wrecking my comfortable life
ok this was a great book. in just about 3 days or so i devoured the pages to the last drop. here are a couple of quotes:
"Thoreau said, 'simplify, simplify, simplify,' but at that moment I couldn't help wondering if I had gone too far."
"Jesus promises a life in which we increasingly have to stretch our hands and be lead in places where we would rather not go." Henri Nouwen
Well here it is straight from the guys who lived and wrote the story:
6 comments:
wow.... is about all i can say. thank you so much for posting this video. i love it. i love when he says, he's not about bashing the church - he's telling the stories... and it kind of speaks for itself, doesn't it??? but then i love the way he says that we HAVE to change it though.... there is such a disconnect between real life and church building. i love that he's doing something to try and change that. what passion he has. if we could all just find our passion... yes???
Talking to someone today about what we learned while we were in Hawaii, I mentioned how the culture on the island especially the native Hawaiians, is a life that is centered around family (ohana). Their idea of how that translates, I think, is much different than what we (on the mainland) think about. Ohana involves sharing, it means not being so centered on my-space or personal space. Not that having your own space or stuff is bad in and of itself, but it seems that I have elevated my self possessions to such a level that I have crowded others out. My computer, my ipod, my whatever is the thing that has formed or developed the invisible walls that separates me from connecting with other people. And so we add layer of stuff on top of stuff until we have so separated ourselves from our neighbor, which makes it very difficult to know our neighbor much less love them.
In Honolulu, we observed that it is not uncommon for families sometimes 8 or more to share one house. Partly because it is their culture (ohana), partly because they have been pushed out of their-space because of foreigners coming and consuming the housing market driving the prices sky high. Which makes me think about future travelers and visitors to the island, are they part of the solution (living simply so others may simply live) or are they part of the problem (consuming to satisfy my-space comfort)?
I think one the thing that drives me to think in these terms is my deep sense of loyalty and honesty. I am harder on myself when I think about these terms as my authenticity. My hypocrisy is the antithesis of my authenticity. Oh this drives me crazy! I can’t honestly point my finger at someone without instantly being reminded of my own vices.
Reminds me once again of the vision words my wife prayed nearly 3 years ago, “a building with no carpet.” As I am thinking of the story of the people of God traveling to Canaan, it was all about them “becoming a dwelling place” for the One true God. This character shaping always includes a stripping away of the old and decayed, and a renovation of the inner space that is lived out in the ordinary events of everyday life. For me this refining period is a firing in the kiln of grace and mercy.
this was an inspirig video. this made me want to get off my butt and go do something incredible. he looked to me like a "JESUS" figure. he is living the most godly life ive ever seen someone live. when i wached this video i almost cried. this man is awsome,he has nothing but yet he seems so happy about reaching to other people out of his comfort-zone. if there was the a trophe that was for serving people when you have nothing this dude would win it full-9-yards.
can i just be really honest and say i'm a little scared to watch that video? afraid that it's going to hit a little too close to where i'm living in my head?
maybe tomorrow...
Think I need to put this book in my Amazon shopping cart...Thanks.
Great post, Michael. It's amazing what is possible when our comfort zones are obliterated. Perhaps it is harder when we choose to take them down than when they are taken down for us, but in any case, it's a joy when we get beyond the fear and can fully be immersed in the perfect Love that casts out that fear...
Bless you.
Jeff
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