While not stepping completely out of The Pew I am figuratively at the end of the pew and I must be careful with my words and thoughts. We will have many choices to make in our lives and all will in some way be influenced by people, places and things, timing and for many of us our faith… 

 Let me introduce you to Viktor Frankl… who was an Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist, philosopher, author, and Holocaust survivor. Viktor Frankl was a practicing Jew his entire life, but he was very careful not to impose, or even be seen to be imposing, his religious conviction upon others; that was not the way he operated as a therapist, physician or man. Frankl believed that humans are motivated by something called a “will to meaning,” an overwhelming desire to find meaning in life. He argued that life can have meaning even in the most miserable of circumstances and that the motivation for living comes from finding that meaning.  According to Frankl, “We can discover this meaning in life in three different ways:

(1) by creating a work or doing a deed

(2) by experiencing something or encountering someone 

(3) by the attitude we take toward unavoidable suffering” and that “everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances” 

City Slickers a 1991 movie, gave us an exchange between Jack Palance and Billy Crystal that lasted a whole 1:03  and gave us a question that people have spent a life time asking and trying to answer. What is the meaning of life? Curly Washburn’s answer was… ‘just one thing, stick to that and everything will be all right’. When asked what that one thing was, Curly replied… ‘that’s what you have to figure out’.  I found it interesting that Mr. Frankl, a man of degrees has narrowed down the ways to discover the meaning of life. My friend Webster defines attitude as follows…. “a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is reflected in a person’s behavior.” We can enlarge on that somewhat by adding this….

“The definition of an attitude is a way of feeling or acting toward a person, thing or situation. Passion for a sport, dislike for a certain actor and negativity toward life in general are each an example of an attitude.”

Ok, next I found myself reading this…

The four basic types of attitudes and behaviors that are positive, negative and neutral.

  • Positive Attitude: This is one type of attitude in organizational behaviour. …
  • Negative Attitude: A negative attitude is something that every person should avoid. …
  • Neutral Attitude: …
  • Sikken Attitude:

“The silken attitude was new to me, so I dug a little deeper and found this….People with a sikken attitude demonstrate a negative state of mind. They try to destroy the image of every element that reflects into their mind. However, you may consider it as a type of much more aggressive negative attitude.”

If we accept that attitude is a choice, I would then ask you to consider that a biblical attitude is one that should be added to that list. The bible has much to say about attitude, the one that resonates the most with me is from Philippians 4: 8-9…

“Finally, brothers, 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. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. “

 On the other hand the Bible is full of folks who are in need of an attitude adjustment. Some sins of  attitude include, a false pride, unjust anger, bitter envy, malicious hatred. When attitude becomes a verb, a negative one…it always brings with its actions hurt, pain and the lessening of value of the people, places and things it is directed at. We can unpack and pull up scripture and still miss the point. Curly said it in a simple and short conversation… I believe it starts with the attitude you have toward doing one thing and doing it well. Live a Godly life, lifting up Jesus Christ and the good news of the salvation for all who believe and call on his name and those who are in need of God’s love. Remember, a biblical attitude is one of affirmation, not one of condemnation. You can start doing just that by remembering this 

Romans 12:2

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

What does God say is the purpose of life? In one sense, you are always living in God’s purpose. God is God and He works all things, including your life, according to his purposes. … Psalm 57:2 says, “I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.” This is key in understanding God’s purpose for your life.(What Is God’s Purpose for Your Life And How to Find It … https://www.cornerstone.edu › blog-post › what-is-gods-p..)

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. “

Walking with Jesus will give you the answer to the question of the meaning of life… Your life. Apply what Curly said…‘just one thing, stick to that and everything will be all right’. 

Yes, attitude is a choice. Hear what God has told you…Micah 6: 8

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.

    And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy

    and to walk humbly with your God.

Life is Good

jk