Let's see, we started this examination of Richard Foster's controlling principles of simplicity on January 19 ... there are ten principles so I should have wrapped up the posts last week. I've learned another lesson about simplicity and blogging: When life gets crazy, roll with it and hope your readers are still around!! Today, we'll look at the eighth principle outlined by Foster in Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth: Obey Jesus' instructions about plain, honest ... [Read More]
“NO Payment until 2013!”
Cars. Furniture. Jewelry. Appliances. Basically, anything you want. Buy now, pay later. Good deal or bad idea? As we {finally!} get back into Richard Foster's ten controlling principles of simplicity, we are at number seven: Look with healthy skepticism at all "buy now, pay later" schemes." (93) I'm not going to launch into a financial management diatribe because I assure you, I am no Dave Ramsey! But, as I've been praying through a simpler life and contemplating what simplicity looks ... [Read More]
Practical Suicide
Got your attention? I'm reading this amazing book ... The Rest of God: Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath by Mark Buchanon. Do you ever have a book you KNOW you are supposed to be reading ... RIGHT NOW? This is that book for me. Scott bought Buchanon's book for me for Christmas and I added it to the large stack of books I received. In January, I was reading (again) One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are and noticed a few quotes that resonated within me ... guess ... [Read More]
I Need to Hug a Tree
Last night my husband and I watched (sort of) Avatar. After watching, he commented on Facebook that while it wasn't one of his favorite movies, he felt like he needed to go outside and hug a tree. Though he was being sarcastic, his statement made me think ... When was the last time I was caught up in the wonder of God's creation? Richard Foster's sixth controlling principle of the discipline of simplicity points to this idea: Develop a deeper appreciation for the creation. My daughter and I ... [Read More]
How Netflix is helping my move toward simplicity
We're looking at the controlling principles of simplicity outlined by Richard Foster in his book Celebration of Discipline each Wednesday here on the blog ... and guess what number five is {drumroll, please!}: Learn to enjoy things without owning them. Yep, it's true ... Netflix has become a key in my move toward simplicity. And, I didn't even realize it until I started working on this post. Perhaps you are wondering what the relationship is between our Netflix subscription and my ... [Read More]
And the painful process continues
Seriously, y'all ... this simplicity thing is killin' me. I'm on week four of examining Richard Foster's controlling principles of simplicity and this week booted me all the way back to week one. You remember week one, right? The post where I explained why I don't have a MacBook and confessed my love of gadgetry. Well, guess what principle number four is: Refuse to be propagandized by the custodians of modern gadgetry. Ummm, ouch. I love gadgets. Sitting on my desk as I type are the ... [Read More]
