Simplicity: Finding Peace By Uncluttering Your Life.
Kim Thomas
ISBN 0-8054-1853-9
From the introduction:
“From the pattern: “When we sew, we use a pattern and cut away everything that doesn’t look like the item we are making. The pattern makes the going a little easier. It is like that in our lives, too. As we look at Simplicity: A Life Patterned After God, we will discover how to (1) reduce the clutter, (2) persevere in the everyday, and (3) focus on the goal. We find the pattern in Hebrews 12: 1-2: “Let us…lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us (this is the reducing-the-clutter part), and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (this is the persevering part), fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith (this is the focusing part).” (NASB) Applying the pattern to our physical world, emotional world, and spiritual world (or body, soul, and spirit) will lead us down the path of simplicity.”
Part I Body: Simplicity in Our Physical World
From the summary: Body: At a Glance
- We were created to reflect the image of God. Some things may need to be carved away so that His image is seen more clearly.
- The pattern : Hebrews 12:1
- Reduce the clutter—lean, clean, and wean. Detach from things.
- Persevere in the everyday—persevere, not endure. Incline yourself to contentment. Make it fun, consolidate, delegate.
- Focus on the goal—time management. Read, seed. Weed, and feed.
Part II Soul: Simplicity in Our Relational/Emotional World
From the summary: Soul: At a Glance
- You are more than mud
- Reduce the clutter. Manage conflict in relationships. We all have
at least seven categories of relationships. To manage conflict,
identify it and have a plan to deal with it.
- Persevere in the everyday. Restore a sense of wonder with sacraments of simplicity: solitude, authenticity, gratitude, and celebration.
- Focus on the goal. Create a personal mission statement. Combine your passion with your talent in the context of a commitment to godly character.
Part III Spirit: Simplicity in Our Spiritual World
- Be supernaturally laundered.
- Reduce the clutter. Get rid of the sin in your life. Identify the plumb line, make a good confession, and then receive forgiveness.
- Persevere in the everyday. Become a pilgrim and establish habits of holiness: meditation, prayer, fasting, the Eucharist, and worship.
- Focus on the goal. Have a heart wholly after God. Hunger and thirst for righteousness, pursue a pure heart, and fix your gaze on the infinite reference point.
Tags: faith, goal, God, pattern, Relationships, simplicity, Soul, spiritual
