I really loved the practical steps of cultivating prudence that you included at the end. I think it’s easy to forget that all of that is forming us into a certain kind of person. Thanks for this work!
It *is* easy to forget, isn't it? That learning for learning's sake doesn't cultivate much more than pride in us, eh? Especially ironic what with prudence's emphasis on practicality.
Oct 17, 2023·edited Oct 17, 2023Liked by Tsh Oxenreider
Oh how I could have used that quote from Beth Silvers a year + ago. I will be saving that one to reflect back on, I’m sure in the near future!
“Many times, a trustworthy source is our own gut, animated by the Holy Spirit.” — our God-given intuition is *truly* the KEY, yet so often we overlook those instinctual feelings, because we are so caught up in the thinking. I know that is where I personally get hung up—even if I am getting every sign from Holy Spirit to move in a specific direction— I can still be caught in the “think trap” for weeks.
What a timely piece! I especially appreciated the emphasis on observing the truth as what IS, rather than what we wish it was. This is often where I get hung up, because if the rest of my decision making hangs on my ideal version of life vs. my actual life it’s impossible to make prudent decisions. Then I end up having to back track to deal with my fantasy self’s wishful thinking 😅. And that Beth Silvers quote is so helpful. I think it’s what I know, but I easily get bogged down in the potential consequences of a decision which, while not inconsequential, are impossible to truly know ahead of time. It also does not take into account the way that God often works to make a path before us as we take each step in faith. It doesn’t mean we throw out reason, but the rightness or wrongness of a decision doesn’t always match up in such a tidy way.
This is not language I was raised on, so I am excited to continue to learn more!
Have you ever considered having a “listen” option for your newsletters? I am not techie, so I don’t understand how all that works, but I am learning that my focus is so much better when listening (top choice of course holding a physical printed page) instead of reading on a device. I also would rather have my kids “catch” me listening to something rather than scrolling. Please consider! (Plus, I find your voice comforting. Is that weird to have some stranger say?)
I will try my best to articulate my thoughts into a short comment versus a novel. First, the more I read your writing and pursuits the less I feel so weird. 😊That is a complement! I decided about a year ago to start reading and studying backward. To spend time with the church fathers and dig into not only faith history but culture too. I was and still am wrestling deeply with how disconnected life has become, how community has waned and and simple common courtesy and consideration seem like lost practices. It’s almost like I woke from a long sleep and cannot recognize where I am. I have been a part of the evangelical church for about 35 years. I have seen the ebb and flow over those years, and they are no longer my people, yet I have no desire to convert to anything else. I simply long to live a full, purposeful life in faith. In reading your article about the Cardinal Virtues I felt affirmed. It helped me see that I am on a good path with how I am choosing to walk this life out loving God and other people. When I read your personal list of how you are cultivating and practicing prudence in your life, I felt a sense of relief. My list is very similar in how I move through my decisions and choices. I felt like you understood me a bit. Too bad I cannot find my people IRL though. Some of my friends think I am weird when I share some of the people and materials I read and try to share about. Although I’ve long let go of trying to fit in, it felt a little like that as I read this piece. So, thank you!
And the wisdom from Beth Silvers was so good! Tucking that one away for keeps in the decision making progress. I have a decision-making criteria list that I use to help me navigate bigger choices and this one is getting added to that list.
I really loved the practical steps of cultivating prudence that you included at the end. I think it’s easy to forget that all of that is forming us into a certain kind of person. Thanks for this work!
It *is* easy to forget, isn't it? That learning for learning's sake doesn't cultivate much more than pride in us, eh? Especially ironic what with prudence's emphasis on practicality.
Really excited for this series! I'm currently reading Pieper's The Four Cardinal Virtues so this should be a fun companion read!
I looooove everything Pieper writes. Great choice of reading!
Oh how I could have used that quote from Beth Silvers a year + ago. I will be saving that one to reflect back on, I’m sure in the near future!
“Many times, a trustworthy source is our own gut, animated by the Holy Spirit.” — our God-given intuition is *truly* the KEY, yet so often we overlook those instinctual feelings, because we are so caught up in the thinking. I know that is where I personally get hung up—even if I am getting every sign from Holy Spirit to move in a specific direction— I can still be caught in the “think trap” for weeks.
Look forward to the rest of this series!
I get this! I can get the same way. ...And yes, Beth Silver's wisdom is a sliver of gold (ironically) worth keeping in our pockets.
What a timely piece! I especially appreciated the emphasis on observing the truth as what IS, rather than what we wish it was. This is often where I get hung up, because if the rest of my decision making hangs on my ideal version of life vs. my actual life it’s impossible to make prudent decisions. Then I end up having to back track to deal with my fantasy self’s wishful thinking 😅. And that Beth Silvers quote is so helpful. I think it’s what I know, but I easily get bogged down in the potential consequences of a decision which, while not inconsequential, are impossible to truly know ahead of time. It also does not take into account the way that God often works to make a path before us as we take each step in faith. It doesn’t mean we throw out reason, but the rightness or wrongness of a decision doesn’t always match up in such a tidy way.
Yes to the ideal life vs. actual life — it's so obvious, yet it's so easy to forget in the moment.
And yes, it's wild to think about the omniscience of God working ways through all this walking-in-faith business! Makes the mind explode. 🤯
This is not language I was raised on, so I am excited to continue to learn more!
Have you ever considered having a “listen” option for your newsletters? I am not techie, so I don’t understand how all that works, but I am learning that my focus is so much better when listening (top choice of course holding a physical printed page) instead of reading on a device. I also would rather have my kids “catch” me listening to something rather than scrolling. Please consider! (Plus, I find your voice comforting. Is that weird to have some stranger say?)
I've thought about that, actually! I'll consider it. Thanks for the $.02, Maggie.
Tsh, you are just so dang smart...and I am so grateful for the way you use your words.
I will try my best to articulate my thoughts into a short comment versus a novel. First, the more I read your writing and pursuits the less I feel so weird. 😊That is a complement! I decided about a year ago to start reading and studying backward. To spend time with the church fathers and dig into not only faith history but culture too. I was and still am wrestling deeply with how disconnected life has become, how community has waned and and simple common courtesy and consideration seem like lost practices. It’s almost like I woke from a long sleep and cannot recognize where I am. I have been a part of the evangelical church for about 35 years. I have seen the ebb and flow over those years, and they are no longer my people, yet I have no desire to convert to anything else. I simply long to live a full, purposeful life in faith. In reading your article about the Cardinal Virtues I felt affirmed. It helped me see that I am on a good path with how I am choosing to walk this life out loving God and other people. When I read your personal list of how you are cultivating and practicing prudence in your life, I felt a sense of relief. My list is very similar in how I move through my decisions and choices. I felt like you understood me a bit. Too bad I cannot find my people IRL though. Some of my friends think I am weird when I share some of the people and materials I read and try to share about. Although I’ve long let go of trying to fit in, it felt a little like that as I read this piece. So, thank you!
And the wisdom from Beth Silvers was so good! Tucking that one away for keeps in the decision making progress. I have a decision-making criteria list that I use to help me navigate bigger choices and this one is getting added to that list.