think

 Saturday question--What do you think about the most? TheTexasChilieDog says—"What we hope for is what we want our future to be. It sorta kinda tells us what is really important to us. If we think about money all the time or ourselves or others or pickle ball or eating Christmas cookies or if we think about being more like Jesus' outrageous, lavishing, and radical generosity, then that will pretty much tell us what is the most important to us.” I think that is correct. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out.

TheTexasCowgirlRuby says—"Honestly, I find myself reflecting on my goals and the direction my life is heading. I also often think about the people who matter most to me, like family and close friends, and how I can support them. These thoughts tend to shape how I approach each day and the choices I make.” TexasCowgirlRuby--Let me tell ya girl, What you think is what you’ll be! Ride 'em cowgirl!

Now, do I have us thinking about what we think about? Are we surprised by what we spend most of our time thinking about?

A long-time good friend told me that I think tooooo much! But my Daddy, Chester, would tell me—erv, most folks don’t think enough. Now that is an oxymoron. I read somewhere—Don’t believe everything you think!

I think what Catholic Charity said in their newsletter is important for me and you. Let’s see what you think!  Encouraging Mindfulness to Minimize Holiday Financial Burdens  “ We at Catholic Charities encourage everyone to approach spending with peace, purpose, and practicality.  Setting a simple budget, choosing meaningful experiences over expensive gifts, and tracking small purchases can help keep financial stress at bay. Avoiding high-interest credit and planning ahead for extra holiday costs are ways we honor both our households and God’s call to wise stewardship. Open conversations with loved ones about expectations can also relieve pressure and create more intentional, joyful celebrations.” I really think that makes sense to me.

Flip the pancake! On our plane flight to Denver for Thanksgiving, the airline pushed their credit card through their flight attendants. It was obnoxious to me and I think others. They said—“We should buy a lot of gifts as you don’t have to pay for them for 90 days nor pay any interest for 90 days, soooo get our card and spend big time for Christmas.” What a joke, I think! How dumb do they think we are! TheDenverBronco says—erv, pretty dumb pretty dumb! Abe Lincoln said—"You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all the time."

Mrs.PricklyPear from Southern TX says--We can give a lot of gifts at Christmas, such as clothes, toys, food, money, but if we can give the true gift of Hope, now that’s a gift that will have large ramifications. In my opinion, the hope of salvation through Jesus Christ is the greatest gift that we could give anyone.

A friend from South Butler County says—"Think different—live better.”  If you look around, you’ll see that great people do things they don’t always feel like doing. They do things that other people aren’t willing to do. They seem to think differently than the average dog!

James Clear, author of Atomic Habits says--"Reflection requires stillness. One cost of rushing from thing to thing is that you lose the space to think. Hard work matters, but nonstop motion often hides a quiet truth: you could have used your time better. If you never pause, you confuse activity with effectiveness. Make time to think."

We visited with a snowbird here in AZ who is maybe in her middle 60s. She told us she went back home to be with family over Thanksgiving. Soooo we asked her how did that go. She said—This is the first time the girls actually talked to each other. It was amazing. I think age and circumstances can make a difference maybe. A preacher recently said—God will be merciful to those who repent. Maybe that is a concept that happens in families too. What do you think?  That is what I thought.

I want you to think about making a Christmas experience this Christmas that you will remember (e.g. our mission trip to San Angelo, TX was a Christmas experience that we will never forget and be part of our life forever). More stuff just doesn’t mean as much; we have enough stuff but experiences are a different story.

We got this from one neat person--"This time of the year reminds us that we are all on this amazing journey. We could never have imagined the beauty of the whole thing but now we are just reminded how special life is and to say thank you God." What do you think of that? Maybe the older we get, the more we understand, just maybe! I really don't know but I think I seem too. A little anyway!! But remember, I' m just a little of' farm boy from a mile and quarter south of Roseland, MN.

I took this pic looking out of our motel room last Saturday morning in El Paso, TX. I told Jeanne that I hope those folks driving the Penske truck don’t need to leave right away!  Jeanne's thinking was that it was a couple moving and they have all their stuff in the truck and they parked their car behind the truck soooo no one could steal their stuff. Two different thinking about the same situation. That reminds me of how many of us think about Christmas differently (i.e. for some, it’s all about the stuff and others think about the true meaning of Christmas). We hope you choose the true meaning! The experience is much better. That is what we think!!!! Merry Christmas to all of you from Jeanne and I.

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said--The fiddler calls the tune.