Oh boy, its never been harder to live simply in the way Jesus encouraged us to do in this age of rampant globalised materialism.  TimJ is spot on about the balance thing. But i just love what Rev J Spicer said.

Its a daily struggle for me, not because I buy a lot of stuff, but because i have a strong asthetic eye that loves things to look beautiful be it a stylish fabric or dress. Add to that the parent dilemma of desiring the best for one’s kids….

The key issue,though, is where is my focus, and my heart?  That’s the nub of it for me (and the point of Lent).

The running man is naked, but he gets to his wedding just in time, looking immaculate.  How?  Visa! 
Luke 9:1-2 “Then he called his twelve disciples together , and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.”
Today’s verse says what the disciples didn’t need - but the previous verses show why they didn’t need it. 
With Jesus’ commission in verse 2, and the power of the Holy Spirit in verse 1, by verse 3 their credit was unlimited!
Let’s be sure of our credit before ditching the baggage!

It’s all about having that simple child-like trust in God isn’t it?  And getting rid of extraneous clutter, both material and spiritual.  Knowing this is one thing but doing it is another.  I find myself praying the words of this hymn. 

Dear Lord and Father of mankind
forgive our foolish ways!
Reclothe us in our rightful mind
in purer lives thy service find
in deeper reverence praise
in deeper reverence praise

In simple trust like theirs who heard
beside the Syrian sea,
the gracious calling of the Lord,
let us, like them, without a word
rise up and follow thee,
rise up and follow thee.

This verse caught me on the hop - with my bag packed and only hours away from a flight from Heathrow.  So I picked up a camcorder. I hope the link works this time.

ITS A DIFFERNT WAY OF PRAYING FOR ME.AT THIS TIME THERE ARE TWO THINGS I TURN OVER DAILY THAT HAVE WORDS ON & ONE IS THIS VERSE & MY CALENDAR: A YR WITH OBAMA. TODAYS COMMENT FROM BARACH IS ‘CHALLENGE YOURSELF’ AND TODAYS VERSE IS THE BIGGEST THORN IN MY SIDE: A CHALLENGE IF TAKEN TO MEAN I SHOULD NOT BE CONCERNED WITH CLOTHES ON MY ‘JOURNEY’ COS I AM. I LOVE CLOTHES, COLOUR & VARIETY, I BELIEVE GOD CAME TO GIVE US LIFE & PART OF MY RESPONSE TO LIFE IS TO LIVE IT TO THE FULL, COLOURFUL, CANA SCALE PARTIES INC, & A DESIRE TO MAKE THINGS BETTER FOR OTHERS. HAVE MY SCARF ITS COLOURS OF A RAINBOW.

To me, this verse is a bit less physical. I do have a reasonably small bag I carry around, but at the moment, my head is so full of ‘stuff’ that I’m too busy thinking about. So not only do I get little done, but it’s hindering my connection with God - like ‘I’ll talk to you later when I’ve less to do’. Except of course, it doesnt - because I know God wants ME to LEARN to sort out my mental ‘to do list’ by prioritising and pruning off the unnecessary. A spring clean of the mind!

I used to take all sorts of extra stuff In my suitcase and Backpack that I “may need just in case” But after years of traveling solo with the Lord at my side and with my family, I have learned that I only need the basics of clothing, my camera, journal, Bible a book or two my thumb drive and medicines and Travel Documents. Nothing more.

Anything else I need The Lord Will Provide for me and others of my group when we need it.

I used to have a lot of stuff, hoarder of the year three years running, but I’ve started to let go of material entrapments and feel a wall has crumbled between God and me. A realistic balance is needed, but letting go dismisses the fear of being without our stuff, you become free – try it! I was told a story of a woman whose home had been burgled, she had only a few possessions, and despite being upset she was still fairly chilled about it all. Some of our journeys may be in our minds rather than on the road, but none the less let’s free ourselves up as much as we can to allow space for God.

If we take Christ’s words literally we become like the most austere Bhuddist monk who gives up everything for his faith. If we take it as a metaphor then the dangerous challenge virtually disappears.  As with much of Jesus’ teaching a spirit of challenging compromise is required. What is required here is for us to ask - just as Jesus asked of the rich young man - to what extent do I rely on material possessions and comforts rather than God in my life? I do not believe that Christ is asking me to give up all responsibility for my and to rely entirely on others. Be responsible. But rely on God.

I have never observed lent before and i am finding it difficult to manage without certain distractions that i had intended to give up for lent. Its harder than i thought to switch my focus. Its reassuring to be taught that i dont need some of the things i think i do.
I also like the concept of a journey.

Take nothing for your journey.  Can this work as a metaphor for our Christian lives?  Take nothing for your journey with Christ.  No church building, no hymn books, no leather-bound study bible, no shelf of books on theology, no car stickers, no silver crucifix, no posters, no worship music CDs, no GOD TV channel, no famous evangelists – nothing!  Just you and Jesus, preaching the Good News to the pagans.  That certainly challenges my approach to faith.  Can anyone say it doesn’t challenge theirs?

I remember negotiating with a family member for a car and determined to get the price down as low as possible but was taken aback when they said ‘you have taken away my ability to be generous to you’! I don’t know why this passage brought this incident up but perhaps Jesus recognised that there are still people out there that practice the gift of hospitality, generosity and are receptive to a message of acceptance and love. It is simplistic to judge the world as getting worse but we have never had a better capacity to ‘be generous’ on a global scale. Our needs are simple our message profound.

I’ve reached the chaos stage in my household - can’t have anyone over syndrome - because it is so full of clutter. I know that I need to find the time to just get rid of things I don’t need, and to put away things I do for when I do. In the same way spritiually I need to dump lots of unnecessarily baggage and strip back down to what matters. I need to learn not to be weighed down by material things. I will pray on this. I need to be more God centred.

Yes , trusting God to provide has to be our starting place! But I don’t think there is any harm in preparation and readiness. As I reflected on this this morning the parable of the 10 virgins came to mind (see Matth25). Trusting God is paramount,however there is no harm in preparing and doing what we can do in anticipation. I suppose for me today the main message is ‘don’t get worn down by the stresses of life but keep my focus on God in whatever I may be doing’. I’ll still do a packed lunch though and I often take items along ‘just in case’! Maybe I need re-wiring.

Great idea this thing! In all my years as a Christian (about 23) I have never seen a Lent thing that has been so widely picked up. In our church we have well over 70 people signed up, which is probably over half of the regular congregation. I pray that it really galvanises us all! Well done for creating it!

Heading for Bucharest today and well I’m lost for words!

yes freakily I too am going to Romania - and have posted a video in response

I was praying earnestly this morning about this very subject, as my husband are due to go to Romania at Easter, where we have been invited to speak at two churches and to encourage our fellow Christians, especially those in the rural areas who are on our social programm. But due to the economic times, finances are tight and I wasn’t sure whether it was right to go and how we would manage, so was asking God for a very clear sign. Then I turned on my laptop and read this verse ‘Take nothing for your journey…..’ and was reminded God is in charge and HE will provide, I just have to be obedient!

Whenever we take a step in faith to do something which God wants us to do, we can be assured that everything will be provided for us to complete the task.