What is the Thursday Thoughts blog? The more I read, listen, and learn the more I feel the responsibility to help others learn who they are uniquely created to be. It seems the older people get, the more they fall prey to thinking in patterns of thinking as they have always thought, and it is really hard to get people to think in new ways.
The last couple of years have taught me that this isn’t really an age-related problem but a culture-related problem. In the past, I have hesitated to create a platform when I shared what I am learning, for fear that as I continue to learn, I would have to admit I had changed my mind on things. I would have to admit I was wrong! I now realize that it is good for everyone. We all need to go through the process of thinking deeply about things and later revise our thinking. This is called growth.
As a follower of Christ, I should be the first to admit my mistakes and keep growing. What else is forgiveness for?
So here we go!
Thursday Thoughts is an attempt for me to share every week what I am reading, listening, thinking, or just plain talking about. One of my sons years ago called my way of talking “verbal drool”, and I must admit it often sounds like that. So, there may not always be a consistent format, but it will include the latest books I am reading and my thoughts on what I am reading. It will include what I am learning from my study of scripture as it applies to my life and reading. It may include technology I find helpful. And just about anything else I may be processing or that is running around in my head or heart.
It will be random, not well proofed, and a little chaotic…but (and I hope) has some nuggets that you find challenging.
One qualifier, I “read” books in a variety of ways: 1) classic hard copy, 2) digital version, 3) audio—listen to it and 4) Mary Kay (MK) and I read shorter sections daily and move through books slowly. From this point forward, when I say I “read” a book, I won’t qualify which method I am referring to. All these ways play in my head.
One final thing; for full disclosure, I have paid money for all the books, products, or anything I endorse in my posts. In other words, no one is sending me stuff free to endorse. Like all of you, I am buying it and then reacting accordingly. I will make you a deal; if anyone sends me something free for an endorsement, I will state that upfront.
-
What is Holiness?
It is interesting reading about the individuals that are highlighted in Deeper Experiences of Famous Christians*. I am challenged by their commitment, passion, and submission to Christ; while at the same time bothered by some of their apparent lack of emotional health. Do they have to go together? There are cultural and/or centuries of time differences…
-
Is five years too long to wait for an answer to prayer?
At the end of the year, I try to go back and read from the last several years of my journal to gain perspective and wisdom. On the last day of 2022, I read a journal entry from January 10, 2018 (almost five years prior), which mentioned having several conversations with a pastor from Nashville…then…
-
Broken or Being Tested?
Last week I discussed being broken. Last year (May 5, 2022), I wrote about how we grow through seasons of faith. In that blog, I also give a link to a brief description of the six phases of faith development, which approximate the journey most of us take throughout our lives. Now, I would like to…