qualities of God

Philippians Chapter 4

8  Finally, brothers (and sisters)*, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  9  What you have learned and  received and heard and seen  in me―practice these things, and  the God of peace will be with you.

This is part of the text I am going to preach on Sunday. i wrote previously about this text being our "mental floss". When we are mired in thoughts or things we've heard or read that bring us down or make us angry, we can help turn oursleves around, and 'floss' our thoughts with whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and praiseworthy. These are the qualities of God. When we view something lovely, we are taking in a quality of God. Ponder excellence or perfection, you are pondering a quality of God. If and when we think about things that have these qualities, it helps us to get the negativity out of our minds. That's why i call it "mental floss" -we floss away the debris left by the negativity. 

*The Greek word in the original text meant both, it is not gender-specific.