The Naked Pastor blog. I'm going to add him to my list. This is the guy I quoted a few posts ago...the one about church being a party. Good stuff. It's always nice to discover others out there who are looking at life and God and the church from a similar perspective.
You can even buy him a beer, if you're so inclined. ;-)
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Mine, all mine...or is it?
There's a big, bright light looming at the end of the financial tunnel. After I made my car payment this morning, I now owe less than $1000 on my beautiful Jeep. Substantially less than $1000, actually. Two payments left. Another weight is lifting. I can breathe a little more easily. I'm nowhere near "THERE" because I still owe quite a bit on my house, but I can actually see the "debt-free" light at the end of this tunnel and it makes me almost giddy.
It's been a LONG time (pre-marriage, pre-home-buying [2], pre-credit-card-dependence) since I was completely out of debt. It's a good feeling to know it's not only possible, but actually almost touchable. There's such a sense of impending freedom...I know I carry a burden right now that prevents me from getting to the place where I sense God wants me to be--debt is a heavy load that demands not only my money, but my almost-constant thought and worry. I've realized how blessed I am and, as we study more about "community" and truly living as the Body of Christ in this world, I am more and more cognizant of my selfish "me, me, me" attitude in financial matters. Is it REALLY "mine, all mine"?
I am not one of those people who espouse--in any way, shape, or form--a "health, wealth, and prosperity" gospel. I don't believe in a reactionary, obedient God who is required by some force in the universe, if you just give your supposedly "mandatory" 10% (I have some major issues with that whole philosophy--actually, not just "issues"...I simply don't believe it's scriptural), to spit out financial blessings all over you...or work some kind of automatic, hokey magic that makes the 90% you're "allowed" to keep go just as far, or further even, than the 100% would. (I don't believe that is BEYOND God's ability, mind you...I'm just weary of people spouting trite platitudes and claiming them to be "gospel truth".) I'm tired of sermons on tithing. I'm tired of hearing the "Malachi formula". God is NOT my personal ATM. And he would love to have a lot more than 10% from us.
Read it:
Romans 12--1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
Hmmm. So...what are our "bodies"? Our actual, individual physical bodies? The collective "body of Christ"? Both? Since it doesn't say "dissect your bodies and offer him 10%", I'm going to assume God wants it all. :-) I researched the Greek word "soma" used here--it can actually mean an individual body OR "a number of men closely united into one society, or family as in the New Testament church". Our giving isn't dictated by law or out of fear of a curse (shouldn't be, anyway!)--it's a simple, grateful response to God's mercy.
And coming full circle...if my life is full of debt, financial or otherwise, I'm unable to give my complete self. So, I need to get out of debt. I want to be able to give it all.
It's been a LONG time (pre-marriage, pre-home-buying [2], pre-credit-card-dependence) since I was completely out of debt. It's a good feeling to know it's not only possible, but actually almost touchable. There's such a sense of impending freedom...I know I carry a burden right now that prevents me from getting to the place where I sense God wants me to be--debt is a heavy load that demands not only my money, but my almost-constant thought and worry. I've realized how blessed I am and, as we study more about "community" and truly living as the Body of Christ in this world, I am more and more cognizant of my selfish "me, me, me" attitude in financial matters. Is it REALLY "mine, all mine"?
I am not one of those people who espouse--in any way, shape, or form--a "health, wealth, and prosperity" gospel. I don't believe in a reactionary, obedient God who is required by some force in the universe, if you just give your supposedly "mandatory" 10% (I have some major issues with that whole philosophy--actually, not just "issues"...I simply don't believe it's scriptural), to spit out financial blessings all over you...or work some kind of automatic, hokey magic that makes the 90% you're "allowed" to keep go just as far, or further even, than the 100% would. (I don't believe that is BEYOND God's ability, mind you...I'm just weary of people spouting trite platitudes and claiming them to be "gospel truth".) I'm tired of sermons on tithing. I'm tired of hearing the "Malachi formula". God is NOT my personal ATM. And he would love to have a lot more than 10% from us.
Read it:
Romans 12--1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
Hmmm. So...what are our "bodies"? Our actual, individual physical bodies? The collective "body of Christ"? Both? Since it doesn't say "dissect your bodies and offer him 10%", I'm going to assume God wants it all. :-) I researched the Greek word "soma" used here--it can actually mean an individual body OR "a number of men closely united into one society, or family as in the New Testament church". Our giving isn't dictated by law or out of fear of a curse (shouldn't be, anyway!)--it's a simple, grateful response to God's mercy.
And coming full circle...if my life is full of debt, financial or otherwise, I'm unable to give my complete self. So, I need to get out of debt. I want to be able to give it all.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Random quote from a random blog...
...belonging to a random Vineyard church pastor somewhere in Canada. This is excerpted from a post about his son's graduation party. I think I want to go to his church...!
So last night my second child and son Jesse graduated from grade 12. Lisa and I invited the whole church over to celebrate. Lots of food, beer, wine, and excellent community. I just love how the community mixes from child to elder. We all mingle together and enjoy each other. I overheard someone say that our church is a “party church”. I like that. I think there is enormous value in just getting together and practice loving one another. This one will go down in memory.
And, in the end, isn't that what it's all about?? Mingling together. Enjoying one another. And some good beer. :-) Practicing love. Being an "excellent community". I want my church to be a party church. And I shouldn't have to go all the way to New Brunswick to find that...actually, I know I don't. I'm part of an "excellent community" already. My small group is my "party church" and I'm grateful beyond words for it. It may not be everything I'd like it to be, but it's a growing/learning process and we're getting there. Excellency takes practice...truly loving others takes practice. And I need the practice just as much as the next person.
So last night my second child and son Jesse graduated from grade 12. Lisa and I invited the whole church over to celebrate. Lots of food, beer, wine, and excellent community. I just love how the community mixes from child to elder. We all mingle together and enjoy each other. I overheard someone say that our church is a “party church”. I like that. I think there is enormous value in just getting together and practice loving one another. This one will go down in memory.
And, in the end, isn't that what it's all about?? Mingling together. Enjoying one another. And some good beer. :-) Practicing love. Being an "excellent community". I want my church to be a party church. And I shouldn't have to go all the way to New Brunswick to find that...actually, I know I don't. I'm part of an "excellent community" already. My small group is my "party church" and I'm grateful beyond words for it. It may not be everything I'd like it to be, but it's a growing/learning process and we're getting there. Excellency takes practice...truly loving others takes practice. And I need the practice just as much as the next person.
Monday, June 25, 2007
The TSW Kensington Fire Story
Updated information/video from The Simple Way about the fire that destroyed their block.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Sometimes you get what you don't expect...
And sometimes that's a really good thing.
We had a seminar at our church this morning on coping with crises. Many of the women who attended have lost spouses or children--the speaker has lived through the deaths of 3 children and her first husband...and she was raped by a murderer while she was on the mission field in China. Makes all of my little tragedies seem not quite so tragic.
Needless to say, it was good stuff. I have much to ponder, much to sort and process...and maybe I'll post some of it after I get it all sorted out. One sentence, in particular, stuck with me--it was one of those "aha!" moments where I knew God was nudging me to sit up and pay attention. She was talking about when she and her husband first decided to get involved in missions work and their church (he was a pastor and had already been diagnosed with cancer at this time) was trying to get them to remain in the pastorate by telling him that they would make sure his wife and children would be cared for and he would have health insurance...that there would be "security" for them in staying at the church. She said "there is NO security in anything if it's not in the will of God".
Hmmm. And what does that mean in my particular situation...??? When I have the answer, I'll share it.
We had a seminar at our church this morning on coping with crises. Many of the women who attended have lost spouses or children--the speaker has lived through the deaths of 3 children and her first husband...and she was raped by a murderer while she was on the mission field in China. Makes all of my little tragedies seem not quite so tragic.
Needless to say, it was good stuff. I have much to ponder, much to sort and process...and maybe I'll post some of it after I get it all sorted out. One sentence, in particular, stuck with me--it was one of those "aha!" moments where I knew God was nudging me to sit up and pay attention. She was talking about when she and her husband first decided to get involved in missions work and their church (he was a pastor and had already been diagnosed with cancer at this time) was trying to get them to remain in the pastorate by telling him that they would make sure his wife and children would be cared for and he would have health insurance...that there would be "security" for them in staying at the church. She said "there is NO security in anything if it's not in the will of God".
Hmmm. And what does that mean in my particular situation...??? When I have the answer, I'll share it.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Fire in The Simple Way Community
A seven-alarm fire at an abandoned warehouse in Philadelphia destroyed The Simple Way's community center yesterday morning and left at least eight families without homes.
The Simple Way is home to Shane Claiborne, author of "The Irresistible Revolution", the book we're currently studying in our Sunday night small group--the book that is totally kicking my butt because I'm not living out many of the things I believe are true and right and good. Shane and a housemate lost all of their belongings and The Simple Way lost the building that housed their community arts center, an after-school program and a t-shirt printing business.
I'm heartsick over this--I said this morning I feel like this is someone in my family...which, I guess, really is accurate. Shane Claiborne has had a huge impact on the way I look at life in general and the body of Christ and community specifically.
Tony Campolo's ministry has set up a page on his website if anyone wants to donate to either The Simple Way's rebuilding fund or a separate fund to help the eight families who are now homeless.
Here's a video of some shots of this horrible fire....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D8Ai-O-LcU
The Simple Way is home to Shane Claiborne, author of "The Irresistible Revolution", the book we're currently studying in our Sunday night small group--the book that is totally kicking my butt because I'm not living out many of the things I believe are true and right and good. Shane and a housemate lost all of their belongings and The Simple Way lost the building that housed their community arts center, an after-school program and a t-shirt printing business.
I'm heartsick over this--I said this morning I feel like this is someone in my family...which, I guess, really is accurate. Shane Claiborne has had a huge impact on the way I look at life in general and the body of Christ and community specifically.
Tony Campolo's ministry has set up a page on his website if anyone wants to donate to either The Simple Way's rebuilding fund or a separate fund to help the eight families who are now homeless.
Here's a video of some shots of this horrible fire....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D8Ai-O-LcU
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
On a brighter note...
...I'm watching a fascinating movie called "Pan's Labyrinth"--it's Spanish w/subtitles and there was a pretty bloody scene right at the beginning, but aside from that, it's pretty interesting. It's difficult, though, to fold laundry while you're watching a subtitled movie!!
"Now, ma'am, I must ask you please..."
"...would you be seeing a cable that is connected to your computer and to your modem, thank you?"
I can't get that sentence out of my head. Probably because I heard it about ten times last night in an absolutely worthless 15-minute phone call to Verizon DSL Tech Support. Let me warn you, if you call Verizon DSL Tech Support and get a girl named "Lanie", HANG UP IMMEDIATELY!!!!
Not only would she not listen to me explain my problem and therefore walked me through several exercises in futility, she was rude, kept speaking in a foreign language to people in the background without muting her microphone, asked the cable question enough to make me want to crawl through the phone line and do ugly things with the bright yellow Ethernet wire (which was FIRMLY attached to both computer and modem as it should have been), and finally told me "well, as you can see, we have done all we can, so your problem is obviously in your computer and you'll have to call Dell to have them resolve it". Not really sure why I waited that long to hang up on her, but I did at that point.
My desktop computer is old and slow and takes forever to load pages--I explained that to her upfront, but apparently she hears English even more poorly than she speaks it. At one point, she asked me to restart my computer and, when *she* thought it should be rebooted, she started firing off instructions to me about what to do next. I interrupted her and told her that it was still shutting down and she did this exasperated "Oh, my God!" thing and started asking me every ten seconds if it was restarted yet. (That was the point at which she was also talking very loudly in another language to people in the background--sounded like they were having a party in the room). I could just see her rolling her eyes and tapping her fingers while she waited with absolutely NO patience, because I was keeping her from something really important. (Wait a minute--isn't she "tech support"? Doesn't she get paid for helping me, no matter how long it takes to reboot my computer?)
Maybe she gets paid for the number of times she asks if I can see a yellow cable connected to my computer at one end and my modem at the other...if so, she surely scored a bonus on my call!! Honestly, I have never been treated more poorly by a customer service/tech support person anywhere--she was rude, condescending, AND didn't know what she was doing (had me uninstall my NIC and then told me to close out the installation "wizard" when it popped up, because I didn't need it). And she gave me that "you are really annoying me" sigh way too many times.
So, I called back today and got a really nice man named Paul. I told him upfront "before you ask, my yellow Ethernet cable is attached to my computer AND my modem and please don't ask me a dozen times to make sure I can see it". He laughed. I told him exactly what my problem was and that I had fixed it before, but had lost my written instructions on what to do after I hit the reset button on my router. He said "no problem, ma'am, we'll have that fixed in just a few minutes", walked me through it step by step, without doing anything completely useless (and without one question about my Ethernet cable!) I told him several times how much I appreciated his helpfulness and good manners--he never once spoke remotely condescendingly to me. There ARE good people out there in Verizon Tech Support land.
I still don't have wireless for some reason...I've done everything I know to try to fix that, so I have to call back tomorrow and work on the next problem. Technology, unless it's working the way it's supposed to work, just doesn't mesh too well with me.
And I STILL haven't found that missing wireless router...
I can't get that sentence out of my head. Probably because I heard it about ten times last night in an absolutely worthless 15-minute phone call to Verizon DSL Tech Support. Let me warn you, if you call Verizon DSL Tech Support and get a girl named "Lanie", HANG UP IMMEDIATELY!!!!
Not only would she not listen to me explain my problem and therefore walked me through several exercises in futility, she was rude, kept speaking in a foreign language to people in the background without muting her microphone, asked the cable question enough to make me want to crawl through the phone line and do ugly things with the bright yellow Ethernet wire (which was FIRMLY attached to both computer and modem as it should have been), and finally told me "well, as you can see, we have done all we can, so your problem is obviously in your computer and you'll have to call Dell to have them resolve it". Not really sure why I waited that long to hang up on her, but I did at that point.
My desktop computer is old and slow and takes forever to load pages--I explained that to her upfront, but apparently she hears English even more poorly than she speaks it. At one point, she asked me to restart my computer and, when *she* thought it should be rebooted, she started firing off instructions to me about what to do next. I interrupted her and told her that it was still shutting down and she did this exasperated "Oh, my God!" thing and started asking me every ten seconds if it was restarted yet. (That was the point at which she was also talking very loudly in another language to people in the background--sounded like they were having a party in the room). I could just see her rolling her eyes and tapping her fingers while she waited with absolutely NO patience, because I was keeping her from something really important. (Wait a minute--isn't she "tech support"? Doesn't she get paid for helping me, no matter how long it takes to reboot my computer?)
Maybe she gets paid for the number of times she asks if I can see a yellow cable connected to my computer at one end and my modem at the other...if so, she surely scored a bonus on my call!! Honestly, I have never been treated more poorly by a customer service/tech support person anywhere--she was rude, condescending, AND didn't know what she was doing (had me uninstall my NIC and then told me to close out the installation "wizard" when it popped up, because I didn't need it). And she gave me that "you are really annoying me" sigh way too many times.
So, I called back today and got a really nice man named Paul. I told him upfront "before you ask, my yellow Ethernet cable is attached to my computer AND my modem and please don't ask me a dozen times to make sure I can see it". He laughed. I told him exactly what my problem was and that I had fixed it before, but had lost my written instructions on what to do after I hit the reset button on my router. He said "no problem, ma'am, we'll have that fixed in just a few minutes", walked me through it step by step, without doing anything completely useless (and without one question about my Ethernet cable!) I told him several times how much I appreciated his helpfulness and good manners--he never once spoke remotely condescendingly to me. There ARE good people out there in Verizon Tech Support land.
I still don't have wireless for some reason...I've done everything I know to try to fix that, so I have to call back tomorrow and work on the next problem. Technology, unless it's working the way it's supposed to work, just doesn't mesh too well with me.
And I STILL haven't found that missing wireless router...
Saturday, June 16, 2007
The "unsuffocating" has begun...
I've spent a good part of this afternoon/evening going through my bookshelves. At last count, there are eight books on how to simplify/declutter your life in the "toss" pile. Seemed like a good place to start!! Why do I keep buying books that tell me how to do what I already know how to do if I'm not going to pay attention to them and actually get rid of something?
I also discovered that I had about a dozen books on herbal remedies/natural healing that all pretty much said the same thing. Some of them had really pretty pictures, though... Out they went. I think I kept four of them. I do refer to a couple of them occasionally and one of them is a beautifully illustrated herbal encyclopedia that I'm keeping mostly just for the artwork. A girl's gotta have a few things for purely aesthetic purposes!
It's been interesting to flip through some of these books and read things I've underlined and comments I've made in the margins. I have four excellent books on churches that abuse and recovering from spiritual abuse--lots of angry comments and red marks in those! I'm keeping the one that spoke the most healing into my particular situation...it was a constant companion for awhile and a good reminder now of how far I've come from those bad days. God has used time and distance to heal deep wounds from which I once thought I would never recover. Along with those books, I'm also discarding the ones that deal specifically with wounds inflicted on women by ugly churches and several books on divorce and its aftermath. All good books, all had their time and purpose. And I have a pile of books that came highly recommended by people I respect, but the books just didn't "click" with me and I didn't get past the first chapter or two before laying them aside--and I never will.
My bookshelves are certainly looking much less cluttered now! And I'm already feeling like it's easier to breathe, even though nothing's actually left my house yet...I feel the load is lighter simply because I'm moving toward the goal. I have a sense that this whole "unsuffocating" thing may have deeper purpose than just getting rid of the physical "stuff". And it will be really cool that the important books in my life (my Donald Miller, Anne Lamott, and Wendell Berry collections among others) can be moved off the floor and onto a shelf where I can actually find them!
Back to work. My closet is next. Scary. ;-)
I also discovered that I had about a dozen books on herbal remedies/natural healing that all pretty much said the same thing. Some of them had really pretty pictures, though... Out they went. I think I kept four of them. I do refer to a couple of them occasionally and one of them is a beautifully illustrated herbal encyclopedia that I'm keeping mostly just for the artwork. A girl's gotta have a few things for purely aesthetic purposes!
It's been interesting to flip through some of these books and read things I've underlined and comments I've made in the margins. I have four excellent books on churches that abuse and recovering from spiritual abuse--lots of angry comments and red marks in those! I'm keeping the one that spoke the most healing into my particular situation...it was a constant companion for awhile and a good reminder now of how far I've come from those bad days. God has used time and distance to heal deep wounds from which I once thought I would never recover. Along with those books, I'm also discarding the ones that deal specifically with wounds inflicted on women by ugly churches and several books on divorce and its aftermath. All good books, all had their time and purpose. And I have a pile of books that came highly recommended by people I respect, but the books just didn't "click" with me and I didn't get past the first chapter or two before laying them aside--and I never will.
My bookshelves are certainly looking much less cluttered now! And I'm already feeling like it's easier to breathe, even though nothing's actually left my house yet...I feel the load is lighter simply because I'm moving toward the goal. I have a sense that this whole "unsuffocating" thing may have deeper purpose than just getting rid of the physical "stuff". And it will be really cool that the important books in my life (my Donald Miller, Anne Lamott, and Wendell Berry collections among others) can be moved off the floor and onto a shelf where I can actually find them!
Back to work. My closet is next. Scary. ;-)
Friday, June 15, 2007
Suffocated by "stuff"...
I've just spent the last 30 minutes turning my house upside down, looking for the spare wireless router that I KNOW is here somewhere. Verizon sent me 2 of them when they had my account all messed up and I kept the extra one, because I thought I might need it someday. I don't need the router, but I DO need a Westell wireless card, because...well, because the Verizon website says I do in order to get the wireless stuff to run on my new laptop. I didn't need one for my OLD laptop. Don't ask me why.
I just want the stupid thing to run--I don't care what makes it work...it just needs to work. I've spent way too much time trying to read tech stuff (gives me a headache) and figure out the problem...and now that I've figured it out, I don't have what I need to solve it. So, I've unplugged the ethernet cable from my desktop computer and connected my laptop directly to the router so I can sit comfortably on my couch and bitch.
So...I have too much STUFF. Junk. Crap. And things that aren't really junk that I've kept for a variety of sentimental or guilty or wishful reasons, but don't need at all. My closets are full of boxes. My back porch is full of boxes. My basement is full of boxes. Of stuff. Clothes that I'm too fat to wear. Books that I'll never read again. Old greeting cards, newspaper clippings from years past, cake-smudged napkins from weddings of people who've been divorced for years (probably some of my own in there!) Gifts I've received and didn't really care for, but felt guilted into keeping. Things I used to collect (milk bottles, hay hooks, chamber pots, carnival glass, chicken stuff, old crocks). Scraps of wood and wallpaper from my remodelling project. And somewhere, buried in the midst of all of it...a wireless router that I'll find someday when I'm looking for a chamber pot. ;-) Stuff.
We've been talking lately about "generational curses"...what that means, how to recognize them, how to "break" them. I'm not sure that "curse" is even the right word...some of the things we've been talking about ARE unhealthy patterns, mindsets, behaviors, but I'm still debating on how I feel about calling them "curses"--not sure how that adds up with being under grace. Still thinking on that. At any rate, I know that I suffer from inheriting my granddad's penchant for pack-rattedness. He kept everything. Everything. Living through the Depression does that to you, I guess. My mom's the same way. And my aunt. And so is my sister. I didn't escape the "family tradition". But I'm trying to break that cycle. I've done much de-cluttering of my life the past couple of years. And, apparently, I'm ready to do more. I was so frustrated tonight, I was ready to fling open the front door and start setting things out on the lawn for passers-by to remove from my life.
I often read, and sometimes quote, a guy named Joshua, whom I've never met and probably never will. If you want to be challenged, touched, amused, and otherwise affected, read his blog. And if you want to be challenged, as I've been, to think about what's really important in life, read this . Kind of makes all that stuff in my basement seem pretty icky and...well, NON-essential. I'm ready for this suffocation to end. I'm ready to start setting myself free of them so I can truly be free. If I spend all of my time worrying about/thinking about my possessions, how does that line up with Scripture? Ummm...it doesn't. Bottom line.
As for that wireless router and card--well, I'm online right now and seem to be managing quite well with an ethernet cable instead of a wireless card, so I think I'm just going to sit back and be grateful for this bright yellow cord and not worry about what I don't have/can't find. And tomorrow, it's back to working on simplifying/paring down. I need to have space to breathe again.
REALLY good stuff from Joshua: All of the non-essentials are nice to have, but are not necessary for living. When I start thinking that I can’t live without any of those items, that’s when I have to really reevaluate my priorities. Because if I don’t have them, tomorrow is still going to happen. Tomorrow will still come. If I lose something, it’s fine. Tomorrow will still come. If something gets stolen, it’s ok. If I or someone else breaks something, life will continue. We will be ok.
I just want the stupid thing to run--I don't care what makes it work...it just needs to work. I've spent way too much time trying to read tech stuff (gives me a headache) and figure out the problem...and now that I've figured it out, I don't have what I need to solve it. So, I've unplugged the ethernet cable from my desktop computer and connected my laptop directly to the router so I can sit comfortably on my couch and bitch.
So...I have too much STUFF. Junk. Crap. And things that aren't really junk that I've kept for a variety of sentimental or guilty or wishful reasons, but don't need at all. My closets are full of boxes. My back porch is full of boxes. My basement is full of boxes. Of stuff. Clothes that I'm too fat to wear. Books that I'll never read again. Old greeting cards, newspaper clippings from years past, cake-smudged napkins from weddings of people who've been divorced for years (probably some of my own in there!) Gifts I've received and didn't really care for, but felt guilted into keeping. Things I used to collect (milk bottles, hay hooks, chamber pots, carnival glass, chicken stuff, old crocks). Scraps of wood and wallpaper from my remodelling project. And somewhere, buried in the midst of all of it...a wireless router that I'll find someday when I'm looking for a chamber pot. ;-) Stuff.
We've been talking lately about "generational curses"...what that means, how to recognize them, how to "break" them. I'm not sure that "curse" is even the right word...some of the things we've been talking about ARE unhealthy patterns, mindsets, behaviors, but I'm still debating on how I feel about calling them "curses"--not sure how that adds up with being under grace. Still thinking on that. At any rate, I know that I suffer from inheriting my granddad's penchant for pack-rattedness. He kept everything. Everything. Living through the Depression does that to you, I guess. My mom's the same way. And my aunt. And so is my sister. I didn't escape the "family tradition". But I'm trying to break that cycle. I've done much de-cluttering of my life the past couple of years. And, apparently, I'm ready to do more. I was so frustrated tonight, I was ready to fling open the front door and start setting things out on the lawn for passers-by to remove from my life.
I often read, and sometimes quote, a guy named Joshua, whom I've never met and probably never will. If you want to be challenged, touched, amused, and otherwise affected, read his blog. And if you want to be challenged, as I've been, to think about what's really important in life, read this . Kind of makes all that stuff in my basement seem pretty icky and...well, NON-essential. I'm ready for this suffocation to end. I'm ready to start setting myself free of them so I can truly be free. If I spend all of my time worrying about/thinking about my possessions, how does that line up with Scripture? Ummm...it doesn't. Bottom line.
As for that wireless router and card--well, I'm online right now and seem to be managing quite well with an ethernet cable instead of a wireless card, so I think I'm just going to sit back and be grateful for this bright yellow cord and not worry about what I don't have/can't find. And tomorrow, it's back to working on simplifying/paring down. I need to have space to breathe again.
REALLY good stuff from Joshua: All of the non-essentials are nice to have, but are not necessary for living. When I start thinking that I can’t live without any of those items, that’s when I have to really reevaluate my priorities. Because if I don’t have them, tomorrow is still going to happen. Tomorrow will still come. If I lose something, it’s fine. Tomorrow will still come. If something gets stolen, it’s ok. If I or someone else breaks something, life will continue. We will be ok.
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