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Simple Spirituality: Learning to See God in a Broken World
Chris Heuertz believes that any true path to spiritual sight ought to be simple.
While he's not a contemplative and hardly a mystic, Chris has found, in the Bible and in his work with impoverished people, evidence of a simple spirituality.
This way of humility, community, simplicity, submission and brokenness will help you see--no matter how dark things get.
While he's not a contemplative and hardly a mystic, Chris has found, in the Bible and in his work with impoverished people, evidence of a simple spirituality.
This way of humility, community, simplicity, submission and brokenness will help you see--no matter how dark things get.
161 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 2, 2008
14 people are currently reading
322 people want to read
About the author
Christopher L. Heuertz
22 books80 followersChristopher L. Heuertz is an activist, author, visionary and public speaker, who has traveled with his wife, Phileena, through nearly seventy countries working with the most vulnerable of the world’s poor. Chris has led the Word Made Flesh community as the International Executive Director since 1996. He and Phileena reside in Omaha, Nebraska.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 10, 2009
After seeing this guy speak at Cornerstone this year, I immediately bought his book. I think this is the first time I've ever done that. His sincerity as a speaker carries over into this book, and I find him talking about a lot of the same things our pastor has been talking about lately. A ton of times I said "Exactly!" out loud and then highlighted passages. I love it when someone can put my thoughts into words, where I tried clumsily and failed. My only criticism of this book is that he dwelled a bit much on these extreme conditions of poverty he's seen, and it comes off as maybe being a little "shock me shock me shock me." I don't think he meant to seem that way at all, I guess I was just looking for a little more practical advice and suggestions for how to move toward this lifestyle of total generosity and sharing in the struggles of the poor. Also I guess I'm at the point of "Okay I know there is suffering, now how do I help?" whereas some readers may not yet know the extent of that suffering. At any rate, this was an amazing read and I'm excited to read more of his stuff and support Word Made Flesh in any way I can in the future.
http://www.wordmadeflesh.org/
SO many quotes:
-- We have been given so much. Learning to loosen the grasp of our lives, our possessions, our hopes and dreams, our futures, and allowing God to take control is the entryway to simplicity in its purest form.
-- We cringe at the thought of covering women with a burka. At the same time our culture creates tremendous pressure to women to wear a "burka of flawless beauty": perfect complexions, stunningly white teeth, even straight smiles, tastefully made-up faces, and bodies that are flawless.
-- An eight-ounce cup can only hold eight ounces of liquid. That is its limiting capacity. If the bottom of an eight-ounce cup is broken off, however, the limiting capacity is no longer a factor; that cup is capable of having an entire ocean poured through it.
-- Frequently I check myself: If there were no threat of hell and no promise of heaven, would I still serve God? I mean, what's the motivation if there's no punishment or reward in the equation? All I have to do to find the answer to this is pop open the Scriptures and start reading about a God who loves people who are poor, provides for them, honors them, seats them with princesses and princes. I want to serve and love a God who's so compassionate and kind, one who so generously loves, one who secures justice for my friends. I celebrate these traits of God. The God who invites us into fellowship and communion, never imposing on our will but offering us love with an invitation to love back, has moved me from a fear-based faith to a relationship where intimacy is central.
-- Humility is not a means to an end. Rather humility is the door through which we must enter to be welcomed into God's presence.
-- Archbishop Desmond Tutu says that 'humility is not pretending you don't have gifts. Sometimes we confuse humility with a false modesty that gives little glory to the One who has given us the gifts. Humility is the recognition that who you are is a gift from God and so helps you to sit reasonably loosely to this gift. This lessens the likelihood of arrogance because the recognition that our abilities and talents are gifts reminds us that they are not wholly ours and can be taken away. If we truly exalted in our gifts, we would also celebrate the gifts of other people and the diversity of talents that God has given all of us.'
-- I've often mistaken humility for modesty and even forms of self-disgust. False pride is another deformation of humility that has tricked me more than once. For a long time I even thought of humility in terms of humiliation -- something that resembled humility at a distance, but smelled of pride the closer I got to understanding it.
-- We erroneously apply the principles of the world to our relationship with God -- to do so that we can be. We think that we need to do the right things to earn God's love and acceptance. We think that we have to earn our place in God's family. However impossible that is, for many, seeking to earn this approval is much easier than simply receiving the approval that is already available.
-- Samuel Kamaleson, former vice president at-large for World Vision International, often refers to the nonvalues of the kingdom of God. One of these nonvalues is possessions. Kamaleson explains that if we are unable to give something away, then we do not possess it, rather it possesses us. In a culture saturated with overconsumption and gross materialism, it is hard not to believe this lie. The empire of humanity teaches us to live above our means, obtaining things that we are unable to afford and living lifestyles that are not sustainable. So we spend more money to make ourselves feel better. Or we work harder and save more money so that our bank-account balances will provide us with a false sense of security. We make sure that our company provides us with the best retirement plan so that when we're old we can have "enough" to be comfortable. We study to earn degrees, thinking they will define us and increase our marketable worth to the world. We try to keep up with the latest in fashion and entertainment so that we don't get "left behind." We move from one house to another, seeking out the bigger and better, all the while making sure that where we live is in the "right" part of town or in the "right" neighborhoods. We work hard to get ahead. The titles and positions are never enough, and so we sacrifice everything to move up the social or occupational ladder, desperately trying to "arrive." We give up who we truly are to try to become something we never will be. This becomes a habitual and destructive way of living. We're never free to celebrate what we have because we're always looking for what we can get and what we think we want or need.
-- So many of us see ourselves though the eyes of others. We compare ourselves to the world around us and submit ourselves to the world's critique. When people say bad or negative things about us, we have a bad day. Soon the good things go unheard.
-- Jesus knew who he was an to whom he belonged. The words of those around him did not affect his self-understanding but showed more clearly the false identities of his accusers.
-- There is a popular misconception that financial blessing is an indication of right standing before God. This leads to the judgment that people who are poor are thus outside of right relationship with God. The assumption is made that when poor people are saved, their financial problems will be cured. Those who hold to this belief, despite its obvious flaws, isolate people who are poor by placing unfounded judgment on their spirituality by observing their physical conditions. This lie, that poverty is a judgment of God as a result of broken relationship with God, strips away compassion and denies our friends who are poor God's love and mercy.
-- New Testament scholar Joel Green points out that "Jesus' dependence on the benefaction of others (Luke 8:3) has already ruled out any picture in Luke of an ascetic Jesus who rejects outright the use of wealth." .... Jesus himself not only allowed a woman to pour expensive perfume over him but scolded his disciples for their audacious remarks about how that could have been sold and the proceeds given to people who were poor.
-- It seems like we are living in a day where short-term missions have become a form of Christian tourism or spiritual adventurism.
-- Simplicity is best understood in evaluating how we hold things, not just what we do or don't hold.
-- Scripture says, "Give to the one who asks you" (Matthew 5:42). But does that mean giving exactly what they ask? E. Stanley Jones suggests, "It doesn't say give to him what he asks...It may be what he asks, or it may be something better than he asks."
-- I've always appreciated Richard Foster's staple read on the topic, Freedom of Simplicity, especially the warning about our tendency to turn simplicity against itself. He writes, "Most dangerous of all is our tendency to turn any expressions of simplicity into a new legalism." Well, now I'm in big trouble. Simplicity for simplicity's sake is really only legalism -- that tyrannical feast of appearances where we put on airs to impress one another. David Chronic writes, "Attaching to Jesus leads to detaching from the world and to simplicity of lifestyle. This is not simplicity for the sake of simplicity, but simplicity for the sake of relationship -- relationship with God and relationship with each other."
-- Affluence and excess tell lies about what I think I want and need. A small and complex virtue, simplicity, gives me a glimpse past the giant things I don't really need so that I can find grace in Christ, my everything.
http://www.wordmadeflesh.org/
SO many quotes:
-- We have been given so much. Learning to loosen the grasp of our lives, our possessions, our hopes and dreams, our futures, and allowing God to take control is the entryway to simplicity in its purest form.
-- We cringe at the thought of covering women with a burka. At the same time our culture creates tremendous pressure to women to wear a "burka of flawless beauty": perfect complexions, stunningly white teeth, even straight smiles, tastefully made-up faces, and bodies that are flawless.
-- An eight-ounce cup can only hold eight ounces of liquid. That is its limiting capacity. If the bottom of an eight-ounce cup is broken off, however, the limiting capacity is no longer a factor; that cup is capable of having an entire ocean poured through it.
-- Frequently I check myself: If there were no threat of hell and no promise of heaven, would I still serve God? I mean, what's the motivation if there's no punishment or reward in the equation? All I have to do to find the answer to this is pop open the Scriptures and start reading about a God who loves people who are poor, provides for them, honors them, seats them with princesses and princes. I want to serve and love a God who's so compassionate and kind, one who so generously loves, one who secures justice for my friends. I celebrate these traits of God. The God who invites us into fellowship and communion, never imposing on our will but offering us love with an invitation to love back, has moved me from a fear-based faith to a relationship where intimacy is central.
-- Humility is not a means to an end. Rather humility is the door through which we must enter to be welcomed into God's presence.
-- Archbishop Desmond Tutu says that 'humility is not pretending you don't have gifts. Sometimes we confuse humility with a false modesty that gives little glory to the One who has given us the gifts. Humility is the recognition that who you are is a gift from God and so helps you to sit reasonably loosely to this gift. This lessens the likelihood of arrogance because the recognition that our abilities and talents are gifts reminds us that they are not wholly ours and can be taken away. If we truly exalted in our gifts, we would also celebrate the gifts of other people and the diversity of talents that God has given all of us.'
-- I've often mistaken humility for modesty and even forms of self-disgust. False pride is another deformation of humility that has tricked me more than once. For a long time I even thought of humility in terms of humiliation -- something that resembled humility at a distance, but smelled of pride the closer I got to understanding it.
-- We erroneously apply the principles of the world to our relationship with God -- to do so that we can be. We think that we need to do the right things to earn God's love and acceptance. We think that we have to earn our place in God's family. However impossible that is, for many, seeking to earn this approval is much easier than simply receiving the approval that is already available.
-- Samuel Kamaleson, former vice president at-large for World Vision International, often refers to the nonvalues of the kingdom of God. One of these nonvalues is possessions. Kamaleson explains that if we are unable to give something away, then we do not possess it, rather it possesses us. In a culture saturated with overconsumption and gross materialism, it is hard not to believe this lie. The empire of humanity teaches us to live above our means, obtaining things that we are unable to afford and living lifestyles that are not sustainable. So we spend more money to make ourselves feel better. Or we work harder and save more money so that our bank-account balances will provide us with a false sense of security. We make sure that our company provides us with the best retirement plan so that when we're old we can have "enough" to be comfortable. We study to earn degrees, thinking they will define us and increase our marketable worth to the world. We try to keep up with the latest in fashion and entertainment so that we don't get "left behind." We move from one house to another, seeking out the bigger and better, all the while making sure that where we live is in the "right" part of town or in the "right" neighborhoods. We work hard to get ahead. The titles and positions are never enough, and so we sacrifice everything to move up the social or occupational ladder, desperately trying to "arrive." We give up who we truly are to try to become something we never will be. This becomes a habitual and destructive way of living. We're never free to celebrate what we have because we're always looking for what we can get and what we think we want or need.
-- So many of us see ourselves though the eyes of others. We compare ourselves to the world around us and submit ourselves to the world's critique. When people say bad or negative things about us, we have a bad day. Soon the good things go unheard.
-- Jesus knew who he was an to whom he belonged. The words of those around him did not affect his self-understanding but showed more clearly the false identities of his accusers.
-- There is a popular misconception that financial blessing is an indication of right standing before God. This leads to the judgment that people who are poor are thus outside of right relationship with God. The assumption is made that when poor people are saved, their financial problems will be cured. Those who hold to this belief, despite its obvious flaws, isolate people who are poor by placing unfounded judgment on their spirituality by observing their physical conditions. This lie, that poverty is a judgment of God as a result of broken relationship with God, strips away compassion and denies our friends who are poor God's love and mercy.
-- New Testament scholar Joel Green points out that "Jesus' dependence on the benefaction of others (Luke 8:3) has already ruled out any picture in Luke of an ascetic Jesus who rejects outright the use of wealth." .... Jesus himself not only allowed a woman to pour expensive perfume over him but scolded his disciples for their audacious remarks about how that could have been sold and the proceeds given to people who were poor.
-- It seems like we are living in a day where short-term missions have become a form of Christian tourism or spiritual adventurism.
-- Simplicity is best understood in evaluating how we hold things, not just what we do or don't hold.
-- Scripture says, "Give to the one who asks you" (Matthew 5:42). But does that mean giving exactly what they ask? E. Stanley Jones suggests, "It doesn't say give to him what he asks...It may be what he asks, or it may be something better than he asks."
-- I've always appreciated Richard Foster's staple read on the topic, Freedom of Simplicity, especially the warning about our tendency to turn simplicity against itself. He writes, "Most dangerous of all is our tendency to turn any expressions of simplicity into a new legalism." Well, now I'm in big trouble. Simplicity for simplicity's sake is really only legalism -- that tyrannical feast of appearances where we put on airs to impress one another. David Chronic writes, "Attaching to Jesus leads to detaching from the world and to simplicity of lifestyle. This is not simplicity for the sake of simplicity, but simplicity for the sake of relationship -- relationship with God and relationship with each other."
-- Affluence and excess tell lies about what I think I want and need. A small and complex virtue, simplicity, gives me a glimpse past the giant things I don't really need so that I can find grace in Christ, my everything.
October 27, 2021
A powerful book that reminds me there still are parts of the world that I have been separated from. The closest experiences I got to the 'bottom' of the world were perhaps a few of those times when I made a trip to one of the poorer countries. They were some of my best teachers.
August 22, 2020
I wish the author would have mentioned the gospel more.
July 28, 2008
In spite of the popularity of the term “simplicity”, it seems that not much is simple these days. “Real Simple” magazine gives guidance on decorating your table for a five course meal or coordinating your living room curtains with your TV remote control. Stores sell wall plaques declaring “Simplicity” for $19.99 to add pizzazz to your home ambience.
To further complicate matters, we live in an information saturated society with the ability to access incredible amounts of knowledge in rapid fire succession. At times, this excessive knowledge spills over into spiritual lives, leaving us with piles of books, concordances, and commentaries with which to understand our spirituality. Sometimes the tools are useful, and sometimes, the weight of it all can be slightly overwhelming.
The attempt to sort through such complexities first drew me to a little book entitled Simple Spirituality. Written by Chris Heuertz, director of Word Made Flesh, an organization which serves among the poorest of the poor, Simple Spirituality stays true to its title by exploring five simple yet profound commitments:
• Humility
• Community
• Simplicity
• Submission
• Brokenness
In exploring these “lifestyle celebrations”, Heuertz uses stories of his relationships with the poor around the world to illustrate the depth of spirituality he has learned from the poor. He examines what the wealthy western church misses from its lack of connection to the poor. “I believe that God is using the cries of our friends who suffer in poverty today to call the church out of its sound-proof sanctuaries,” he writes. “God is challenging the church to respond to a world in need. Too often, however, the church has isolated itself and failed to listen, and thus contributed to the suffering. God is calling us to establish communities that offer the prophetic presence of Christ in today’s world.”
Heuertz addresses the temptation to use personal geography to justify disengaging from the difficulties of the rest of the world. His conclusion that “those who go without the basic necessities of life, regardless of their geographical location or proximity, are nevertheless counted as our family: fellow believers in the Sudan or Sri Lanka or Peru are as much an intrinsic part of the body of Christ as are the Methodists, Presbyterians, or Catholics down the street.” He asserts that it is simplicity that helps us to remember such family obligations.
With deep gentleness, Heuertz uses the brokenness of the world as a springboard for spiritual vitality. Using what he calls the “Five Stones of Brokenness” - humility, community, simplicity, submission, and brokenness - he challenges those of us who live in plenty to seek a fuller faith by reconsidering how we might “live more simply so others may simply live” (Mother Theresa).
To further complicate matters, we live in an information saturated society with the ability to access incredible amounts of knowledge in rapid fire succession. At times, this excessive knowledge spills over into spiritual lives, leaving us with piles of books, concordances, and commentaries with which to understand our spirituality. Sometimes the tools are useful, and sometimes, the weight of it all can be slightly overwhelming.
The attempt to sort through such complexities first drew me to a little book entitled Simple Spirituality. Written by Chris Heuertz, director of Word Made Flesh, an organization which serves among the poorest of the poor, Simple Spirituality stays true to its title by exploring five simple yet profound commitments:
• Humility
• Community
• Simplicity
• Submission
• Brokenness
In exploring these “lifestyle celebrations”, Heuertz uses stories of his relationships with the poor around the world to illustrate the depth of spirituality he has learned from the poor. He examines what the wealthy western church misses from its lack of connection to the poor. “I believe that God is using the cries of our friends who suffer in poverty today to call the church out of its sound-proof sanctuaries,” he writes. “God is challenging the church to respond to a world in need. Too often, however, the church has isolated itself and failed to listen, and thus contributed to the suffering. God is calling us to establish communities that offer the prophetic presence of Christ in today’s world.”
Heuertz addresses the temptation to use personal geography to justify disengaging from the difficulties of the rest of the world. His conclusion that “those who go without the basic necessities of life, regardless of their geographical location or proximity, are nevertheless counted as our family: fellow believers in the Sudan or Sri Lanka or Peru are as much an intrinsic part of the body of Christ as are the Methodists, Presbyterians, or Catholics down the street.” He asserts that it is simplicity that helps us to remember such family obligations.
With deep gentleness, Heuertz uses the brokenness of the world as a springboard for spiritual vitality. Using what he calls the “Five Stones of Brokenness” - humility, community, simplicity, submission, and brokenness - he challenges those of us who live in plenty to seek a fuller faith by reconsidering how we might “live more simply so others may simply live” (Mother Theresa).
May 29, 2015
Throughout reading this book I felt like it was just ok. I feel like the author, in an ironic way, boasts about his humility.
The first half or so nearly pushed me away from finishing the book, however there were good lines and thoughts here and there.
Upon completing the book, I've found that I can't stop thinking about many of the concepts and am even contemplating big changes in my life inspired by the contents of this book. I suppose that sometimes it's not about the content of a book or the likability of the author, it's about the way it changes the reader.
The first half or so nearly pushed me away from finishing the book, however there were good lines and thoughts here and there.
Upon completing the book, I've found that I can't stop thinking about many of the concepts and am even contemplating big changes in my life inspired by the contents of this book. I suppose that sometimes it's not about the content of a book or the likability of the author, it's about the way it changes the reader.
June 20, 2016
Spiritual ? Yes.
Simple? No.
But certainly honest, intelligent, challenging, and even, occasionally, revolutionary.
In so being, true to the gospel.
Five long chapters discuss Community, Humility and Simplicity; I have encountered many a book that mentions these first three but fewer are those speak of Submission or brokenness.
Commendable and recommended, if only for that final chapter alone.
December 5, 2011
I enjoyed this. He makes some nice reflections. I really like the way he ties the book together at the end. I think I want to re-read that part and ponder it some more.
I'm not a good reviewer. I just know when I like or don't like a book!
I'm not a good reviewer. I just know when I like or don't like a book!
September 15, 2010
Parts of the book have been stated better in other places (including by Chris himself), but it's worth it for the stories alone. Made me tear up a couple of times. The chapers on simplicity and brokenness were especially good for me.
February 14, 2011
excellent book discussion on how we as wealthy americans can live in a world where so many go hungry and without clothes or shelter. I didn't agree with everything he wrote, but it definitely made me think about the choices I make as an American.
October 10, 2011
One of the better publications from Chris that I've read. Very well written and enjoyably anecdotal. If you're interested in learning more about what motivates organizations like Word Made Flesh to do what they do, this is an excellent place to start.
April 20, 2013
Readable, accessible, wish I had bought it in paperback so that I could give it away to others. Really enjoyed the life stories woven together with biblical narratives. The author has earned the right to teach the truths within this book.
February 20, 2009
yay for chris! i am so thankful for the way he gives voice to our collective story & call as the WMF community. i was inspired all over again!
October 11, 2008
Well done Chris!
August 26, 2008
good quick philosophical/theological intro to wmf...
Read
July 24, 2010Good book but I struggled to get into it. It took me longer to read this book than it should have.
March 8, 2011
Fairly enjoyable, but not necessarily memorable.
August 14, 2015
Great wisdom!
Read
August 5, 2011phew! It took me a while because this book is deep! Very eye opening and makes you appreciate what you have...makes you think!
November 29, 2012
challenging, inspiring, touching.
May 6, 2013
An outstanding book - in my opinion there is no better simplification of what I believe than what these pages contain.
November 11, 2013
A wonderful discussion of aspects of spirituality that are often abused, ignored, or misunderstood.
July 4, 2008
I LOVE that my director writes great books!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews