Hello, dear friends. I hope this past week has been a good one for you. And I wonder, whatcha thinking? What kinds of thoughts go through your head? I imagine it depends on what has just happened, or what you just read, or what you saw.
I know for me all kinds of things flow through my head on a regular basis. I assume it’s the same for you.
I ask because I have been listening to Matt Fradd’s, “Pints With Aquinas,” specifically with two Orthodox monastics, Mother Natalia and Mother Gabriella:
Their discussion was extensive and covered a number of areas, and one such area was our thoughts. This came from a book they were reading (around the 45 minute mark, I believe it is).
Mother Natalia asked Matt if he watched much Star Trek. That struck me, in a warm way, because my sister who just passed was a HUGE Star Trek fan, having been actively involved in Star Trek conventions for forty years.
Anyway, Mother Natalia mentioned a Star Trek Voyager episode in which the Starfleet members went to a world where people didn’t speak, they read each other’s thoughts.
Holy moly. Just think about THAT for a second. Yikes, yikes, yikes.
Anyway, yes – holy moly. People would be arrested for bad thoughts towards others. Thinking something alone was a sufficient crime to be arrested and charged.
Hmmm. Again, yikes. But think about this, as Mother Natalia highlighted: Jesus basically said something about that very thing. Oh, yes He did. From Matthew 5:28:
But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Thoughts alone can constitute a crime. Crap.
The Mothers referenced a book, “Our Thoughts Determine Our lives: The Life and Teachings of Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica,” a Serbian monastic. In it, Elder Thaddeus noted that even thinking something about a neighbor, like punching them, for instance, was the same thing as actually punching them.
Ruh roh.
I have to tell you, when they gave this example, was I ever convicted in my heart. Just this past weekend, neighbors across the street were having a backyard party. After the kids left, the parents were hanging out playing loud inappropriate music. Not only was I annoyed by the music itself, but that they would be such thoughtless jerks, especially since they have kids. (I should say, our houses aren’t particularly close to each other in this neighborhood, hence an indication of how loud their gross rap crap was. And it was just surprising as all get out that this pickup truck driving guy played this kinds of music. Go figure. Made me want to call the very good realtor in our neighborhood. Ahem.
So, I am sure after reading the above, you can see why my spirit was just a TAD convicted when I heard them talk about this book. Yeah.
I mean, we are people. We get irritated with strangers, friends, and loved ones. We just do. But how do we change up those thoughts? How do we let those negative ones go, and re-focus on the positive? Turning to God. Saying a quick prayer to let go of whatever irritation or frustration is making you thing thoughts of wanting to smack someone upside their heads, as we say down South. We’ll have those thoughts, no doubt. But if we turn to Jesus, let the Holy Spirit speak in our hearts, we can let go of those thoughts pretty quickly.
I mean, really – it doesn’t do us any good to keep rehashing things in our heads, over and over and over. I am guilty of that for sure. But stopping that repetitive negativity, those negative thoughts, and turning to the Love of God will make such a huge difference in your life, and in your heart. Seriously. If your heart is full of love, it’s going to reflect outwards. So, next time you catch yourselves thinking mean thoughts, note it, and bring it to Jesus. Then let it go and let Him have it.
God is so good. He is just so good to us. And He brings so much to us, as reflected in this beautiful piece:
Isn’t that just so beautiful? And the message is so meaningful, too. Thank God.
As for the “Running” part of this post, I am actually at the Kentucky Oaks and Derby this weekend for the first time in my life. This is the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby, which is just neat to be a part of in my small way. It’s a race I always watched with my mom, and, well, it’s the Kentucky Derby! To be able to go in person is a total bucket list item.
And in full disclosure, I have shares in a horse who will be in the Pat Day Mile race (he JUST missed getting into the Derby). I am thrilled that he’s racing on this auspicious occasion, even if he just missed the Derby. Still, it’s a big deal and I can’t wait for that race. As always, I pray all horses return home safe and sound, and same for the jockeys.
All that is to say, because I will be at Churchill Downs all day, I might not get to comments quickly. But I will be checking them, so please feel free to comment on whatever you wish.
That’s it for me, dear friends! Have good thoughts (!), and may God bless and keep you!
This is the Weekend Open Thread.
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