Simplicity 1

Dear Reader, these posts are direct quotes from "Celebration of Discipline" by Richard Foster. As the author of this blog site I hope you enjoy these posts, however I highly recommend you buy his book. They are just the practical issues of a bigger discussion which I tackled one day at a gathering of our "community of faith." All thoughts belong to Richard and all credit should be to him.


First, buy things for their usefulness rather than their status. Cars should be bought for their utility, not their prestige. Consider riding a bicycle. When you are considering an apartment, a condominium, or a house, thought should be given to livability rather than how much it will impress others. Don’t have more living space than is reasonable. After all, who needs seven rooms for two people? Consider your clothes. Most people have no need for more clothes. They buy more not because they need clothes, but because they want to keep up with the fashions. Hang the fashions! Buy what you need. Wear your clothes until they are worn out. Stop trying to impress people with your clothes and impress them with your life. If it is practical in your situation, learn the joy of making clothes. And for God’s sake (and I mean that quite literally) have clothes that are practical rather than ornamental. John Wesley writes, “As…for apparel, I buy the most lasting and, in general, the plainest I can. I buy no furniture but what is necessary and cheap.”

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Efficient

Dear Reader in today's economy we have intense pressure to be efficient. Many times this pressure to be efficient takes priority over being effective. Our world can look at things and say, "how do we make this happen faster." Yet somehow "Jesus the Carpenter" was completely effective in his calling in the time and circumstances he found himself. This may not seem all that amazing at first, but upon reflection, it might have more benefit. Jesus could have come to earth at any time, if he had arrived now, instead of taking days or weeks to walk around Israel he could have driven. Instead of talking to one's and two, and managing "a large crowd of 5000", he could have used the internet to reach millions. Instead of relying upon "eye witnesses", he could have posted his Resurrection on Instagram for all to see. But Jesus didn't For some reason the time He came and the way He came was perfect. Efficient, maybe not, but effect
Read more

Same

One post I watched, had a line "In reality, there is a lot more that makes us similar than makes us different" It's good to remember. In fact, the thing which makes us all similar is being made in the image of God. During a war, authorities are at pains to paint the enemy as something different, even to labelling the enemy with names to differentiate the people we are fighting against. If we can de-humanise the enemy we will be more effective fighters. Jesus points us in the opposite direction. He reminds us that we all are similar, and all need a way to salvation. For those who accepted this salvation, it is the first step of many, which imparts a direction to life previously not thought of! We are to see one another not in pessimism and fear but rather hope and love. For the Christ Child saw that his life was to be given to all nations and all peoples of all times. We are the same in the need to be saved, we are the same in that this salvation is universal i
Read more

Connectivity

We are Dear Reader, far more connected than we realise, our lives, like some giant game of ' jenga ', seem to have such affect on things we thought immune, as our human reason perceives it. This lack of knowledge is further intensified, when sinful nature is added to the equation. For in this situation we deny even obvious connections, or possibly choose to believe the lies sallied forth by the world. Follow my example below: Divorce is seems, according to worldly sources, does not affect children, they are built to withstand it, therefore go right ahead.- If you have accepted this falsehood, then you walk on shaky ground. Dear Reader, look to the many broken souls which wander dream like, through life, unable to function in maturity because of broken marriages when they were a child. Now Dear Reader, please keep with my trail, i acknowledge divorce can and will happen, and many who have gone through it feel all sort of emotion, deep emotions, which may need release on a frie
Read more