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.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Slow Movin'
More than 2 months since I've put thoughts to paper. Virtual paper, I guess. Have I been way too busy, or am I a little less compulsive? Maybe both.
An unexpected by-product of my attempts to simplify has surprised me. I think I may be learning how to be a friend. I wouldn't admit it, but I am guilty of being a "surface" friend. I justify this by saying my personalty type doesn't really need many friends, so I don't bother much with it.
This revelation has evolved because I am trying to really BE in the moment I find myself. I have quit reading most fiction because I found for me it was a way to put off doing more important things. Now, since I'm not always finishing up a book, I'm learning to engage in different ways. One way is that I don't take along a book to read when Stan & I are going somewhere. I am actually trying a little harder at conversation. More than just, "I'm hungry, how about you" or "Want me to drive for a while?" I'm not saying we have deep thought-provoking conversations every time we hop in the pick-up, but at least I don't immediately stick my nose in a book.
Where before I used up bits of time in a novel, now I look for other options. This has taken the form of notes in the mail, phone conversations, and the like.
Last week, I went to camp with our WATW students, and I decided to try something different. Actually, the Lord prompted me to do it differently, because my first thought was to use pool time and free time for a good book--I did deserve a break, after all! But He took me to a verse in Galatians (5:9) "A little yeast spreads through the whole batch of dough,"---and offered me a challenge. I know it's out of context, but this verse prompted me to be a little "yeast" of encouragement and investing in others, rather than doing my own thing.
I used this challenge to speak more encouragement into staff and students, to play some card games, to help in the kitchen, even introduce the sport of kayaking to a few people! The result? I know 13 people a little more than I did before. Does that please the Lord? I think maybe more than if I had just read a book--even a good book!
Change is hard for me, especially in the area of "my" time, but I think I'm growing. Even though it's sometimes uncomfortable, I like the feeling. A pastor I admire once said that if we want to be actively engaged in Kingdom work, we need to get comfortable being uncomfortable. I'm workin' on it!
Lest you think I've given up books all together, today I found a used bookstore in Cleveland I'd not known about. Spent a great hour or so there, with plans to go back. And yes, I did enlarge my library by a few volumes.
An unexpected by-product of my attempts to simplify has surprised me. I think I may be learning how to be a friend. I wouldn't admit it, but I am guilty of being a "surface" friend. I justify this by saying my personalty type doesn't really need many friends, so I don't bother much with it.
This revelation has evolved because I am trying to really BE in the moment I find myself. I have quit reading most fiction because I found for me it was a way to put off doing more important things. Now, since I'm not always finishing up a book, I'm learning to engage in different ways. One way is that I don't take along a book to read when Stan & I are going somewhere. I am actually trying a little harder at conversation. More than just, "I'm hungry, how about you" or "Want me to drive for a while?" I'm not saying we have deep thought-provoking conversations every time we hop in the pick-up, but at least I don't immediately stick my nose in a book.
Where before I used up bits of time in a novel, now I look for other options. This has taken the form of notes in the mail, phone conversations, and the like.
Last week, I went to camp with our WATW students, and I decided to try something different. Actually, the Lord prompted me to do it differently, because my first thought was to use pool time and free time for a good book--I did deserve a break, after all! But He took me to a verse in Galatians (5:9) "A little yeast spreads through the whole batch of dough,"---and offered me a challenge. I know it's out of context, but this verse prompted me to be a little "yeast" of encouragement and investing in others, rather than doing my own thing.
I used this challenge to speak more encouragement into staff and students, to play some card games, to help in the kitchen, even introduce the sport of kayaking to a few people! The result? I know 13 people a little more than I did before. Does that please the Lord? I think maybe more than if I had just read a book--even a good book!
Change is hard for me, especially in the area of "my" time, but I think I'm growing. Even though it's sometimes uncomfortable, I like the feeling. A pastor I admire once said that if we want to be actively engaged in Kingdom work, we need to get comfortable being uncomfortable. I'm workin' on it!
Lest you think I've given up books all together, today I found a used bookstore in Cleveland I'd not known about. Spent a great hour or so there, with plans to go back. And yes, I did enlarge my library by a few volumes.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
A Long Obedience in the Same Direction
That is the title of a book Eugene Peterson wrote about 30 years ago. I've always liked the title. Stan bought me the book a few years ago, and I decided I actually liked the name better than the book! But the truth of my walk is still in that title.
Simplicity, vision and purpose are also about a long obedience in the same direction. I started 2010 determined to simplify my life. This would also help me clarify, I thought. And it is giving me focus in unintended ways.
I am learning to be alone with my thoughts, and realize that introspection can be a good use of my time. I tend to value my day by the number of things on my list getting done. Often, the list is longer than the day. But the things on my list need to be quantified. You know---do the laundry, walk my three miles, practice the piano, even prepare a lesson. But some things don't go well on a list---think about what I read in Romans this morning, what does Paul mean in II Timothy when he says to enjoy the first fruits of my labor. How does that apply to me?
I believe I am just putting one foot in front of the other every day in my walk with Jesus. I think that's how I fulfill my "determined purpose" to know Him better. I will keep on simplifying, and clearing the cobwebs from my thoughts. I am becoming more comfortable with "just" thinking sometimes, rather than having a book or two by my side.
It's a battle, though, to keep on the road to simplicity in our world filled with all kinds of diversions. But then I remember a verse in Ecclesiastes (7:29 TEV), "God made us plain and simple, but we have made ourselves very complicated." I am daily choosing to no longer be complicated, but rather an open book for the Lord to use as He wants.
Simplicity, vision and purpose are also about a long obedience in the same direction. I started 2010 determined to simplify my life. This would also help me clarify, I thought. And it is giving me focus in unintended ways.
I am learning to be alone with my thoughts, and realize that introspection can be a good use of my time. I tend to value my day by the number of things on my list getting done. Often, the list is longer than the day. But the things on my list need to be quantified. You know---do the laundry, walk my three miles, practice the piano, even prepare a lesson. But some things don't go well on a list---think about what I read in Romans this morning, what does Paul mean in II Timothy when he says to enjoy the first fruits of my labor. How does that apply to me?
I believe I am just putting one foot in front of the other every day in my walk with Jesus. I think that's how I fulfill my "determined purpose" to know Him better. I will keep on simplifying, and clearing the cobwebs from my thoughts. I am becoming more comfortable with "just" thinking sometimes, rather than having a book or two by my side.
It's a battle, though, to keep on the road to simplicity in our world filled with all kinds of diversions. But then I remember a verse in Ecclesiastes (7:29 TEV), "God made us plain and simple, but we have made ourselves very complicated." I am daily choosing to no longer be complicated, but rather an open book for the Lord to use as He wants.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Spending My Words....Spinning My Words
Read something the other day that got me thinking. "We spend our words on lavishly sharing our stories; now it's time to spend our lives."
I like words. I like the way a right word can make a point. And even though I know a picture is worth a 1,000 words, I like crafting a sentence to present the image I want. A favorite from My Utmost is December 15, "Approved to God". II Timothy 2:15 says "Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive His approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth." Chambers has this to say:" If you cannot express yourself well on each of your beliefs, work and study until you can....Always make it a practice to stir your own mind thoroughly to think through what you have easily believed. Your position is not your until you make it yours through suffering and study."
But I so easily get caught up in words. They come at me from every angle. With TV, books, radio, internet, cell phones, FB and more, there is an abundance of words both in my head and in the air. I have been "Home Alone" with just the dogs for the past 10 days, and I have made an effort not to have things going just for the sake of noise. Sometimes the silence is uncomfortable, but is is beginning to become my friend. In the silence, God speaks to me. Maybe it's just that He doesn't have to compete. Pretty sad to think that God would have to compete with the 6 o'clock news!
In this silence, He has reminded me that it's not about how I spend my words, it's how I spend my life. He took me to Isaiah 55, where God says,"Why spend your money on food that doesn't give strength? Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life." For me, time IS my currency, and I don't want to waste it. I know the places where He wants me to spend my currency right now, and one of them is the County Justice Center. So it was fitting yesterday, after sharing God's Word with the women, that one of them came up to me and said, "I like your words, and the way you talk. Where can I learn more?"
I just smiled, because it wasn't my words she liked at all, it was the life-changing Word of God that caused her to ponder.
Friday, April 2, 2010
First Quarter Insights
The first three months of 2010 have whizzed by, and the bookkeeper in me tells me it's time for a Quarterly Review. I have gone 90 days without using a structured devotional or Bible study for my personal time with Jesus. I have limited my reading of fiction to 1 book a month, and I haven't even picked out April's book yet! I have fought with the "stuff" in my life, lost a few skirmishes, but continue on the march to simplicity. Things just seem to multiply and overwhelm, and it's not an easy battle.
One of my favorite verses says to...make it my aim to lead a quiet life and to mind my own business....so that people who are not Christians will respect the way I live. That's another big assignment.
Something is slowly emerging, though, and I am excited about this change. It's like my head is not as full of fragments of different things as it used to be. Where before I was always reading something, I don't feel insecure if I'm not attached to reading material. I am memorizing verses (not on a schedule, tho), and I find myself reflecting more on them. I am thinking about things. Pondering. Reflecting. Looking for another's point of view. Asking God for His perspective a whole lot more---not looking for my answer in a stack of books.
In a nutshell, to know God is to know His Word, and as I take in more of the Bible, I deepen that relationship. I am sensing this in my mind, where I am becoming less distracted. It's like when a situations arises, I am able to see the root issues more quickly, and hear His voice!
Like many people, although I'm a great starter, sometimes the finishing of a thing is another matter. But this time of just the Bible and a journal is taking me places that are giving me contentment deep in my soul, even when things don't look so contented! I am determined to keep at it.....no matter the cost.
One of my favorite verses says to...make it my aim to lead a quiet life and to mind my own business....so that people who are not Christians will respect the way I live. That's another big assignment.
Something is slowly emerging, though, and I am excited about this change. It's like my head is not as full of fragments of different things as it used to be. Where before I was always reading something, I don't feel insecure if I'm not attached to reading material. I am memorizing verses (not on a schedule, tho), and I find myself reflecting more on them. I am thinking about things. Pondering. Reflecting. Looking for another's point of view. Asking God for His perspective a whole lot more---not looking for my answer in a stack of books.
In a nutshell, to know God is to know His Word, and as I take in more of the Bible, I deepen that relationship. I am sensing this in my mind, where I am becoming less distracted. It's like when a situations arises, I am able to see the root issues more quickly, and hear His voice!
Like many people, although I'm a great starter, sometimes the finishing of a thing is another matter. But this time of just the Bible and a journal is taking me places that are giving me contentment deep in my soul, even when things don't look so contented! I am determined to keep at it.....no matter the cost.
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