Shopaholic’s Revolt

So I thought this week would be a synch for me because I really despise shopping.  I’m the kind of guy who would rather not try something on and find out when I get home that it doesn’t fit if it saves me ten minutes more in the store.  Of course yesterday I was mapping out my day off and thought, “Oh I should go Tip Top and Moores and get some new clothes before Easter.”  It was a great idea and something I’ve been meaning to do since January.  Then it hit me that this is the no spending week.  Oh, but maybe I could get away with it, because I have gift cards for both stores left over from Christmas that I haven’t used yet.  But no!  Someone had to suggest that on Sunday prompting me to outlaw gift card purchases as well and thus removing the grey area for everyone, including me.   Hmmm, but if I give my gift cards to Michelle and send her to the store, technically I’m not buying anything.  Technically she’s not spending either, because they aren’t her cards?  What do you think?  It’s amazing what mental gymnastics we will go through to find the loop holes isn’t it!  I wonder how much I do that same rationalizing and conniving with more important things?

How’s your week going so far?

Time Goes Swiftly

As I finished typing up River Guide #6 to be distributed next Sunday I suddenly realized that the end of this leg of our journey is almost at an end.  In some ways I am glad to see that end come, but not because I have disliked the journey.  I have found some things challenging, some annoying and some difficult.  I have succeeded in many things, but failed in some.  And as much as I have been blessed by being pushed a little to focus on God more intently than I may have  done otherwise and would stand by the idea that I need to be pushed at times, I am anxious to see what happens next.  I am eager to discover what habits will carry over once they are no longer ‘assigned’.  I am excited to discover how God moves in me and in us after this is all done.  And with that in mind I am resolving myself to make the most of these last two weeks, to finish strong and with no regrets that an opportunity has been missed.  I hope you’ll do the same.

Hard Habit to Break

In this week of no music it seems only fitting that I title this post after an 8Os song.  Although most of this week’s fast has been a blissful blessing I have noticed the lack of background music.  Being of the MTV generation my life, as is true with many my age and even more so with those who are younger, has a soundtrack.  And it has been a challenge to break myself of the habit of hitting the play button on that soundtrack.  When I get in the car the first thing I do is turn on the radio.  When I boot up my computer the first thing I do is open my media player.  Not doing these things has not been especially difficult, but remembering to not do these things sometimes is.  There have been times this week when I’ve been driving from point A to point B and have caught myself numerous times reaching for the on button of the radio.  Sometimes it’s not until the music starts playing that I realize what I’m doing.

All of which got me wondering.  I wonder how many bad spiritual habits I have that cruise along on autopilot, virtually undetected by my conscious mind?  How often do I reach for things I shouldn’t without a second thought, or maybe even a first thought?  How often do I end up in the middle of some place I shouldn’t be without even realizing I was going there?  Hopefully after this week I’m a little more self-aware.

How’s your week gone so far?

Reading the Psalms

I don’t have much to say in this post, but I’m curious to how the rest of you are finding our intuitive approach to reading the Psalms.  Has it been helpful?  Meaningful?  Useful?  Have you ended up reading passages that seem to really fit with where you are at that day?  Just curious.   Post a comment and let me know!

The Sweet Sound of Silence

I don’t know how many of you will be checking in on the BLOG this week b/c technically these are “words” and viewing them with comprehension would be considered “reading”.    But for all those of you reading at work or reading back issues next week  I’ll continue to throw out my cyber thoughts as the week goes on.

I am definately with Ray as far as coveting the no talking rule as applied to kids but I don’t know who will have more luck enforcing it: Ray with teenagers or me with toddlers.  My guess is neither.  I do hope that in whatever quiet moments I can steal after the kids have gone to bed that I can dive deeper into the prayer and reading streams this week.  We’ll see how it all goes…

Thanks to those who’ve shared comments on past posts.   Feel free to add you thoughts and perspectives on this week or any other part of the journey in the comment section below.

Caffine Withdrawl?

Anyone got the shakes yet?  I would say that this week’s fast more than any other, at least for me, has served well as a regular reminder to focus/refocus on God.  That being said, I confess that I would give myself only a B as far as how well I’ve stuck to the H2O only plan.  Part of it has been, as mentioned previously, just an etiquette thing.  After all, when someone puts a Starbucks Mocha on my desk it seems rude not to drink it.  Of course I try not to enjoy it, but usually fail there too.

Anyways, being paired with our Holiness prayer themes this week’s fast has really been insightful to me.  It is amazing how quickly one sip leads to one can and one can leads to two cans and especially frightening is how, virtually at the speed of light (or in this case taste) a couple cans of pop turn to into blow the whole day and start again tomorrow…maybe.  It seems like a great parallel to spiritual life the way I am so easily and readily able to rationalize or simply over look minor indiscretions and before I know it I have fallen back into my old ways and habits without a second thought. 

How’s your week gone so far?  You’re gonna love what next week has in store!!

So Far So Good

I must say I’ve been very encouraged by the number of complaints I’ve received this week.  Normally I’m not a big fan of complaints, particularly the ones that are directed toward me, but this is an exception.  The number of people who have commented to me about their electronics fast has been a real boost to me.  It’s great to know how many people are diving into the river this week and to hear their stories.  Young and young at heart, even entire house holds becoming Luddites for 7 days!  Most encouraging though is the impact people have noted beyond just freeing up time for other things.  It seems this week has done well to increase our awareness of God and hopefully made us more open to His voice among the quieted din.  I hope your prayer, reading and outward streams are having equal impact this week. 

One final note.  As I type this I am at work (and legitimately using my computer) and my randomizing media player decided this was the perfect random time to play “Wade in the Water”.  lol

Who’s Crazy Idea Was this Anyways?

I have NEVER been SOOOOO glad to get to work!  Yesterday was my day off and Michelle had the car so I was stuck at home alone.  Normally that would be great, but with no TV or computer I went a little squirrelly.  I didn’t even have background music!  UGHA!  I found myself doing a few ‘work’ things which legitimized my electronics usage.  By the end of the day I didn’t know what to do with myself, because all though I could think of dozens of things I could be doing they all involved using my computer.  The rest of the week will be much better I’m sure since I’ll be at the office for a good portion of most days.  I guess that shows how deep the microchip has invaded our lives, at least mine.  How has your electronics free week been going so far?

Oh the Irony

Here I am BLOGGING about, among other things, preparing for a one week fast from electronics!  Talk about ironic!  For some this week might be an easy one, but for most I suspect it will be a bit of a challenge.    Should be interesting anyways.  I hope to do better on the reading stream this week, and with all the time that I’ll have freed up by the electronics fast that should be easier to do.  I also aim to work in a one day fast this week as well.  I wanted to do it last week, but my schedule kept messing it up.  Although I batted less than 1000 last week I still sense a palpable difference for which I’m thankful.   How’d your first week go?