“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.
There are a few things said to us in life that become milestones; we never forget them. When I was a young man, in my twenties, I worked for the Boeing Aircraft Company in Seattle. I was a new Christian and struggling with old thoughts and habits.
I was attending church, reading my Bible and had a desire to live for God. But the attacks on my mind seemed to be demonic. I informed another Christian of my struggle. His reply was one of those bits of wisdom I never forgot. He said, “Ken, you can’t keep the birds from flying over your head, but you don’t have to let the nest in your hair.”
Over the years I’ve had opportunity to give this advice to others and apply it to myself as well. However, as true as the advice was, I’ve considered that there might also be a way of thinning out the flock. Since these birds fly over uninvited, let’s consider where some may be coming from.
Perhaps if we guarded our mind in the first place, there would be fewer birds to contend with. One way to do that is limit the profanity and filth talk we expose ourselves to. Controlling what we see and read would greatly thin out the flock. Do not make friends with those who have no respect for your Christian beliefs. Remember, in five years from now you will be the same person you are today, except for the books you read and the people you associate with.
So, if the birds are flying over your head, as they do all of us, thinning out the flock will help. Remember, it only takes one or more to bring you down. “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.
Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.