Wednesday, July 28, 2010

too heavenly minded to be any earthly good?

i have grown up hearing the phrase, "you're just too heavenly minded
to be any earthly good."  of course, they weren't saying that to me!

it is confusing, though, to think we could possibly be that way.  if
someone has truly set her heart "above, where Christ is seated at the
right hand of  God. . . and her mind on things above, not on earthly
things," then she will do as Jesus did.  (colossians 3:2)



He was of tremendous earthly good.

He loved little children, prostitutes, and tax collectors but had no
patience for religious people who lorded it over the humble and
judged the sinners.  He went about doing His Father's business,
healing and restoring bodies and hearts.

He told us to seek His kingdom, to stop worrying so much about
tomorrow, and to not judge others but to pay attention to the  log
in our own eyes. (matthew 6 and 7)

sheesh, how will i have time to worry about everybody else's sins,
when i have so many of my own, which brings me right back to
being "too earthly minded to be any heavenly good." :)

now that's something i do very well.

love,
lea

47 comments:

Vee said...

I've heard that one all my life, too. I'm with you, I'm the latter and not the former. Blessin's!

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Funny how we grow up hearing things that we believe are true until we really think about it.
I think we probably need to reverse the saying, "when you are so earthly minded, you can never bring heaven to earth"...or something like that.
I am seeing in my aging days that I need to be turning more toward heavenly pursuits...those things of heavenly value, instead of the earthly ones
Good post...thanks for sharing

Debbie Petras said...

Very interesting! I think if we really are heavenly minded, we'd be more like Jesus. You're so right.

I think we'd be more about love and showing that love to those who really don't deserve it. After all, we didn't deserve it either.

Silver Strands said...

Very well said, Lea!
oxoxo
Denalee

BonjourRomance said...

you have hit the nail on the head. Thank you for sharing all these words of wisdom.
Thank you for all your visits and kind words. I am sorry I have gotten behind in my visits - I promise to get back on schedule!!
a bientôt,
Mimi

Sue Jack said...

Just discovered your blog and love it...especially the part about not worrying about tomorrow....could we change it by worrying? Me thinks not... :)
I'm trying very hard to appreciate every waking day...to keep in mind that I'm exchanging a day of my life for everything I do in that day.
Being a designer is my earthly passion, but remembering to ask for guidance in all aspects of my life is where my inspiration comes from....it's just up to me to keep my eyes open and be astute enough to catch the open doors God has laid before me to be a good wife, mother and friend.
What will be next?

JMW said...

Ugh, it's so hard to not focus on the what we often deem the earthly "goods." I really need to try harder.

kate said...

great post!

Anne Lyken-Garner said...

How about, 'Your heavenly mindedness will bring earthly good to many.' There's no reason why the saying can't be changed as it's not biblical.
On another subject, I've been visiting your blog for some time now, but still can't figure out why you don't use capital letters to begin a new sentence.

Mountain Mama said...

Great post. Thanks for sharing your heart.

Oh! And by the way, I am your "201st Follower"! Is there a prize for that? :-)

blessings,
ashley

highheeledlife said...

Thank you for such wise words!! Truly a lovely post!!...Blessings..HHL

Thistle Cove Farm said...

I always thought it meant the person was too lazy to do much of anything except look like they were studying on heaven.
Then again, my family sets store by work -smile-.

Dawn said...

i've never heard that saying before! very interesting & thought provoking! :)

Town and Country House said...

I like this post--a lot! Thanks for the reminder; I'm a natural Martha who needs to be reminded that Mary made the better choice.

Elizabeth Dianne said...

A lot said in few words and certainly much to think about here. Thanks.

Inday said...

hahaha ... sorry I can't help laughing at your conclusive text.

Indeed! But mind you, the Bible itself speaks about "busybodies".

Very inspirational. You hit the nail on its head.

Susan B said...

Hi Lea,
Great post! I think I can relate to your last two sentences. I fit that definition also. :)

~*~ saskia ~*~ said...

You know how to write, you talented Lea. I adore your picture! I so want to be there, right NOW.
xxx

Joan Elizabeth said...

Grin. You have such a fun way of writing. I will be out and about over the next few weeks so not visiting as often but will certainly catch up -- I'd hate to miss the fun and wisdom.

TeriGigi/Girl Meets Paris said...

So profound! You hit the nail on the head! Next time I hear someone say that... I will turn it around. In the religious circles I run in, DOING is prized above BEING at every turn. Drives me crazy... but I've been able to let go of the guilt of not DOING every time I'm asked... I'm too busy BEING... and BEING who God wants me to be is a full time job in itself :)

Farm Girl said...

Hi Lea, Yeah, me too, I grew up hearing that too and I always thought wouldn't it be better to be that way? Heavenly minded. I mean we are told that to think on these things, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely whatever is of good repute...

Anonymous said...

very well said. miss you. A

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

right on the same page with you on this one!

Being truly heavenly minded in not always what we are taught today... so much is about the doing and works.

yep... I also don't have to worry about being TOO heavenly minded, rather to be MORE heavenly minded!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Good afternoon, Lea!

How are you...living like Jesus is so confusing at times, unless we just cherish this life and opportunity He gave us to reach out the every single person. That is all I can think of to do...we can be earthly good for Heaven's sake....

Have a lovely evening, Anita

Cindy said...

That's definitely something to think about. Thanks for challenging me to do so.

A Tale of Two Cities said...

So well put, and your words certainly stir me to think. Hoping that I'm spending more and more time on heavenly thoughts these days, but often falling short.

Debi

Rosie said...

Yup...more wise words...
I get so wrapped up in earthly living, that sometimes I forget to look up...once I do, things are so much simpler and put into perspective...
....missing you....love Rosie

Staci Danford said...

Boy do I know the feeling.. Sometimes I feel like the more I try to do right .... the more I see how much I'm messing up. But... then again maybe that's how it is on earth. He knew we could NEVER get it all right,and loves us anyway. Thank goodness for that! haha
Staci

Deborah Ann said...

Oh my, yes. High five for calling the cards as you see them. Jesus ministry was L.O.V.E. It was down to earth and real. I know a handful of people who are walking that walk...and I want to be counted among them.

Gloria said...

Good thoughts, reminders, and beautiful scripture!

I believe if we are truly focusing on heaven, the things we do on earth will be done for the glorification of God. But, we are all human...and fail daily. Thank God he has so much more mercy in dealing with us, than we do with each other!!! :)
Have a happy Friday! @}~`}~~~
Blessings,
Gloria

Tea with Tiffany said...

interesting quote you ended with.. I'll be pondering that one. I've heard the other one, just like you, over and over again.

:)

Great post!

Single and Sane said...

I've been so busy this week I haven't had time to read your blog until now. I love this post, as well as the one about the boys' names.

You're right - if we understood that to be heavenly minded is to focus on being like Jesus, we'd be able to do tons of earthly good.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Good morning dearest! Thank you for coming to visit me to see my lovely SIL photos! And thank you for your lovely compliment!

I hope you are planning to have a fabulous weekend!

Anita

Melanie said...

I read this post earlier and did not have time then to comment, but I just want to THANK YOU now for this post. You have SO many good points and I really appreciate this post. Praying just to be more like Jesus....

Melanie
~ melscoffeebreak.blogspot.com ~

Jo said...

"sheesh, how will i have time to worry about everybody else's sins, when i have so many of my own, which brings me right back to
being "too earthly minded to be any heavenly good." :)
I love that...!

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

Ah! Yes, It is that we strive to be more like Jesus...in our actions, thoughts and hearts...so here is to being more heavenly minded..and getting our mind on Him and less on the things of this world :o)

Blessings & Aloha!
Thank you so much for stopping by! I do appreciate your sweet comments! ...a wee bit behind in my blog reading..again :o)

Anonymous said...

I truly enjoyed reading your post :>)

Vee said...

...and to think that I'd always wondered how your name was pronounced. So happy to know...

Elizabeth Mahlou said...

Something to think about!

GwendolynKay said...

Lovely , faithful post.
Blessings~
Gwen

Vivek said...

Hi Lea,

How are you? Just Buzzed to see how u doing ...didn't yet read your post Sorry for that ..will read soon ...feeling sleepy ..

take care..

Ks :)

Jenners said...

I love the phrase ... it sounds to me like someone who daydreams too much!

Liz Sarno said...

I think you are heavenly minded, and earthly good all at the same time! You are a blessing!

Rosie said...

Hello my dear,
Hoping you are enjoying your summer...missing you and all my blog friends so very much, hoping for a bit of respite soon...sending you a wee hug and a peck on the cheek.
...xoxo...Rosie

Gwendolyn said...

Very meaningful words and so true! Thankyou!

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