"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony."
Revelation 12:11
(KJV)
First of all, I just want to say Happy New Year to all of you! I truly appreciate your faithfulness and support of this blog and am so grateful you are here following along. I also want to apologize for my lack of posting lately (thank you for not giving up on me!) and wanted to give you an update on our minimizing journey.
My family and I continue to get settled into our new surroundings after having to make an unexpected move in 2019. Our new place has a much better, more open storage space, so it is easier for us to have a visual of the number of our belongings. This is incredibly helpful, as it is a frequent reminder to keep looking for ways to reduce unnecessary possessions. Making another move also enabled us to more closely consider what we really needed to keep before loading it on to the moving truck. Both of these dynamics have helped us to keep on track in continuing our downsizing efforts.
It is hard to believe that this month marks five years since the onset of the identity theft crisis we encountered in 2015. Looking back, that has become something we praise God for allowing to happen because it served as the catalyst of change we needed to confront and tackle our indebtedness and the excess in our lives and home. Thinking of our lives then and comparing it with our lives now really accentuates the stark differences and positive change that minimizing has brought about. We could not be more grateful for every lesson God has taught us along the way, and it is our profound desire to continue to share those lessons here and through every avenue God opens and provides. Which brings me to something exciting that is going on!
As you probably know, I finished writing a book called, "Biblical Minimalism —Following Jesus from a Life of Abundance to a More Abundant Life," and it has been my dream to have it published for quite a while. One thing that definitely needed to happen before I publish the book is the book needed to be edited. That can be quite an expensive undertaking, and it truly looked impossible. But, GOD! Through my dear friend, Marilyn, I was recently introduced to the book editor God chose to edit my book! So, the process has begun, and after it is completed, I will pursue the process of self-publishing. It will be a huge dream come true when it is finished, and I will let you know when the book is available, Lord willing!
In closing, I want to tell you some more exciting news! Are you a minimalist who is navigating the process of minimizing from a Biblical perspective? Have you consistently wished for more Biblical reading material to spur you on in your quest to live a life more closely aligned with the way Jesus lived His? Do you have a burning desire to encourage aspiring minimalists by sharing the lessons God has taught and is teaching you on your downsizing journey? If you answered yes to any and/or all of the above, would you like a platform to publish your thoughts?
We, too, longed for more Biblically-aligned content when we first started our minimalism journey, and we have a hunch there are many others who feel the same! Thus, we would love for you to share your Biblical minimalism stories and lessons learned with us here and are offering you that opportunity! Every story is important, and your story may be just the inspiration someone else is searching for.
We would love to make this blog a more interactive community where it is not only us talking, but YOU are contributing to the conversation, too!
SO, here are the guidelines —they are very simple:
1. All content should be framed from a Christian, Biblical perspective and worldview.
2. Suggested ideas for subject matter -
- How minimalism has enriched your Christian walk
- Downsizing
- Minimizing
- Debt-reduction
- De-cluttering
- Creative ideas for ways to dispose of unwanted/unneeded physical possessions
- Frugality
- Simple living
- How you have learned to be happy with less (less income, less stuff, less conforming to "status quo")
- Ways to avoid consumerism
- How you have swam upstream to forge a stress-free life
- Testimonies of social media elimination and reduction & how it has enhanced your life
3. No monetary compensation will be provided, but we will be happy to promote you, your blog, website, business, and/or social media sites in the post.
4. Email all submissions via email attachment to homespundevotions@gmail.com.
5. Please include a bio and a headshot photo to introduce yourself to our readers.