Gilbert Thurston

Random Thoughts About Life, Ministry and Whatever Else Happens to be on my Mind

The Blog is Back!

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When I started this blog back in 2007, I posted nearly every day for a couple of years.  About 2 years ago I got burnt out on it and began dramatically decreasing the number of posts with last year seeing only 4 new posts in total.

Well it’s time to fire it back up!  I’ve been thinking over the past few months about how to do it and what it would look like and here is what I’ve come up with.  Each day will have a different theme that will be spread out amongst many topics…

Ministry Monday’s-  Here I will talk about church related stuff.  This could be specifically about ExponentialChurch.tv where I pastor or it could be just something random that could help all churches in general.

Topical Tuesday’s- On this day I will comment on something that is currently in the news.

Whatever Wednesday’s-  On this day I’ll talk about whatever I want.  If there’s something I need or want to get out there but it doesn’t fit on any of the other days, here is where it will go.

Theological Thursday’s-  On this day I will answer questions about the bible, God, Christianity, etc.  I’m always getting asked interesting questions, so here is a chance for others to hear the answer(s) as well.  If you’ve got a question you’d like me to consider answering, you can email me here.  I will not use your name so feel free to ask anything!

Funny Friday’s- One of my personal values is to laugh everyday.  So on Friday’s I will share a story, clip or link of something that has made me laugh over the previous week.

So there you have it…a little bit of something different everyday.  I won’t feel obligated to post everyday so if I miss some here and there, don’t freak out.

With all that said, today is Whatever Wednesday so I’ll keep this one nice and short…

If you didn’t like the outcomes of 2013 and are hoping for better ones in 2014, it will involve you making better decisions.  Better decisions only come when you have better thinking.  To me, better thinking comes from reading God’s Word. So if you have never read the bible, make 2014, the year that you do so.  Now keep in mind that it isn’t 1 book, but rather a collection of 66 books, so I recommend you DON’T just start from the beginning and go to the end.  Rather start with the New Testament book of Matthew and proceed throughout the entire New Testament.  Then you can go back and read the Old Testament.

Have a Happy New Year everyone…hope you enjoy the new format to the blog!

Psalm 119:129-160

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I challenged everyone in the Textually Active message to read through Psalm 119 this week so here are some of my thoughts on each 8 verse section and then an application point for myself for the day. Feel free to read along and share your thoughts as well.

Psalm 119:129-136: Vs. 36, “Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed”. Sin whether our own or others should cause us great anguish.  One way to know that you are really growing is when you stop sinning not because you have to, but because you want to.

Psalm 119:137-144: Verse 142 reminds us that the Bible doesn’t simply contain truth, but is truth.  Again as I said on Sunday, the bible isn’t a book to be read but rather a person to know.  That person’s name is Jesus…and He said, that He is truth and John calls Him the Word that became flesh.  In other words, realize that when you read the bible you’re spending time with Jesus.

Psalm 119:145-152: Vs. 147, “I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word”. Someone once said, “No Bible, No Breakfast”.

Psalm 119:153-160: Vs. 160 is another reminder that the bible is just a relevant today as it has ever been…His word is eternal!

The Challenge Has Begun

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This morning I issued the challenge to read through James and record your thoughts in the notebook we provided.  I just got this note from one of the young ladies in United…

I would like to thank you for this mornings service!! I have been struggling digging deeper into Gods word! I want to learn and grow more…. After the challenge you gave us i came home, got my little man down for his nap and started the challenge!!
I could not believe how much i got out of just one chapter of James!! Taking the time to read over a couple of times, digest it and write it out…WOW!
I filled 2 pages of what i felt God was showing me!! Then i broke it down into pointers so it was easier to read!
Just reading it is kinda like the verse that says looking in the mirror and forgetting what you look like when you turn away.. I sometimes read, then right away forget what it was about.. Doing it this was gave me time to really study it, and listen and hear what God is saying!
This was wonderful so thank you thank you thank you! I cant wait to share it!

July 1, 2014?

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I was flipping through one of my journals this morning and came across this quote that I had written down years ago, “What you will become in 5 years will be determined by what you read and who you associate with”.

That’s so true.  Looking back on my life, I can see greatly how God has changed me through reading His Word and how both ministry and business books have shaped myself and United.  In the same way, the people I’ve gotten to meet and hang out with have influenced my thoughts and decisions for today.

The question then becomes for you and I…Who do I want to become and what do I want to accomplish by July 1, 2014?  Once that’s determined,  you need to see if your reading list and the people your hanging out with are helping you to get closer to those goals or pulling you further away.

For myself, while I am reading more than I have ever read in my life, I’m questioning whether it’s the right stuff so I’ll re-evaluate that.  In the same way, there are some relationships that drag me down and drain me more than they lfit me up and encourage me, so I’ll have to do something about that.

So how about you?  Number one on your reading list needs to be God’s Word, but after that are the things you’re reading helping you or hindering you?  The toughie is the people you hang out with…are they bringing you closer to Jesus and all He wants for you or are they keeping you from growing in your relationship with Him?