
2009 by Rhonda Rhea
Published by Revell a division of Baker Publishing Group P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287 www.revellbooks.com
Printed in the United States of America
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means-for example, electronic, photocopy, recording-without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Rhea, Rhonda. Whatsoever things are lovely : must-have accessories for God s perfect peace / Rhonda Rhea. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 978-0-8007-3252-3 (pbk.) 1. Christian women-Religious life. 2. Peace-Religious aspects-Christianity. I. Title. BV4527.R495 2009 248.8 43-dc22 2009020395
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture is taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION . NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
Scripture marked AMP is taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Scripture marked CEV is taken from the Contemporary English Version 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.
Scripture marked HCSB is taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
Scripture marked MESSAGE is taken from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.
Scripture marked NASB is taken from the New American Standard Bible , Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Scripture marked NCV is taken from the New Century Version . Copyright 1987, 1988, 1991 by Word Publishing, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture marked NKJV is taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture marked NLT a is taken from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
Scripture marked NLT b is taken from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
Portions of illustrations and Scripture applications have been adapted from the author s columns in St. Louis MetroVoice, Inspire magazine (St. Louis), Living Light News (Canada), Sermon Illustrator and Daily Wisdom online devotionals, and the author s e-newsletter or blog.
To my mom, Elizabeth Camille, who openhandedly introduced me to the joy of digging through her jewelry box, and who openheartedly introduced me to the True Giver of perfect peace.
CONTENTS
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Keep Your Minds, . . . and All These Blings Will Be Added unto You
Part 1 Keep your minds on whatever is true
1. Earbobs or Doorknobs? God s Word Is True
2. Ruby-rooter Believing Lies Is a Peace Blocker
3. Cha-Ching Bling Quiet Time-the Why s
4. Magnum Opal Quiet Time-the How s
5. Supplementation of Ornamentation Quiet Time-Prayer
Part 2 Keep your minds on whatever is . . . pure
6. As the Ring Turns Guard against Emotion-Centered Life
7. Bling Radar Getting Rid of Sin, Living Honorably
8. When You ve Seen One Enclosed Shopping Center, You ve Seen a Mall Sin Results in Loneliness
9. Bling, Bling-Hello? No Peace with Guilt
10. Buttons and Boas Self-esteem vs. Others-esteem
Part 3 Keep your minds on whatever is . . . right
11. Is That a Necklace or a Disco Ball? Letting His Peace Rule
12. All That Glitters Is Not Bullion Becoming a Slave to Right
13. A Little Jaded What Living Right Does for Those Who See
14. Taking Our Accessories at Face Value The Value of Beauty, Self, Others
15. Shining Time Effervescing Hope, Wisdom
Part 4 Keep your minds on whatever is . . . holy
16. Ink-bling Surrendering in Obedience to Holy Living
17. Turn On the Bling God Is Holy
18. Looking at Life through Peace-Colored Glasses Holy Living/ Seeking Peace
19. The Accessory Pool Running from Sin, Standing for Christ, Denying the Flesh
20. The Long and Short of a Good Necklace Giving All, the Holy How-To s
Part 5 Keep your minds on whatever is . . . friendly and proper
21. Accessory to the Crime Seeing through His Eyes
22. Bling It On Kindness/Serving Others/Giving
23. On Pearls and Swine Relationship Difficulties/Bitterness
24. Silver Lining When Someone Refuses Friendship, Peace at Any Cost?
25. Do Your Ears Hang Low? Our Words
Part 6 Don t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise
26. Bling-less in St. Louie Busyness
27. Keeps Me Blinging as I Go Stress
28. Virtual Gems Witnessing
29. Bling 911 Loving Things
30. Engineering the Earrings Laziness vs. the Peace of Purpose
Part 7 You know the teachings I gave you, and you know what you heard me say and saw me do. So follow my example.
31. Friend or Faux? Following the Example, Becoming the Example
32. Improper Gem Shopper Paul s Example of Strength through Weakness
33. Accessing the Accessories Forgetting the Old and Following the New
34. Apparel Peril Difficulties
35. Using Sound Bling Judgment Resting/Following
Part 8 And God, who gives peace, will be with you
36. To Bead or Not to Bead God Is the Author of Peace
37. High Society Anxiety Worry
38. Sparkle and Spit-Shine Fear
39. On Ring Grips and Mixed Dips Real Security
40. Bling the Bells of Heaven Knowing Jesus
Notes
Discussion Guide
A CKNOWLEDGMENTS
As ever and always, big, blinging thanks to my hubby/hero, Richie Rhea, for being such a shining example of the peace of Christ and for unwavering support, encouragement, and unconditional love and patience. How many husbands could resist making fun of a wife stressing over a book about peace ?
Shining thank-yous to Andy Rhea ( www.andyrheamusic.com ), Jordan Rhea, Kaley Rhea, Allie Rhea, and Daniel Rhea for love, encouragement, inspiration-and for just being all-around wonderful people. Your love for Jesus, your amazing talents, and your sweet spirits bring great peace and joy to my blessed-mama heart!
More thanks to my faithful prayer team-what wonderful warrior women! Keeping this project bathed in prayer has been a big task and an inestimable investment. Humble, sincere thank-yous to Janet Bridgeforth, Tina Byus, Diane Campbell, Mary Clark, Theresa East-erday, Chris Hendrickson, Melinda Massey, and Peanuts Rudolph. I cherish you all!
I so appreciate the help at every corner from my favorite agent of all time, Pamela Harty, who shares my heart for ministry, and from all those at The Knight Agency who help make it possible for me to do what I love to do.
How I appreciate gifted editor Jennifer Leep-a super editor and truly super person. Big thank-yous to all those who make up the talented team at the Revell division of Baker Publishing Group. Art, marketing, publicity, editorial-every team member is such a gift. Barb Barnes even makes copyediting a joy!
A huge nod of thanks goes to Joanne Sampl of Next-Step-Up Communications, whose techy contributions are always invaluable and whose ministry counsel, web design, and marketing help keep us up and running-and whose friendship is such a great blessing.
More head-bobs of thanks to my church family at Troy First Baptist Church for prayers and encouragement, and to Halo Wings, our local Christian bookstore here in Troy, Missouri.
Much gratitude to the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, my heart-sisters who share support, knowledge, godly insights, and powerful prayers.
A personal thank-you to Peanuts Rudolph, assistant and friend, who not only faithfully prayed very specifically over this book, but knew exactly when to offer beautiful words of encouragement. I especially loved Peanuts spiritual spunk the day she called to tell me that while she was praying, she started giggling. She said it was because she was overjoyed at the thought that God had already finished this book. I confess that at that point I was just hoping he was using software compatible with mine. Then I remembered that I use Word, and that made me giggle too. It was a great reminder to keep it all funneling through, filtered by, and reflected in and from HIS Word.
Which brings me to my truest, biggest debt of gratitude. It is ever reserved for my heavenly Father, the God of peace, and the God who gives peace. My heart is full of grateful appreciation to the God who proves again and again that he can truly use anyone. I m so blessed to be one of his anyone servants.
Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. You know the teachings I gave you, and you know what you heard me say and saw me do. So follow my example. And God, who gives peace, will be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9 CEV
I NTRODUCTION
Keep Your Minds, . . . and All These Blings Will Be Added unto You
Finally, my friends, keep your minds
No doubt I could start a support group for the chronically over-accessorized. Bows, baubles, and bangles-rings and things and all kinds of bling-I love to accessorize.
Hello, my name is Rhonda Rhea and I m a bling-aholic. There s a good reason I ll never start that support group, though. Recovery programs don t work for those who don t want to recover. And I m not anywhere near willing to leave the life of over-the-top accessorizing. Is i