Simplicity
Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at 02:44PM 
This week we discussed the spiritual discipline of simplicity. We discussed how Jesus' life modeled simplicity, and how it is so essential to try and live simply in the U.S. because we are so surrounded by consumerism and advertising telling us that we need more and more stuff to be truly happy and fulfilled. In fact, true freedom comes when we reject what the kingdom of this world tells us we need and we follow what the Kingdom of God says is important: love, mercy, justice, peace, kindness, grace.
Living simply allows us to say no to the tyranny of status and also helps us to be able to share our resources with those around us in need. So, we discussed seven ways to simplify our lives:
1. Buy things for their usefulness instead of their status.
2. Reject any addictions.
3. Give things away.
4. Learn to enjoy things without owning them.
5. Minimize debt.
6. Shun anything that keeps you from seeking God's Kingdom first.
7. Avoid anything that causes the oppression of others.
In this way we can begin our journey on simplicity. Next week we will have a time of sharing to discuss one thing we did this week to simplify our lives.
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