Our Culture or God's: The Choice Is Ours

Titus 3: 2:11-12 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this preset age.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to look at our world, it's culture today to witness it's moral decline. People not God are deciding what's good and right and attempting to over run people who refuse to follow their ways.

2 Timothy 3: 1-5 But mark this: there will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the god, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-- having a form of godliness but denying it's power. Have nothing to do with such people.

In Touch Ministries: The Choices We Make
On a six lane freeway, it is easy to crowd lots of cars onto the road. Entering the highway is pretty easy since ramps feed into the right lane every few miles. Conversely, trying to stay on a narrow sheep path from the pasture to the barn forces you to walk slowly with one foot directly in front of the other.

The sheep path is a picture of the narrow way-God's way-while the wide, six lane thoroughfare illustrates the broad way-that is Satan's road to destruction.

The broad way is as crowded as an expressway at rush hour. The majority of people choose this road because they love what it has to offer: no restraints on anything they want to try. Whatever brings pleasure, power, pr prosperity is welcomed and practiced. God, the Bible and church may be tolerated for a while, but will eventually be supplanted in the heart of the traveler on the broad road. That's to be expected, since everything is embraced here-all philosophies, all belief systems, all the passions of men and women, and all habits promoting the idea of free choice.

As wonderful as all that tolerance and license may sound, however, the broad road is also the way of disappointment. No matter what the world promises, it will not ultimately satisfy, because the broad way is an illusion. The flesh may be appeased temporarily, but the human heart cannot find peace on that road.

Nothing the world thinks up or creates can fill the place in our hearts that God made only for Himself. True fulfillment through The Lord is found only on the narrow path.

So many times I have felt that I don't measure up to the world and it's expectations. It is only because God rescued me and continues to do so again and again that I know that only His expectations are of any real importance. It doesn't matter what others think or their opinions on me or my life and choices I make, because I'm not living to impress other humans. I feel this would be like pigs living in their barn, yet one pig feels compelled to gain acceptance and approval from the other pigs. They are All pigs, so what does it matter, just as we are All humans. This shows how ridiculous the need is to try and live for others. Our lives should be to live for God and not seek to fit into anyone's culture or ideals of living. Whenever I feel that I've fallen off the narrow path as stated above I remind myself of my pig analogy and it snaps me back to reality. I am ever grateful for God and the strength he gives me even when I feel like all of mine has evaporated.

Deb's Book Nook: Madame Chic by Jennifer L Scott

Madame Chic is a delightful little book that allows one to experience a greater depth of life through the adoption of French culture. The author Jennifer lived as an exchange student with a french family and over her time spent with Madame Chic and her family she learned that being presentable, participating in rich culture and cultivating an appreciation of life can be done without the ideals of over consumption and mass materialism. Jennifer learned how to cultivate a life she desires and to bring richness into it through every day living.

Each chapter is divided into a life subject such as Exercise is a part of Life Not a Chore, Deprive Yourself Not, Find Your True Style, Reject the New Materialism. There are many simple suggestions to enrich and improve your life and live it to the fullest.

One of the things I liked most about this book was the emphasis on not conforming to societies' idea of materialism. Living a minimalist life myself as of late I can appreciate her suggestions on being happy with less, and learning or re learning to embrace cultural activities that enrich the mind as well as the soul like attending the theater, reading, seeking out different kinds of movies such as alternative, or foreign films that have a deeper message than hero's saving the world. ( not knocking those movies, just creating more of a balance ).

Another favorite suggestion of mine was incorporating more high quality foods into the diet instead of endless amounts of lower quality or junk foods. She talks about how the French have always enjoyed their food and don't obsess over carbs or calories or body size. Its definitely a cultural one up France and other countries have over the U.S. Our shelves are filled with tasteless lower calorie meals loaded with salt or sugar to make up for lack of flavor. Our citizens continually think about if a certain food will go to their waist or how much they have to workout because of what was eaten.

There are many more golden nuggets to take from this book. Not all suggestions will work for every lifestyle, one should take what is doable and adaptable to one's lifestyle. Living a minimalist lifestyle I fell this book goes hand in hand with the concepts of living a more purposeful life. I highly recommend tis book if you're looking for an overhaul or improvement of life in general.

Embracing Minimalism Quality over Quanity

In recent years I have begun creating a lifestyle that's cohesive with my beliefs and needs. I'd stumbled and backslid into former old habits numerous times in the process. It's ok that I made repeated mistakes for a lesson will continually repeat itself until learned. Life is a journey not just a destination.

As of late my as my spiritual growth expands so does the quality of life I choose to lead. My road leads me back to incorporating minimalism throughout my world. I now approach this lifestyle with a deeper purpose, a physical and spiritual space clearing. I aim to create space within my space so I am more effectively able to connect with a higher power to guide me through my life.

A minimalist lifestyle allows me to acquire and utilize less in order to better focus and become available to my greater purpose. By embracing God's culture instead of worldly culture I'm gaining a greater sense of self and peace.

One of the best things about a minimalist lifestyle is the joyful avoidance of gross consumerism and overt materialism. As we all are aware our society encourages consumerism leading one to believe that living a certain lifestyle in the right area, with the right clothes, car, job etc... will gain acceptance and and approval, and make one very happy.

In fact, quite the opposite is true for me.While I didn't have a keeping up with the Joneses mentality I had my fair share of unused unworn clothes, video games, gadgets and stuff that I thought I enjoyed having. However, most of this stuff only served to collect dust and create a heavy heavy household, not to mention combined with my husband's stuff!

Clearing our space has been cathartic and euphoric! I had no trouble hanging on to things I seldom used. I craved a lighter space a lighter simpler life. I let go of believing that I would acquire a lifestyle to match the clothes I never wore. I let go of fantasies and I'm now working on creating a life that matches who I am growing to be. It's great not to look out for the next coolest video games, over abundance of books, ( Shout out to my Kindle! ) unused beauty items and such. The monetary gain that comes from this is well worth the changes, and it can be put to a much greater use, or saved. I realize that our space won't be completely cleared to the extent I'd like because I live with a husband who has lots of stuff and lots of trouble letting go. He has agreed to declutter rooms like the basement and garage, but I know it will be a timely process as he too is on his journey and has to go through his own learning experiences and I must embrace patience and not force this on him at my pace...part of my journey...

As I sign off I leave hoping to inspire others who feel weighed down by life and life's stuff. It's possible to start where you are and at your chosen pace begin to be the change you want to live.

Next blog I'll be discussing how minimizing spills over into my diet effectively.

Deb's Book Nook: Marbles by Ellen Forney A Graphic Novel

Marbles is a memoir about a woman's struggle with mental illness, Bipolar Disorder. This story is told in graphic novel form which adds a whole new and fresh dimension to reading a memoir.

Marbles is refreshingly funny, yet allows you grasp the many struggles of living with this disorder. I loved the comic panel cartoon drawing format! The facial expressions in this story are everything! I many times found myself laughing out loud reading this.

The character is an artist who grapples with taking or not taking medication to manage her condition because of her fears that she will loose her natural creativity, and her eventual acceptance of this as a part of who she is instead of just a condition.

I highly recommend this book. It's an easy read because of the format. This story helps me to deal with any physical conditions, or even stressful life conditions with a little more gratitude and an ability to approach my reactions to them with humility and patience.

I give this book ***** 5 Stars!!!
Get it Read it!

Deb's Book Nook: Chicken Hare by Chris Grine

Chicken Hare is a hilarious little graphic novel that chronicles the adventures of a part rabbit part chicken ( funny on it's own ), and his buddy a bearded turtle. Now, one might think this is for kids but books are meant to be enjoyed by everyone regardless of age. I really liked this story and at times it had me laughing out loud.

I find that often times people become regimented or judgmental of others by their choices in books, movies, music, clothes... Reading should be a joyful experience and who is to say what someone's joy consists of. If your'e an adult and enjoy reading young adult fiction play on, if you feel you only want to read classics or cheesy romance novels by all means do so. There are no barriers on one's choices in reading material. I felt the need to say this because I've heard of others who like a certain genre of books but won't read them in public or around family or friends for fear of judgement or embarrassment. No one has the right to judge anyone for their choices in books. It's also great to stretch your reading genre past what your used to you might be surprised what you find, I know I am!

Back to Chicken Hare, and his pal turtle are captured by an evil taxidermist and must find a way to escape while helping two other captured animals before they're turned into stuffed animals. Their adventures are fast paced and so chuckle worthy and will leave you wanting to continue to hang out with Chicken Hare and his buddies for more adventures.

If you want a quick stress reducing read that brings a smile to your face, one that both you and your kids can enjoy grab one or all three graphic novels of the adventures of Chicken Hare, you won't be sorry! I give this book 4 out of 5 stars because I wish it were longer!

Deb's Book Nook: Review of All My Friends Are Dead

If your'e looking for a very fast read that will give you outward chuckles this little gem is a good one to add to your book shelf. It's a very short read, but quirky and cartoony for older kids and adults. All My Friends Are Dead would make a humorous addition to the coffee table for a good laugh when family or friends visit, or to put in the office break room for an afternoon chuckle.

This book is basically about death, in a way that everyone and in this story everything even talking trees, dinosaurs and zombies can relate to it. I don't want to give away the spoiler! This book would make a great gift in a basket for someone who's been ill and needs a laugh.

All My Friends Are Dead by Avery Monsen and Jory John

Deb's Book Nook: A Wild Sheep Chase: A Novel by Haruko Murakami

This was my first forray into the world of Murakami. A Wild Sheep Chase did live up to Murakami's reputation of very unusual stories. This one was no different.

I wouldn't say this was one of the most enjoyable reads for me, this story did cause me to contemplate the significance of life and how I live it. All of the characters in this story are rather dull, wooden, however they each play an important role in their interaction with the books main character.

The gist of the story being the main character, a man receives a postcard from a friend and he chooses to use an image of an unusual sheep with a star on his back from the postcard in an insurance ad. The narrator is then lead on a quest to find the sheep or face dire consequences.
The story leads the reader on the quest to find the true meaning of the mysterious sheep.

One reason I found this book more of a chore to read is that the characters were mostly one dimensional and I couldn't find myself caring about any of them. I love reading, but reading it became a chore to finish the story because I kept losing interest. When I finished the book I felt relief rather than feeling I'd left a good story with characters I really liked or related to.

One redeeming quality of this story for me was that the main character's realization of his life not adding up to much, having no real significance in his world and his acceptance of that. All life has meaning and purpose and it made me think of how I choose to qualify my own life. I was able to reference God because he gives me significance and purpose. I may not live up the the world's culture but it's Gods culture that matters most to me. The fact that this book enabled me to contemplate or re evaluate my purpose, even without a mysterious quest LOL, is what leads me to give this book 3 stars ***