It’s hard to believe that we have had 25 years of Thinky Things!
As we come to the close of 2024, I want to thank you for your prayers and support over the past year. I am constantly amazed at how God has grown this ministry over the last 25 years – from a young man who was struggling to get anything out of his Bible readings and never even imagining writing a book, to a ministry that has grown in so many different areas and at least eight different books. Thank you. Without your support, Thinky Things would not exist!
It’s been an up and down year for us. It began with the birth of our second granddaughter in Invercargill. While we were celebrating with her, we were desperately praying for the life of the twins that were to be born in Auckland a few weeks later. Unfortunately one twin was lost, but the other little girl is now growing strong and healthy after many weeks in hospital.
Health has still been a big issue for me this year with extreme fatigue and another bout of Covid as well. But in all of that God has blessed me with more opportunities to serve you, and I am very thankful for that.
The failing health of Sharon’s mum brought us many family visitors over the last part of the year, but the loss of her has left a big hole in our lives.
As we head toward the end of the year, Sharon and I will embark on a new stage of life as our youngest daughter leaves home to live overseas. After 31 years of having children at home, we will finally be empty nesters!
It’s been an exciting year for Thinky Things with it being the first year of the Thinky Days Diaries. I have really enjoyed my Thinky Days Diary and am a little sad that I have almost filled it up. However, there is no need to panic because we have produced a new and improved version for 2025. It gives you the Bible readings for each day, space to write your own notes, prayers, thoughts or lists, inspirational verses, and a Thinky Thing to read each Sunday. It’s a must have for everyone who reads their Bible. You can find out where to get them at https://thinkythings.com/purchase/.
Sharon’s Segment has been a very popular part of Thinky Things this year. Not only is Sharon my wife, but she is also the talented author of Revealing the Butterfly and Sharon’s Segment. Sharon is a great encourager. You can be encouraged by her at https://thinkythings.com/sharon/.
The Story of the Song of Solomon was released in April. A lot of you took advantage of the free download, which was great. They are still available as a printed booklet and will be really helpful when we come to read the Song of Solomon again in April next year. You can find out where to get them at https://thinkythings.com/purchase/.
Other aspects of Thinky Things have also been ticking along. There are always more Thinky Things to read at https://thinkythings.com/read/, especially if you missed one of the emails or need a quick moment of encouragement. There are a few more talks to watch or listen to at https://thinkythings.com/talks/, and I have gradually been adding to the short stories, which could be anything from imaginative fiction to the re-telling of Bible stories, or stories from childhood. Some of my favourites are The Fisherman’s Bite, The Man, and Stakeout. Read them at https://thinkythings.com/home/short-stories/.
Looking to next year, to celebrate 25 years of Thinky Things in 2025, is the release of Thinky Things 3. It has been 25 years since I started writing a Thinky Thing every day, and 20 years since we first published Thinky Things (the blue edition). Taken together, Thinky Things, Thinky Things 2 and Thinky Things 3 gives us at least one thought on each of the daily Bible readings. I am looking forward to joining you for a celebration. I am not sure what that will look like yet, but I will keep you posted!
My prayer is that you may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that you may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that you may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
With love in our Lord,
Robert and Sharon
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