December 1, 2008 in Prayer/Faith with 8 Comments

My heart has been breaking lately.  The more I think about the state of the world, the more I get more angry at our conumerist ways.  Worst thing about it,  I’m part of the problem.  In a world where iPhones reign supreme, and paying twelve dollars for a meal is normal, I wonder how much of His Word I actually live by.

Truth is, I get a little nervous to pray in front of people.  I get a little bit nervous when I think about what God is hammering into my head, and I choose to ignore it, because I have my own fears, and my own life to worry about.  Spending money is ok, because I have it right?  I feel like I should be doing something great with it, but it’s Christmas and rent is due, and I can’t get my cable disconnected.  Right?

This post could (and probably will) branch into several different blogs.  For right now, I just wanted to rant.  I wanted to question myself, and i wanted to point out that it’s a good thing that God loves me no matter what, because right now, I don’t know if he’s 100% happy with me.

Ever feel that way?

  • http://adamblack.wordpress.com adam

    im with you man.

    my pastor and close friend Derek calls it Living Small. it's a big part of how he lives his life and how our Church operates. it's something Kristy and i are moving towards.

    we're cutting back on cable and crap like that so we can save money and use it for other things. just last week we traded in our two cars for one and cut our payments in half. i have a company truck i drive during the week, what do i need a big diesel truck for? heck, on the weekends we're always together anyway, so now we force it by only having one vehicle for the 4 of us :)

    it all comes from Leviticus 19:9 – “When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field”. God's intent in this is twofold – live on less than you have, and leave some for the people who need it.

    living small is hard to do, especially in america. to be successful you have to let it permeate every aspect of your life. we've got a long way to go, but it's a fun ride so far, especially when i know my kids are watching and learning.

  • http://adamblack.wordpress.com adam

    im with you man.

    my pastor and close friend Derek calls it Living Small. it's a big part of how he lives his life and how our Church operates. it's something Kristy and i are moving towards.

    we're cutting back on cable and crap like that so we can save money and use it for other things. just last week we traded in our two cars for one and cut our payments in half. i have a company truck i drive during the week, what do i need a big diesel truck for? heck, on the weekends we're always together anyway, so now we force it by only having one vehicle for the 4 of us :)

    it all comes from Leviticus 19:9 – “When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field”. God's intent in this is twofold – live on less than you have, and leave some for the people who need it.

    living small is hard to do, especially in america. to be successful you have to let it permeate every aspect of your life. we've got a long way to go, but it's a fun ride so far, especially when i know my kids are watching and learning.

  • jbstansel

    What a convicting post.

    It's ironic; I have a very passionate heart about materialism in the church and the money that people spend on such stupid things, and yet I will be recieving a $350 blackberry in the mail tomorrow.

    It's so difficult to get away from it! I'm reading a book by Mother Teresa, called “A Simple Path,” and I just feel like we must get back to that simplicity of life, and in a lot of ways. In church. With our friends. With family.

    I feel like we have GOT to learn what it means to live simply and to simply live. Not looking for the next big thing, but reveling in the small things that could blow us away about the Lord.

    You have provoked something in me dude, and now I'm going to go write a post about it..

  • jbstansel

    dude..i love the imagery given in that verse. The principle of it is so awesome, and yet it is so hard to find people who live that.

    I commend you for trying, man…it's rare.

  • http://justinhart.wordpress.com JustinH

    I know you're not alone, because I feel the same way.

    You've definitely made me do some thinking, and I'm sure there will be some more thought in the days to come. Thank you for your honesty as it brings things to the surface in others' lives.

  • jbstansel

    What a convicting post.

    It's ironic; I have a very passionate heart about materialism in the church and the money that people spend on such stupid things, and yet I will be recieving a $350 blackberry in the mail tomorrow.

    It's so difficult to get away from it! I'm reading a book by Mother Teresa, called “A Simple Path,” and I just feel like we must get back to that simplicity of life, and in a lot of ways. In church. With our friends. With family.

    I feel like we have GOT to learn what it means to live simply and to simply live. Not looking for the next big thing, but reveling in the small things that could blow us away about the Lord.

    You have provoked something in me dude, and now I'm going to go write a post about it..

  • jbstansel

    dude..i love the imagery given in that verse. The principle of it is so awesome, and yet it is so hard to find people who live that.

    I commend you for trying, man…it's rare.

  • http://justinhart.wordpress.com JustinH

    I know you're not alone, because I feel the same way.

    You've definitely made me do some thinking, and I'm sure there will be some more thought in the days to come. Thank you for your honesty as it brings things to the surface in others' lives.