Here’s a VLOG where I tell you all about my failures at this Seven Experiment.

But don’t let that stop you from joining in. Here’s the cliffnotes: Jen Hatmaker wrote a book called Seven: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess.  Jen wanted to fight back against our rampant consumer culture that is so counter to Jesus’ teachings. Jen targeted one area of excess per month for seven months. I loved the book (and the author) so much that I decided to mimic her experiment, but with one area of excess per WEEK for seven WEEKS. This also dovetails nicely with Lent, which seems like the perfect time to lay this suburban life under the microscope and see what happens when I say “NO” to these seven streams of “abundant” life. I recommend the book, and the experiment. You can join in with me anytime! Here’s the schedule:

Food: February 10-17.

Read about what that means here.

Clothes: Feb 20-26.

Wear only seven items of clothing for a week. (I’m inviting my family to participate)

Possessions: Feb 27-Mar 4.

Give away seven personal items every day for a week. (I’m requiring my family to participate!)

Media: Mar 5-11.

Only work-related technology use. (This one will be interesting!)

Waste: Mar 12-18.

Focus and Learn about Recycling, Composting and Local Farming. Finally buy those reusable bags for my kids’ lunches.

Spending: Mar 19-25.

Limit my areas of spending to giving, groceries, gas.

Stress: Mar 26-Apr 1.

Focus on the presence of prayer; with seven moments of prayer throughout the day.

This might be my last update for this week, as the rest of the week will be devoted to last-minute details and speaking prep for Hope’s Student Retreat. But misery this challenge loves company, so join me. Really. Do it. Any week or every week!