7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess

[Kate]

[Kate]

Favorite quote from the Intro: “A fast is not necessarily something we offer God, but it assists us in offering ourselves”

I am reflecting on Romans 12.

Also for some reason CS Lewis' comments on prayer come to mind, "I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time- waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God- it changes me"

The first chapter on food has me thinking about all of the medical diet things I've tried and how I'm trying to get back to simple nutrition.
I would be interested to try the 7 method when I'm not pregnant.

Food For Thought:

Food is often a hot button: Would you cut down to eating just 7 foods for a month?

How is food a uniting or dividing issue in your immediate or extended family?

What could change in your food life that would improve your relationships with God, family and friends?

Do you fast?

[Kate]

I read chapters on clothing, possessions, and media.

The biggest thing I'm thinking about is her attitude of, "Don't just purge, give"

Often we take our knick knacks and worn out shoes to a local goodwill for other wealthy people to score a deal off of. The money is then used for profit or possibly charity. Some stores have a side system to work with the homeless.

The intent changes though when I'm giving clothes to someone I see in need and when I'm just leaving boxes at a warehouse.

If simplifying is meant to change the heart of the matter, than maybe we shouldn't just be getting rid of things, but intentionally giving them to those in need.

After writing this I was reading in Luke where Jesus is talking about serving God and money (Luke 16:10- 13). In verse 11 Jesus says, "Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth , who will entrust true riches to you?"

What do you think?