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Following Christ and Minimalism 

I’ve been drawn to do some “research” on the minimalist movement in the past few days, particularly the writings of “the minimalists”—Joshua Fields Millburn and his best friend of over 20 years, Ryan Nicodemus, whose documentary “Minimalism” I had watched on Netflix (and was intrigued by) several months ago.

Because they are not obviously “Christian,” I’ve had some feelings of guilt for spending my time with them, but this morning upon awakening at 3:30 AM, I realized that God was speaking to me through these two young men who have demonstrated the courage to follow their hearts (in very practical and concrete ways) in a materialistic culture which is blatantly against all they are espousing in their lives and their writings.

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Parables as a Teaching Tool 

 

Using the word “parable” in its broadest sense (to include word pictures, personifications, similes, metaphors and allegories), it is probably the most common and effective means of both spoken and written communication available. It is the primary tool employed by Jesus when teaching. Actually, there is scarcely any account of anything in Scripture where the parable isn’t used—from the Garden of Eden in Genesis to the New Jerusalem in Revelation. And yet orthodox Christianity prides itself on sticking to a literal reading of Scripture whenever possible. Of course there are countless instances where it isn’t possible for even the most literal-minded person to read it thusly.

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What Is the Word of God?

The writer of the book of Hebrews says concerning the Word of God:

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick [living and active], and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

What is the Word of God that is so powerful? Is it the Bible?

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The New Creature

Because I was an English major in college, immersing myself in British history and literature, I’ve become something of an “Anglophile.” Living in England for two years (a fantasy of mine that came true) only enhanced my fascination with all things British. I’ve recently been re-watching “Downton Abbey,” “binge watching” really. The story began to occupy my thoughts and even my dream life. I awakened during the pre-dawn hours this morning feeling very anxious and unsettled. So I came into the living room and began to quieten myself inside to listen to the Holy Spirit—not exactly an easy skill to master but, arguably, the most valuable one; for inside is where God dwells (see “Where Is God?”) and therefore where we find answers, solutions and direction.

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“Think Not”–“Think On”: The Parable of the Sower

Today I heard the inner voice telling me to stop analyzing ANYTHING, that this constant over-thinking is robbing me of the peace Jesus has freely given. Jesus taught us to take no thought about the things we think most about. As I am constantly listening to the still small voice of Spirit, I am to do and say what I FEEL to do and say as a result of what I’m hearing, not what I THINK I should do and say.

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The Letter Kills

I awakened this morning about three o’clock, as I so often do, again wrestling with all the seeming contradictions of Scripture. The “but what about” Scriptures were bombarding my brain. (See But What About . . .? I had a prolonged discussion with my husband about how difficult it is to relate to a God I find described in Scripture. While He is supposed to be love and infinitely compassionate, I see Him assigning untold numbers to everlasting torment.

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But What About …?

Each of us has within ourselves what we call a paradigm —a way of looking at things. When we encounter information that doesn’t fit into our paradigm, we immediately want to discount it and usually become quite defensive. It is distressing to have our paradigm challenged. That is why birds of a feather flock together, why we tend to stick with those people who think as we do. We all like to remain in our comfort zone.

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