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Date: January 30, 2011 Lesson: SPICE - Simplicity |
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101 Ways to be Quaker Simple in Winchester, IN
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Links to a few Websites concerning Simplicity: Testimony of Simplicity, Six Lessons for Simple Eating, Michael Pollan – Rules to Eat By, 64 Ways to Eat Food, Clothing: 6 items or less Challenge, Simple Living Manifesto – 72 ideas to simplify your life, Simple Living defined, Living Simply as Christ Intended |
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Indiana Yearly Meeting’s General Query on Simplicity (IYM 2002 Faith & Practice, pg. 43) Do you observe simplicity in your manner of living, so that devotion to Jesus Christ comes first in your life? Do you celebrate life as a gift from God? ....How do you actively avoid self-destructive stresses in your life? “Today I pray for simplicity, that I may be satisfied by what I have, be filled with the laughter and joy around me, be rid of desire for more, and be willing to examine what I crave for the underpinnings of envy, secret feelings of being less than, egoism, and a desire to feel better than my fellow human. Grant me the ability to sink down in my own shoes and live well right where I am”. unknown |
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LIVING OUT THE TESTIMONIES We are called to SPICE up our world with Simplicity Peace Integrity Community Equality Christians and Friends (Quakers) today try to make their spiritual life visible in the world through simplicity, peace, integrity, community and equality. They call it their testimony. While not every Christian or member of a Friends church makes these things visible, these testimonies remind us how to live out our belief in Christ on a daily basis.
Simplicity of Diet Matthew 6:31-33(New International Version)31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 1) Plant a vegetable garden if you have space (or take a plot at the Community Garden) or a window garden if you don’t have space 2) Eat real food (If it came from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, don’t) 3) Eat local food in season 4) Be a frugal shopper 5) Eat foods that will eventually rot (avoid processed foods) 6) Don’t eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food 7) Don’t waste food 8) Watch ingredient lists – avoid excess salt, sugar and fat (Avoid food products containing ingredients that a third grader cannot pronounce.) 9) Eat meals at home and limit food arrived through the window of your car 10) Cook what you eat 11) Eat more vegetables and less meat 12) Fast Once a Month 13) Advocate for those who don’t have enough to eat 14) Eat less 15) Drink more water 16) Donate to food pantries Other ideas: 17) 18) 19) 20) 21) 22) 23) 24) Query: What are you doing to eat simply and to help others do the same? Or (as Ron asked…) “What’s for Lunch?”
Simplicity of Speech Matthew 5:33-37(New International Version)
33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. 25) Let your yes be yes and your no, no 26) Be truthful 27) Don’t break your promises 28) Be silent….if nothing good or constructive can be said, say nothing 29) Be kind with your words 30) Listen 31) Do what the word of God says 32) Act consistently to what you say (Let your life speak) 33) Don’t be boastful 34) Be disciplined 35) Don’t be careless with what you say! Other Ideas: 37) 38) 39) 40) Query: Do you speak plainly, honestly and truthfully to all people and does your life reflect the words you speak?
Simplicity of Wardrobe Matthew 6:29-30 (New International Version) 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 41) Purchase clothing at discount stores, consignment stores and thrift shops 42) Don’t overstock wardrobes unnecessarily 43) Go “green” in clothing (consideration of the carbon footprint the material produces, lifespan of the garment, and social responsibility in the production of clothing) 44) Make clothing universal 45) Recycle clothing to Good Will, Attic Window shops, or the fall and spring Winchester Friends Rummage Sale 46) Use your sewing machine to make your own clothing or to repair damaged clothing 47) No binge buying or unnecessary purchases 48) Dress plainly or casually, expensive clothing can highlight social inequality 49) Avoid expensive new styles, but consider purchasing high quality clothing that will last 50) Dress modestly and avoid revealing clothing that calls attention to you 51) Challenge yourself to live with limited clothing options, consider experiments like “6 Items or less”
Other Ideas:
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Query:
Do you go through your wardrobe twice a year and donate any unused clothing?
Simplicity of Lifestyle, Shelter Matthew 5:40-42(New International Version)40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. Matthew 6:19-24(New International Version)
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. 56) Make due with what you have, don’t spend your life “keeping up with the Joneses” 57) Keep a list for 30 days of the things you want to buy, don’t indulge in spur of the moment shopping for your home 58) Be conservative with energy; turn up the air conditioner and turn down the heat whenever possible 59) Share our possessions with others Other Ideas: 60) 61) 62) Query: Do you observe simplicity in your manner of living, so that devotion to Jesus Christ comes first in your life?
Simplicity of Finances Matthew 25:14-31(New International Version)29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them… 63) Save before you spend, don’t use credit or loans 64) Know the difference between wants and needs 65) Track what you spend, know where your money goes 66) Plan your spending, budget your needs first 67) Save money every week, small amounts add up over time 68) Know how much money you make and plan to tithe before you spend 69) Share what you have with those who have less
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Queries: Do you seek to be a good steward of the resources to which you have been entrusted? Do you tithe and save before spending on other things? Do you stop and consider whether something is a need or a want before spending money to purchase it? Do you strive to be generous with those who have less? Do you strive to live within your means, planning and saving before a purchase rather than using credit?
Simplicity of Technology and Entertainment Matthew 7:13-23; Luke 12:13-21 (New International Version)Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it… 72) Obey the 2nd Commandment “You shall have no other Gods before me” 73) Limit the use of modern technology -cell phones -computers -televisions (consider 1 TV per house) -activities that “take over” and become false Idols 74) Be mindful of what we use as entertainment -watch what you watch -gambling -hobbies (is there a more productive use of time?) Other Ideas: 75) 76) 77) 78) 79) 80) Query: Does the way I live my life set me apart from mainstream use of technology and entertainment?
Simplicity of Relationships Matthew 5:43-48(New International Version)43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. 81) Treat all people with respect 82) Treat all people fairly 83) Practice integrity in all your relationships 84) Speak kindly to every person 85) Love those who may be considered enemies 86) Be understanding of others, place yourself in their Shoes whenever possible 87) Live at peace with all people and resolve conflict 88) Give a smile or a hug where it is needed 89) Maintain the good reputation of others Other Ideas: 90) 91) 92) Query: Does my attitude towards all people reflect equality in the sight of God and do I work to eliminate all forms of discrimination and prejudice in my relationships?
Simplicity of Religion and Spirituality Mark 12:28-34(New International Version)28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” 29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these…….” 93) Love God with all your heart, soul, strength and love your neighbor as yourself 94) Practice justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God 95) Avoid lavish displays and costly sacrifices when everyday relationships are riddled with injustice 96) Become like a child to inherit the Kingdom, complexitybeyond a child’s understanding is counterproductive 97) God hears prayers of humble sincerity, not the number or eloquence of words not the volume of voice 98) Follow Christ: No need to pre-screen, no creed, no ritual, no public confession of sins – just believe enough to drop what you are doing and follow Christ 99) Come and see – let Christ address your doubts 100) Call no attention to your giving; do it for God, not for Praise 101) Recognize that God owns all our resources and obey His direction in about their use Query:
Is your relationship with God and your service to His Kingdom marked by simple clarity- free of complicated rules and techniques and fads – in the ways you worship, pray, evangelize, and provide resources for God’s work?
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