Almost every morning I sit down with my breakfast and my Bible and read passages laid out by the M'Cheynes Bible Reading list. I have now read through the Bible from cover to cover at least seven or more times. It has been a most enriching experience.
A few years ago I also began to journal my thoughts as I read. I keep a journal book in my Bible cover so that I can go back to previous thoughts or write down new ones as needed.
Lately, I have felt negligent of this blog site and have even considered deleting it. However, something inside me tells me to continue. I've considered using this as my journal but wonder how it will be received (indeed if anyone besides me reads this). The title of this blog is apropos for this reason. I believe myself to be a thistle in God's rose garden. Like a rose, the thistle can be pretty and has thorns. But in many societies, a thistle is considered a weed or a nuisance and is usually eradicated. A lot of my thoughts, ideas and beliefs may be prickly to others and don't think they should spread beyond one.
I also chose the thistle because of an ancient Celtic story that tells of the defenders of a Scottish castle being warned of a Viking attack when one of the attackers stepped barefoot onto a thistle and yelled out. Some of my thoughts provoked while doing my daily reading seem to be warnings to the church from God. Most of the time I keep these thoughts to myself and do not share them. On the rare occasions that I have shared them, they have not met with acceptance.
I suppose that I will try to use this as a journal (of sorts) and hope for the best. I welcome any and all comments as long as they are not personal. I view disagreements as a chance to test what I believe and on occasion I have changed my mind.
May the love of our Lord flow freely,
Deanna
