Daily Writing Prompt

Daily writing prompt
How do you use social media?
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For the past forty-plus days, I have stayed away from social media in observance of Lent. Today is supposed to be my first day back. When I’m posting, I share readings from devotionals that I read each day, funny puns I find, and pictures of my comings and goings each day. I also use it to keep up with friends and family.

Atomic Habits by James Clear: Chapter Three Summary

Chapter Three Summary – How to Build Better Habits in Four Simple Steps

  • A habit is a behavior that has been repeated enough times to become automatic.
  • The ultimate purpose of habits is to solve the problems of life with as little energy and efforts as possible.
  • Any habit can be broken down into a feedback loop that involves four steps: cue, craving, response, and reward.
  • The Four Laws of Behavior Change are a simple set of rules we can use to build better habits. They are: (1) make it obvious, (2) make it attractive, (3) make it easy, (4) make it satisfying.

Easter Sunday Sermon Take-Aways

April 20, 2025 – Easter Service – First Presbyterian Church, Hickory N.C.

Easter Sermon – “Finding Easter” – Rev. Dr. Richard Floyd

“If we were to make the table the most sacred object of furniture in every home, in every church, in every community, our faith would quickly regain its power, and our world would quickly become a better place.” – Leonard Sweet

from Luke 24:13-35 – “There eyes were kept from recognizing him…” ( Emmaus Road); “The women had seen a vision of angels…” (when they saw the tomb was empty); “He vanished from their sight…” (the two angels they saw at the tomb)

2000 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection, we keep coming back to this story.

Questions to ask ourselves, “What am I searching for today?” and perhaps more importantly, “Where do I need to look?”

The message of Easter is that Easter will find us, even when we can’t find it. Simply by walking on the road and sharing bread with a stranger.

Th Emmaus road we are walking on when life becomes unsettled. The Emmaus Road story didn’t happen in church.

Heaven is a table that stretches into the sunrise, where all are welcome.

We have been found, whether or not we’ve found what we’re looking for….

Atomic Habits by James Clear: Chapter Two Summary

Chapter Two Summary – How Your Habits Shape Your Identity (and Vice Versa)

  • There are three levels of change: outcome change, process change, and identity change.
  • The most effective way to change your habits is to focus not on what you want to achieve, but on who you wish to become.
  • Your identity emerges out of your habits. Every action is a “vote” for the type of person you wish to become.
  • Becoming the best version of yourself requires you to continuously edit your beliefs, and to upgrade and expand your identity.
  • The real reason habits matter is not because they can get you better results (although they can do that_, but because they can change your beliefs about yourself.

Atomic Habits by James Clear: Chapter One Summary

Chapter One Summary – The Suprising Power of Atomic Habits

  • Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement. Getting 1% better every day counts for a lot in the long-run.
  • Habits are a double-edged sword. They can work for you or against you, which is why understanding the details is essential.
  • Small changes often appear to make no difference until you cross a critical threshold. The most powerful outcomes of may compounding process are delayed. You need to be patient.
  • An atomic habit is a little habit that is part of a larger system. Just as atoms are the building blocks of molecules, atomic habits are the building blocks of remarkable results.
  • If you want better results, then forget about setting goals. Focus on your system instead.
  • You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.

Gnostics and the Like…

A good portion of the reading I’ve done over the past several weeks has centered around the Gnostic world. It’s definitely different than a lot of what I’ve learned before, especially when it comes to religious teachings. It’s been particularly interesting to learn about the Gnostic gospels, most of which have been kept secret since their original publication.

The Gnostics’ beliefs were/are quite different from traditional Christian teachings. They believed that the God that created the world, the old testament God, was different from the God of the new testament. A big part of what is taught in the new testament is an effort to release people from the prison that was created. Jesus was seen as one who revealed the secrets that revealed what people needed to do to be released.

Nearly Done….

The Lenten hiatus from social media is nearly over. Although Lent was technically over yesterday, I end my abstinence on Easter Sunday. The time away has seen quite a bit of reflection,, bunches of reading and writing. There is always that thought of not returning to the social media world, but I’m doubtful that will be the case. Perhaps, as in years past, I’ll make a committment to spend a lot less time cruising the internet.

David Lee