Some of the things that have crossed my mind lately, some mundane, some not:
During the holidays, I heard a radio preacher complain about people who only came to church at Easter and Christmas. Wouldn’t it be better to capitalize on their coming and make a special effort to welcome them and share truth with them?
_____
Why do so many main characters in novels have chestnut hair?
_____
It’s almost two months past Christmas. But when I sweep, I still find pine needles.
_____
The Internet seems to like blog posts that begin with numbers, as in X numbers of ways to do or celebrate or handle something. But honestly, I don’t look at posts if the number is above twelve or so. If you’ve got 25 or 100 things on a list, I might skim through them, but I am more inclined to skip the post.
_____
The term “bucket list” arose as people planned for things they wanted to do before they die (coming from the term to “kick the bucket” as a euphemism for dying). So I am a little amused when I see someone refer to summer or vacation bucket lists.
_____
In college and young adult years, I heard about time management. These days, though, we hear about productivity. I wonder when the emphasis shifted. Actually, I like “time management” better, because I am managing my time. “Productivity” seems more pressured, like I am not doing anything worthwhile if I am not producing something, even though all the productivity experts I’ve read include the need for rest.
_____
Lent is one of those things that we do or not as unto the Lord. The Bible doesn’t tell us to observe it or not. Some people find it deeply meaningful. For myself, I don’t see anything in Scripture about giving up something for 40 days, so I don’t. But it does speak about fasting, and some who can’t fast from food for physical reasons might benefit from fasting something else.
I do, however, like to read something about Jesus’ death and resurrection in the days leading up to Easter. Sometimes I’ve read the passages in the gospels about that period. Other times, I’ve read books, like Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross: Experiencing the Passion and Power of Easter. and The Women of Easter: Encounter the Savior with Mary of Bethany, Mary of Nazareth, and Mary Magdalene by Liz Curtis Higgs. I haven’t decided whether to reread one of those or look for something else. But it strikes me that I don’t think there are nearly as many Easter/Lent devotionals as there are Advent and Christmas. Or maybe I just haven’t seen them. Any recommendations?
_____
I’ve seen some say that we shouldn’t celebrate Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day because we should be showing love and honor all year. That’s true. But the same is true of Thanksgiving, isn’t it? We should be grateful all year long, but having a day set aside especially for thankfulness reminds us of it. We’re happy to have certain people in our lives all the time, but we especially celebrate them on their birthdays.
_____
I’ve always found it odd that in John’s gospel, he refers to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. For years I thought that sounded like he was elevating himself above the other disciples, which was puzzling. But he was also inspired by God to write what he did, so God must have had some reason to have him call himself that.
It’s only been recently that I realized that this was not an example of pride, but of humility. I don’t think John named himself in his whole book. He was just one of the ones whom Jesus loved.
_____
I get tired of hearing that whether you see a glass as half full or half empty indicates your outlook on life. Just drink what’s in the glass already. 🙂
But lately I have thought of it this way. If you’ve just poured a glass of something, and all you wanted was half a glass, the glass is half full. If you had a full glass and drank from it already, the glass is half empty.
I wonder what philosophers would think of that. Am I the one overthinking, or are they? 🙂
Stray Thoughts 
Very interesting points. If I wanted a full glass of something, then to get half a glass, it’s only half full. If I drank half of that full glass, I would still have a glass half full. LOL
When I attended the Episcopal Church way back, then I followed Lent. Now, I don’t. I’ve been thinking of finding a Lenten or Easter devotional this year. I’ll have to check out the ones you mentoned.
Interesting thoughts on John’s humility. He does mention himself by name in Revelation. Perhaps in with John, he recognized Jesus’ love for him even more keenly to refer to himself the way he did.
I like the term “time management” better as well. I can see how productivity feels totally different.
Have a great day!
It’s interesting that John did name himself in Revelation. He wasn’t with the other disciples then–they had all most likely passed away by that time. I don’t know if that’s the reason or not.
Okay, we just need to have lunch sometime because what a lot of good conversation starters you have 🙂 I’ve almost given up on what “the internet wants.” I’m hearing it likes videos of bloggers showing themselves, opening packages, etc. I guess the internet will have to give up on me then; I’m not doing that, and I have no interest in watching other people do it either. I think the whole “bucket list” phrase is past its peak too! This was a fun post 🙂
I wished we lived close enough to have lunch! I keep hearing all kinds of things bloggers/writers are supposed to do–I don’t know how people have time for writing if they do all that.
Great thoughts!
I am reading Sinclair Ferguson’s To Seek and to Save and also The Christ of the Empty Tomb, a collection of Easter sermons by James Montgomery Boice. I also have the first one you mentioned, Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross. I would heartily recommend any of these.
Thanks for the recommendations!
Oh Barbara…I absolutely loved this! We think alike in many of these areas.
I definitely agree with you on #1…let’s be thankful that the people DID come on Easter and Christmas.
And you are much more generous when it comes to blog posts with X number of ways to accomplish life. I’m all for gaining from other people’s experiences, but life doesn’t become easy just because someone tells us three or thirty ways to ensure a positive outcome. Why don’t we just read the Bible and see what God tells us to do?
We also think along the same lines when it comes to “time management” versus “productivity”. God isn’t nearly as concerned about our performance (which “productivity” speaks to me of) , but He does care about how we number our days.
When I was a kid at home I was part of a denomination that emphasized fasting for Lent…so I have done some of that…usually giving up chocolate. The thing was, that even those they emphasized fasting there was never any explanation as to why we should do so. Now, I’m like you, rather than giving up something for Lent, I spend more time in the Word with my focus on the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Christ. Our favorite book of Lent devotions is by Sinclair Ferguson, which we are currently using.
I love the idea you shared about John referring to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved being about John’s humility. That had not occurred to me, but I can totally see it, now that you have mentioned it.
What a list of conversation starters.
This year, more than others, I’ve seen several recommendations for lenten devotionals, some from my adult fellowship: one being Biola’s (receive via email art, poetry, music, and devotional) and Gospel In Life.
Having stepped out of the work environment, I’m only too thankful to limit discussions on productivity. Agree — no one much talks about time management.
From those bucket lists to the glass half full/empty, I think we want tidy categories when life is anything but tidy! Enjoy your weekend, friend. Hope your cellulitis has healed.
I love this, Barbara! Still smiling about the “chestnut” hair thing … do any real women with some shade of brown hair actually describe themselves like that? (Pretty sure the answer to that is no.) As for big numbers in post titles, I remember seeing examples of this years ago and then going to the post and finding no list of anything. It was then that I realized even Christian bloggers sometimes wrote clickbait headlines to draw people in. I’m with you about the holidays too. 🙂
I’ve always admired the way John described himself. “The disciple Jesus loved.” I never saw it as being prideful or elevating himself over the others. I saw it as John assured in the love of Jesus. And since we all are disciples, perhaps we can identify ourselves in the same way. What if we didn’t label ourselves by position but just simply as one loved by Jesus. It would even the playing field.
And this was a such a fun post – all 10 thoughts 😀
Pingback: February Reflections | Stray Thoughts
You’re not alone in over thinking. I do it all the time. Good points, I’ve thought about some of those before. Makes me think of how I’m not a fan of Women’s History Month or anyone’s History Month. To me anyone’s History can be talked about or shown on TV or taught in a classroom anytime.
Thanks so much for sharing your stray thoughts with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend.