still going simple

i hope you aren't tired of hearing about simplifying your lifestyle yet. well, you did come to my bog, so i guess you're stuck with whatever info i want to talk about.

today, Amanda and i began a new path on our spiritual journey together as a couple. we have been struggling to find/make time to spend a significant amount of time together praying, reading scripture, and sharing about what God is doing in our lives.

i suggested that we start out each morning at 7am!

will this require sacrifice? you better believe it. i like sleeping, but it's worth it. i got up around 6:40am, brewed a pot of decaf (amanda's choice) and spent some personal time praying and reading (Mark 15-16), and then came the biggest task of the
day . . . waking up sleeping beauty. no, i don't think Amanda needs beauty sleep. in fact, i am convinced that all our kids got my good looks because Amanda still has hers.

i tip-toed into the room, approached the bed, and screamed, GET UP YOU LAZY BUM! just kidding. she actually was up pretty quick and met me at the kitchen table. we shared a very simple, but critical 15-20 minutes together praying and talking about life. it was amazing.

i think God will bless our efforts to start our day together with Him. i also believe we will be a stronger couple and know each other better as we talk and pray. i can tell you exactly what is on Amanda's heart today and what she is trusting God for. simple, but effective.

as you go simple, think of the simple things that you can do to make your life, marriage, family, church, job, etc. meaningful and purposeful. for some, it may be those few minutes with God each morning. for others, you may need to plan to play a family board game tonight (yes, make the teenagers play - and make them set it up and clean it up too!)

other simple ways to live this day for God by being intentional:

*think of someone that you are having a difficult time with and find a way to serve them
*pull out one of your favorite books and read it again
*call up a friend and ask them what you can pray for them about today
*write a letter to one of your spiritual mentors thanking them for the investment they made in your life
*take a walk and sing something
*if you and your wife a special song, play it after dinner and dance together
*sacrifice something you don't really need and give a little extra to missions this weekend

simple takes a bit of energy, but not too much. actually, your spirit may be refreshed so much that you feel like you have more energy than before you did something.

i know i want to make a difference in people's lives. if i'm not doing that, i'm not doing much!

peace