In our Ethics class yesterday we were thinking about the way that your ‘filters’ affect your interpretation of events, and can influence your reaction to events.

Remembering Gospel realities can be a good way of restoring correct perspective in the face of difficulties (or blessings) and can help to re-cast your response to a situation, and gradually re-form your character, in the likeness of Christ.

Fieldy mentioned 5 Gospel Filters which were a great starting point for seeing the world correctly. So if you are a Christian, and have at least one hand, why not use it to remind you of these great truths…

(as I was searching for a suitable image to use to create this, I came across the following which is a similar idea with respect to the Word of God - another great resource from the Navigators - The Word Hand.)

Some wonderful old words by John Newton which I re-discovered today through the ministry of a wise man…

“I Asked the Lord That I Might Grow”

I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek, more earnestly, His face.

’Twas He who taught me thus to pray,
And He, I trust, has answered prayer!
But it has been in such a way,
As almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that in some favored hour,
At once He’d answer my request;
And by His love’s constraining pow’r,
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry pow’rs of hell
Assault my soul in every part.

Yea more, with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe;
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

Lord, why is this, I trembling cried,
Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death?
“’Tis in this way, the Lord replied,
I answer prayer for grace and faith.

These inward trials I employ,
From self, and pride, to set thee free;
And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
That thou may’st find thy all in Me.”

John Newton, 1725-1807