“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” (1 Corinthians 6:19) Over time some things become less common—like Sunday night dinners, board games, or home-made gifts. But that doesn’t mean they don’t still have value. Here’s another: Modesty. Some of … Continue reading Counter-cultural modesty
simplicity
IHS: Integrity Holiness Simplicity
A man was walking through a cemetery and saw a tombstone engraved with I.H.S. He wasn’t sure what it meant so he thought for a minute and then took a guess. “Integrity. Holiness. Simplicity.” These were good biblical things, he thought. As a result, they became a kind of personal motto. Every time he saw … Continue reading IHS: Integrity Holiness Simplicity
Intentional simplicity
Many of us are living a new version of our own lives. Air travel is restricted, work and school patterns are shifting, and “social distancing” is now a real thing. In some respects, we are being forced into a simpler way of life—at least, for now. But did you know that living simply is actually … Continue reading Intentional simplicity
The virtue of material modesty
This week we’re wrestling with worry. After all, if we don’t find a way to take it down, it will gladly do so to us! Today’s idea goes hand-in-hand with what we’ve talked about already—about rooting yourself in the voice of Christ, about using a worry filter, and about practicing gratitude proactively. Here it is: … Continue reading The virtue of material modesty
The furniture of our lives
This is what Jesus says in Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven... For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Recently I was reading a word by John Chrysostom that is over 1600 years old. It’s a beautiful commentary on … Continue reading The furniture of our lives
Why willingly enlist for chaos?
Author and Professor John Leith describes simplicity like this: “Simplicity if very close to sincerity. It clears away the ornaments, the ostentations, the contrivances, and pretenses that obscure the real.” I like that. I like the idea of sweeping away whatever obscures “the real” in my life. Do you? In 2 Corinthians 1:12 Paul writes … Continue reading Why willingly enlist for chaos?
Less is more
Welcome to the world of Bigger-Better-More! "You want it! You deserve it! Go for it!" (Even if you can't afford it.) It's easy to get sucked in, isn't it? But unfortunately, drinking the Kool-Aid of instant gratification draws us into a lifestyle of living beyond our means... which actually COMPLICATES our lives. Here’s why. As … Continue reading Less is more
I want to do something small…
Albert Schweitzer had a more “impressive” life than I ever will. He was a writer and influential theologian; he was an amazing and accomplished organ player; and he became a medical missionary and doctor to French Equatorial Africa. He was also awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 1953. A biography by James Bentley reveals a … Continue reading I want to do something small…
To make life richer…
At a recent small group gathering, a friend named David shared something he had seen on a fridge magnet: “To make life richer, make life simpler.” We all nodded in agreement. But HOW do you make life richer by making it simpler? Here’s a tip for those among us who resonate with this idea deep … Continue reading To make life richer…
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
The Up Devotional 