our heart matters

what do you treasure?
who’s the one
who owns your soul?
the world is full
of
the thing
that pulls at hearts
to gain control.

evil gains access through the heart

from proverbs 4:

The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
¹⁹ But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know what makes them stumble.

²⁰ My son, pay attention to what I say;
   turn your ear to my words.
²¹ Do not let them out of your sight,
   keep them within your heart;
²² for they are life to those who find them
   and health to one’s whole body.
²³ Above all else, guard your heart,
   for everything you do flows from it.
²⁴ Keep your mouth free of perversity;
   keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
²⁵ Let your eyes look straight ahead;
   fix your gaze directly before you.
²⁶ Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
   and be steadfast in all your ways.
²⁷ Do not turn to the right or the left;
   keep your foot from evil.

from philippians 4:

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,

..by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,

..will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
..whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—
..put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

photo by cj rosback, photo edit by n. rosback

12 thoughts on “our heart matters”

Linda April 18, 2011 at 1:08 pm

To know He looks at the heart….such good words Nance.

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B. Meandering April 18, 2011 at 2:22 am

I like the dual meaning of the title. I like your poem asking us such an important question. And the Proverbs verse esp. speaks to me this morning as I head out to school to face Friday's situaion. Thank you, Nance.

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Michelle DeRusha@Graceful April 17, 2011 at 6:51 pm

I love that Philippians verse — it's the one I read at my grandmother's funeral. True words here, true words.

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Sandra Heska King April 17, 2011 at 3:50 pm

I want my heart to matter.Love that photo!

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nance marie April 17, 2011 at 2:53 pm

howdy, duane.me too.

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Duane Scott April 17, 2011 at 2:37 pm

Nance, Wanting my heart to be all His today. :) -DS

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nance marie April 17, 2011 at 10:45 am

good sun day, darlene.thanks so much for the uplift.that is a wonderful verse.God's blessings to you too :-)

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Simply Darlene April 17, 2011 at 9:49 am

that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ~ Col. 2:2 (NKJV)I find a lot of that right here… thank you.Blessings.

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nance marie April 17, 2011 at 9:37 am

hello, susan.i agree. the word of God contains unlimited amounts of wisdom.

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S. Etole April 17, 2011 at 9:34 am

so much wisdom here …

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nance marie April 17, 2011 at 9:29 am

thanks, maureen.there are times that the title of a post tells more than the post itself.

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Maureen April 17, 2011 at 9:13 am

Lovely, Nance. I like how the word "matters" can have dual meaning, as verb and noun.