a simpler way of life

[thereaperman]

recently ive just been thinking about selling everything i dont need and basically living on the bare essentials becuase i feel so trapped and suffocated by this fake material world, does anyone else feel the same?

[Dad Ernie]

recently ive just been thinking about selling everything i dont need and basically living on the bare essentials becuase i feel so trapped and suffocated by this fake material world, does anyone else feel the same?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Greetings The Reaperman,

There is soon coming a time when anyone without the "mark" will neither be able to buy or sell. We shall lose everything, we will have nothing but sackcloth to wear. If you want to jump the gun and start living that way now, make sure that it is of the Lord. For now, I will use my computer to glorify the Lord, I will use my home, when I can, for fellowship. I will share what I have with the needy.

But like I said, we shall be among the "needy" ourselves. So use what you have for the glory of God and the Kingdom. IOW, store up for yourself treasures in heaven.

blessings,

Dad Ernie

[Keith]

recently ive just been thinking about selling everything i dont need and basically living on the bare essentials becuase i feel so trapped and suffocated by this fake material world, does anyone else feel the same?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Reaper,

I did just that in the mid 90's. I currently live in a large studio apartment that is perfect for me. I simplified my life ten years ago and it's one of the best things I've ever done! It really eliminated a lot of stress and problems for me. I have no desire for "things" anymore. I have a TV and a DVD player (no cable or TV channels at all) and my laptop. Those are the luxury items I own. I don't have a dishwasher (although a garbage disposal would be nice!) because I enjoy doing dishes. It's part of my time with God. I don't live in a dump, either. My apartment is very nice. If my apartment burned down (heaven forbid) I would make sure to grab my Bible and my pillow. (No matter what happens in life, if you have your own pillow, you can make it through! LOL)

Once I simplified all of my physical possessions and felt the release from that, it carried over into every other area of my life... physically, emotionally, spiritually, relationships, etc.,

I am very happy and have very little stress most of the time. Island Rose has a post called "Attitude of Gratitude" that I absolutely agree with! I am so incredibly thankful to God that if nothing good ever happened to me again, I would still have peace and joy!

[Trinity]

i feel so trapped and suffocated by this fake material world

Yes! ugh...

But giving it up ehh... how am i supposed to get to worthy AND WATCH MY EAGLES

[Keith]

Trinity,

Living simply doesn't mean you have to live with a blanket on the floor and only have a table and chair for furniture! lol

It's just a matter of de-cluttering your home of all the things that you don't need or use anymore. Taking a look at everything you own and asking, "When was the last time I used that? Do I really need it?" If it's something that "someone might be able to use sometime".... DITCH IT!

Ok, I'm going to go now before I start sounding like an HGTV Home Makeover special! LOL

[Trinity]

Trinity,

Living simply doesn't mean you have to live with a blanket on the floor and only have a table and chair for furniture!  lol

It's just a matter of de-cluttering your home of all the things that you don't need or use anymore.  Taking a look at everything you own and asking, "When was the last time I used that?  Do I really need it?"  If it's something that "someone might be able to use sometime".... DITCH IT!

Ok, I'm going to go now before I start sounding like an HGTV Home Makeover special!  LOL

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

LOL

Then sure don't we all do that? Its called cleaning lol

[Work in Progress]

recently ive just been thinking about selling everything i dont need and basically living on the bare essentials becuase i feel so trapped and suffocated by this fake material world, does anyone else feel the same?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oh yes, I sure do. I often long for a simpler way of life and believe I was born a hundred (or more) years too late.

Hang in there - act on your conviction, get rid of what is dragging you down, and look forward to the Kingdom that you will enter where there are no such sufferings.

[UndecidedFrog]

This is just my opinion. You don't have to accept it if you dislike it. DISCLAIMER: I am not a christian.

Matt (KJV) 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Regards,

UndecidedFrog

[ayin jade]

UF,

Do you understand what you posted?

This is a passage in which a man places his salvation on his works according to the Law. Jesus told him to keep the commandments, that is, to do what God has commanded. In the next verses Jesus informs him what he meant by the commandments. Jesus said this to try him, and to convince him that he had by no means kept the commandments, and that in supposing he had, he was altogether deceived. The young man thought he had kept them, and was relying on them for salvation. It was of great importance, therefore, to convince him that he was, after all, a sinner. A sinner in need of salvation from God, through Jesus. Jesus, saw that he was depending on his works, and told him that if he would enter into heaven, he must keep the commandments; if he was depending on them he must keep them perfectly, and if this was done he would be saved. Of course it is impossible to fully keep them, as Jesus shows.

The reasons why Christ gave him this direction were, probably: 1) because it was his duty to keep them; 2) because the young man depended on them, and he ought to understand what was required if he did - that they should be kept perfectly, or that they were not kept at all; 3) because he wanted to test him, to show him that he did not keep them, and thus to show him his need of a Saviour.

The young man declared that he had kept the law. That law required, among other things, that he should love his neighbor as himself. It required, also, that he should love the Lord his God supremely; that is, more than all other objects. If he had that true love to God and man - if he loved his Maker and fellow-creatures more than he did his property, he would be willing to give up his wealth to the service of God and of man. Jesus commanded him to do this, therefore, to test his character, and to show him that he had not kept the law as he pretended, and thus to show him that he needed a better righteousness than his own.

And the man's response? He made an idol of his wealth. He loved it more than God. He had not kept the commandments from his youth up, nor had he kept them at all; and rather than do good with his treasures, and seek his salvation by obeying God, he chose to turn away from the Saviour and give over his inquiry about eternal life.

Then Jesus shows that the rich have much to struggle with, and it will require the greatest of human efforts to break away from his temptations and idols, and to secure their salvation. He uses a proverb in common use among the Jews, and still common among the Arabs. To denote that a thing was impossible or exceedingly difficult, they said that a camel or an elephant might as soon walk through a needle

[Work in Progress]

Frog, how is it that you have come to know Scripture so well? Do you read it regularly? Were you raised in a home by Christian parents? Very few unbelievers are as familiar with Scripture as you are and it's impressive. (Gotta say, though, if you would apply those Scriptures to your heart, I'd be even more impressed. )

But seriously, I'm very curious how you have gotten your knowledge of Scripture.