Technology is fine...

As I continue to think about the WHY of not doing technology, I become less and less convinced that technology itself is the issue. It is the choices I make with technology. So, instead of getting rid of it all together- my focus this week will be to look at all the ways technology is life-giving... not just life-draining.

Those are terms I use a lot... and I don't know that I totally get them. :) So, why do I use them? I think they help to define what is "good for the soul" and what is "draining." For instance, when I go on facebook, and I see a photo of a friend's baby or a heart-warming video or a message from an old friend who is striving for marriage equality, I know that facebook is where I need to be! I need to be connected to my friends- who now live all over the US. I need to know that there are great things happening across the world, and someone has captured it on video. And I need to be aware and have the opportunity to support human rights. This is why facebook is a good thing!

Another thing, there are online devotionals, blogs, workingpreacher.org, etc. that keep me in a mindset of learning about God and the church. Yes, I also have a shelf full of books- SO, this tells me that I need balance! One does not trump the other-- but they can work together.

In the morning, the first thing I do is check my email on my phone, and I have a message with the subject line "GM" from my mother. It is how we connect. It is simple. It is short. But it is a wonderful way to start my day.

So, I don't buy it. I don't think the internet is scary. I don't think that if I went to a forum on internet safety that I "would never post on facebook again." I long to be connected with others--and face to face is great! And I get a lot of that-- but, when that isn't going to work... I have the internet. And I am not giving that up.

It does matter-

So, I am going to kind of waver this week between posts about possessions and posts about media. This one goes back to possessions--

So, I was at a high school choir concert last week. There was a choir of 10 young men. Their "apparel" was white shirts, black pants, and ties. I couldn't help but notice that one of the boys didn't have a tie... and a couple other boys had very old ties that were more for a 7-year old than a 10th grader. I got to thinking: This group needs ties. Now, my first thought was to buy new ties... then I thought maybe send a gift card so they could pick out their own ties. Then my Bible Study friends came into the picture---

I mentioned this on Monday about wanting to send ties to these young men. Right away, each person said, I would have some ties you could send! And yesterday-- 20 ties were in my office! I am expecting to get more today! I am so excited! I will send them to the school. The choir can take what they need-- but I am sure there are more young men that can use the ties. For interviews, family occasions, etc. They aren't used a lot, so for a family who is counting every penny, a tie might be a difficult thing to spend money on... so I hope that ALL these ties will find great homes (necks-ha!) and make these boys feel like the young men that they are!

Then today, coming in, someone at church asked me about the ties. I told her what I was doing, and she responded with-- "They probably don't care what they look like." Ugh. This statement hit me like a ton of bricks. 1. Because I found it borderline offensive... and 2. Because I am sure that I have said something like that before--

It made me think about two things.
First, when we give, are we giving the BEST we have? Or are we giving "discards?"
Second, it does matter! People do care what they look like-- all people care. So, as I give to others, I pray that I will be caring and conscious-- sending only things that will make someone else feel special and beautiful (or in the case of the ties- handsome).

Because it does matter.

SO, what about media?!?

So, this is media week- starting today.

But I am already writing this blog, which means that I am connected to the internet!

AND I am continuing the possessions part of the experience into this week, so I am kind of going double-duty here.

I love media. Are there things that I do that distract me from what I should be doing? Sure.

Here are a few:

1. Apps- Words with Friends, Scrambled, and especially Bejeweled Blitz take up too much time. I am quitting. For a week.

2. Pinterest- whoa... this site can suck time away like nothing else. Do I really need to be spending time looking at things that I will probably never make/create/do? (Yes, I do- because it is inspiring.) But I can live without it for one week. (only one.) :)

3. Facebook- Now, this is a great tool that I use to keep in touch with folks. But what I don't need to be doing? Looking at wedding photos of a friend of a friend who I have never met; judging people based on their status updates; and being a stalker (in the words of Mr. Schultz- he knows me all too well.) So, I will use facebook, one hour a day. But, hopefully in a better way- and no more stalking. (see next blog for the "plan.")

4. TV- yes, this also has a caveat. I saw a birthday card once that went something like this-- "In honor of your birthday... we could do a waltz; make a quilt; create a gourmet dinner; plant a tree... and then on the inside it said: "But because we are us, we will dedicate tonight's TV watching to you." HA! Okay- so this totally sums up Steve and me. We work such different schedules that when we do have a night at home together it means: cooking dinner together and catching up on all our favorite shows on DVR. I am not cutting this out. You may be thinking: "But you could do something so MUCH BETTER with your time together..." and you are probably right. But, for us-- for now-- this suits us well. And we don't just zone out not communicating: we visit, laugh together, and have a great time. This stays.

BUT-- I will cut out watching TV by myself. Aimlessly surfing the channels of crappy programming and settling for HGTV or re-runs of Big Bang Theory. This is out. And hopefully for longer than a week. Because yes, there are MUCH BETTER things that I could do with that time.

So, no iPhone apps, no video games, no lonely TV, no pinterest, no facebook stalking...

There will be internet-- but hopefully used in a "better" way- more about that in the next blog!

And now, since I can't hop over to pinterest or check out vacation pictures of a long lost "friend" from high school, I am going to go for a walk.

With love, (From the internet)

Amanda.

A month would be nice.

I would not have said this during the food week... (ha!) but I really wish I had a month for the possessions section of this experience. For several reasons:
1. I would like to give away 210 things...
2. I would just like more TIME!

Time to-
go through my stuff
give it to someone through relationship.

Jen Hatmaker writes, "Donating everything through a third party removes the relationsl magic when one human connects with another." She shared a quote about the church-- that we rich Christians do not know the poor. And it went on to say that when we truly see poverty... when we truly know the poor...Our riches will have no meaning, and poverty will come to an end (by Shane Claiborne. Which also wrote this piece in Esquire that is awesome.)

But I am not sure how to do this! My one idea was to set up a shop at Trinity at the same time as "Meals of Hope." Meals of Hope is an awesome outreach program that serves meals on Sunday nights to anyone who comes. My obstacles:
1. I have not been to Meals of Hope (yes, this is one of my shames from my 6 months at Trinity)
Therefore--I have no relationship--with the people or the volunteers. Okay- so this is a definite priority.

2. I don't have the "power" to make this happen. I can't just set up a shop and market it and invite people in... there are "steps" I need to go through... and I am a little apprehensive in starting that conversation.

So-- here is the plan. All of this to say this next week is going to be double duty-- and a little more heavy on the possessions... and a little lighter on the media. More about that later.

Right now- I need to figure out a way to account for, get rid of, and change my mindset about STUFF.

Week Three: Possessions

Well, week three began yesterday... it is a time to look at all my possessions (and unfortunately, there are a lot of them.)

So, here is what I need to do:
1. Re-read this chapter of the book
2. Count my stuff- it will be helpful to have a true account of all the things I have
3. Get rid of at least 49 items (7 items / 7 days)
4. Not buy any possessions
5. Reflect on stuff... by this I mean, really think about what I need; what I have and how one side is WAY bigger than the other. What does this mean for me? Am I too focused on my stuff? I have always been a shopper... and an impulse buyer. It's a habit. I need to change it.

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also..." Matt. 6:21

This was it...

Here is what I wore last week.

Jeans-1
Black pants- 1
Black Turtleneck- 1
Gray sweater- 1
Black sweater- 1
Vest- 1
Black shoes- 1 pair

Also, I added in one black scarf on a few cold days...

Week Two thoughts...

So, I didn't do the greatest job on blogging during week two. It wasn't because I wasn't following the "7" plan. I think it was because I wasn't having any issues with the plan!

It was wear 7 articles of clothing. Okay, I will admit, I have 50 times more clothes than I need. I could survive with 7 articles of clothing... and easily survive with 14. So, why so many clothes?

What I was most looking forward to for this week was counting my clothes. And, unfortunately, I didn't do that yet-- but I will. It still seems fitting moving into this week, Week 3- possessions.

I have a closet full of clothes in Owatonna. But, what is worse that that? I have a closet full of clothes (maybe two) in Adams, ND! AND I gave away at least 6 large bags of clothes to the Salvation Army before we moved. Too much. Way too much.

I have at least 6 long sleeve black t-shirts. All exactly the same. REALLY?!? And where did I find myself in Target last week? Checking out the long sleeve t-shirts!! When I wear them, people don't even see them-- I wear them under stuff. So, I could have one. ONE.

So, this weekend is busy- my mom is coming, we are going to a funeral, I am preaching, etc. So, I am planning to take true account of my "possessions," including my clothes, on Monday.

In the meantime... week three begins.

Reconciliation

Well, I have to be honest, I am glad I am done with 7 foods. I had some realizations about how I think about/rationalize/eat food- which was interesting to me. But I will admit, I wasn't as thorough as a follower as I should have been.

Maybe in retrospect, it was a good idea to do the foods before the Ash Wednesday, because the week was a concrete example of "screwing up." And today is a beautiful day of reconciliation-- and a new start.

I found this great devotion to share today:

Today, Ash Wednesday, is the first day of Lent. In some traditions people will go to church and get ashes smeared onto their forehead as the minister says, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” This act is humbling and grounding. It is a way of remembering that God created you from dust, and you will return to the dust, thus returning to God.

This is a day of reconciliation, of being joined back together with God, of being reunited with the one who made you. This is a day of intentionally stopping to remember that we are made in the image of God and we are to treat others as the image of God. This is a day of consciously living in the knowledge that God made us, that Jesus came among us as servant that we might know God better, and that God continues to live among us as the Holy Spirit. Today is a day of reconciliation and being reunited. Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

It is from d365.org. I guess it is a site that does devotionals everyday... cool.

I love the image that God created me (Dust)... and I will return to God (Dust). In the meantime, here on earth, I am given great opportunities to serve God. Not that what I do has to be so great... but if I can stay focused not only on God's call... but on reconciliation, I can be "freed" in a sense. Freed to screw up- to eat chips when I am supposed to be eating a pear- but to have my heart focused on God and serving him and his people.

Okay- enough of that- here is the benediction from the same site- I need this on a post-it that I can see everyday:

Move now into the broken world.
Travel with an intense determination
To find your way into healing,
To take the message of reconciliation
With you, Within you,
For everyone.

Still on the week of food...

I have no idea how the author did this for a month... Eating only seven foods?!? I messed it up Saturday night... and though today is a little easier since I am at home, I am out of a few of the foods- so, do I go and buy pears and eggs when I have a fridge/cupboard of other foods? Doesn't really make sense...

A friend of mine took the week and is eating only what is in their house- no grocery shopping (except milk). I could probably survive for a long time doing that. Of course, by the end, a meal might be stewed tomatoes and poptarts... but there would always be something to eat.

I know, I know- this really isn't about just eating the "food." And I have had a few realizations:

1. I love food. I eat too much of it.

2. When I tell myself "no" I just want it more

3. We have an abundance of food... and if it takes eating only seven things to be able to focus on the hunger in our world, then I am all in.

4. I need to do something active in regards to hunger- just not sure what it will be.

Food, Glorious Food

Okay, I am putting it out there: I have issues with food. Now, just from looking at me, I am sure this does not come as a surprise. But of all the realizations from this "7" experience, how I rely on food is a big one.

When I feel I "need something," an avocado or hard boiled egg just isn't going to do it. I think I need candy or a brownie... it wasn't until now, when I am not eating "just anything" that I realized that I too often eat "just anything."

And then it happened... a woman at church was serving brownies and ice cream- and I had some. Which made me fall off the seven wagon and right onto the "14 train." By this I mean, supper last night was full of non-seven foods. Well, I shouldn't say full- I had avocado and spinach... but there was also shredded cheese and taco soup.

So, what does this mean? I don't think I have failed this process- not totally anyway. I think it means that I have trouble resisting-- especially resisting food. A friend who is also doing this said, "I could do this week for a long time-- not a problem." Not me.

But maybe I should.

How do I work past this impulse need to eat? I received an email with this Bible verse:

Well, whatever you do, whether you eat or dink, do it for God’s glory. 1 Corinthians 10:31

That's the second time I was challenged with the question of is what I am doing for God's glory? First, was my habit of doing things "on the fly." Is that giving God my best?

Second, is my food choices-- losing focus on the seven foods all because of brownies and ice cream.

I don't think there are only seven foods with which I can glorify God. However, when I make a choice to stick with something, I need to do it.

But, thanks be to God for a God of grace-- for when we fall (no matter how hard, fast, or far) we fall right into the grace of God.

Week one; Day two

All is well! Today, I met with two friends who are also reading this book and exploring what it looks like to simplify and make more room for God.

One of the things we were talking about was how many choices we have! I guess this seems like a no-brainer, but yesterday, walking into the grocery store only looking for seven things, it becomes so apparent that we have an abundance (an insane EXCESS) of choices. Even in my seven things: I had the choices between three kinds of pears; two kinds of avocados... and an ABUNDANCE of ways to buy chicken! This is a blessing, indeed. BUT...

But, I can't help but think that I also must be aware of this EXCESS. I can easily be convinced that I NEED more than I do... I tell myself, "it really isn't that much in comparison to all that I could have." But it is still too much. Way too much.

When Jesus talks about being the Good Shepherd (John 10) he says, "I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly." Jesus doesn't want us to have an abundance of stuff, he has come so we have an abundance of LIFE. And you can't buy that at the Hy-vee.

Coffee.

I am not going to lie. I miss coffee and it has only been 6 hours. It sounds selfish, I know. Consider this the "repentance" portion of the experience.

Week 1; Day 1

Well, the day is here. I have been praying and talking about it for a couple weeks... and now it is time to start.

Week 1: Focus is food. I will eat only seven foods this week... I haven't eaten anything yet! Ha! However, next to me is a glass of water and not a cup of coffee. I don't think that giving up coffee is going to be some sort of "miracle change" in me... but I do think that going without all the choices and "comforts and habits" will make me more aware of the privileges in my life an awareness of the "life I expect." Rather than living a life that GOD would expect.

Hatmaker writes... "How can this be meaningful, not just narcissistic?" That is a key question. This is something that I am doing, but I don't want it to be about me. She also writes that the book was written from "a place of repentance not arrogance." That is key:

A friend once told me about a "Jesus Juke." For instance, in this article, the author writes that he tweeted about a big crowd at a concert, and someone commented, "If we had a big concert for Jesus, no one would come." Hear the horn? Wah, Wah, Wah.... This kind of response creates shame and never leads to good conversation. That is NOT the intent of this experience! It is all about GENERATING great conversation! Conversation that is centered on God's kingdom; here and now!

And one more goal (speaking of conversation)... I have never been the greatest at praying-- I know, odd because I am studying to be a pastor, and most people probably think that pastors just sit around all day and pray (my husband certainly thinks that). But, I don't. So, I hope that prayer can also be a focus of this experience. And not prayer like some poetic dissertation, but just a common conversation with God. I preached about it on Sunday-- I sure would like to be able to do it.

Well, I am going to finish my glass of water now. Coffee is made with water... maybe it is kind of the same thing! Ha.

Two more days...

Two more days until I embark on the first of 7 weeks of focus... the first week is food. I must have subconsciously known that my diet was going to change, because today I couldn't get enough cheese, cupcakes, or coffee!

I was reading on Jen Hatmaker's blog, and she writes:

Enough.

Enough with the obscene excess while the rest of the world is burning down outside our windows. Enough with the waste as 25,000 people die today of hunger, while I throw away another pound of food we didn’t get around to eating. Enough with the debt, the spending, the amassing, the irresponsibility, the indulgence, the fake discipleship, the rat race, the hamster wheel, the power and positioning and posturing with a hunger still for more, more, more, all the while pretending to follow a Jesus who didn’t even have a place to lay his head.

I have had enough. This journey is going to be more that 7 weeks of focus. It is going to focus my ministry... how do I authentically preach the gospel when I hunger for more and more?

The 7 Plan

I have seven weeks... Seven weeks to focus on the things from Jen Hatmaker's book, 7.

Week 1: Feb. 15-21 Food-- Seven foods: chicken, spinach, eggs, avocado, pears, potatoes, Greek yogurt.

No coffee. Only water.

This is the perfect fast for the start of Lent.

Week 2: Feb. 22-28 Clothes-- Seven articles of clothing
**Underthings don't count
Should pajamas?!?

Week 3: Feb. 29-March 6 Possessions-- Give away 7 things a day.

Goal: Not just to a thrift store, but to real people

Ideas: Meals of Hope, Lily Sparrow House, Hospitality House

**Relationship... not just charity

Week 4: March 7-13 Media

No cable, facebook, twitter, apps. Email only.

Week 5: March 14-20 Waste

Week 6: March 21-27 Spending-- Only spend at seven places

Wondering if I could only spend $70.

Week 7: March 28-April 3 Stress

April 1- Palm Sunday, I will be sharing this experience at an Adult Forum at church.

7 by Jen Hatmaker

A friend of mine recommended the book "7" to our Bible Study. At reading the "description" paragraph I was hooked. I had to know more. So, I immediately downloaded the book on my Nook and started reading. I was awe-struck. It spoke right to my heart.

On Jen Hatmaker's blog, she writes, "I just wanted to be more like Jesus... except when I didn't." Ahhh- that's it! I want to be more like Jesus-- but I don't want to give up all my comforts. I want to be generous, but I am scared.

How can I be authentic? This is not meant to be about me... but about getting out of the way to make more room for focusing on God and God's people.

So, I am following her book- I am going to take the next seven weeks (Lent- perfect timing), and I am going to simplify and focus on generosity, Jesus, and my neighbor.