Doubting Thomas

So do you like to explore, investigate, learn, poke around ? Do you just wonder what it’s all about or maybe say, I’m going to take a look at that? I’m interested. I’m going to ask some questions? I’m going to get me feet wet about that! That really intrigues me!

I read while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--Many people have the wrong perception of doubt; they think doubt is always negative. But the truth is, doubt is not a bad thing. Doubt is good if it motivates us to investigate. When in doubt, we check it out. 

I can’t change anyone nor can you; I understand that. If anyone is going to change, they have to change themselves (i.e. although it appears that some folks are brainwashed). No one has control over anyone’s mind (i.e. well maybe large sums of money can change a person’s mind, hahaha). If you’re having doubts about Jesus (i.e. a regular Doubting Thomas), I want to encourage you to investigate. First, I suggest you find people whose lives have been radically changed by a relationship with Jesus. But then again, if we don’t want to change, we probably aren’t going to change. I understand that tooooo! Saturday question—Who is in control of our mind? LuckyEddie says—I always look for a way to “beat the system” which in the long run doesn’t really work! I’m always looking for a short cut! An easy way out! A fast track! Now I'm old and wish I would not have done it that way!

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In that response lies our growth and freedom.”~~ Viktor Franko   WorldClassLarry says—We have the freedom to choose what our response will be! Or do we really! Maybe we are programed. Programed by our genetics, past environment and our current environment (i.e. I heard that on a late-night Seattle TV station soooo it's gotta be right)!

A friend of a friend suggested I read Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay C. Gibson, PsyD. I like psychology type books soooo I gave it a listen. The last chapter titled, how you identify emotionally mature people, is by far the best along with the epilogue (i.e. my opinion—I suggest reading them first). Here are a few qualities that I remember that emotionally mature people have/are: Empathy, confident, constant, reliable, realistic, can compromise, can discuss with the ability to hear another person’s opinion, not narcissistic, are not easily offended, open minded, don’t take everything soooo personal, can accept criticism. You get the idea and feeling (i.e. an immature person would have some or all of the opposite qualities). I think the book is overall a good read in trying to understand ourselves and maybe our parents and maybe others. ItchieBitchie says--But reality is we can't understand others very well! hahaha

You might be a Doubting Thomas about this next story!  I went into the Yamaha Dealer in Yakima to get oil and a filter for my Yamaha XT250. I said to Sage, the parts guy, the prices are higher than last year. They are also a Harley Davidson dealer. He said—Do you know what HD stands for? It stands for, you are not going to leave here without spending at least a Hundred Dollars if you own a Harley. There is a saying here in the Great Northwest—Do you know what boat stands for (i.e. folks love their big boats here in the Great Northwest)—Break out another thousand!

RickyRick says--Here’s the second solution: Give up control. This is so important because one reason we get overloaded is we’re trying to control too much. We might think it all depends on us. Maybe our motto is, ‘If it’s to be, it’s up to me.’” AverageJoe says—I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.  I realize that ervie is not the general manager of the universe. Soooo I can resign, and it won’t fall apart. Joe Smuck says—"Know this: The greater your need to control, the more stress you’re going to have in life.  Here is where faith comes into play, yes it does.” If we are worldcontrolers or helicopter parents we might doubt this!

MyNeighborJohn, who is a smart person (i.e. he was a scientist), says—If I haven’t used it in 5 years I get rid of it. And it’s time for me to clean house again. It makes my life much simpler and more enjoyable. I doubt if some of you will ever do that! But you probably ain’t no scientist either!

I doubt if I’m always humble and gentle. OneSmartPerson said--Arrogance and aggression are the opposites of humility and gentleness. Aggression happens when we do things too quickly. We don’t wait or think things over. We just jump right in with both feet and we get over-committed. Arrogance happens when we try to control everything. Arrogance is thinking we know what’s best and everyone’s lives would be easier if they followed our plan. Crazy huh! That statement sounds like it’s written about me somewhat!

A Nebraska friend who was a master carpenter told me this story: He and other master carpenters worked on major projects in a large area for many years. They experienced young, cocky, arrogant, smart project managers just out of the university who thought they knew all the answers and wanted none of the master carpenters’ experienced advice (i.e. they thought they knew everything). Sooooo they volunteered them no advice and just let them burn!  Flip the pancake! There were also young inexperience project managers who were humble and asked for their advice and would listen to them. The master carpenters made them very successful. Think through that folks.

CrazyMarvin says--Good and bad happens to all of us.  I believe that. It’s just the filter we use in our mind. Sooooo if we look for good to happen and even expect good to happen, it will. I believe that. If we are always a Doubting Thomas, we are going to live pretty much a negative and unenjoyable life. That is my opinion. Saturday question—Can we make good things happen? Can we make bad things happen?

I recently read a western book, Ride Into Yesterday by Ed Corman.  I just got it from the library as a fun read. I never read anything by Ed before. It was a typical western with the good guy winning and gets the girl type story line, but the ending was really neat. It has some interesting twists and turns which were thought provoking. Ed sorta kinda ended the story but didn’t really. He left it for the reader to finish the story in our own mind. I really liked it. ANYWAY, soooo I wonder how the rest of my life will go and how it will end. I also wonder about my family and friends’ lives as how their lives will play out and end. I really don’t know. We all “gottafinish” and there might be some twists and turns. I think that is interesting but our lives ain’t no fun, western novel folks! I doubt if we really know how our life will end; it could be quite a surprise! Our end of life might be the best-selling finish of all time!

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said--Life isn't tied with a bow, bit it's still a gift.