Sustainability, Simplicity and Sanity
Time for Others

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 The Message

REAL RELATIONSHIPS HAVE REAL FLAWS

EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE FLAWED, WE ALL NEED RELATIONSHIPS

“Soon the house where [Jesus] was staying was so paced with visitors that there wasn’t room for one more person, not even outside the door. And He preached the word to them. Four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t get to Jesus through the crowd, so they dug through the clay roof above His head. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus.” Mark 2:2-4 NLT

1. STOP THE DENIAL

2. START THE DISCOVERY

Friends Stimulate Spiritual Growth
“As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend.” Proverbs 27:17 NLT
Friends Comfort Us
“A friend loves at all times…” Proverbs 17:17 NIV

“Jesus wept” John 11:35 NLT

Friends Enable Us to Obey Scripture
“We should love one another.” 1 John 3:11 NLT

“Do for others what you would like others to do for you.” Matthew 7:12 NLT

I Must Invest Time!
I Must Invest Heart!

Bottom line: Simplicity works best in the context of a living, loving, growing, vibrant, deepening, relationship with God.