Heather suggested I take a look at this website. I read this page first and could really relate to what the author is saying. I believe the idea of living more simply is VERY important in our lives and should be a priority. There are too many spoiled kids out there; I see them every week at youth group, church, and skating. A lot of these kids know they're spoiled but don't know anything different. It's sad really and I think that I partly why I don't want to raise kids in North America...I want to move far away to a country with much less materially but much more spiritually and raise my kids in that environment. I am not satisfied with 'our' culture and the way of life that's expected. It's especially bad in the church which drives me crazy. You would think that people who love Jesus would want to live like him, would value simplicity and love and hate material things.
Our church has a goal to buy a bus for an orphanage in Senegal during the month of April. The bus costs $15,000, this is the cost of a new skidoo - something that at least a few families got this winter. A snowmobile is a pleasure vehicle (at least here). You spend the day driving around really fast, burning gas (not very environmentally friendly), and often putting yourself and others in danger (there have been many accidents this winter). I know this is not the case for everyone and some people actually use them to check their trap lines or get caribou, that's different so you don't have to get mad at me! You would think in a town where there are probably more snowmobiles than people and according to the 2006 census the average family income is $89,955 a good sized church could raise enough money to buy a bus for an orphanage over seas so that the Word of God can be spread even further. We will see though, we will see.
Strolling: A Skill Every Teen Should Have
By John O. Andersen
January 26, 2009
Power walking is so corporate. Fitness walking is so selfish.
Strolling is the wiser choice.
Strolling is exercise, but infinitely more than that.
When you're good at strolling, it can not only be exercise, but more importantly, one of the finest forms of educational entertainment imaginable.
Strolling is a window to the wonders of botany, birdwatching, architecture, horticulture, geology, local history, meteorology, art, even sociology--to name a few.
A window?
Yes, because when you manage to slow down long enough to pause, listen, and focus, the wonders of the outdoor world can come to you in ways you may have never thought possible.
Strolling is a deliciously subversive undertaking in a culture overwhelmingly biased in favor of speed.
The trick is to find the time to regularly stroll, and then expand your strolling skills to actually become a master.
For many, Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. is the perfect stroll time. But there are many other moments during the week when strolling works quite well. Even if you work long or odd hours, there is always an opportunity to stroll.
If you're strolling more than 1 1/2 miles in an hour, you're not strolling. Ideally, 1 mile per hour leaves ample time to study a work of art, have a twenty minute chat with a local, or stop at a cafe for a bowl of hot soup.
Two to three hours at that pace is the basis of a perfect stroll. In that time frame you could easily start thinking you were on vacation.
For certain, once you set aside regular time to stroll, and actually get quite skilled at it, strolling will become an irresistible passion.
Sure, strolling imposes few if any financial demands. However, be forewarned there are very stringent demands to achieve the ideal state of mind for successful strolling.
You can't be in a hurry. Cell phones are out of place. Short attention spans are not acceptable. Apathy is a deal breaker.
Master strollers have eyes that examine closely, feet that aren't in a hurry to move on, brains brimming full of curiosity, mouths that don't have to be open all of time, but ask probing questions, fingers that enjoy the feel of unique finds, and ears that work best when pealed for unexpected sounds.
Strolling is truly an indispensable skill; one best acquired in youth, and regularly honed throughout life.
Pastor Elaine has been doing a sermon series called 'Lead Me On'. She is an awesome preacher at normal times but for this series God has been really speaking through her in powerful ways - at least to me. I missed her sermon two Sundays ago because I was in childrens church but we have the recording ordered because Tim said it was so awesome. This past Sunday night she preached on sacrificing and doing. I know that some of you out there who come from a similar background as me are skeptical of female pastors because of the legalism that is in some churches relating to females in leadership roles in the church. You need to read your bible in context and take that up with God, I'm not going to discuss this topic here.
