“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:2 NIV
When I was a child, my parents didn't conform to the pattern of the world... But not in a good way! I remember wishing we could be more like the families of my friends. So when I got out on my own, it was important for me to conform. I could finally be more like everyone else. Of course, I lost much of my true self on the way. It is only in my empty nester years that I am finally finding time to be more me. I've become a bit of a hippy and you can't get much more non-conformist than that!
One of the hardest things in our society to fight is commercialism and advertising. In his book, The More of Less, Joshua Becker talks about advertising and some of the tactics they use:
If you think you are immune (or too smart) to be influenced by the power of advertisements, you are wrong. Corporations do not spend $171 billion in advertising hoping to influence you; they spend $171 billion in advertising because they know they will influence you.
Becker gives many examples of advertising tactics that easily rope us into wanting things we don't need, but I thought this was particularly insidious:
The Instant markdown. The CEO of JCPenney was fired because he decided to remove sale prices from items in their stores. His strategy was to mark every item as low as it could be priced all the time —no hassles or sales, just low-priced items. Unfortunately, the strategy failed as sales plummeted. Lowering the original prices resulted in lower sales. How could this be? Eventually, researchers determined that consumers were more likely to purchase an item marked “on sale” than they were to buy the exact same product at the same price without a “sale” sticker on it. They went on to conjecture that most consumers have no idea how much a product should cost in the first place. By artificially inflating the original price of an item, retailers are able to trick consumers into thinking they are getting a deal on the item at the sale price, even if they aren’t.
It's really hard to not conform to the world of consumerism. Companies are paying millions of dollars to make sure that we WILL conform. God wants us to stop and think. Do we really need it? Why? How often will It be used? Can something I already own be used instead?
If we are buying it because we think it will make us happy, we need to stop right there, because it won't.
God, give us strength to say no to buying more and more and more stuff. We know deep down that it can't make us happy. Amen.
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Thursday, September 1, 2016
A Full Life
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I come that they may have life, and have it to the full. - John 10:10
Stuff is addicting. Once you buy something you think will make you happy, you soon find out that happiness is fleeting. So you have to get something else. And then something else. And again and again and again. "Stuff" is a thief that steals and kills and destroys. It lies to us to make us believe that we need it and that our lives are happier with it.
In reality, it takes our life away, making our life meaningless. We spend our time, effort and money protecting, organizing and cleaning our stuff. But once we get rid of it, we find we have more time, more money and less fear. We can experience life to its fullest when we don't have things holding us back.
When Jesus talked about having a full life, he didn't mean, "full of stuff"; he meant full of experiences. And we can't fully experience life as long as we are slaves to our stuff.
Lord Jesus,
Give us a thirst for a full life of experiences, not a life full of stuff. Amen.
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Hearts and Treasures
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[g] consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust[h]consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. -Matthew 6:19-21
Many families these days have locking safes, cabinets and storage buildings. They have locks on their doors and windows. They have alarms in case the locks are bypassed. And they live in communities that are locked away behind gates that need a pass code to get in.
I am aware that some of this is to protect us from violence, but much of it is to protect our stuff. The more stuff we have in and around our houses, the more we pay to protect it... and the more we pay to store it and organize it. There are businesses that focus solely on storing and organizing stuff. And now we can even spend money on books to teach us how to get rid of our stuff!
People, we have a heart problem. If our heart is where our treasure is, our hearts must be in our closets, drawers, attics, basements and storage buildings. I'm here to tell you--some of that stuff is really hard to get rid of, because our hearts attach quickly to stuff. But once we do get rid of it, our hearts are free to focus elsewhere. Perhaps we can even begin to store up treasure in heaven.
Holy God,
Our hearts have strayed so much further than we even realize. Help us back to the right path. Amen.
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Minimalism
Then he (Jesus) said to them, "Watch out! Be on guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist of an abundance of possessions." - Luke 15:12
Yes! This is a brand new blog post! I have a new passion, so I feel inspired to write. What is this passion, you ask? ...minimalism/decluttering.
I live in a relatively small house. It was pretty difficult to raise two boys in it. The house was always a mess and felt like it was bursting at the seams. Now that it is just me and Richard, I felt like we should have plenty of room. The house seemed pretty clean most of the time, but every closet, every drawer-every place that could hide stuff-was full of stuff. Stuff I never used or looked at or thought about or needed. Why was all that stuff taking up space?
Then I found a book by Joshua Becker called, The More of Less: A Guide to Less Stuff and More Joy. I found that I was not the only one to feel that accumulating stuff was not the real path to joy. I started in my closet. I took everything out and only returned the things I use and/or give me joy. It was addicting. Even Richard, who has a strong pack rat tendency, got rid of a bunch of stuff.
I invite you to get Josh's book. He is a Christian and used to pastor a church. If you have the YouVersion bible app on your phone or tablet, I invite you to follow his 14 day devotional with me. It is the same as the title of his book.
Holy God, teach us the true path to joy. We know we can only find it through you, but we have so much trouble disregarding the lies of the world. Strengthen us in your truth. Amen.
Yes! This is a brand new blog post! I have a new passion, so I feel inspired to write. What is this passion, you ask? ...minimalism/decluttering.
I live in a relatively small house. It was pretty difficult to raise two boys in it. The house was always a mess and felt like it was bursting at the seams. Now that it is just me and Richard, I felt like we should have plenty of room. The house seemed pretty clean most of the time, but every closet, every drawer-every place that could hide stuff-was full of stuff. Stuff I never used or looked at or thought about or needed. Why was all that stuff taking up space?
Then I found a book by Joshua Becker called, The More of Less: A Guide to Less Stuff and More Joy. I found that I was not the only one to feel that accumulating stuff was not the real path to joy. I started in my closet. I took everything out and only returned the things I use and/or give me joy. It was addicting. Even Richard, who has a strong pack rat tendency, got rid of a bunch of stuff.
I invite you to get Josh's book. He is a Christian and used to pastor a church. If you have the YouVersion bible app on your phone or tablet, I invite you to follow his 14 day devotional with me. It is the same as the title of his book.
Holy God, teach us the true path to joy. We know we can only find it through you, but we have so much trouble disregarding the lies of the world. Strengthen us in your truth. Amen.
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
A Kingdom Divided
“The crowds were cynical and skeptical [‘amazed’]. Some of them said, ‘It is by the prince of devils that he casts out devils’ ... Jesus said, ‘When Someone Stronger comes along and overpowers the supposed strong man, he carries off the spoils. Anyone who is not ‘one’ will always be against me. Anyone who does not gather invariably scatters.” Luke 11:14–15, 22–23
Note: I'm sorry for the political lean of this post, but it's what is on my mind and something I am currently struggling with. It's easy to get sucked into the anger and I am mostly preaching to myself.
Isn't it odd how those who stand up against evil are often accused of being evil themselves? Even Jesus. He cast out demons and was accused of being a devil himself. Jesus answered that a kingdom divided cannot stand. Answering evil with evil does no good, and actually removes any good that might have been there.
I was very proud of so many of our ELCA pastors and laity that recently demonstrated at the Trump rally at Lenoir-Rhyne. Many of these folks had very strong feelings against Trump and maybe even feel that there is “evil” dwelling there. But they kept their message positive. Instead of shouting about what they hate, they sang about-and held signs about-what they love. They even stood between two groups who were on their way to coming to blows.
I get so tired of all the negativity in a presidential election year. We should hold up those values in which we believe instead of tearing down the other side. It may not make the news, but if there was no violence and anger to report, maybe it would make the news by default.
No matter who you plan to vote for in November, make it a positive vote. When having political discussions, offer your positive reasons for supporting your candidate instead of tearing down the other candidates. Follow Christ in EVERY aspect of your life.
Holy God,
Help each of us to stop supporting negative campaigning. Give us ears to hear what each candidate has to offer, but make us deaf to their angry criticisms of his/her opponents. Amen.
Note: I'm sorry for the political lean of this post, but it's what is on my mind and something I am currently struggling with. It's easy to get sucked into the anger and I am mostly preaching to myself.
Isn't it odd how those who stand up against evil are often accused of being evil themselves? Even Jesus. He cast out demons and was accused of being a devil himself. Jesus answered that a kingdom divided cannot stand. Answering evil with evil does no good, and actually removes any good that might have been there.
I was very proud of so many of our ELCA pastors and laity that recently demonstrated at the Trump rally at Lenoir-Rhyne. Many of these folks had very strong feelings against Trump and maybe even feel that there is “evil” dwelling there. But they kept their message positive. Instead of shouting about what they hate, they sang about-and held signs about-what they love. They even stood between two groups who were on their way to coming to blows.
I get so tired of all the negativity in a presidential election year. We should hold up those values in which we believe instead of tearing down the other side. It may not make the news, but if there was no violence and anger to report, maybe it would make the news by default.
No matter who you plan to vote for in November, make it a positive vote. When having political discussions, offer your positive reasons for supporting your candidate instead of tearing down the other candidates. Follow Christ in EVERY aspect of your life.
Holy God,
Help each of us to stop supporting negative campaigning. Give us ears to hear what each candidate has to offer, but make us deaf to their angry criticisms of his/her opponents. Amen.
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Getting Better
14 The human spirit will endure sickness;
but a broken spirit—who can bear?- Proverbs 18:14
I’m sorry I missed posting last week, but I've had the flu. I’m still not at one hundred percent, but I am at least fairly certain I'll survive. Of course, I was fairly sure of that at the onset (even though I think I prayed for death once or twice!). That knowledge, that in a week to ten days I would be healthy again, helped me to get through the toughest part of being sick. I would envision myself two weeks in the future taking a hike in the gorgeous spring weather and life was worth fighting for once again.
Our lives are much the same. We are living life well, and along comes an ugly flu… a job loss, the death of a loved one, a scary diagnosis, a broken relationship. Unlike the actual flu, we can’t always predict when it will be over or what the result is likely to be. And this is where faith comes in. That faith gives us the knowledge that no matter what happens, it is all going to be fine. Even death does not have the final say. Our anxiety comes in wanting to know when and how everything will work out. We are not good at waiting!
The world as a whole follows the same pattern. We live in wonder at the beauty of creation and life and love. But there is an ugly flu out there we have labeled, “evil.” It is the disease that tries to destroy the beauty. It is the fuel behind the worst of the world’s atrocities. But we are promised that even this sickness will one day pass. We can even participate in its coming! Each time we say “no” to hate, each time we answer a harsh word with kindness, each time we forgive without being offered an apology…we bring that day a little closer.
Have faith! No matter what happens, it really is going to be fine and with each act of love we will help that fine day arrive as God’s kingdom on earth.
Holy God,
We all struggle with some kind of “flu.” Give us faith to look ahead and to live as though we are already there. Amen.
but a broken spirit—who can bear?- Proverbs 18:14
I’m sorry I missed posting last week, but I've had the flu. I’m still not at one hundred percent, but I am at least fairly certain I'll survive. Of course, I was fairly sure of that at the onset (even though I think I prayed for death once or twice!). That knowledge, that in a week to ten days I would be healthy again, helped me to get through the toughest part of being sick. I would envision myself two weeks in the future taking a hike in the gorgeous spring weather and life was worth fighting for once again.
Our lives are much the same. We are living life well, and along comes an ugly flu… a job loss, the death of a loved one, a scary diagnosis, a broken relationship. Unlike the actual flu, we can’t always predict when it will be over or what the result is likely to be. And this is where faith comes in. That faith gives us the knowledge that no matter what happens, it is all going to be fine. Even death does not have the final say. Our anxiety comes in wanting to know when and how everything will work out. We are not good at waiting!
The world as a whole follows the same pattern. We live in wonder at the beauty of creation and life and love. But there is an ugly flu out there we have labeled, “evil.” It is the disease that tries to destroy the beauty. It is the fuel behind the worst of the world’s atrocities. But we are promised that even this sickness will one day pass. We can even participate in its coming! Each time we say “no” to hate, each time we answer a harsh word with kindness, each time we forgive without being offered an apology…we bring that day a little closer.
Have faith! No matter what happens, it really is going to be fine and with each act of love we will help that fine day arrive as God’s kingdom on earth.
Holy God,
We all struggle with some kind of “flu.” Give us faith to look ahead and to live as though we are already there. Amen.
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Death and Resurrection
10 I want to know Christ[a] and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death - Philippians 3:10
Death and resurrection. It's what the Lent and Easter season is all about. Really, it is what life itself is about. Death and resurrection is all around us: winter to spring; caterpillar to butterfly; seed to flower. We even find the death and resurrection theme in our life experiences: our empty nests often leads to grandchildren; graduation can lead to an exciting career. Brene Brown describes the process of forgiveness as a death of an old relationship and the resurrection of a new one.
In any instance of death and resurrection that we can come up with, one thing is true. The resurrected thing is always quite different—and usually better—than the thing that died. I can't help but think of a cartoon I once saw that showed a very old man and woman up in heaven enjoying all the wonders that heaven offers. The man said to the woman, “See, Harriet, if you weren't so insistent about watching our cholesterol, carbs and fat, we could have been here years ago!” And if I knew how great grandkids were, I would have had a few more children!
However, there is a lot to be said for the pre-resurrection stage of things as well. I love caterpillars. I love to watch it snow in winter. I love that stage in a new relationship where the other person seems perfect. And I loved being a mom.
We need not rush the resurrections in our lives. There is a lot for us to learn beforehand, and God has given us much to enjoy in those experiences. But we also need not fear the future! God promises greater and better. As we soak up the death and dying experiences of Lent, we always hold the sure and certain hope Easter resurrection.
Holy God,
Help us to see the joy and beauty of every pre-resurrection experience and not fear what is to come. Amen.
Death and resurrection. It's what the Lent and Easter season is all about. Really, it is what life itself is about. Death and resurrection is all around us: winter to spring; caterpillar to butterfly; seed to flower. We even find the death and resurrection theme in our life experiences: our empty nests often leads to grandchildren; graduation can lead to an exciting career. Brene Brown describes the process of forgiveness as a death of an old relationship and the resurrection of a new one.
In any instance of death and resurrection that we can come up with, one thing is true. The resurrected thing is always quite different—and usually better—than the thing that died. I can't help but think of a cartoon I once saw that showed a very old man and woman up in heaven enjoying all the wonders that heaven offers. The man said to the woman, “See, Harriet, if you weren't so insistent about watching our cholesterol, carbs and fat, we could have been here years ago!” And if I knew how great grandkids were, I would have had a few more children!
However, there is a lot to be said for the pre-resurrection stage of things as well. I love caterpillars. I love to watch it snow in winter. I love that stage in a new relationship where the other person seems perfect. And I loved being a mom.
We need not rush the resurrections in our lives. There is a lot for us to learn beforehand, and God has given us much to enjoy in those experiences. But we also need not fear the future! God promises greater and better. As we soak up the death and dying experiences of Lent, we always hold the sure and certain hope Easter resurrection.
Holy God,
Help us to see the joy and beauty of every pre-resurrection experience and not fear what is to come. Amen.
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
A Better Fast
“‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers.
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”
Isaiah 58:3, 6-7 NIV
How is your Lenten fast going? Did you give up chocolate? Wine or beer? Are you fasting from meat or carbs? Maybe you've chosen one day a week to not eat at all. In his book, Wondrous Encounters: Scriptures for Lent, Richard Rohr remarks: “The poor body is always the available scapegoat to avoid touching our purse, our calendar, or our prejudices.”
Don't get me wrong, I think fasting for Lent (however you choose to do it) is a good thing. It helps us to refocus and keep ourselves reminded that we are called to return to God in Lent. But we must remember that these fasts are for no one but ourselves. God is not impressed, and frankly, neither is anybody you try to regale with tales of your awesome abilities of self-denial.
If your fast leads you to deeply desire what God desires, then we’ve got a fast that is truly worth something! And what kind of fast does God desire? …please refer to the scripture above, or better yet, read all of Isaiah 58.
This Lent, let us all strive to loose the chains of injustice and break the yoke of oppression. Let us feed the hungry, house the homeless, and offer care to the sick. Sometimes all it takes is a willingness to listen to someone else’s story without pre-conceived ideas of how they came to be in need to open our hearts enough to take on the kind of fast God really wants from us. Go a little deeper this year and make your fast count.
Holy God,
We humans can trivialize anything. Help us to want more from ourselves this Lent. Show us the way. Amen.
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”
Isaiah 58:3, 6-7 NIV
How is your Lenten fast going? Did you give up chocolate? Wine or beer? Are you fasting from meat or carbs? Maybe you've chosen one day a week to not eat at all. In his book, Wondrous Encounters: Scriptures for Lent, Richard Rohr remarks: “The poor body is always the available scapegoat to avoid touching our purse, our calendar, or our prejudices.”
Don't get me wrong, I think fasting for Lent (however you choose to do it) is a good thing. It helps us to refocus and keep ourselves reminded that we are called to return to God in Lent. But we must remember that these fasts are for no one but ourselves. God is not impressed, and frankly, neither is anybody you try to regale with tales of your awesome abilities of self-denial.
If your fast leads you to deeply desire what God desires, then we’ve got a fast that is truly worth something! And what kind of fast does God desire? …please refer to the scripture above, or better yet, read all of Isaiah 58.
This Lent, let us all strive to loose the chains of injustice and break the yoke of oppression. Let us feed the hungry, house the homeless, and offer care to the sick. Sometimes all it takes is a willingness to listen to someone else’s story without pre-conceived ideas of how they came to be in need to open our hearts enough to take on the kind of fast God really wants from us. Go a little deeper this year and make your fast count.
Holy God,
We humans can trivialize anything. Help us to want more from ourselves this Lent. Show us the way. Amen.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Wearing Our Ashes
As my Lenten discipline for this year, I have committed to writing weekly devotions.
12 Yet even now, says the Lord,
return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
13 rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the Lord, your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
and relents from punishing.
14 Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,
and leave a blessing behind him,
a grain offering and a drink offering
for the Lord, your God?-Joel 2:12-14
It's Ash Wednesday. Time to remember that we are dust and to dust we shall return. Time to enter the season of Lent when we are to “die to ourselves.” But how? Many of us do that by giving up something we enjoy or taking on a new discipline. Unfortunately some of us use these sacrifices and disciplines to do anything but die to ourselves. We brag about what we are giving up for Lent. We give up sweets in hope of losing a few pounds. Our ashes - in whatever form we choose to wear them - draw attention to ourselves rather than to God even when we don't intend them to.
Lent isn't a time to show others how spiritual you are. And it's not about telling others how spiritual they are not. It's simply about God and trying to experience how unfathomably holy God is. It is about resting fully in his love and grace and in the knowledge that he is God. It is about fully understanding how not-God we really are and giving up trying to be God.
These things don't happen because we put ashes on our head or skip a few meals or write a few devotions. It is a work done by the Holy Spirit that happens deep within our hearts and changes us forever. Don’t give up the sacrifices and disciplines, though. They are useful for helping the Holy Spirit work within us. They can help us focus on her guidance. Just don't depend on the outward work to change the inside by itself.
Holy and mighty God,
Rend our hearts this Lent that we may fully return to you. Amen.
12 Yet even now, says the Lord,
return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
13 rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the Lord, your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
and relents from punishing.
14 Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,
and leave a blessing behind him,
a grain offering and a drink offering
for the Lord, your God?-Joel 2:12-14
It's Ash Wednesday. Time to remember that we are dust and to dust we shall return. Time to enter the season of Lent when we are to “die to ourselves.” But how? Many of us do that by giving up something we enjoy or taking on a new discipline. Unfortunately some of us use these sacrifices and disciplines to do anything but die to ourselves. We brag about what we are giving up for Lent. We give up sweets in hope of losing a few pounds. Our ashes - in whatever form we choose to wear them - draw attention to ourselves rather than to God even when we don't intend them to.
Lent isn't a time to show others how spiritual you are. And it's not about telling others how spiritual they are not. It's simply about God and trying to experience how unfathomably holy God is. It is about resting fully in his love and grace and in the knowledge that he is God. It is about fully understanding how not-God we really are and giving up trying to be God.
These things don't happen because we put ashes on our head or skip a few meals or write a few devotions. It is a work done by the Holy Spirit that happens deep within our hearts and changes us forever. Don’t give up the sacrifices and disciplines, though. They are useful for helping the Holy Spirit work within us. They can help us focus on her guidance. Just don't depend on the outward work to change the inside by itself.
Holy and mighty God,
Rend our hearts this Lent that we may fully return to you. Amen.