My sweet and sassy sister in Christ, Michelle, honored me by asking that I pen a guest post on her blog, Words to Spare. Michelle is in the middle of a wonderful series on the building blocks of Contagious Contentment. Join me over at Words to Spare to read more about Teaching Contentment to Our Children. While you're there, be sure to see what "overflows" from Michelle's heart.
~Carla
Showing posts with label spirituality. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spirituality. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
2014: Embrace
I had forgotten until this last morning of 2013 that the trendy resolution these days is to pick a word to define your year. Did I claim one for 2013? Maybe it was "intentional." Well obviously I wasn't very intentional in remembering my word.
But this morning as I looked into my baby girl's big blue eyes, I was inspired. EMBRACE.
Embrace my family and friends with hugs and kisses...
Embrace the season of life I am in as a parent and the seasons of life my children are in...
Embrace the call the Holy Spirit puts on my life...
Embrace
~Carla
But this morning as I looked into my baby girl's big blue eyes, I was inspired. EMBRACE.
Embrace my family and friends with hugs and kisses...
Embrace the season of life I am in as a parent and the seasons of life my children are in...
Embrace the call the Holy Spirit puts on my life...
Embrace
~Carla
Monday, November 4, 2013
Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be (Part 3 of 3)
Part 1 - inner simplicity
Part 2 - first 5 suggestions for a simple life
6. Develop a deeper appreciation for the creation.
One of my favorite places to be is in the woods on a cool autumn morning. There have only been a few times in my life when I've gotten to experience such a wonderful solitude. The beautiful colors of the foliage, the crunch of the leaves beneath my feet, the smell of a distant smoldering campfire... a sensory explosion. Who could deny a Creator in such surroundings?!
When I'm truly enjoying nature, whether in the mountains, on the beach, at an aquarium or zoo, I can feel the weight of the world lift off my shoulders. I usually leave such places refreshed and renewed. I should remember these feelings when I'm planning vacations and activities. Take time to include a creation experience on a more regular basis.
7. Look with a healthy skepticism at all "buy now, pay later" schemes.
Steve and I were lucky enough to be exposed to Dave Ramsey during our engagement. I know Dave's principles and demeanor are not everyone's style, but we learned so many important lessons that gave us a strong foundation for money matters in our marriage. A huge lesson we took to heart was to save cash for items we want to buy. It's very easy to get in over your head in credit card and miscellaneous debt. Do we really need fancy furniture NOW or can we practice some self discipline and save up to pay cash for it? Our money almost certainly has a more kingdom-worthy use than paying interest.
8. Use plain, honest speech.
Have you ever committed to something and then a more interesting opportunity came up that made you back out on your original commitment? I sure have! Living a simple life means we are dependable and trustworthy. We mean what we say.
9. Reject anything that will breed the oppression of others.
This is a hard one! Most of the clothes and much of the food we purchase are produced in a country where labor practices are unfair. There are several ways we can reduce the role we play in these immoral cycles.
Steve and I have decided that we are going to purchase our clothing through either thrift stores, American-made brands, or fair trade resources. Thrift store clothing may have been made in a sweat shop, but giving them a second life prevents one more shirt or pair of pants from needing to be produced. Purchasing clothing that is American-made might not be as cheap as clothing made in Indonesia which is a change in mindset for me. I'm always looking to spend the least amount of money possible on clothing. But I can't justify the abuse of others to save myself a few bucks.
Where is your coffee grown? Your electronics produced? Do you ask others to do a task you find beneath you? Taking baby steps to improve the lives of those who work to provide for you in one way or another is at least a step in the right direction.
10. Shun whatever would distract you from your main goal.
Back to the issue of the iPhone... I read A LOT online about gentle parenting, being a woman of God, healthy cooking, and minimalism. I try as much as possible to follow Christian bloggers or those that express Christ-like ideas.
I acknowledge, however, that I struggle with being WAY too distracted by these wonderful blogs. I don't feel the need to shun my phone, per se, because I find such encouragement from what I read. It's a support system for me in way to know there are others out there seeking to live out their faith in the same ways to which I'm feeling called. But I am going to challenge myself to limit my time on my phone to certain times a day and for limited amounts of time. It's more important to me to focus my energy on my family and friends.
Some things we might need to shun, depending on our distractions, include certain TV shows or TV altogether, shopping for leisure, buffets, or secular music.
With all of these 10 suggestions for expressing simplicity in your life, you need to spend some time in reflection. No two people will have all of the exact same convictions when it comes to living a simple life. A struggle for one person may not be an issue at all for another. Above all, spend time in prayer to seek out how God desires for you to live.
Foster eloquently closes out the chapter with a prayer:
"God give us the courage, wisdom and strength always to hold as the number-one priority of our lives to 'seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,' understanding all that that implies. To do so is to live in simplicity."
Part 2 - first 5 suggestions for a simple life
6. Develop a deeper appreciation for the creation.
One of my favorite places to be is in the woods on a cool autumn morning. There have only been a few times in my life when I've gotten to experience such a wonderful solitude. The beautiful colors of the foliage, the crunch of the leaves beneath my feet, the smell of a distant smoldering campfire... a sensory explosion. Who could deny a Creator in such surroundings?!
When I'm truly enjoying nature, whether in the mountains, on the beach, at an aquarium or zoo, I can feel the weight of the world lift off my shoulders. I usually leave such places refreshed and renewed. I should remember these feelings when I'm planning vacations and activities. Take time to include a creation experience on a more regular basis.
7. Look with a healthy skepticism at all "buy now, pay later" schemes.
Steve and I were lucky enough to be exposed to Dave Ramsey during our engagement. I know Dave's principles and demeanor are not everyone's style, but we learned so many important lessons that gave us a strong foundation for money matters in our marriage. A huge lesson we took to heart was to save cash for items we want to buy. It's very easy to get in over your head in credit card and miscellaneous debt. Do we really need fancy furniture NOW or can we practice some self discipline and save up to pay cash for it? Our money almost certainly has a more kingdom-worthy use than paying interest.
8. Use plain, honest speech.
Have you ever committed to something and then a more interesting opportunity came up that made you back out on your original commitment? I sure have! Living a simple life means we are dependable and trustworthy. We mean what we say.
9. Reject anything that will breed the oppression of others.
This is a hard one! Most of the clothes and much of the food we purchase are produced in a country where labor practices are unfair. There are several ways we can reduce the role we play in these immoral cycles.
Steve and I have decided that we are going to purchase our clothing through either thrift stores, American-made brands, or fair trade resources. Thrift store clothing may have been made in a sweat shop, but giving them a second life prevents one more shirt or pair of pants from needing to be produced. Purchasing clothing that is American-made might not be as cheap as clothing made in Indonesia which is a change in mindset for me. I'm always looking to spend the least amount of money possible on clothing. But I can't justify the abuse of others to save myself a few bucks.
Where is your coffee grown? Your electronics produced? Do you ask others to do a task you find beneath you? Taking baby steps to improve the lives of those who work to provide for you in one way or another is at least a step in the right direction.
10. Shun whatever would distract you from your main goal.
Back to the issue of the iPhone... I read A LOT online about gentle parenting, being a woman of God, healthy cooking, and minimalism. I try as much as possible to follow Christian bloggers or those that express Christ-like ideas.
I acknowledge, however, that I struggle with being WAY too distracted by these wonderful blogs. I don't feel the need to shun my phone, per se, because I find such encouragement from what I read. It's a support system for me in way to know there are others out there seeking to live out their faith in the same ways to which I'm feeling called. But I am going to challenge myself to limit my time on my phone to certain times a day and for limited amounts of time. It's more important to me to focus my energy on my family and friends.
Some things we might need to shun, depending on our distractions, include certain TV shows or TV altogether, shopping for leisure, buffets, or secular music.
With all of these 10 suggestions for expressing simplicity in your life, you need to spend some time in reflection. No two people will have all of the exact same convictions when it comes to living a simple life. A struggle for one person may not be an issue at all for another. Above all, spend time in prayer to seek out how God desires for you to live.
Foster eloquently closes out the chapter with a prayer:
"God give us the courage, wisdom and strength always to hold as the number-one priority of our lives to 'seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,' understanding all that that implies. To do so is to live in simplicity."
Friday, November 1, 2013
Tis a gift to be free (Part 2 of 3)
In my last post, I discussed focusing our inner attitudes about simplicity on worshiping The Lord. But as Foster says, "the inner reality [of simplicity] is not a reality until there is an outward expression." When our spirits are truly focused on Him, we can't help but live it out in our everyday lives.
Foster then gives 10 "suggestions" on how to live simply. He cautions that these shouldn't be viewed as law lest the actions no longer be genuine acts of worship. Here's the first 5 suggestions and how I'm hoping to implement them in my life.
1. Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status.
I feel like I have a handle on this for the most part. When I was a teenager, I did worry about clothing brands. This is not a concern for me anymore, even for the clothes that the girls wear. Obviously I want to look nice, but who's really going to pull the tag out of my shirt or pants and judge me if it says Faded Glory instead of Gap?
Other areas of life we might struggle with this as adults is what neighborhood we live in or what kind of car we drive. It's not inherently wrong to live in a nice house or drive a nice car, but do so because it's the house or car that meets your needs.
2. Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you.
I hate forming habits. Occasionally I'll commit to stop checking Facebook or turning on the tv, etc because I realize I'm not being intentional. I'm doing things out of habit and distraction.
Where do you see addiction in your life? Sodas, coffee, tv, games, food, money? Free yourself from things that stand between you and a simple life.
3. Develop a habit of giving things away.
This especially applies to anything you are attached to. I seriously have clothes in my closet from high school that I hang on to for that one time I might need it. Ridiculous. This is an area where I'm challenging myself.
I wouldn't consider myself a hoarder by any means, but I still finds rooms and closets that need decluttering. If I'm feeling stressed by the amount of toys scattered on the floor or the mountain of laundry needing tending to, I know that's my cue that it's time to let go.
4. Refuse to be propagandized by the custodians of modern gadgetry.
Hello, iPhone!! I REALLY struggle with what I'm supposed to feel about mobile devices. I LOVE my phone, I LOVE the iPad. Does that mean I HAVE to give them away? Not necessarily I'm hoping. ;) (can you tell this is a touchy point for me?)
I got my iPhone when I dropped our iPod Touch in the toilet. I used the iPod Touch along with my $10 go phone to do all the same things I do now with my iPhone. So while I was "simplyfying" the number of gadgets I carried around, I opened the door (or toilet lid as the case may be) for buying a gadget the world convinced me I needed.
Do you need the newest upgrade of a mobile device or other item just because it's available? Consider using something until it wears out.
5. Learn to enjoy things without owning them.
This can apply to large purchases such as time shares as well as small purchases such as books and movies. In our younger days, early in our marriage before expenses like babies came along, we dreamed of someday joining the Disney Vacation Club. We were suckers for that Disney spirit. :) We now have other financial priorities and desire to see much more of the world than we would be committed to with the Vacation Club offers.
On the smaller scale, the library is an amazing resource for being able to enjoy books and movies without actually spending any money. (Unless you're like me and forget to renew 3 DVDs for a few days.) Katie is obsessed with a Toy Story Collection book we checked out from the library. We can check the book out for 3 months as long as no one else puts a hold on it. And if she decides a couple weeks later she wants the book again, we can check it out for another 3 months. Surely by then she or I would get tired enough of the book that we'll be glad we didn't fork out $15-20 for the book just to sit on the bookshelf. Don't get me wrong, I think books are one of the best investments you can make for a child. But the extensive selection available at the library guarantees exposure to a plethora of writing styles, illustration styles, and topics.
Don't underestimate the value of friends with resources either. If you're considering purchasing an appliance that you would use on a very rare occasion, check with friends to see if they already own a similar appliance. Chances are, they're only using the appliance on a rare basis and would love to have an excuse to blow the dust off of it. Borrowing appliances such as ice cream makers, bread makers, sewing machines, etc. can save you a lot of money. You might find you don't care for a particular brand or don't have time to use the appliance as often as you thought.
So that's suggestions #1-5 of living a simple life. Part 3, we'll explore #6-10.
~Carla
Foster then gives 10 "suggestions" on how to live simply. He cautions that these shouldn't be viewed as law lest the actions no longer be genuine acts of worship. Here's the first 5 suggestions and how I'm hoping to implement them in my life.
1. Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status.
I feel like I have a handle on this for the most part. When I was a teenager, I did worry about clothing brands. This is not a concern for me anymore, even for the clothes that the girls wear. Obviously I want to look nice, but who's really going to pull the tag out of my shirt or pants and judge me if it says Faded Glory instead of Gap?
Other areas of life we might struggle with this as adults is what neighborhood we live in or what kind of car we drive. It's not inherently wrong to live in a nice house or drive a nice car, but do so because it's the house or car that meets your needs.
2. Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you.
I hate forming habits. Occasionally I'll commit to stop checking Facebook or turning on the tv, etc because I realize I'm not being intentional. I'm doing things out of habit and distraction.
Where do you see addiction in your life? Sodas, coffee, tv, games, food, money? Free yourself from things that stand between you and a simple life.
3. Develop a habit of giving things away.
This especially applies to anything you are attached to. I seriously have clothes in my closet from high school that I hang on to for that one time I might need it. Ridiculous. This is an area where I'm challenging myself.
I wouldn't consider myself a hoarder by any means, but I still finds rooms and closets that need decluttering. If I'm feeling stressed by the amount of toys scattered on the floor or the mountain of laundry needing tending to, I know that's my cue that it's time to let go.
4. Refuse to be propagandized by the custodians of modern gadgetry.
Hello, iPhone!! I REALLY struggle with what I'm supposed to feel about mobile devices. I LOVE my phone, I LOVE the iPad. Does that mean I HAVE to give them away? Not necessarily I'm hoping. ;) (can you tell this is a touchy point for me?)
I got my iPhone when I dropped our iPod Touch in the toilet. I used the iPod Touch along with my $10 go phone to do all the same things I do now with my iPhone. So while I was "simplyfying" the number of gadgets I carried around, I opened the door (or toilet lid as the case may be) for buying a gadget the world convinced me I needed.
Do you need the newest upgrade of a mobile device or other item just because it's available? Consider using something until it wears out.
5. Learn to enjoy things without owning them.
This can apply to large purchases such as time shares as well as small purchases such as books and movies. In our younger days, early in our marriage before expenses like babies came along, we dreamed of someday joining the Disney Vacation Club. We were suckers for that Disney spirit. :) We now have other financial priorities and desire to see much more of the world than we would be committed to with the Vacation Club offers.
On the smaller scale, the library is an amazing resource for being able to enjoy books and movies without actually spending any money. (Unless you're like me and forget to renew 3 DVDs for a few days.) Katie is obsessed with a Toy Story Collection book we checked out from the library. We can check the book out for 3 months as long as no one else puts a hold on it. And if she decides a couple weeks later she wants the book again, we can check it out for another 3 months. Surely by then she or I would get tired enough of the book that we'll be glad we didn't fork out $15-20 for the book just to sit on the bookshelf. Don't get me wrong, I think books are one of the best investments you can make for a child. But the extensive selection available at the library guarantees exposure to a plethora of writing styles, illustration styles, and topics.
Don't underestimate the value of friends with resources either. If you're considering purchasing an appliance that you would use on a very rare occasion, check with friends to see if they already own a similar appliance. Chances are, they're only using the appliance on a rare basis and would love to have an excuse to blow the dust off of it. Borrowing appliances such as ice cream makers, bread makers, sewing machines, etc. can save you a lot of money. You might find you don't care for a particular brand or don't have time to use the appliance as often as you thought.
So that's suggestions #1-5 of living a simple life. Part 3, we'll explore #6-10.
~Carla
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Tis a gift to be simple
One of the original objectives of this blog was "a journey toward a SIMPLER... lifestyle." A discussion about simplicity can go so many different directions. What renewed my spirit about simplicity, though, was a chapter from Richard Foster's classic Christian book, "Celebration of Discipline," entitled "The Discipline of Simplicity. This chapter discusses both the inner and outer attitudes toward simplicity as it relates to God's Kingdom and spiritual growth.
Side note: Foster identifies himself as a Quaker. I think I could get along very well with the Quakers. :) I've been calling Steve "Friend" for many years (and yes he answers to that as if it's his name). Plus I love oats. ;) Seriously, though, I can respect many of the ideals of the Quaker denomination.
I tend to teeter between having a materialistic mindset and having what Foster calls an "ascetic" mindset. Ascetics renounce possessions and generally feel the need to deny themselves any level of joy from what they would consider the "trappings" of this world. Example: I once deliberated for a ridiculous amount of time over a $25 pillow from Target that perfectly matched my bedroom and I thought was beautiful. I even brought the decision up in small group. When there are people starving in this town, why do I need such an overpriced luxury item? Ultimately I bought the pillow to teach myself a lesson. :)
Probably the best lesson I learned from the chapter was keeping the Kingdom of God the central purpose for simplicity. "When the kingdom of God is genuinely placed first, ecological concerns, the poor, the equitable distribution of wealth and many other things will be given their proper attention." Wow. If I'm pursuing prairie as an act of gratefulness to God and not so much as a hobby, then He will guide me in what decisions to make. Yes recycling, reducing, and reusing have many worldly benefits, but the point of doing any of those is supposed in worship of The Lord. He desires for us to enjoy His creation, the milk, and the honey. I am free to live and free to give.
So now that I'm focusing on the inner purpose of simplicity, how can I apply that to everyday life? In the next part of this series, I'll cover Foster's first 5 of 10 "outward expressions of simplicity" and discuss what they mean for me.
~Carla
Side note: Foster identifies himself as a Quaker. I think I could get along very well with the Quakers. :) I've been calling Steve "Friend" for many years (and yes he answers to that as if it's his name). Plus I love oats. ;) Seriously, though, I can respect many of the ideals of the Quaker denomination.
I tend to teeter between having a materialistic mindset and having what Foster calls an "ascetic" mindset. Ascetics renounce possessions and generally feel the need to deny themselves any level of joy from what they would consider the "trappings" of this world. Example: I once deliberated for a ridiculous amount of time over a $25 pillow from Target that perfectly matched my bedroom and I thought was beautiful. I even brought the decision up in small group. When there are people starving in this town, why do I need such an overpriced luxury item? Ultimately I bought the pillow to teach myself a lesson. :)
Probably the best lesson I learned from the chapter was keeping the Kingdom of God the central purpose for simplicity. "When the kingdom of God is genuinely placed first, ecological concerns, the poor, the equitable distribution of wealth and many other things will be given their proper attention." Wow. If I'm pursuing prairie as an act of gratefulness to God and not so much as a hobby, then He will guide me in what decisions to make. Yes recycling, reducing, and reusing have many worldly benefits, but the point of doing any of those is supposed in worship of The Lord. He desires for us to enjoy His creation, the milk, and the honey. I am free to live and free to give.
So now that I'm focusing on the inner purpose of simplicity, how can I apply that to everyday life? In the next part of this series, I'll cover Foster's first 5 of 10 "outward expressions of simplicity" and discuss what they mean for me.
~Carla
Saturday, September 15, 2012
"I come to the garden alone while the dew is still on the roses..."
I've come to enjoy what I call "divine appointments" at 2 am in the morning. These appointments are usually prompted by my little nursling's cry for mommy (yes I have a 2.5 year old that is still nursing and still doesn't sleep through the night; but that is an entirely different post for an entirely different day!). But I actually see these moments, or hours, in the middle of the night as a time that God uses to reveal Himself to me.
Last night He rang and boy am I glad I answered! Among many things that are beyond the scope of this blog, He spoke to me about what we've been working on here for Pursuing Prairie. First, if my body is a temple in which His Spirit dwells, I want to give my best effort to keep it free of harmful chemicals on both the inside and outside. Second, I feel the call to be a good steward of all of His creation and the resources assigned to my care.
I don't want to live in guilt about the choices I've made in the past or the mistakes I will continue to make in this life. There's grace and forgiveness for that. But I feel like I have a renewed outlook on why I am so drawn to the "natural" world. I see it as an act of love and gratitude to my Creator.
I look forward to what He leads me to next and to sharing that in order to hopefully inspire others to seek their calling too.
I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.
Refrain
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.
Refrain
I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.
Refrain
~Carla
Last night He rang and boy am I glad I answered! Among many things that are beyond the scope of this blog, He spoke to me about what we've been working on here for Pursuing Prairie. First, if my body is a temple in which His Spirit dwells, I want to give my best effort to keep it free of harmful chemicals on both the inside and outside. Second, I feel the call to be a good steward of all of His creation and the resources assigned to my care.
I don't want to live in guilt about the choices I've made in the past or the mistakes I will continue to make in this life. There's grace and forgiveness for that. But I feel like I have a renewed outlook on why I am so drawn to the "natural" world. I see it as an act of love and gratitude to my Creator.
I look forward to what He leads me to next and to sharing that in order to hopefully inspire others to seek their calling too.
I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.
Refrain
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.
Refrain
I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.
Refrain
~Carla
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