Yes! Over the last three years, I have been working hard on developing new thought patterns. I had a really good Christian persona on the outside, but if you were to spend a day inside my brain, you’d probably be horrified. I set out to intentionally identify and change thoughts that didn't align with truth. It took discipline, persistence, and discernment. I did some deep dives into Scripture and read a few good books; but most importantly, I was learning what it actually looks like to take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5). This is still a work in progress, but I feel like I am much further down the road than I was a few years back. Books I liked: Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman and Winning the War in Your Mind by Craig Groeschel.
That’s really great to hear, Chuck. I would recommend an additional book that’s been a game changer for me. It is called The Other Half of Church, by Jim Wilder and Michael Hendricks. As important as it is to get our thinking correct, that is only half the story. That only deals with the left hemisphere of the brain, which can only take us so far in isolation from our right hemisphere, which is our attachment center, the place where relationships form, with God and one another. At any rate, thought I would share that resource to add to the list!
Chris - That’s actually what my next article is going to focus on. Great to see that you’ve read The Other Half. I think this is a game changer for the church in the West, exposing some things we’ve (literally) never thought of before (pun intended).
That's a really good approach, Chuck. Kudos to you for the focus and effort. "Work in progress" = sanctification. Our renewal won't be finished until we see Jesus face-to-face, but each step makes us more like him. Each step requires more faith, but the better we get at stewarding our thoughts helps us see the changes more readily. Great stuff, keep it up, brother! Two quality resources there too, by the way.
Best thing I’ve read on repentance. Thanks Damian!
Thanks Jim!
Yes! Over the last three years, I have been working hard on developing new thought patterns. I had a really good Christian persona on the outside, but if you were to spend a day inside my brain, you’d probably be horrified. I set out to intentionally identify and change thoughts that didn't align with truth. It took discipline, persistence, and discernment. I did some deep dives into Scripture and read a few good books; but most importantly, I was learning what it actually looks like to take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5). This is still a work in progress, but I feel like I am much further down the road than I was a few years back. Books I liked: Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman and Winning the War in Your Mind by Craig Groeschel.
That’s really great to hear, Chuck. I would recommend an additional book that’s been a game changer for me. It is called The Other Half of Church, by Jim Wilder and Michael Hendricks. As important as it is to get our thinking correct, that is only half the story. That only deals with the left hemisphere of the brain, which can only take us so far in isolation from our right hemisphere, which is our attachment center, the place where relationships form, with God and one another. At any rate, thought I would share that resource to add to the list!
Thanks so much Chris! I just order the book and looking forward to reading it.
Chris - That’s actually what my next article is going to focus on. Great to see that you’ve read The Other Half. I think this is a game changer for the church in the West, exposing some things we’ve (literally) never thought of before (pun intended).
That's a really good approach, Chuck. Kudos to you for the focus and effort. "Work in progress" = sanctification. Our renewal won't be finished until we see Jesus face-to-face, but each step makes us more like him. Each step requires more faith, but the better we get at stewarding our thoughts helps us see the changes more readily. Great stuff, keep it up, brother! Two quality resources there too, by the way.