The Fast 5 (#008) 💙
Checking-in + end of an era + links
Hi, friends!
Yes, I am still on a summer hiatus, sabbatical, writing break. Call it what you want, but I am in the middle of it. Some have sent kind words and encouragement. Thank you for understanding, and I will be back to writing regular content soon. And I hope your summer is bringing you much rest and joy!
The Fast 5 has become one of my favorite things to write. I’ve received comments from readers telling me they love it, too. And because I’m always watching for things I want to share—blog posts and articles from other writers, music and books I’m loving, recipes & tips—I decided to go ahead and send out this edition for July.
Also, this edition of The Fast 5 is going out FREE to all subscribers, just because I can!
This morning, I got an email that said, “Your domain whileiponder.com expired a few days ago.” Even though I knew the date was coming up, the email notice still gave me a little shot to the heart.
Over a decade ago, I began blogging on WordPress, using the domain name whileiponder.com. Many of you were subscribers there, back-in-the-day (thank you for sticking around).
When I decided to move to Substack, I knew it was time to change my domain name to karlenearthur.com. This makes it easier for people to find me when searching the internet. At the same time, I named my Substack publication While I Ponder with Karlene to maintain some continuity.
For the past year, the domain whileiponder.com as remained live on a free landing page, with links directing visitors here to Substack. A few months ago, I decided to not renew whileiponder.com.
Those of you who’ve been following me for years will understand this means the end of an era. I am not sad about it. Sometimes, change is hard but needed. I love being on Substack. It has brought about many good things, including me spending far less time on social media (sharing more on this soon).
Here, I’m able to connect with people I’d never have met otherwise. And I don’t have to spend hours each week on website maintenance. It is from this mindset that I am able to bid a fond farewell to whileiponder.com.
And now, here are a few of my favorite things…
The Fast 5 🕔
The Bible Is Not Boring (Part 1) — In this essay, Mitch Chase shares the first 4 of 8 reasons why we may find reading the Bible boring. We have all probably experienced some of these, and the author gives great response to the why. If you don’t need this article, you may know someone who would benefit. — He shares reasons 5-8 in The Bible Is Not Boring (Part 2).
INSPIRING BLOG POST — ✍🏼 Let Intercessions Be Made In this season, I’m finding the need to distance myself from all the noise surrounding this election cycle. If you are feeling the same, you may appreciate this post by Jen Pollock Michel. It contains a beautiful prayer she experienced in a Sunday church service, and she shares her newly penned “political rule of order” which I think we all could learn something from.
FAVORITE BOOK — 📖 The Mountain Series (12 Books) by Misty M. Beller — I love a good ‘clean’ fiction series, and this one has not disappointed. Currently, I’m on book 11 of 12, and don’t want it to end. The author does have other books I’m looking forward to reading. (I prefer reading fiction in digital ebook format. The link above is for Amazon, but I actually have read this entire series on the Libby app FOR FREE.)
HEALTH TIPS — 🍲 In this 2nd half of 2024, I’m working on taking better care of myself, getting back to walking, and more. (There’s a longer story here, and maybe I’ll share it soon.) If you, like me, struggle with drinking just plain water, here are some of my favorite water enhancers (all aspartame free). True Orange Crystals (my fav and just ordered the economy size) | Stur Drops (Peach Mango is my preference) | Sweet Leaf Drops (lots of flavors available)
MUSIC I LOVE — ♭ ♯ WHAT A MIRACLE (Chris Brown & Leeland) written by Steven Furtick, Jonathan Smith, Pat Barrett, Leeland Mooring — This song has wrecked me. Whether this is ‘your style’ of worship music or not, I encourage you to take a moment and listen. With lyrics like this, how can you not lift a praise to Jesus?
“I love how You loved me first. Oh I love how You loved me first. You called me from the grave, and pulled me from the dirt. I love how You loved me first.”
Currently Reading 📚
I’m still reading the book I shared last time, but I have made it to the final chapter…
The End of the World as You Know It: What the Bible Really Says about the End Times (And Why It’s Good News)—by Matthew L. Halsted This book has challenged many of the things I’ve believed about the ‘end times’ for my whole life. The mark of the beast, rapture, antichrist, and tribulation—it’s all there and more. A personal takeaway from the book is that I do not want to view the future with an escapist mentality, but to live in the freedom of the cross.
Quotable 💭
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all [...] Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father...”
—James 1.5; 17 (NIV)
Quick Links 🔗
Generational Curses If the concept of generational curses is new to you, this brief article from Susanna Peters gives an overview, examples, and response. I love the closing words: “We do not have to remain in bondage. Ask for the forgiveness of sins. Pray for the Holy Spirit to influence all the generations to come.”
Does Your Online Life Leave You Too Depleted for Local Community Speaking of spending less time on social media (see comments above), take a few moments to read Lara’s story. Notice how online social situations have the potential to blow up in our face. She gives this advice at the end: “If you find yourself too weary for your local community, perhaps it’s because you’ve given too much of yourself to your online one.”
Talk soon,