Sane, Simple, Sacred: The Key?

The Key?

I did a LOT of reading while on Silent Retreat (see prior post) last week.

With "JOY" emerging as the primary theme of the week,

and "HEALTH" a close second,

The Key to both may well be words I copied onto a very un-artsy screen sketched in my journal.

They read: "Try not to project yourself too often on to the screen of your reflections."

I've noticed the way technology (in my case Pinterest, blogs and facebook) has

encouraged self-centeredness (as if it needed any encouraging) in me
and am trying to sort out, evaluate and and curb the tendency to
excessive self-reflecting in myself...

He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:30)

Along the trail at the Abbey of Gethsemani

13 comments:

AnonymousJune 10, 2013 at 9:45 AM
I have realized that the more I think about my issues the less I can see Him in my life. Thank you for reminding us that we need to keep our eyes on Him Always! Welcome back by the way...
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DeeJune 10, 2013 at 12:09 PM
I have also been sorting this out Rebecca. I dropped sharing my likes etc. on Pintrest long ago but visit the board on occasion for inspiration and recipes. I also have done away with my likes etc..what books I read , music I like. I will keep my blog and FB and share certain things but my main focus will be Christ and hopefully his light will shine through even if I am sharing a hobby or my art. I am also glad your back...now I need to get back LOL
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JackieJune 10, 2013 at 1:32 PM
Rebecca...I read that people who journal are more successful people.
I'm so happy that you journal...and you know that I love being here and reading your blog...and enjoy being your blogging friend.
I have a request. I pulled up your comment (for my blog) on my cellphone, and I touched "publish" on my itty bitty keys; it is next to "delete"...and I was heartsick. I deleted your comment. I am so very sorry. There was nothing I could do to get it back, and I wanted you to know how much I appreciate and love the comment, and do apologize for deleting it by accident. I would have loved to have published it...had my fingers not been so fat (or the cellphone keys so close together.) I'm learning a lesson...enlarge, enlarge, enlarge...before hitting publish on my cellphone...or else use my computer.
Again, my sincerest apologies to you, dear friend. I did get it...loved it...would have published and commented....but I messed it up!
Love,
Jackie
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BeanJune 10, 2013 at 2:19 PM
I seem to have, or be, coming to same conclusion about blogging it does seem self-centered.
Some questions I keep asking myself, who am I blogging for, and why am I blogging, and exactly what purpose does it really serve, and is it what i should be doing with my time? Blogging is a bit like keeping a journal, but not really, because a blog is being written for an audience, a journal is generally for private use.
I like looking back through my blog and looking at my thoughts on particular days, my grandsons love looking at pictures of themselves on the blog, my Mom enjoys catching up with us by reading the blog, but these do not seem reason enough to keep blogging.
I am at a crossroads right now, to blog or not to blog, to close the blog or simply leave it as is, I am wrestling with the decision.

Bean
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SueJune 11, 2013 at 7:26 AM
Much thought for me, today, Rebecca! I think going on a silent retreat would be a great way to reconnect with your self, and to set priorities. I find when I do have time, I am usually visiting in blogland! I have always been an avid reader, that is, until I found blogging. ~smile~Thanks for sharing.
Enjoy your day
Sue
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JoanieJune 11, 2013 at 12:54 PM
What a wonderful post! Encouraging and uplifting for me. I, too, have struggled in this area. I have thought of shutting everything down - blogs and Facebook, but am learning more self-control. I knew Pintrest would be a major downfall for me, so I've never signed up. I definitely want my focus to be Christ. Abundant blessings on your day!
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Nellie's Cozy PlaceJune 11, 2013 at 3:24 PM
Hi Rebecca,
Yes, blogging is a fun hobby, but surely can get out of hand, if we don't watch it.
That is for sure............nice to know everyone struggles with being balanced, and
that we have the Holy Spirit to guide us.

Thanks for coming by yesterday hon, I have missed you, but sure understand.
blessings, Nellie
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DeannaJune 12, 2013 at 10:35 AM
some simple words, simple thinking
but, profound and true.
I hope my blog reflects more of Jesus than me.
God Bless, Deanna
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R's RueJune 13, 2013 at 9:22 AM
Yes! Needed that verse!
www.rsrue.blogspot.com
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"We simplify, not just to be less busy, even though we may be right to pursue that. Rather, we simplify to remove distractions from our pursuit of Christ. We prune activities from our lives, not only to get organized, but also that our devotion to Christ and service for His kingdom will be more fruitful. We simplify, not merely to save time, but to eliminate hindrances to the time we devote to knowing Christ. All the reasons we simplify should eventually lead us to Jesus Christ!" (Donald S. Whitney)

Dedicated to my sister-in-law, Beth--a TRUE home manager....

"I work for a King. He has put me in charge of his home. When He comes to see how I have managed His possessions and His children, I do not want to be found wanting. I want to do my best. Everything I have is on loan from Him. I have room and board and a job to do, but it is all for Him. Therefore I want to dress my best and do my best in all my work. I also want to be creative, for this is a sincere attempt to glorify Him and His beautiful creation. How I manage my home is a form of worship to Him." --Lydia Sherman

"A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry,
and see a fine picture every day of his life,
in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul."

~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Contentment makes poor men rich.

-Benjamin Franklin

"What I am gradually discovering is that in the writing I come in touch with the Spirit of God." ~ Nouwen

~~"Reading without reflecting is like eating without digesting."~~Edmund Burke

C.S. Lewis: "To trust Him means, of course, trying to do all that He says. There would be no sense in trusting a person if you wouldn't take his advice. Thus if you have really handed yourself over to Him, it must follow that you are trying to obey Him."

"To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common--this is my symphony." William Henry Channing

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Apostle Paul: "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)

"It's a good thing to have all the props pulled out from under us occasionally. It gives us some sense of what is rock under our feet, and what is sand. It stops us from taking anything for granted. It has also taught me alot about living in the immediate moment. I am somehow managing to live one day, one hour at a time." Madeleine L'Engle

FIVE CERTAINTIES
WITH WHICH TO
START YOUR DAY

God holds you. Each day he carries us in his arms. Psalm 68:19 NLT
God sustains you. THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. Psalm 23:1 AMP
God covers you. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust. Psalm 91:4 AMP
God pours His love upon you. Through each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me. Psalm 42:8 NLT
God will not fail you. The unfailing love of the Lord never ends! Lamentations 3:22 NLT

THE BLOGGER'S PRAYER Lord, help me to learn to spell without spellcheck, manage to visit all that visit me, and post regularly - all in 5 minutes a day, so that I can clean house and take care of my family. Help me to not look at every occurrence in my life as a blog post, and to quit taking pictures of weird things to share as well. Please Lord, help me to stop talking about my blog friends as though they are next door neighbors or someone I have known all of my life. And help me, dear Lord, to think of something witty and wise to post tomorrow.
Love, The Dust Bunny Hostage

Sane, Simple, Sacred

Mercy

The Key?

13 comments:

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