Bev

That said — one lesson I have learned (for myself) is that it’s easier for me to live my life as a Christian if I listen more to what Jesus said than if I spend a lot of time reading what other Christians tell me I should be doing. Over the years I have read a lot of Foster, and at the time what I found in him seemed good. But authors who write for profit have a different point of view than He who gave His life for mine. And there are a lot of people who are great at giving directions to LOTS of people. Mine is a personal Savior, and I am disrespectful if I call myself one if HIS but spend more time listening to others than I do to Him.

Please, don’t misunderstand, I’m not being critical of you, or what you are reading. I’m only saying that for myself, I found more quiet and silence even by really listening to Jesus’ words; paying more attention to his “more time with fewer people” approach, to the way he often answered the question the questioner SHOULD HAVE asked instead of the question that was spoken.

His was and continues to be a very personal message — speaking deeply to the heart of each individual believer in a way that suits them best. I have seen many cases where something that would have destroyed ME has been used for good in someone else — and vice versa. So, taking life lessons from someone who doesn’t even know me — no matter the truth that may seem to ring in my ears — isn’t quite where I’m going.

By contrast, I often think that we Christians are rather like the Jews when it comes to What God Says….. He gave them the law, and they wrote volume upon volume to “explain” what God “meant.” We Christians have done the same with Jesus, writing far more volumes about what Jesus meant than the Jews ever dreamt of. Same oh, same oh — humans just being humans — and trying to avoid the one thing we all really need — more time alone with our Savior — apart from all others, listening to no voice but his, determined to please none but him.

I’m not sure I’d categorize the Internet as “noise.” I don’t like to demonize things. The Internet is a tool, as is speech. But because there are many tools and I’m not as skilled with some of them as with others, there are tools I never use — like saws…. I can cut something three times and it’s still too SHORT.

For some, the Internet has permitted real communication with people and ideas I’d never have had contact with. But it’s just as easy to succumb to the “noise” of the interwebs as it is to succumb to the “noise” of gossip, or envy, or worry, or 1000 other vices.

I wish you well with your search, may God bless and care for you, his precious and beloved daughter.

Cheers,
Peter
A retired photographer looks at life
Peter Pazucha dot Com
Life Unscripted on WordPress

Thanks for reading today

If you’ve never read anything by Richard Foster, I’d start with his book: Celebration of Discipline – it is wonderful! A true modern classic. He covers simplicity in that book – but it is only a chapter, not an entire book : )) So… if you’re a little nervous to hear ALL he has to say about simplicity, maybe start with a slice of each of the disciplines first – : ))

Thank you again for reading my blog.
Grace and Peace – Shari