Re-reading that classic, Celebration of Discipline, by Foster. Struck again by how hard it is to make simplicity a way of life. Made these notes to myself:
1-Buy things for their usefulness, rather than their status.
2-Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you. How do I see an addiction? Watch for
undisciplined compulsions.
3-Develop the habit of giving things away.
4-Refuse to be propagandized by the custodians of modern gadgetry.
5-Learn to enjoy things without owning them.
6-Develop a deeper appreciation for creation.
7-Beware of all "buy now, pay later" schemes.
8-Obey Jesus' instruction about plain, honest speech. See Matt. 5:37
9-Reject anything that breeds oppression of others. Do I demand products that exploit the
poor? Do I feel certain tasks are beneath me, and yet require others to do them?
10-Shun anything that keeps me from seeking first the Kingdom of God.
May God give me the courage, the wisdom, and the strength always to hold the Kingdom of God as the number one priority in my life. To do so, is to live in simplicity.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Reflections
The week between Christmas and New Year's is always "Reflection" week for me. I have always been a goal-oriented person. That means lists, plans, programs, schedules and the like. So it goes without saying that I am a great fan of New Year's Resolutions. I start out with a bang, and plunge ahead. But like many others, my completion list is abysmal. I think one of the things I liked the most about running marathons was the great feeling of satisfaction of setting up a training schedule, and following through. In my book, the "runner's high" is vastly overrated, but I did love getting a job done.
Not so for most of my other resolutions, though. Through the years, the same 5 or so goals have been posted--so that tells you I never completed them. That's what makes my goal for 2010 so special to me. Last year, my attempt was to simplify in my spiritual walk. It was to not be driven to complete a certain amount of studies, or even do a study. My goal was to take my time with the Lord and see what He wanted to teach me if I would slow down and listen. One of the things He told me to do was to cut way back on my fiction reading. I was to limit myself to one novel a month. That was going to be HARD. I already had at least a half dozen novels I wanted to read, and couldn't imagine only one every 4 weeks! January was hard, and I couldn't wait til the first day of February, to start my book. I read it in about a day, and planned my March book. But something began to happen in those times between novels. I was thinking about my real life and situations, not waiting to race to my world of make-believe stories. My mind slowed down, and felt less cluttered.
Fast forward to December, and I only read 5 novels this year. I treated myself to a legal thriller by Robert Whitlow, and it was fun to read, but not nearly like before. Sounds funny, but I have learned that the characters in the books aren't real people, and the Lord has put real people in my life that have worth and value. And they matter.
So, 2010 is the only year that I can look back on, and remember a resolution that has made a real difference in my life. I'm looking forward to this week, to see what the Lord has in store for me in 2011.
Not so for most of my other resolutions, though. Through the years, the same 5 or so goals have been posted--so that tells you I never completed them. That's what makes my goal for 2010 so special to me. Last year, my attempt was to simplify in my spiritual walk. It was to not be driven to complete a certain amount of studies, or even do a study. My goal was to take my time with the Lord and see what He wanted to teach me if I would slow down and listen. One of the things He told me to do was to cut way back on my fiction reading. I was to limit myself to one novel a month. That was going to be HARD. I already had at least a half dozen novels I wanted to read, and couldn't imagine only one every 4 weeks! January was hard, and I couldn't wait til the first day of February, to start my book. I read it in about a day, and planned my March book. But something began to happen in those times between novels. I was thinking about my real life and situations, not waiting to race to my world of make-believe stories. My mind slowed down, and felt less cluttered.
Fast forward to December, and I only read 5 novels this year. I treated myself to a legal thriller by Robert Whitlow, and it was fun to read, but not nearly like before. Sounds funny, but I have learned that the characters in the books aren't real people, and the Lord has put real people in my life that have worth and value. And they matter.
So, 2010 is the only year that I can look back on, and remember a resolution that has made a real difference in my life. I'm looking forward to this week, to see what the Lord has in store for me in 2011.
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