Project 333 - An Experiment

Have you ever had a moment where you hear something, or see something and you just know it's the thing you had been looking for? You know you were looking for something, but didn't know what it was until you heard it, or saw it? It happened to me yesterday.

For those who know me, you know I am a simple person. I have too much stuff and, if you were honest, you have too much stuff too. All of this stuff adds to our stress as each item we possess fills up a part of our mental energy and space, taking the room of something possibly more important.

This Sunday I am preaching a sermon on Luke 18 - The Rich Young Ruler. This man did everything outwardly necessary to follow Jesus, but Jesus wasn't just looking for the outside. Jesus probed. Jesus asked him to sell all his possessions and give them to the poor. The rich man wasn't willing because the things we thought he possessed actually were possessing him; his material possessions had such a hold on him and letting them go was too much to follow Jesus.

As always when I prepare sermons God teaches me a whole lot about myself. It's no coincidence this week I downloaded a Robcast where Rob Bell interviews a minimalist named Joshua Becker (www.becomingminimalist.com/). During the interview Joshua started talking about this thing called Project 333 (http://bemorewithless.com/project-333/). As I stated above, I have a lot of stuff, even if I don't think I do. In aligning myself with my sermon on possessions Sunday and in keeping with letting do and simplifying I am taking on the challenge.

Project 333 - Dress with 33 total items for 3 months

I know what you are thinking, 'Oh this is easy!' Ok, until hats, scarves, mits, shoes, socks, underwear, each individual item counts towards the dress. And it's going into October in Canada. It's not as easy as you think. Yesterday as I was laying out my 33 items I thought I had it in the bag, no problem, until I got to 33 and had no socks and underwear on my list.........

So, here we go. Today I started Project 333 and I will be inviting the people I speak to on Sunday to join me in this, maybe not 33 items, but less than 50. I will be doing it till December 28 and will be living on A LOT less clothing than I normally do.

To end let me share my 33 items:

Outerwear (8):

3 - pairs of shoes (Sperry's, Blundstones, Dress Shoes)

1 - hat (winter)

3 - coats/vests (Wool Suit Jacket, Vest, Goose Jacket)

1 - pair of mits

Casual Clothes and Undergarments (12)

2 - undershirts

4 - T-shirts (Long sleeved/Short sleeved)

3 - Pairs of pants

2 - Sweaters

1 - Sweatpants

Dress Clothes (5)

1 - Pants

3 - Shirts

1 - Tie

Accessories (2)

2 - Belts (Casual/Dress)

Let's do this!

A Simple Proclamation

I do for the fame of Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to the glory of the Father.

This is why I do what I do.

Say It Don't Assume It!

Short post today.

Last night I experienced something breathtaking: I was able to tell a person I think they are inspiring and amazing. Why is this important? I actually told them, not other people, THEM. Isn't it interesting how we talk about people behind their backs, good and bad, more than actually to their face? I mean we have let gossip get the best of us and have been sucked into the belief, 'people don't need to be told they are awesome.'

WHAT IS GOING ON IN THIS WORLD!

Everyone needs encouragement in this journey of life. We all need to hear words of love and life. We need to know people are remembering us and pointing us to good things. I was able to tell a beautiful person last night how inspiring their life is; how proud I am; how beautiful the influence they have on the world is. It was amazing for me to get out those words because not only did this person need to hear them, I needed to say them out loud to this very person.

Could it be, this morning, you need to tell a person they are wonderful? DO IT! Do not hesitate because they are probably in DESPERATE need of hearing it right now.

It's time we lift people up because at this moment we are one of the most depressed generations ever; so disconnected from each other emotionally and from the good things.

It's time. Do it!