tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17001365364335797252024-03-13T15:28:01.480-07:00Experiments In SimplicityA people...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12404876041422101704noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700136536433579725.post-11156098061867297622010-05-27T11:43:00.000-07:002010-05-27T11:55:20.740-07:00Prison MinistryWe have had some conversations about where the "least of these" are among us, and a prison might be a good place to look. Project TURN is a program started by a simplicity/new monasticism group (friends with shane clayborne) that is working to connect people spiritually through journaling. It is a class held at the Raleigh Correctional Center for Women, where people in and outside the prison are doing the same "assignments" together and sharing life. <div>I really wish I had heard about the program before and known it was open to everyone. (The website talks about it being a Duke Divinity Class). There is a breakfast June 9 at Blacknall Presbyterian Church from 7:30-8:30 if anyone is interested in learning more.<div>Here is a link to Project TURN's website.<br /><div><a href="program http://www.newmonasticism.org/turn.php">program http://www.newmonasticism.org/turn.php</a></div><div>I would also be more than happy to go if anyone wants to accompany me (and the babies!)</div><div>--leah</div></div></div>A people...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12404876041422101704noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700136536433579725.post-33032066780295996432010-05-25T11:32:00.000-07:002010-05-25T11:33:42.256-07:00<div>I would love to hear what you all think of this story!</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://http://www.faithandleadership.com/features/articles/sacrificial-giving">http://www.faithandleadership.com/features/articles/sacrificial-giving</a>A people...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12404876041422101704noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700136536433579725.post-2755439786125440182010-05-21T19:30:00.000-07:002010-05-21T19:45:50.041-07:00Local Strawberry Picking<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvE-RdR-cQeFewgsL1vG3F1LQhwIRxJbVfDABh1LBQZIM8MMfEunYWWMnYnU5oO2Wxaoh-TeLleYoH4xBq4Z4F8qbH812v9koqXH9cPjPnwdjHfwYo88Enih0SuN_wInjtkPQR5xs6wteO/s1600/strawberries3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvE-RdR-cQeFewgsL1vG3F1LQhwIRxJbVfDABh1LBQZIM8MMfEunYWWMnYnU5oO2Wxaoh-TeLleYoH4xBq4Z4F8qbH812v9koqXH9cPjPnwdjHfwYo88Enih0SuN_wInjtkPQR5xs6wteO/s320/strawberries3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473918958400116034" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRaDdnbH8WKveENctgat8NumQPJ13q6BWrnOjFrd5FZPVJ2iK_BQosN7X73GxKdJCNiUl781Qy4FJllYJjhiQQgX4W80yPGeP4ZA3QvOMlSR9UpqrZtv3d1Eu8xRFDZN7oYv0dMKTUt1Z/s1600/Strawberries1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRaDdnbH8WKveENctgat8NumQPJ13q6BWrnOjFrd5FZPVJ2iK_BQosN7X73GxKdJCNiUl781Qy4FJllYJjhiQQgX4W80yPGeP4ZA3QvOMlSR9UpqrZtv3d1Eu8xRFDZN7oYv0dMKTUt1Z/s200/Strawberries1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473919582155695778" border="0" /></a>Shelly and I picked strawberries with the kids today. Went to a cool place that had local ice cream as well: http://www.porterfarmsandnursery.com/<br /><div style="text-align: left;">The kids loved it! The plan was to freeze a lot of berries for later months, but the way we're eating them, who knows if that will happen! Also, found a good website for locating "Pick Your Own": http://www.pickyourown.org/ --Peace, Tracy<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJGsTaqvut9H354AfAJ-VXsLXJ1mMTZfqoFWFSRNIy-bpdnCDczFJUNwp8TywhzzR4RCo_huFLoZZC8DXQG08mifNnsD0dStYgrx7R_eT9601uMkNv6TACoAYFEiX3T2gKnYIizSI7vKr/s1600/strawberries4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJGsTaqvut9H354AfAJ-VXsLXJ1mMTZfqoFWFSRNIy-bpdnCDczFJUNwp8TywhzzR4RCo_huFLoZZC8DXQG08mifNnsD0dStYgrx7R_eT9601uMkNv6TACoAYFEiX3T2gKnYIizSI7vKr/s200/strawberries4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473919868430709346" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>A people...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12404876041422101704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700136536433579725.post-17401098736170715972010-05-20T11:42:00.000-07:002010-05-20T11:46:40.660-07:00It Worked!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfQiUiGvP6wleB0l7OmukIYfpCKhPq_b35qYEUbLZrJv2p1gWhLqQfDw4cdwjy0sgJTVqZIZE2kNOUBzLyqRyja38kp0ymtDmK8zhEeEyoFpWN6J850bmYnb404fC8dBzdEI-CIldhUov/s1600/zendibread1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfQiUiGvP6wleB0l7OmukIYfpCKhPq_b35qYEUbLZrJv2p1gWhLqQfDw4cdwjy0sgJTVqZIZE2kNOUBzLyqRyja38kp0ymtDmK8zhEeEyoFpWN6J850bmYnb404fC8dBzdEI-CIldhUov/s320/zendibread1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473424823506474434" border="0" /></a><br />Simplicity for us today: Zendi enjoying our first loaf of homemade (bread machine) whole wheat bread. My mom had a bread machine under her counter that she said I can borrow for at least a year! We didn't have a book, so I was unsure if my on-line recipe I found would work, but it did! Good thing because I promised Zendi we'd have a tea party with the bread when it was done.<br /><br />Peace,<br />TracyA people...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12404876041422101704noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700136536433579725.post-42041443169519740112010-05-20T10:23:00.000-07:002010-05-20T10:27:14.727-07:00Simple Speech (posted by Shelly)Simple speech isn't always the first thing that comes to mind when we're thinking of ways to live out our simplicity, but I think it's a good one, and one that I constantly have to work on. Jesus' instructs us to use simple speech in Matt 5:37 - "Let your word be 'Yes, Yes' or 'No, No'; anything more than this comes from the evil one." I guess to me this means:<br />- MINIMIZE WORDS - say what i mean (being loving and attempting to minimize harm, of course). be direct and to the point. don't waste words. for all who know me, i know i know, to say i'm working on this may sound laughable - i def still tend to talk too much! ok, i'm a work in progress! :o)<br />- BE AUTHENTIC - say nice things only when I really mean them. sometimes it's all too easy to shower others with praise, not even realizng that my unconscious motive may be to gain their friendship, approval, or love. if i can't think of anything "real" to say, it's good to remember that silence is very okay.<br />- LET GOD BE YOUR JUSTIFYER - it's interesting to realize how much extra energy we use with explanations to justify ourselves to others, subtlely mentioning things that i did that day that make me sound like a good mom, or a good Christian, or a good member of society. for example, if i decide not to attend a class playdate at jumpzone, I may be tempted to offer explanation of my thought process or other excuses to validate my decision among other moms. i may even be tempted to make sure that ALL of the other moms have the chance to hear my list of excuses. the real question is why do i even NEED these other people to understand my decisions or actions. sometimes it's productive and builds up the kingdom for me to be understood, but often, i just want to avoid being misunderstood so that i'll feel liked and enjoy the approval of others. ultimately, God's approval is all I should need. :o)A people...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12404876041422101704noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700136536433579725.post-73283385198663854992010-05-19T13:42:00.000-07:002010-05-19T16:23:00.923-07:00one line simplicity posts?i know many of you are doing experiments daily so i thought maybe we could share one line simplicity posts just saying what simplicity is looking like in our lives!<div>for example, </div><div>Simplicity was accidentally not going to the grocery store this weekend and now trying to make it through the week eating what we have in the house!</div>A people...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12404876041422101704noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700136536433579725.post-72145903413215739192010-05-16T17:07:00.000-07:002010-05-16T17:29:00.075-07:00just the beginning!<div><div>The wake of today left many many thoughts running around my brain. The hamster wheel is a little squeaky so i'm letting them out here so i can get some rest :) </div><div><br /></div><div>1. Thanks for the discussion today! Matthew and I were so excited by our conversation and ideas for the future. We loved all the different opinions and ideas and loved the process of sharing and brainstorming together. Thanks so much for your participation in that.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">2. We talked about a place to share free things (the free sale aside) so this is something to check out. You email this address and request to be added to the listserve. Then you will get updates on items people no longer want and can also post yours. You can choose to have the notifications individually sent to your inbox, or have them grouped together once a day in a larger newsletter type style. Happy trading! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(52, 52, 52); line-height: 12px; font-family:verdana, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">FreecycleDurhamNC@yahoogroups.com</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;color:#343434;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 12px;font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;color:#343434;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">X. I'm trying to figure out how we could do something similar on this blog, to do sharing type stuff or trade/give away. We could do meal swaps there possibly as well if we wanted... so if you know how to get something like that up, let me know (or just do it :) or if you see something funny on the blog but it doesn't work... it's just an experiment! Thanks for your patience, participation, excitement!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;color:#343434;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 12px;font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;color:#343434;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 12px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Y. Another idea that Kim and I talked about today, speaking about trading and sharing was how there were some great emails this week about sharing plants/produce from our gardens. We wondered if we could dedicate a table in the "fellowship" area to bring items like that and just leave with a little donation jar that we could donate to an organization like plant a row, etc. That way people other than the ones gardening could get in on the produce action and it's just something fun to share, trade, talk about, do! If a few more people like the idea, we can put it in the church newsletter and go from there :)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;color:#343434;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;color:#343434;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 12px;">Z. Here's a little inspiration for getting rid of stuff... this kid in my class came up to me this week and shoved a well loved little doggie in my hands saying it was for Abby because she likes dogs. It was humbling to see her choose to give something like that away just because someone else (she doesn't even know) might like it too. </span></span></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiD945Tc0yF1l4Q-pdaQD3Z07zMkbPahaTPcvu4yI1_6G_vjFxTxco1NH9BrUuosEcV4QowieD2s6flkAwUZNsuX6v8UH7wmGl7tzCUQeBJxBVFqACSTfDTEmdaEYQuN8opZTv9M6ls9F/s1600/IMG_5522.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiD945Tc0yF1l4Q-pdaQD3Z07zMkbPahaTPcvu4yI1_6G_vjFxTxco1NH9BrUuosEcV4QowieD2s6flkAwUZNsuX6v8UH7wmGl7tzCUQeBJxBVFqACSTfDTEmdaEYQuN8opZTv9M6ls9F/s320/IMG_5522.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472026151978144482" /></a><div>--leah</div>A people...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12404876041422101704noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700136536433579725.post-77462324334552119632010-05-16T12:57:00.000-07:002010-05-16T13:13:14.281-07:00My PrayerSo as I came home today, excited by our final Sunday morning class of Experiments in Simplicity, and looking forward to our future Simplicity Experiments in community, Harry had already cleaned out his side of the closet, our "multi-media" collection, and much of his hunting supplies while I was gone to church. I then made lunch and thought about taking a nap. As I lay there, trying to decide whether to fall asleep or get up and get started going through my dresser drawers, this was my prayer:<br /><br />Dear God,<br /><br />Guide me in the life of simplicity that you want for me, not the one I want for myself.<br /><br />Help me to be<br />energized but not frantic,<br />motivated but not ego-driven,<br />thorough but not legalistic,<br />grace-filled but not unchallenging.<br /><br />Help me to listen to You and trust what I hear.<br /><br />In Jesus' Name,<br />Amen<br /><br />By the way, Harry says he is totally on board for our June 19 Junk Purge, as long as it includes meeting afterwards at Five Guys. :o)<br /><br />Peace,<br />TracyA people...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12404876041422101704noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700136536433579725.post-34188094425280027142010-05-15T12:57:00.000-07:002010-05-15T13:20:45.075-07:00Earthly Rewards!!! :o)ok, this is all good stuff, and i'm thinking.<br />i agree with leah that our following jesus doesn't guarantee a reward in this life that would be recognizable to the world. at the same time, i think when we're getting it right, following jesus WILL produce in us the fruits of the spirit. and when we're living with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, i think that's a pretty decent reward for this life - i think this is how the kingdom of god is available right here right now, and i want it! :o)<br /><br />when we're getting it right, we may look like a failure or a great success to the world ... as kim wideman said recently, "i find that what i look like to other people says more about them than it says about me." -- good stuff.<br /><br />i think living a life filled with the fruits of the spirit is the most effective form of evangalism i can think of, given the "what's in it for me" element of the human condition. ultimately, i think i follow jesus becuase i believe it's the best plan available to me. on the rare occasions when i'm getting it right, it produces a kind of joy and peace that is plenty of reward for this gal! conversely, when i'm angry, worried, stressed, judging (which is plenty often), it's not because the world is treating me badly that day (though it may well be), but rather, it's because i'm forgetting to seek God's kingdom first.A people...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12404876041422101704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700136536433579725.post-70075557854371052282010-05-15T03:20:00.000-07:002010-05-15T04:18:35.320-07:00Matthew 19Thanks to Tracy's post, I decided to give Matthew 19 specifically another try today and also found myself gravitating toward certain parts and questions. The question repeating in my brain was: WHY is it so hard for rich people to gain eternal life? (Why so easy for children?) I know we talked about some of those differences in small group, but i think i could use some more in depth looking because after all, I am a "rich" person, and therefore this passage is speaking to me. <div>It was easier to start my list for kids-- maybe because I'm around them all day! Free (think- abby preferring to run around free of clothes), playful, imaginative, present, wondering, and dependent came to mind. I did make a contrasting "rich people" list, but for me, the one that stuck out was being dependent. I would entirely rather not have to depend on God for anything physical. (Depending on God to give me patience seems much more doable) but as Matthew and I crunch numbers for next year again this week, realizing we will have to depend on God to provide for us (insurance? oh yeah, i guess we have to factor that in...) and that is hard. It <i>could</i> live to a right way of living, where we pray more, trust more, have more of a God imagination and then are more thankful when we receive, and more inclined to see the gift and give it back... or it could lead to more worries, frantic searching for jobs, and arguments over present and past choices. <div>I would love to know that as long as we take the more childlike road, the one that seems to fit Matthew 19, life will all work out, we will be completely provided for, comfortable, joyous in the wake of obedience and gifting.... but I got the feeling that Jesus' response to his disciples says otherwise. They want to know what reward they will receive since they (unlike the rich man) have left everything to follow Jesus. Jesus does say they will be rewarded, but not until the kingdom come. I don't think this is a case of heaven here and now, their thrones being the last supper seats (or you can debate with me if you like) but here, i take Jesus' words a bit more literal and believe there might actually be NO earthly reward for our obedience. Our lives might be completely taken from us and ruined (one of matthew's professors is always reminding them how they have ruined their lives by being a Christian). Peter's life was going down a nice simple fisher-family-man sort of road and thanks to Christ he ended up upsidedown on a cross, dead, as did all the first disciples and many many of the early apostles and followers of Christ. "Whoever seeks to find his life will lose it" rings a bell here. </div><div>It's such a tough bite to swallow, I was taught that hard work, perseverance and self sacrifice would earn me reward... and i still think they will. Only I may never see it this side of the grave. All that's left for me then, is the freedom to be present to the here and now, obeying God and depending on God's provisions with no attention or worry about consequences of any shape or size.</div><div>--leah</div></div>A people...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12404876041422101704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700136536433579725.post-34971541417067394822010-05-13T04:49:00.000-07:002010-05-13T05:06:39.503-07:00Why do you ask?So I was trying to select a smaller portion of Matthew 19 to focus on this morning, and I really wanted to jump to the answer Jesus gives the rich young man in telling him he needs to get rid of all his possessions, so that I could meditate on what that means for me. But I got stuck on the very first words Jesus says to the young man. (or I could say the Holy Spirit chose a different passage for me :-)<br /><br />Why do you ask me what is good? There is only one who is good.<br /><br />Since this kept jumping out to me, much as I tried to move forward in the scripture, I decided I should probably "breathe" on that for awhile. And then it was narrowed down even further.<br /><br />Why do you ask me what is good?<br />Why do you ask?<br />Why?<br /><br />Am I afraid to ask myself that question, lest it reveal less than pure motives? I have so much faith in God's grace that I don't think I'm hung up on "earning" eternal life, like the young man was. But maybe if I really ask myself why, I see that at least part of the time I'm just performing, trying to get an A+ in Christianity, a 98% on my Simplicity test, just for my own ego. That isn't always the answer, but maybe I need to ask myself "Why?" every day, just to keep that stealthy ego in check.<br /><br />Maybe I'm more like the young man than I think!<br /><br />Why?<br />TracyA people...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12404876041422101704noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700136536433579725.post-13399043709761157212010-05-13T04:39:00.000-07:002010-05-13T05:06:30.720-07:00Experimenting with the Gospel of MatthewDuring the last meeting of our "Experiments in Simplicity" small group, one practical action suggested at the end was to take up a passage or two from the Gospel of Matthew and to engage it throughout the week. In our study, we spent a good deal of time listening to, responding to, and being challenged by the story of the rich young man in Matthew 19:13-30. I was excited to learn that some of us have been journeying with this man, and with Jesus this week! As promised, here are some additional passages for consideration:<div><br /></div><div>Matthew 19:13-30 - the rich young man</div><div><br /></div><div>Matthew 6:16-18 - on fasting; could also apply to simplicity disciplines!</div><div><br /></div><div>Matthew 6:24 - "no one can serve two masters..."</div><div><br /></div><div>Matthew 6:25-34 - on anxiety, worry, and God's provision</div><div><br /></div><div>Matthew 9:35-10:15 - the "Missions Discourse;" describes how missionally minded people need to live to be effective witnesses</div><div><br /></div><div>Matthew 25:14-30 - parable of the talents; again, could apply to one's conviction to pursue simplicity as well</div><div><br /></div><div>Matthew 25:31-46 - sheep and the goats</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Admittedly, these are all difficult passages. In my opinion, they are some of the most radical and transformative teachings of any time, and made even more important here in that they spoken by the Son of God. Yet, because they are challenging, I believe they are even more worthwhile to sit with, as God will speak through them to tell us what we need to hear, where we are at. We may encounter God speaking to each of us in different degrees, to different practices of simplicity, to different discipleship challenges. What is important is that we take the time to listen, to be spoken to, and then, in love, to respond with our whole hearts.</div><div><br /></div><div>In Shelly's last post, she reiterated something she had mentioned in small group, that ultimately, we do not want to make simplicity into an idol. I think this is a crucial point. We do not worship any ideal or abstraction; rather, we worship and follow God-with-us, the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ. Turning to the Gospels, which are witnesses to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, is a fundamental discipline of simplicity because it grounds our imaginations not in human notions or self-serving ego-driven projects, but rather, in the Words of eternal life. We pursue simplicity because Jesus Himself not only commanded it, but because He also lived it Himself. We learn what true simplicity is by attending to the way Jesus lived and taught it. Following Jesus, such faithfulness can not but bring us more life, life more abundant than any way we contrived on our own!</div><div><br /></div><div>And, the best part about Jesus is that his commandments are spoken in love for us. While I love the Gospel of Matthew, I think Mark's account of the rich man is more helpful in that, in Mark 10:21, we are told "Jesus looked on the young man and loved him." Jesus challenges us and even pushes us to the edges of our comfort zones not because he wants to make us feel guilty or angst-ridden, but rather, because he loves us, and is willing to share with us what we <i>need</i> to hear, even if it is not what we <i>want </i>to hear. Jesus' commands are not legalistic requirements, but rather invitations to discover just what we can do, and how alive we can be, when we embrace the power of the Spirit He has graciously and freely given us! I pray that in spending time with Jesus' difficult teachings in the Gospels, each of us will hear His voice of love, inviting us where we are at to courageously take up new experiments, and to embark on new adventures of faithfulness, so that we can in turn experience the joy of the new creation God is making in the world through the transformed lives of love of each one of us! </div>A people...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12404876041422101704noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700136536433579725.post-56281411934955153452010-05-12T12:10:00.000-07:002010-05-12T12:11:31.335-07:00Confessions of a Lazy MomWhen I think of bringing simplicity into my meal planning, some of the first things that come to mind are:<br />- having the kids help me make salads from our backyard garden<br />- trying out vegetarian recipes from fancy organic living magazines<br />- using more locally produced foods<br />- checking lables to ensure all food ingredients are things I understand<br /><br />These are all wonderful goals, and some days I can pull off one or two of them, and then I feel so good about myself. Last night, I opted for a very different kind of simplicity - one that doesn't make me sound so impressive, but one that is equally important, I believe. So here goes.<br /><br />Last night for dinner, I opened two cans of Harris Teeter's Beef Ravioli, put it into three bowls, and tossed them into the microwave. I got out a bag of baby carrots, (I'm sure they weren't grown locally), and I placed them on the table with a bottle of Italian salad dressing (not made from scratch, and probably containing many ingredients I couldn't pronounce -- I didn't check). It didn't matter, because the kids filled up on ravioli and didn't even touch the carrots - and I didn't insist. Then I brushed their teeth, and with a completely clean conscience, I put them to bed. So what do you think?<br /><br />I think that we western competitive over-achievers are capable of messing up any good thing, and Simplicity is no different. While I know that my friends will not judge me for frequently missing the mark, sometimes it's hard to quiet the critical voices inside my own mind. As we explore options for doing things in better ways, we must acknowledge that each choice requires tradeoffs (time/money/earth-friendly/healthy). We won't ever get it all right at the same time, and that's probably great, as it will keep us from thinking too highly of our awesome selves. <br /><br />I guess I'm just trying to say that the freedom that comes with living simply comes ONLY when we let go of our ego's need to overachieve in this area, and practice grace, extending it to ourselves as freely as we know God does. I know we are all in agreement that it is God, and not Simplicity, whom we worship!! I am learning that it's crucial give myself a break (ok, many breaks) along this journey. <br /><br />Much Love,<br />Shelly :o)A people...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12404876041422101704noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700136536433579725.post-5983937231947515692010-05-11T10:20:00.000-07:002010-05-12T04:49:25.570-07:00Richard Foster's Inner Attitudes of Simplicity and InterviewIn the "Simplicity" chapter of Richard Foster's "Celebration of Discipline," he states that:<br />"Freedom from anxiety is characterized by three inner attitudes.<br />- To receive what we have as a gift from God<br />- To know that it is God's business, and not ours, to care for what we have<br />- To have our goods available to others."<br /><br />He warns against legalism and extremism. Lest we dismiss these as impractical and unrealistic, he explains beautifully that each is tempered with common sense, and discernment - which are, afterall, some of God's good gifts!<br /><br />Here is a good interview in which Foster explains more of his understanding of Biblical Simplicity.<br /><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/cms_content?page=363579&sp=62141&event=62141SBF%7C608665%7C62141">http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/cms_content?page=363579&sp=62141&event=62141SBF%7C608665%7C62141</a>A people...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12404876041422101704noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700136536433579725.post-37588409588985416292010-05-06T05:33:00.000-07:002010-05-06T13:07:43.503-07:00Baking vs. BuyingI've been trying to do some thinking about what foods I'm still buying prepared that would be more fun to make at home. Making things from scratch meets many of the sometimes competing goals of food simplicity for me, like frugality, health, and minimizing waste. Zendi is at a great age for enjoying cooking, which is another incentive. Of course I don't work outside the home, or the time factor might negate all the other benefits!<br /><br />We recently started making our own granola bars, something I was still paying a premium for to get ultra high-fiber varieties. Although we didn't really follow a recipe, here is loosely what we did with random ingredients we had around the house. (A lot of times I make up recipes when I'm trying to avoid going to the grocery, so I almost never do things the same way twice, much to my husbands disappointment!)<br /><br />1 c whole wheat flour<br />1 c oats<br />2/3 c brown sugar<br />1/4 tsp baking soda<br />1/2 c butter<br />1 c nuts<br />1 c raisins<br />1/3 c honey<br />some coconut<br />some canola oil (our mixture was too dry)<br />some molasses (same reason)<br />chocolate pieces and marshmallows on top (zendi's addition)<br /><br />We mixed up all the ingredients except the chocolate and marshmallows. Then we lined a cookie sheet that had edges with tinfoil, that helped a lot with removal later. We spread the mixture over the whole pan and baked at 325 for, maybe 30 min, but I think I checked every 10 to see when the edges (and the marshmallows on top) were browning. We then pulled the whole thing out by the tinfoil and left it to cool. Later we cut it into bars.A people...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12404876041422101704noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700136536433579725.post-4232031982177579842010-05-05T17:16:00.000-07:002010-05-05T17:23:24.973-07:00Shelly's Link<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">This is the great link Shelly gave in her comment...</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">#3 and #5 made me think about this quote "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: normal; "><em style="font-style: normal; ">ownership</em> is the ability to <em style="font-style: normal; ">exclude</em> all <em style="font-style: normal; ">others</em> from use" </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; text-align: center; background-position: initial initial; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18pt; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">Richard Foster’s 10 principles for expressing the outward spiritual discipline of Simplicity</span></strong></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">1. Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status</strong></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">2. Reject anything this is producing an addiction in you</strong></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">3. Develop a habit of giving things away</strong></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">4. Refuse to be propagandized by the custodians of modern gadgetry</strong></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">5. Learn to enjoy things without owning them</strong></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">6. Develop a deeper appreciation for the creation</strong></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">7. Look with a healthy skepticism at all “buy now, pay later” schemes</strong></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">8. Obey Jesus’ instructions about plain, honest speech</strong></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">9. Reject anything that breeds the oppression of others</strong></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">10. Shun anything that distracts you from seeking first the </strong><st1:place><st1:placetype><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">kingdom</strong></st1:placetype><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "> of </strong><st1:placename><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">God</strong></st1:placename></st1:place></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">“May God give you – and me- the courage, the wisdom, the strength always to hold the </em></strong><st1:place><st1:placetype><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">kingdom</em></strong></st1:placetype><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "> of </em></strong><st1:placename><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">God </em></strong></st1:placename></st1:place><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; ">as the number one priority of our lives. To do so, is to live in simplicity”</em></strong></p></span>A people...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12404876041422101704noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1700136536433579725.post-10595830026073261212010-05-03T15:45:00.000-07:002010-05-03T16:22:09.381-07:00An Experiment<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VL8pnzzUv07hNJjbk9Yfg3RTRyHOzbSAzdT63kDjIFi2XPq6vPLXeucZUea-Lo69Sq6lxsfJQ-gBSi3LsGL7qANwYvEeenQzO0wgSAOJ0_WdixJxUbVnN7O3PwSJWeNbrT1bgEnBZu75/s1600/IMG_5424.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VL8pnzzUv07hNJjbk9Yfg3RTRyHOzbSAzdT63kDjIFi2XPq6vPLXeucZUea-Lo69Sq6lxsfJQ-gBSi3LsGL7qANwYvEeenQzO0wgSAOJ0_WdixJxUbVnN7O3PwSJWeNbrT1bgEnBZu75/s320/IMG_5424.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467183554317293490" /></a>A small group in church, a blog idea, a single post. These are all experiments, simple wonderings of what life could be like if we talked, journeyed, even blogged together about how we are trying to live a life more in harmony with our Creator, our neighbors near and far, our world around us, and ourselves. This imagining has caused quite the stir in my own house and so have the experiments. From conversations have evolved more bike rides and family walks, music making, freshly baked bread and seeing how eggplants will do in our garden. We love the life abundant that has come to us from the little we have changed and tried on for size. We wonder what more, what else that we have not thought of in our small family and short Sunday small group. We wondered if a blog would be the appropriate use of technology that would connect us to neighbor, helping us love our earth, finding God and our own humanity through it all. <div style="text-align: center;">Shall we try this experiment? </div>A people...http://www.blogger.com/profile/12404876041422101704noreply@blogger.com3