chew* episode 4

Hooray! Our latest chew* discussion is finally up and running, and aside from the standard technical difficulties, I'm thrilled with the result. I got the impression that domesticity and the gospel is a subject we could all talk about for hours, and our brief discussion already has me thinking that we may need a part two. Below are some main points from last night's chat: 

- Despite the fact that some of us our single, some of us are married, and one of us is a happy mom to one, we all could agree that domesticity boils down to being free. Domestication, for all of us, implied being forced into something, but domesticity allows us the freedom to experience the work of our hands, to choose and to utilize our many different gifts. It's being comfortable with who we are and making others comfortable in our presence (at home and otherwise). 

- As one of our readers pointed out, domesticity is our way of mimicking the Creator. We were created to be creators, and, as Lindsey mentioned, we were also created to be servants. Genesis 2:18 describes women as help-meets, the same Hebrew term given to our Creator.

- Although domesticity has the connotation of women only, we're all called to be servant-minded. Just as Christ washed His disciples' feet, men, too, were created for lives of service.

- Just as we have spiritual gifts, we also have domestic gifts. Some of us are great cooks or bakers or decorators; some of us garden, others create. (See I Corinthians 12:14-18, MSG.)

- "Intentional is not perfect," said Lauren Winner. "We are not just meant to invite people into our homes, but into our lives."

- Domesticity can be--and perhaps should be--communal. We can learn so much from the women around us, but we also have to be careful of not falling into the trap that tends to befall us all: insecurity. We need to find relationships with others that help us balance and strengthen our own gifts.

- Perhaps part of the misconception with domesticity comes from the pendulum of feminism swinging too far one way or the other. The true beauty of feminism is that we can choose: mothers and wives, workers and creators.

- While all of us currently find work outside the home, there is a beauty and an adventure to be had inside the home (perhaps contrary to the more modern view that the domestic arts are mundane). Consider this G.K. Chesterton quote: "But of all the modern notions generated by mere wealth the worst is this: the notion that domesticity is dull and tame. Inside the home (they say) is dead decorum and routine; outside is adventure and variety.... For the truth is, that [...] the home is the only place of liberty. Nay, it is the only place of anarchy. It is the only spot on the earth where a man can alter arrangements suddenly, make an experiment or indulge in a whim."

Clearly we had a lot to say. Here are some links to things we referenced in this episode:

- G.K. Chesterton's What's Wrong with the World

- The Button Club blog and book

- Edith Schaeffer's The Hidden Art of Homemaking

- Lauren Winner's Mudhouse Sabbath

- Jane Brocket's The Gentle Art of Domesticity

And we close with a little bit of the girls. Is there anything better than a conversation that ends with a Gilmore Girls reference?

chew* episode 2

This week, we held our second chew* chat, this one focusing on the season of Lent and the traditions found in the church calendar. (You can listen to our chat by clicking the file above, or by going here. And don't worry. It's not really two hours long! Not sure why it's showing that...) Unfortunately, Lindsey couldn't join us due to some international Internet issues, so we're hoping she'll post her thoughts (via video or writing) on the blog to continue our discussion. (We missed you, Lindsey!)

Although none of us are experts in the subject, I feel like we shared a meaningful discussion on this Lenten season. We encourage you to join in this discussion with us; to help facilitate some more discussion, here are the highlights of chew* chat number 2!

-- Lent is more than just "giving up" something (whether it be music in the car, Diet Coke, or Facebook); it's about the state of our hearts.

-- Perhaps in a quest to focus on God's grace and Christ's salvation, the church has swung the pendulum too far and ignored or abused the traditions that the Jews and members of the early church held so dear.

-- Thinking of our own wretchedness can become downright depressing, but until we focus on how broken we are, we can't quite comprehend the greatness of His grace. (Jenna mentioned this quote by Blaise Pascal: "Knowing God without knowing our own wretchedness makes for pride. Knowing our own wretchedness without knowing God makes for despair. Knowing Jesus Christ strikes the balance because he shows us both God and our own wretchedness.") 

-- Celebrating Christian traditions brings deeper meaning to the entire year, provides a reminder of God's salvation plan, and marries the old and new testaments.

-- True repentance must be more than a slapping ourselves on the wrist. When we sin, we're not just breaking God's law, we're breaking His heart (Cory mentioned this in reference to a Tim Keller quote).

Of course, like last month, we still have questions, and that's why we're anxious to hear more of your thoughts, and more of each other's as we reflect more on our discussion. For reference, here are some links we mentioned in our chat:

-- Girl Meets God, by Laura Winner

-- Celebrating the Christian Year, by Martha Zimmerman

-- Crazy Love, by Francis Chan

-- Celebrating the Passover  in your home

-- The Message//PAUSE (a one-year Bible that pairs an Old Testament book with a New Testament book)

-- A Lenten experience calendar from Mars Hill

-- The Jonah Bible study, also from Mars Hill

chew* episode 1

Despite a few technical difficulties, we held our first chat tonight about living simply. You can access the audio file of our discourse here, or by clicking the play button above. (Part of technical difficulties meant no video this time, folks.) All in all, I definitely think our first chew* discussion was a big success. Here are, in my opinion, some of the highlights. Girls, feel free to add your own thoughts!

-- Simplicity is probably best defined in terms of what it is not: it is not chaos, it is not complex. It is the freedom of those things.

-- Living simply has to be a choice; the complexities of this life will follow, even to the Walden-esque places.

-- Being busy isn't a sin, but perhaps our motivation behind what's keeping us busy. Jenna talked about three questions she asks herself to assess her motives: 1) Am I neglecting the "better thing"?; 2) Is what I'm doing an idol? (Or does it have the potential to be?); 3) Am I trying to do this alone, or am I relying on God for help?

-- Intentional and simple living may be one of the ways God sets us apart.

And don't think we solved it all in one brief discussion. We've still got some questions we're contemplating, including:

-- How do we strike a balance between the Proverbs 31 woman, who kept her hands busy constantly, and Martha, who Jesus graciously rebuked for being a little too busy?

-- Do we want to, as a friend of Cory's put it, be "exhausted when we get to Heaven"? Or does God call us to moments of rest?

-- What are practical ways we can live simply and intentionally?

I think that about covers our discussion. If you listened to the audio file, here are some links to further our study:

-- Shane Claiborne and the simple way.

-- Sabbath, by Wayne Muller.

And finally, a beautiful verse Lindsey reminded us all of at the close of our discussion:

One thing I ask of the LORD, 

       this is what I seek:

       that I may dwell in the house of the LORD

       all the days of my life,

       to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD

       and to seek him in his temple.

Psalm 27:4