Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Thinking

When asked if I had any ideas for this week’s blog theme my response was … and I quote ...


“Uuuuuhhhhhh ... thinking ...


So there you go.

I’m always thinking. What am I going to do with that?


Je pense donc je suis.


Here I sit in my local(ish) Starbucks sipping my free birthday iced green tea. I’m reminded why I usually avoid Starbucks if I’m trying to get actual work done. I’m not even sitting under the speaker and yet … their soundtrack is regularly overpowering my own. I don’t need any of your Jedi mind control, thank you very much.

What have I been thinking. I’ve been reading this book and snapped a pic of this passage because it jumped out at me.


The reckless raging fury …

... that we call the love of God. 

Yeah that’s not challenging or anything.

I often feel like I’m being held back. Or that I’m choosing deliberately to hold myself back. Which may be a good thing, but here’s what I’m thinking. In the name of being nice, getting along, and not offending anyone … all of which are good things and noble pursuits … how often have I kept my mouth shut more than I should?

Don’t worry, you won’t find me on a soapbox yelling “Repent!” anytime soon. Although that does bring to mind an interesting visual. Hmmm.

There is an ongoing conversation in the circles in which I run about masks. The masks we wear every single day of our lives. It’s not necessary or even a good thing to share every last thought that crosses our minds. Some of you need to embrace that concept on your social media accounts.

But too much mask wearing, especially in light of a trauma or struggle or grief or pain, leads to us hiding our authentic selves. Our existence looks as rosy to others as our social media persona. For us, this leads to no one thinking we ever need help or moral support or a sympathetic ear or anything at all. For others, it leads to them thinking they can’t share their struggles either. They feel like they’re the only one with problems. That they have to keep the mask on. That everyone will think less of them “if they only knew”. There is so much power in the “me too”.

God forbid someone speak some truth into this world.

Is it any wonder the church is often accused of being inauthentic?

What am I thinking.

Well. As I have moved on from Sbux, stopped by the house, and migrated to one of my usual haunts … my soundtrack continues courtesy of shuffle on both the iPod and iPhone. And here is the burning question to which enquiring minds want an answer. A couple months ago my twenty-something nephew was scrolling through the musical selections on my phone. I don’t even remember why. He proceeded to play a track that, within the first few notes, I explained was “the twangiest song ever recorded about Tennessee”. He immediately told me I was wrong … (hey, I thought he got over that after the teenage years) … and downloaded his version of Tennessee twang onto my phone. He says it’s customary to put his choice on repeat when crossing the border into the Volunteer State. I’ll let you make the call …


Tennessee Twang Candidate #1 can be found here.


Tennessee Twang Candidate #2 can be found here.


I look forward to hearing what you think of these two gems.

What else am I thinking. My soundtrack for today has included, but not been limited to, in no particular order, the following …

Big & Rich
Mercy Me
Jimmy Buffet
Phineas & Ferb (Who remembers S.I.M.P.??? #ProletariatBourgeoisie)
Crowder
Straight No Chaser
Family Force 5
Robbie Seay Band
Newsboys featuring my future husband Michael Tait
Jonas Brothers
Switchfoot
Toby Mac
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Veggie Tales
Ryan Shupe & The RubberBand
Hank Williams, Jr.
HCC Worship
Donny Osmond
And several hymns by various artists.


Cogito ergo sum.


What am I thinking. I’m thinking this is one of the hymns that came up today. I’m kind of partial to this version. I think I’ll just keep listening ...






For more on “Thinking” from my writing partners, see Sue Bowles at bebold7.wordpress.com and Leisa Herren at life4inga.blogspot.com.


Come thou fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace
Streams of mercy never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise

Teach me some melodious sonnet
Sung by flaming tongues above
Praise the Mount I'm fixed upon it
Mount of Thy redeeming love

Here I raise my Ebenezer
Hither by Thy great help I come
And I hope by Thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home

Jesus sought me when a stranger
Wandering from the fold of God
He, to rescue me from danger
Interposed His precious blood

Ode to grace, how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be
And let Thy goodness like a fetter
Bind my wandering heart to Thee

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here's my heart, Lord, take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above

Here's my heart, Lord, take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above

~ “Come Thou Fount”


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