Simple Giving

This Christmas season, it’s easy to see the picture of materialism that exists within America. We like stuff, and lots of it. We pass around our Christmas wish lists, and we anticipate the day when we can open all those packages under the tree.

But this Christmas season, we have the opportunity to practice “Simplicity” in the way we give and the way we receive.

As you consider the gifts you will give this year, why not write a poem or paint a picture to give those you care about? It’s personal…it’s poignant…and the only thing it costs you is time.

As you consider the gifts you ask for this year, why not ask for someone to donate to a church or charity in your name? Why not put a limit on the quantity and the price of those items on your wish list?

Simple giving and simple receiving. That’s a simple Christmas. How refreshing!

What Are You Thankful For?

As we get ready to stuff our faces with turkey and dressing, it’s important for us to remember why we celebrate Thanksgiving. While we shouldn’t have to set aside a day to be “thankful,” it does help to have a day to remind us of the importance of gratitude.

1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV) says, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

When we take time to give thanks to God, it certainly alters our perspective. And I believe if we did that more often, we wouldn’t have as much difficulty simplifying our lives. A changed perspective means a changed life, and that’s what I am praying for this Thanksgiving.

Talkback Questions:
What are you thankful for this year?
How do you think gratitude changes our perspective?

A Simple Meal

Want to help out at home this week by whipping up something delicious? The following recipe is from the book The Art of Helping by Lauren Littauer Briggs and given by Elaine Hardt.

Simplified Chicken Enchiladas

Mash 10oz. package of white corn tortilla chips slightly and pour half into a 9″ x 13″ baking dish.

Mix together in a large bowl:
1 c. sour cream
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1/2 c. onion, finely chopped
1 small can chopped green chilies
1/2 c. milk
3 c. cubed, cooked chicken

Pour over chips in baking dish. Sprinkle over this 1c. shredded jack cheese. Top with the rest of the tortilla chips and 1 more cup of cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Serve with hot sauce.

Posted by Heather Dillard (daughteroftheking374@hotmail.com). Heather is a junior at Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, TX. She is from Lubbock and has 2 sisters. She loves cooking, crocheting, singing, playing guitar, and drinking tea.

The 30-Second Rule

A Simplifying Tip from Nat: I like to call it “The 30-Second Rule.” If I can do something in 30 seconds, I go ahead and do it. For example: getting dressed in the morning…try on a shirt…nope, don’t like it…the 30-second rule says stop and hang it back up…this saves a whole 1 hour of hanging up clothes later on in the week. In alignment with the 30-second rule: I also have a rule that at night I take everything out of my car. This keeps my car clean of trash and clothes.