I was recently talking with someone about how we live in a “consumer culture,” and about how deeply that kind of thinking has burrowed its way into our hearts and minds. It’s hard to escape. We consume. Products, plastics, food, ideas, even people sometimes. We spend our days being battered by advertisements and promotions which … Continue reading The gold is in the giving
consumerism
Flopping around like a fish
Three friends were walking along the beach and noticed a fish flopping around on the shore. One person wondered if the fish was sad because it didn’t seem to own anything nice. So he bought the fish a gold watch and set it beside him. But nope. It made no difference. It still just flopped around. … Continue reading Flopping around like a fish
Rockefeller’s insight (and warning)
The famous businessman John Rockefeller was asked, “How much money does it take to satisfy a man?” He replied, “Just a little bit more.” His answer was insightful—not only about how a lot of people think about money, but about how a lot of people think about life in general. ‘If only I had better … Continue reading Rockefeller’s insight (and warning)
Enjoying things without owning them
As far as I can tell, Jesus didn’t own very much. The Gospels don’t tell us anything about a storage unit for his overflow belongings. As I write this I’m aware that in comparison to him I have a lot of stuff. I have a house and a car in the driveway. I have a room full … Continue reading Enjoying things without owning them
One habit to live more simply
I love simplicity. And I love things that go along with the idea of simplicity—things like sincerity and practicality. Maybe I really like simplicity because I know that (a) life can get complicated, and (b) I find it very hard to achieve! Writing to the Corinthians Paul says that “we behaved in the world with … Continue reading One habit to live more simply
When you KNOW what’s important…
In yesterday’s devotional I talked about resisting the holiday hurricane. The holidays can seem like a storm that sweeps us away. It can get incredibly busy, expensive, shallow and stressful—dislodging us from our sensible moorings in a bluster of candy cane flavoured insanity. In light of this, one way to resist the storm and make your … Continue reading When you KNOW what’s important…
Resisting the Holly Jolly Hurricane
I think something is broken about Christmas. Not in terms of what it means, but in how we celebrate it. Do you find Christmas too busy, expensive, shallow or stressful? If so, you may be getting sucked into the Holly Jolly Hurricane that starts to blow every December, carrying all of us away from our … Continue reading Resisting the Holly Jolly Hurricane
When “More! More! More!” isn’t the answer
In yesterday’s devotional I talked about how to be wealthy (without any money). If you missed it click here. For the next few days, I’m going to push us further on that same theme. Why? Because thinking this stuff through helps us live more abundant lives. In 1 Timothy 6:6 Paul says that “godliness with … Continue reading When “More! More! More!” isn’t the answer
If your desires be endless…
What if this one simple habit could give you more peace (and less worry)? Deceptively simple, exponentially helpful.
They brought in pets. And everything changed.
Revelation 22:9 "Worship God!" (NIV) Today's Thought Maybe it’s because we’re so used to shopping through all the stores at the mall or picking and choosing whatever we want from restaurant menus. Whatever the reason, in today’s society, it’s hard not to be… Consumers. Even when it comes to worship. Believe it or not we … Continue reading They brought in pets. And everything changed.
