Hi. So...I have had this other blog for a while that I haven't done much with in quite some time. (That's a whole other blog post that's coming in its own time.) But I am going to be switching things up a bit. I am going to be making The Castleberry Clan more of a "family" blog (as was intended from the get-go), and Our Hope is in Truth will be where more of my journaling and "processing" will be written. I'd be honored for you to follow both. But honestly, I'd love for you to follow me here the most. Here is where my heart will be vulnerable, and with His grace, changed forever.
7 (Seven)
Oh, how I deeply loved this book. Not because of Jen's writing style (her sarcasm irritates me at times). Not because it's trendy; trendy doesn't stick around long. And certainly not because it made me feel good.
I loved this book because with each chapter I felt moved and convicted and challenged. I felt like someone actually understood the battle that I face; perhaps you face it, too? This battle of wanting to be content, but feeling the desire to "get ahead." This battle of having enough, yet still wanting more.
The introduction gave a layout of the book and discussed the 7 areas that Jen was going to deeply reduce. The goal: to be changed and transformed to follow Jesus more authentically.
Authentic is synonymous with genuine, real. Not a self-righteous attitude about your Christian walk; not a fake front to impress people.
7 digs deep to fight against inauthenticity. To look at what mattered to Jesus while He walked this earth, and then to realize that what mattered to Him then matters to Him today. So why the heck aren't we as the body of Christ doing anything about it?
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Here are 7 questions that I hope will spar some discussion. Any, and all, comments (as long as they are appropriate!!) are welcomed.
1. Do you agree that the American life can be excessive?
2. What is your take on the "American Dream"?
3. How is "simplifying your life" different than what Jen Hatmaker describes as a "mutiny against excess"?
4. If you could (or are going to) choose TWO of the 7 categories to experiment with, which ones would you (will you) choose and why?
5. What is your hope from living a deeply reduced life?
6. Why do you feel that American Christians have forgotten (turned away from?) so much of what matters to Jesus?
7. After reading Chapter 1, "Month One: Food," what is one thing that you will change right now in your life?
Showing posts with label Less::More. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Less::More. Show all posts
Monday, July 30, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
7 (Seven) Readers
For anyone who would like to join in the 7 (Seven) book study...
Chapter 1 - discussion questions will be posted on July 30
After that, a new chapter will have discussion questions posted each Monday.
As you read, please don't feel that you must partake in all of Jen's monthly challenges. (I may or may not participate myself) I simply want to discuss the basis of each chapter and how our lives can change and look differently.
Looking forward to it:)
a
Chapter 1 - discussion questions will be posted on July 30
After that, a new chapter will have discussion questions posted each Monday.
As you read, please don't feel that you must partake in all of Jen's monthly challenges. (I may or may not participate myself) I simply want to discuss the basis of each chapter and how our lives can change and look differently.
Looking forward to it:)
a
Friday, July 6, 2012
Less :: More
Isn't it interesting how when you allow God to work, He will? So many times I can get in His way.
For the first 7 years of our marriage (of 9 years), all I wanted was to "move up." Bigger house in a prestigious neighborhood, better car, name brand everything - and by name brand I meant "high end." And I wanted to be noticed for it. "Oh look at your purse, it's so cute!" "I love your house." "Where did you get your shoes?!" "Oh wow! You got a new car!" It was ultimately all about me.
With each passing year that we were still in our same small house, I felt the resentment grow. The house felt even smaller, my hospitality lessened, and I became ungrateful. I based my worth off of material things, somehow confusing possessions with acceptance. I didn't want to invite friends over for dinner because I was embarrassed of our small house. I was allowing my happiness to be based on what I had or had not. That if I had more/better/nicer/bigger I would be happier.
Oh, that race can get old. And that race really doesn't lead to anywhere I want to be anyway. Why do I keep focusing on me when I am not the prize? Why do I keep focusing on me when I have been called to focus on Him? And for Pete's sake, why do I keep focusing on my wants when I should be focusing on and fulfilling others' needs?
I counted and I have 256 articles of clothing (which does not include my winter clothes that are put up) and 22 pairs of shoes in my closet. And most of them I never wear. If I average $40 spent on each clothing item in my closet today, that is $10,240. Over $10,000 spent on just me. And there are 4 other people in my house who are also well dressed.
When I think back to the precious people in Haiti and Kenya who wore the same dirty and tattered clothes every single day and who lived off of less than $1 a day, I am ashamed of myself. It would take the average person in Haiti or Kenya 28 years to earn what my wardrobe cost. I know this, and yet I have lived like I don't. That sickens me.
Proverbs 24:12 says,
"Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.”
For God understands all hearts, and he sees you.
He who guards your soul knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve."
(New Living Translation, italics mine)
I guarantee you that when I get to heaven I am not going to boast about my cute wardrobe and coordinating accessories.
God is shaking me up, and I am so thankful. He is messing with my eyes to take my focus off of me and to put it on Him. To put my focus on His children who are naked so that I can give them clothes. His children who are hungry so that I can give them food. His children who are lonely so that I can introduce them to the One who made them, who is with them, and who loves them with a never-ending-never-giving-up-unconditional-love. My focus can no longer be on me. I have been blessed beyond measure, and I am ashamed that it has taken me so long to realize that. No more buying things to replace what I already have; no more careless spending; no more keeping up with the Jones' - because I honestly don't want what they have: an insatiable appetite for more.
My life is but a short moment in time, and I only have one life to live. I don't want to waste my only chance to live as Jesus commanded me to. I will be accountable for what I do with everything He has given to me. I want to commit to living on less so that I can be filled with more of Him. And I pray that my children will see this so that they, too, can fight against the battle of excess.
If you'd like to have your vision and life shaken up then I encourage you to read Radical, by David Platt and/or 7, by Jen Hatmaker.
"If we all raised others' needs up instead of satisfying our excessive wants, there would be few needs left on earth." (Jen Hatmaker, paraphrased by me)
--
By the way, I'd love to do a Book Study via this blog on 7. If you'd be interested in joining, please leave a comment and let me know.
For the first 7 years of our marriage (of 9 years), all I wanted was to "move up." Bigger house in a prestigious neighborhood, better car, name brand everything - and by name brand I meant "high end." And I wanted to be noticed for it. "Oh look at your purse, it's so cute!" "I love your house." "Where did you get your shoes?!" "Oh wow! You got a new car!" It was ultimately all about me.
With each passing year that we were still in our same small house, I felt the resentment grow. The house felt even smaller, my hospitality lessened, and I became ungrateful. I based my worth off of material things, somehow confusing possessions with acceptance. I didn't want to invite friends over for dinner because I was embarrassed of our small house. I was allowing my happiness to be based on what I had or had not. That if I had more/better/nicer/bigger I would be happier.
Oh, that race can get old. And that race really doesn't lead to anywhere I want to be anyway. Why do I keep focusing on me when I am not the prize? Why do I keep focusing on me when I have been called to focus on Him? And for Pete's sake, why do I keep focusing on my wants when I should be focusing on and fulfilling others' needs?
I counted and I have 256 articles of clothing (which does not include my winter clothes that are put up) and 22 pairs of shoes in my closet. And most of them I never wear. If I average $40 spent on each clothing item in my closet today, that is $10,240. Over $10,000 spent on just me. And there are 4 other people in my house who are also well dressed.
When I think back to the precious people in Haiti and Kenya who wore the same dirty and tattered clothes every single day and who lived off of less than $1 a day, I am ashamed of myself. It would take the average person in Haiti or Kenya 28 years to earn what my wardrobe cost. I know this, and yet I have lived like I don't. That sickens me.
Proverbs 24:12 says,
"Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.”
For God understands all hearts, and he sees you.
He who guards your soul knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve."
(New Living Translation, italics mine)
I guarantee you that when I get to heaven I am not going to boast about my cute wardrobe and coordinating accessories.
God is shaking me up, and I am so thankful. He is messing with my eyes to take my focus off of me and to put it on Him. To put my focus on His children who are naked so that I can give them clothes. His children who are hungry so that I can give them food. His children who are lonely so that I can introduce them to the One who made them, who is with them, and who loves them with a never-ending-never-giving-up-unconditional-love. My focus can no longer be on me. I have been blessed beyond measure, and I am ashamed that it has taken me so long to realize that. No more buying things to replace what I already have; no more careless spending; no more keeping up with the Jones' - because I honestly don't want what they have: an insatiable appetite for more.
My life is but a short moment in time, and I only have one life to live. I don't want to waste my only chance to live as Jesus commanded me to. I will be accountable for what I do with everything He has given to me. I want to commit to living on less so that I can be filled with more of Him. And I pray that my children will see this so that they, too, can fight against the battle of excess.
If you'd like to have your vision and life shaken up then I encourage you to read Radical, by David Platt and/or 7, by Jen Hatmaker.
"If we all raised others' needs up instead of satisfying our excessive wants, there would be few needs left on earth." (Jen Hatmaker, paraphrased by me)
--
By the way, I'd love to do a Book Study via this blog on 7. If you'd be interested in joining, please leave a comment and let me know.
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