Affluenza: The Tenth Commandment
John did a great job of laying out the Affluenza of the American Dream last weekend. I’m looking forward to the piles of clothes that are hauled in from our closets as we seek to declutter and fight against this idea that “I need more”. I’ve already begun a pile in my closet – which will not include a certain white leather jacket (angels sing as these words are read).
We’re going to continue this fight against Affluenza by taking a look at the 10th Commandment and the role that it plays in our life. What takes place in us individually, eventually begins to pervade a society and we live in a culture that insists that it keep up with the Joneses (Not you, Scott and Nicole). Where does that take us as a culture? What are the big picture ramifications of the violation of this simple commandment? That’s what we hope to explore.
Seeing how much fun we had with last weeks blog, let’s keep it rolling by asking this question: If you could snap your fingers and “have” any one thing (in a physical sense – not world peace) what would you want and why? What is it that has been lurking in your dreams? We’ve all been bombarded by more commercials and advertisements than any society in the history of humankind, so I know we shouldn’t have any problem with this one.
February 21st, 2007 at 1:37 pm
It’s only right that I lead off on this one. I love my house. Really, I do. It’s more house than I ever dreamed of owning, but we don’t have a lick of new furniture in our home. I think everything we own in that house was either handed down to us or purchased for us by a family member. When I think of ANYTHING…I think of new furniture in our home…EVERYWHERE.
February 21st, 2007 at 4:10 pm
A pony…..just kidding. I would like any classic Mustang. I am not a fan of Fords, but the classic GT 350’s are sweet. I have wanted a Mustang since the day I breathed fresh air. Can I get a 2 for 1 and get a Harley also? Any will do at this point.
February 21st, 2007 at 5:26 pm
A vacation home in Tahiti with closets full of shoes and Kate Spade purses. Ahhhhhh, to dream!
February 21st, 2007 at 7:17 pm
Is it cheating to say that I want a bottomless gift card to the Apple store?
It’s only so that I can buy educational software for our girls. Seriously. I mean it. It can be a great educational tool for them.
And if it’s bottomless, I might as well get a computer or two here and there. For them to learn on…of course.
February 21st, 2007 at 9:06 pm
I want a dog. But I like bigger dogs and I live in a townhome, so I have a little (big) problem. I’ve wanted an Irish Setter, Rotweiller or a Siberian Husky (must be the Ruskie in me). I had an Irish Setter named Cammy (Camille) when I was a kid and contrary to popular belief, they are quite smart – hard to train, but smart. So since I travel and may break down some day and get a dog, don’t be surprised if you are hit up to watch my dog. Probably won’t be a big dog like above, but it won’t be a rodent that barks
. 2nd and 3rd on the list (I can dream) are a 200g saltwater fishtank (for the basement) and a team to finish my basement (for the fishtank).
February 22nd, 2007 at 3:10 am
Greetings to all,
This is an easy one as the posed question is so close to my heart and has been for a long time now. More than half of my life this has been a dream of mine.
Key word to the question, dreams, and with that I must confess I am very content in the state I am in. However, I do envy those who have opportunity to speak the word of God to those in search of the truth. Oh, to be an evangelist in a reigniting of a dampened flame in the relationship with our Loving Christ, Jesus. Not so much the introduction, that is well enough, but more so in the rekindling of the flame of passion a believer once had, and is not so aware of their present time of life.
I know this sounds weird, as opportunity makes way here to expose a vastness of desires and wants. But this is truly the fabric of which my dreams are made of.
I have 2 great sons, 2 nice homes, a wonderful wife of over 31 years, a beginning to believe family, (an answer to a long offered prayer) and the need of nothing. I am content in the daily struggle to be a better me motivated by the love of Jesus. But I still have this dream, this deep desire to be an evangelist. Telling of the love God has for all and that He wishes all to come to an everlasting relationship with Him and for none to perish.
I am holding fast to the promise, “ask and you shall receive”. I am also with the understanding that all things come in God’s timing. I hope and pray my time holds long enough to see this dream fulfilled. But then again some are chosen and some are not. At least I have the hope and with that all things seem possible.
Blessings to all, and may your desires all come true!
February 22nd, 2007 at 10:12 am
I would love to have a true farmhouse with a hoosier cupboard in my kitchen! It would be fabulous if this farmhouse was on at least 10 acres that also had 3 other houses on the property. Guess who would live in the other houses?……You’d better get this one right Andy!!!!
February 22nd, 2007 at 10:14 am
Barb – I thought one of them would be for Al
February 22nd, 2007 at 12:57 pm
It would be a large house with plenty of room to ramble around in. Also, a large fenced yard forour dog to play in.
February 22nd, 2007 at 4:01 pm
First class tickets to everywhere we fly. However, we are not picky, we would settle for Business Class.
February 23rd, 2007 at 12:08 pm
A house to raise our upcoming “new addition” in. It would be nice if it was paid off as well, but I’ll settle for four walls and a roof at this point. Barb, you got room on that farmhouse for one more???
February 23rd, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Very funny Alex-although that’s not a bad idea at times(like most of the time!!!) He probably would LOVE to have his own place. I know it would have a huge flat screen TV with a very comfy leather sectional and that’s about all! Josh-the third house on my 10 acres WAS for you and Erin. Andy could choose to live with you guys or us-I kind of thought the “Manny” should be close by!!!
February 23rd, 2007 at 9:49 pm
Sounds like we have some sort of commune starting. People are going to think we are some 60’s hippy church.
February 24th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
Peace and love man…peace and love…
February 24th, 2007 at 11:07 pm
I am late in posting this week, but the first thing that came to my mind as well was a house with many rooms to house my family and any wayword guests, friends or relatives, with a big yard to bring my dog Sam home from Phoenix where my cousins are lovingly caring for him until we can one day be reunited. It is a beautiful place, really, in my mind!!! Maybe one day!!
February 24th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
Hey Dean, you mean we aren’t a hippie church?? Now I’m confused. Tee Hee.
February 27th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
Word on the street is that there were some clothes in our clothes pile this weekend that might indicate we are a hippy church. I won’t drop any names, but his name might rhyme with Pal Smelly.
March 3rd, 2007 at 8:46 pm
Well, my answer may be cheating, but you did say the thing we wanted had to be physical..and people are physical……..so I would have to say that the thng that I always dreamed of having was people. People to love and be loved by, people to know and be known by, people to share life with.
I am ever so thankful that the Lord has given me my husband and children to share life with…and yet my heart still yearns for more. It will be good when we get to heaven….I think only then will we be saturated with loving relationships.
Actually communes always sounded good to me. I knew someone who was part of a Christian commune in the 70’s …. and a couple who lived in a Messianic Jewish commune in Israel, although I think it is called something else in Israel. They both had very wonderful experiences there. I always kinda wished I was part of one of those.