1. FOCUS ON THE CROCUS Philippians 4:8-9 The Fractured World, fashioned from the pieces of the 9/11 WTC Crocus - one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring.

2. Philippians 4:8-9 Think Different

3. Philippians 4:8-9 (New Living Translation) And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. [9] Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.

4. Philippians 4:8-9 (Message Bible) Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. [9] Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

5. TAKE HOME • My mind needs a gate-keeper. All sorts of ugly, seductive, repugnant, selfish and negative thoughts are ready to jump in and commandeer my heart. • This means searching for and identifying the beauty that is all around me, but often camouflaged. • Everybody needs affirmation. This is a good time to start acknowledging virtues in others…with sincerity, of course. • Lord, I will look for the best in people and situations…even challenges and pain. I’ll work at “taking every thought captive”.

6. ANNOUNCEMENTS We also have more encouraging announcements…

7. Worship in Song

11. DEVELOP AN “UGLY FILTER” • Doug Gentry’s warning: “Viruses are out there knocking on doors day and night, seeking out vulnerable computers to exploit and ravage.” • Train yourself to recognize ugly thoughts. Vindictive, Proud, Jealous, Greed, Lies and Stinkin’ thoughts. • Slam the door… put up ‘No Trespassing” signs…refuse to cultivate, feed and rehearse trash talk in your head.

12. YOU ARE INVITED TO THE MOST CELEBRATED MEAL EVER SERVED

13. Confession: I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus is my Lord and Savoir.

14. Philippians 4:8-9 Don’t waste an opportunity to affirm somebody!

15. THE OLD SONG IS STILL TRUE! “ You've got to accentuate the positive Eliminate the negative Latch on to the affirmative Don't mess with Mister In-Between You've got to spread joy up to the maximum Bring gloom down to the minimum Have faith or pandemonium Liable to walk upon the scene”

16. WINTER GARDEN: Crocuses “ Seeing beauty in everyday life is as easy as looking for it .” Share those “true, noble and worthy of praise” thoughts with others.

18. OTHERS: AFFIRMATION Don’t waste an opportunity to affirm somebody!

19. JESUS IS OUR BEST EXAMPLE OF “Philippians 4:8-9” BEHAVIOR He always saw the flower in the weed patch. The Woman at the Well “…You are a truth-teller!”

20. Worship in Song

21. OFFERING Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe.

22. Worship in Song

23. PRAYER & PRAISE

24. TAKE HOME • My mind needs a gate-keeper. All sorts of ugly, seductive, repugnant, selfish and negative thoughts are ready to jump in and commandeer my heart. • This means searching for and identifying the beauty that is all around me, but often camouflaged. • Everybody needs affirmation. This is a good time to start acknowledging virtues in others…with sincerity, of course. • Lord, I will look for the best in people and situations…even challenges and pain. I’ll work at “taking every thought captive”.

25. GO AND TOUCH THE WORLD