Friday September 23 2016  YOUR BRAIN DOESN’T STOP WORKING

I received an email today which included facts about how hard our bodies work each day while we go about our business.  One of the tidbits related in the email forwarded to me is as follows:

“Your brain doesn’t stop working.  It’s estimated that about 50,000 thoughts pass through it each day on average, although some scientists put the figure closer to 60,000.  That is a whopping 35-48 thoughts every minute”

Well, if that is the case, why then am I ever at a loss when it comes to finding a topic to write about?  I will agree with one stated supposition on the above statement, though I can’t count the thoughts that fleet through my mind, I definitely know that my mind is always full!  The negative part is that it seems I forget so many of the thoughts that run so quickly through my head, especially if it is something I want to say to someone in the next breath.  I guess the thoughts are so fleeting I can’t grab them.

So today, I guess I have a topic to talk about; thoughts.  The thoughts we think are one of the most important building blocks of our lives.  We become what we think.  Thoughts come from three sources.  First, our own random thoughts come.  They are often the result of where we are, what we believe, what we see, who we are with, and they come indiscriminately.  Secondly, thoughts come from God.  God puts thoughts in our minds to guide us, steer us away from danger, alert us to the evils that surround us, and at times to comfort us and to tell us how much He loves us.  And lastly, but not necessarily least, are the thoughts that the devil and his demons are constantly throwing our way.  And it is easier and easier in our society to be filled with evil thoughts via television, books, ads, billboards, movies, online pornography, as well as with alcohol and drug abuse.

The scripture addresses our thought-life throughout the Bible.  My recall for scripture references is not what I’d like it to be but I do remember one such passage in Philippians, chapter 4.  This passage had a great affect on me when I was going through a difficult time with my thought life many years ago.  I was bothered by thoughts and memories that hounded me and was distressed because of them.  When I read Philippians chapter 4, I decided to do just what it said.  When the ugly thoughts would hound me I would take out my list of things written in the scriptures that I was to think about instead.  Over the course of a few months I realized I was no longer bothered by all the daytime nightmarish thoughts I used to have.  If my thoughts wander to places I don’t believe they should go, I pull out that scripture and just do a refresher course.  It is amazing how you can take your own thoughts captive and not just allow 50,000 or 60,000 random thoughts to flit through your brain on a daily basis.  The scripture says we CAN TAKE CONTROL OF OUR THOUGHTS!  More than not, I INTENTIONALLY decide on what to think.  I do that before I go to sleep and find that I am not bothered by horrific nightmares that once plagued me years ago.

Choose what you want to think, enjoy your time inside your brain when you have quiet moments to yourself so that you will be refreshed to meet the challenges of your day.  One of my favorite things to do is to actually set aside time each day to simply think!  And thousands of those thoughts are in volumes of journals.

“Philippians 4:4- 9

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

 

I have written a poem about Philippians chapter 4 but I cannot remember the title so I am unable to pull it up.  When I come across it I’ll publish it for you.

 

UNREMEMBERED TITLES

Kathleen Martens

September 23, 2016

 

So today

I cannot find

What was once

In my mind.

 

Sometimes my poems

I don’t recall.

And the title names,

I can’t remember all.

 

There are thousands

In pen and ink

In stacks and volumes

With no computer link.

 

Slowing transcribing

The poetry written,

But it takes forever

To copy words smitten.

 

And even the ones

In computer files

Titles fail me

After a while.

 

So I will go through

Adding code words

To catalog easier

So poems can be heard.

 

Thank You God for all the words You give me.

Thank You too that my brain is still functioning.

Thank You Lord for Your Word that has taught me so much.

Thank You Lord for the thoughts You bring me each day.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.

 

P.S.  Tomorrow I am the second photographer for a wedding so if by some reason a blog does not get published please do not be concerned.  I will be home late and no matter how much I beg and plead, Dave will not write a blog for me.  He did that once and it was like pulling teeth without anesthesia.