Day 13 – As I think about the discipline of simplicity,
threads of a song drift through my memory:
“Tis a gift to be simple, ’tis a gift to be free
‘Tis a gift to come down where I ought to be.”
Attributed to Joseph Brackett (1797–1882)
The song is right. The simple life is a gift.
Lord, grant me the wisdom to accept your simple gift.
I retired from my office job. I have a closet filled with clothes I no longer wear.
My daily Bible study took me to the book of Luke and John the Baptist’s message:
Luke 3:10-11 (NIV)
“What should we do then?” the crowd asked.
John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
You talkin’ to me, John?
Day 12 – Time to share!
I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to use this quotation. Today’s the day!
“If we have not quiet in our minds,
outward comfort will do no more for us
than a glass slipper on a gouty foot.”
John Bunyan (1628-1688)
God delivered some unexpected quiet yesterday, when tropical storm Isaias knocked out our electricity for a day. No humming appliances, no TV, no alarms, no internet–a bit of blessed candlelit silence.
Day 11 – it is good to step away from the noise and find some quiet space (at least in your head) to share with God.
Less is all about “No.”
No to more is yes to less!
Titus 2:12 (NIRV)
His grace teaches us to say no to godless ways and sinful desires. We must control ourselves. We must do what is right.
Day 10 – Just say no.
Proverbs 30:15-16 (MSG)
A leech has twin daughters
named “Gimme” and “Gimme more.”
Three things are never satisfied,
no, there are four that never say,
“That’s enough, thank you!”
2-3-4 — “Gimme more.“
Day 9 – God is teaching me, “That’s enough.“
Spiritual disciplines are practices–deliberate choices and actions–that imitate Christ, grow our souls and increase our faith.
1 John 2:6 (NLT)
Those who say they live in God
should live their lives as Jesus did.
Some of these spiritual disciplines involve less, not more:
These are the practices I’ll focus on this week.
Day 8 – Time for less.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 (MSG)
May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ.
I made myself a check sheet to help balance my discipline:
Day 7 – the whole thing!
Day 6.
How will I find the power for 40 days of discipline?
It’s simple (but not necessarily easy):
Not my will but Yours, Lord.
Not my power but Yours, Lord.
Here’s the goal:
2 Corinthians 10:5b (NIRV)
I keep every thought under control
in order to make it obey Christ.
This is how I picture it–
My mind is a harbor, and thoughts sail in and out. I choose to let the good thoughts drop anchor and stay. The distracting, deceptive and sinful thoughts aren’t welcome. When I notice my thoughts are not obedient to Christ, I cut the anchor and watch them sail away.
Day 5 – Let’s pray:
Lord God, I’ve let some wrong thoughts get comfortable. Grant me the discipline to send them sailing into the eternal sunset.
Social isolation has been bad for my body. Less time out and about. Too much time too close to the kitchen.
Too little exercise.
Too much food.
My body displays my lack of discipline.
1 Thessalonians 4:4 (NIV)
Learn to control your own body
in a way that is holy and honorable.
Granted, this verse is set in the context of sexual immorality and lust. But “holy and honorable” can apply to food and exercise. Too much junk food and too much lounging about are neither holy nor honorable.
Day 4 – Less food, more exercise. More discipline.
