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If you fully lived in Gods love you would be filled with joy, and you wouldn't need to try harder to pray. Joy is not just a feeling, it is a condition of the heart. The fruit of the Spirit we’re focusing on this month is the Joy, the Spiritual Discipline that will accompany it is Prayer. “Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].” Colossians 3:2 “But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts].” Galatians 5:16  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.” Romans 15:13 How to experience more Joy:  Surrender the illusion of control Give thanks: practice gratitude Focus your attention on what is good Celebrate at the table together with family/brothers and sisters Prayer Reminders: Start and end your day with prayer, set a reminder for midday. Morning: Lords Prayer, then paraphrase in your own words Afternoon: Psalm 23, then paraphrase in your own words Evening: Examen (5 quick steps) Gratitude: count your blessings and give thanks Grace: Ask for God’s Grace to see your shortcomings Review: When were you living in God’s Love and aware of His Presence Repent: Ask God to forgive your sin, give you new desires and heal what you have broken Resolve: Ask God for strength to make tomorrow better in a specific way I hope this is helpful for you, if it is, please share it with a friend or family member, remember to subscribe, and if you have 30 seconds leave a review. Please leave a prayer or voicemail here, you can also email me: zacheway@gmail.com

Change starts in the heart and then moves outward. So the spiritual disciplines that we're going to be focusing on start internal, then move towards external and then relational or corporate. The heart of the problem is the problem of the heart. If we want to change the world, we have to allow God to change our hearts, then move on to our home, then lastly the external world. What we're going to be talking about today is how we should love someone, but not focus on trying to love everyone. “Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good.” Romans 12:9 Love is active, tolerance is passive. We are told to love our neighbor and our friends, our enemies, to visit and look after the less fortunate. The alone, forgotten, fatherless, and the widows. Those are all singular people, not all of mankind. God loved the whole world, but I can't do that. I think we should love someone the way that we wish we could love everyone. We can’t love everyone, but everyone can love someone. The more we meditate on God’s word and align our heart with His, the more we will act in a manner of love. Love is not an action, it is a source of action. I hope this is helpful for you, if it is, please share it with a friend or family member, remember to subscribe, and if you have 30 seconds leave a review. Please leave a prayer or voicemail here, you can also email me: zacheway@gmail.com

The internet is making us less human and harder for us to focus and think and meditate, and social media is making us mean and angry. So, what is the solution? When we meditate on Gods law, we produce fruit in our season. “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season; Its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity].” Psalms 1:2-3  The fruit of the Spirit is love. “But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23  What do we know about love? “Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening]. Love never fails [it never fades nor ends]. But as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for the gift of special knowledge, it will pass away.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8  I hope this is helpful for you, if it is, please share it with a friend or family member, remember to subscribe, and if you have 30 seconds leave a review. Please leave a prayer or voicemail here, you can also email me: zacheway@gmail.com

Ecclesiastes 4:6, Galatians 1:10, Psalms 127 You are not divided, you are whole. There is no work/life balance. There is tension and sacrifice. The more we compartmentalize parts of our life the more separated we become, stringing parts of us along we become dislocated, distracted disjointed, displaced, divided, and depressed. Life was not meant to be lived like this, we are whole beings. When we view life holistically we mend what was torn, and bring unity to what has been divided. We fool ourselves by thinking we can be one person with a different set of responsibilities from 8-5 Monday - Friday and another person the rest of the time. We fool ourselves into thinking we can act and behave this way online and another way in real life. The easiest way to reverse the anxiety of it all is to limit the options. Here’s my homework for myself. Write out a list of all your current responsibilities and rank them in order of importance. Limit your time commitments by saying no more often. Care less about what’s not on the list, in order to care more about what is on the list. Lower your expectations for yourself, write out your goal for the week, stay disciplined in the short term. Audit your time and focus most on important but not urgent tasks. Eliminate situations where you feel the urge to act in a manner that is not in line with your values. Be the same person, wherever you are. For additional study and resources check out: Freedom of Simplicity by Richard Foster Bridgetown’s series on Simplicity The More of Less by Joshua Becker Enough by Adam Hamilton The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker Soulful Simplicity by Courtney Carver Please leave a  prayer or voicemail here, you can also email me: zacheway@gmail.com

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:” 1 Peter 4:8-10 When we began these 12 weeks of simplicity, we started with the heart and answered questions surrounding purpose. Well, now we're going to start with the heart of the home, so let's get clear on the purpose of that.  The kitchen and dining table are the heart of the home. And if you're like most Americans, we’re slowly losing our heart. So, let's simplify. What is the purpose of your dining room and kitchen? Is it aligned right now? What is your vision for meals? What is distracting you from that? What is in the way? I heard a winery owner on the news and he said ”$25 is a small price to pay to keep the one's you love at the table for another 30 minutes to an hour” I keep thinking about that. What would you do to keep the one's you love at the table? This looks different for all of us, but here's some general tips on how to simplify: No phones at the table Pick a question of the night Read a Bible passage at the table Invite friends for a potluck Have wine or a special drink Have rotating weekly meals (you literally cannot go wrong with Taco Tuesday) Purge your freezer, fridge and pantry. Keep kitchen items where they are most used and accessible. Eat more natural, make more from scratch, involve the fam. Basic meals are fine, don’t try to be fancy if you really don’t want to be, if you’re extra then be extra, but if you’re trying to impress others, stop. Frozen pizzas, carrots and grapes are still a good meal. Clean as you go, don’t let dishes pile up. The dinner table isn’t just for dinner, break out a card game. The purpose of simplifying our kitchen and dining room is to serve others, spend more time together and slow down. For additional study and resources check out: Freedom of Simplicity by Richard Foster Bridgetown’s series on Simplicity The More of Less by Joshua Becker Enough by Adam Hamilton The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker Soulful Simplicity by Courtney Carver Please leave a  prayer or voicemail here, you can also email me: zacheway@gmail.com

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:6-8‬  Why should we simplify social media? I'll keep it short and simple; Social media is designed to be addictive. Social media steals your joy. Social media makes you mean. Two ways to simplify social media Limit Time limits Who you follow What groups you're a part of Access Eliminate Delete social media accounts Keep it off your phone For additional study and resources check out: Freedom of Simplicity by Richard Foster Bridgetown’s series on Simplicity The More of Less by Joshua Becker Enough by Adam Hamilton The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker Soulful Simplicity by Courtney Carver Please leave a  prayer or voicemail here, you can also email me: zacheway@gmail.com “Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:6-8‬

Simply put: clutter prevents us from living free and full lives. Clutter inhibits us from living a peaceful and purpose-filled life because clutter promotes an anxious, frantic, hurried, and rushed experience of reaction. Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. 1 John 2:6 The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. Proverbs 13:4 Guard yourselves and keep free from all covetousness (the immoderate desire for wealth, the greedy longing to have more); for a man's life does not consist in and is not derived from possessing overflowing abundance or that which is over and above his needs. Luke 12:15 AMPC Mental clutter has a symbiotic relationship with physical clutter. Clutter gets in the way, it’s distracting, and it doesn’t belong. Clutter is a pile of delayed decisions. Here’s how to kill the clutter. If it’s not being used, put it away or get rid of it. Focus on the task at hand, keep a notepad for drifting thoughts. Do it now, complete small tasks immediately. Most tasks can be completed in 2 minutes. Every night, find the things that don't belong, and bring them home. Don't walk past the same pile two days in a row. Delayed decisions collect compound interest. For additional study and resources check out: Freedom of Simplicity by Richard Foster Bridgetown’s series on Simplicity The More of Less by Joshua Becker Enough by Adam Hamilton The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker Soulful Simplicity by Courtney Carver Please leave a  prayer or voicemail here, you can also email me: zacheway@gmail.com

What’s the best way to start your day? Do you have a morning ritual or a morning routine? A routine is typically passive; you’re going through the motions. A lot of times, our routines aren’t that purposeful. A ritual, however, is thought out and active, it’s restorative and purposeful. A good morning ritual should set you up for the entire day and get your head screwed on straight. A simple life starts with a simple morning ritual. Once I read this book, and it was talking about all these different things to do in the morning before you start your day. Stuff all the big shots and personal development kids do. And I’ll be honest, I tried it, it’s sounded like good advice, but it wasn’t. Because there is no one size fits all approach. So I’m not going to plan your morning out, but I’ll give some quick tips to help start your day the simple way (hey that rhymed, cool beans). Start your day with silence and solitude. Set yourself up for success. Minimize decisions. Keep your wardrobe simple. Your homework this week is to write out your morning ritual, determine how you want to feel when you’re starting your day and work backwards from there? Do you want to start the day overwhelmed and anxious? Hit snooze, read the news and worry about what to wear then pick up a quick (unhealthy) breakfast from the drive through. Want to start refreshed, energized, at peace and focused? Start the day with silence and solitude, prayer and working out. Find out what works for you. And test it out, let me know what you come up with, I am always interested in this topic. And if you’re one of those people (like me) who gets anxious when surrounded by clutter, clean your bathroom counter or wherever it is that you get ready in the morning. Find a home for everything. Keep the items you use everyday close, but get them off the counter. Grab a diffuser and soap and commit to only keeping those on the counter. For extra credit, minimize your wardrobe. Keep the essentials. For additional study and resources check out: Freedom of Simplicity by Richard Foster Bridgetown’s series on Simplicity The More of Less by Joshua Becker Enough by Adam Hamilton The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker Soulful Simplicity by Courtney Carver Please leave a  prayer or voicemail here, you can also email me: zacheway@gmail.com

“And day after day they regularly assembled in the temple with united purpose, and in their homes, they broke bread [including the Lord's Supper]. They partook of their food with gladness and simplicity and generous hearts,”Acts 2:46 “Through skillful and godly Wisdom is a house (a life, a home, a family) built, and by understanding it is established [on a sound and good foundation], And by knowledge shall its chambers [of every area] be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” Proverbs 24:3-4 This is just my humble opinion: regardless of introversion or extroversion, our life should always counterbalance between times of serving others and cultivating your hearts. For me, that means the purpose of my living room is two-fold. To serve others by fostering an open, warm, comfy, inviting, and conversational space. To cultivate a peaceful environment where I can rest For families and people living with others, it is essential to note that you have to work this out together. You will never be successful in forcing someone to live a simple life. Just do the best that you can, with what you have, where you are. “If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18 Your homework this week is to plan the purpose of your living room or living space and then minimize items that don't fit that purpose. Every day this week, clean up, reset to zero, and find something out of place, ask does this serve its purpose? If not, let it go. Joshua Becker says, ”owning less is better than organizing more.” Spend at least one hour this week going through your living spaces. Donate, sell, recycle, or throw away what is in the way. Here's a step by step plan: Put stuff away that doesn't belong, a home for everything, and everything in its home. Clear off flat surfaces; these places are clutter magnets. Get rid of stuff you don't use, like that collection of weird books or VHS or empty DVD boxes. Make the unseen seen, do things tend to collect in a box or under the couch? Bring out everything. Lastly, do you need all that furniture? Are there statement or storage pieces you're keeping, does anyone actually ever sit in that chair? Write out the purpose, take some pictures before and after and share them. Remember, simple living isn't selfish living. As we simplify, we allow ourselves more time and space to serve others and become a nonanxious presence that's closely connected to your values and closer to God. Once we clear all the clutter, the lack of distractions helps us to focus on what really matters most. For additional study and resources check out: Freedom of Simplicity by Richard Foster Bridgetown’s series on Simplicity The More of Less by Joshua Becker Enough by Adam Hamilton The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker Soulful Simplicity by Courtney Carver Please leave a  prayer or voicemail here, you can also email me: zacheway@gmail.com

Slow down, unplug, and make time and space for silence. Welcome to the fourth week on practicing simplicity. Before shifting our focus from internal simplicity to external simplicity, we're going to clear some emotional clutter by slowing down, unplugging, and making time and space for silence. As we move into external simplicity, you will need mental and emotional clarity and some time in your schedule to declutter, minimize, and let go of external distractions. Remember, the discipline of simplicity is an inward reality that results in an outward lifestyle. We're all busy, yet we have the same 24 hours in a day. Many of us have very similar responsibilities, sleep, work, eat, clean, pay bills, etc. Parents typically have less free time, which means they have to be extra careful with their time commitments. However, just because you don't have kids doesn't mean you're off the hook; you are also in danger of wasting your precious time. A lot of self-care is reactive; we don't have it built into our schedules. We almost rely on a breaking point before we "take a break" and tend to our emotional clutter. Our emotions are tied to our time commitments. When our external lifestyle doesn't line up with internal values, we experience dissonance and discontent. So how can we fix this? What practices can aid in our journey of simplicity? The answer is unplugging, and making time and space for silence, all three help a ton. Our homework and practice for this week has three parts. Part one: unplug from social media, news, and tv, use this time for silence Part two: schedule one hour sometime next week and 15 minutes a day for next week to simplify Part three: keep a record of your daily activities; at the end of the week, rank them. 1= Essential 2= Important but not essential 3= Helpful but not necessary 4= Trivial "Next, we must ruthlessly eliminate all of the last two categories and 20 percent of the first two. We are too busy only because we want to be too busy. We could cut out a great deal of our activity and not seriously affect our productivity." - Richard Foster For additional study and resources check out: Freedom of Simplicity by Richard Foster Bridgetown’s series on Simplicity The More of Less by Joshua Becker Enough by Adam Hamilton The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker Soulful Simplicity by Courtney Carver Essentialism by Greg Mckeown Trail Life by Ray Jardine If you have a thought, prayer, or prayer request, please leave a voicemail here. Send an email: zacheway@gmail.com

Let’s take a look at what we value, and, as backward as it sounds (yet again, another paradox) let’s try to care less, in order to care more. Care less about what you value less and care more about what you value more. Care less about people’s opinions of you, care more about people. Care less about being right and more about showing grace. Care less about having an opinion for every issue and care more about giving a voice to the voiceless. Care less about what and more about why. Mental energy is a limited resource, just like money, if you gave $1 to 500 gofundme accounts it would not mean the same as giving $500 to one, it was the same resource provided, but the impact is more profound. Have you ever heard of the Dunbar number? Pretty interesting stuff! What if we cared less about anonymous people online and more about our neighbors? To answer this, you will have to evaluate your values. Maybe there’s some you need to let go of? Like, do you really value Facebook arguments or being up to date and informed with all the latest trends or news or celebrity gossip, etc. Maybe being perceived as being outdoorsy has actually been more important to you than just being outdoors? *cough* hipsters of 2012 (guilty as charged). Care less about ___ and care more about ___. Fill in the blanks for yourself. For additional study and resources check out: Freedom of Simplicity by Richard Foster Bridgetown’s series on Simplicity The More of Less by Joshua Becker Enough by Adam Hamilton The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker Soulful Simplicity by Courtney Carver Essentialism by Greg Mckeown Trail Life by Ray Jardine If you have a thought, prayer, or prayer request, please leave a voicemail here. Send an email: zacheway@gmail.com

Simplicity is an external manifestation of an internal conviction. Again, another paradox surrounds our practice of simplicity. Simplicity is not focused on less. It is focused on more- more of the stuff that matters most—less of the bad, but more of the good. A lot of modern minimalism and simplicity is focused on less, which is great, but it’s not best. Focusing on more of what matters most is the truest form of simplicity. I think one of the best parts of doing a detox is that it helps set us up for success, as long as we’re intentional and honest when entering back into “normal” life afterward. Moving forward now in our 12 weeks of simplicity, I thought it would be good to ask some thought proving questions and stimulate a reflective environment for a bit. Because I view simplicity as a holistic discipline and grace, it is important to note that I am approaching simplicity differently than most. Again, I am no expert or guru here, however fun fact: I did live with 100 items in the back of my truck for two years. But this isn’t about me. It’s about change, and change happens in the heart, then that heart change changes your home, and your home changes the world. A lot of minimalists start with the home and/or the world. But my theory of change begins with internal change and then moves to external and relational. Internal, external, relational/community or heart, home, world. There’s a reason why 4 out of 5 hoarders who work with professional organizers revert to hoarding. The professional organizers started with the external, not the internal. Hearts inform habits, healthy habits create healthy homes, healthy homes change the world.  Joshua Becker has a good list of questions to consider before minimizing, in his book The More of Less: What experiences, both good and bad, have shaped your life What similarities can you recognize in your most notable achievements? What problems in the world are you most passionate about solving? If money were not an issue, what line of work would you be most drawn to? Which dreams in your life do you feel the most regret for not pursuing harder? What is the lasting legacy you want to leave? Whom do you most admire in life? What specific characteristics of this person do you want to emulate? If you have a thought, prayer, or prayer request, please leave a voicemail here. Send an email: zacheway@gmail.com

1st off, Simplicity is both a discipline and a grace, it's a privilege to be able to practice, but it's not easy to practice. At the heart of Simplicity is a paradox, living simple isn't simple, it is difficult. It goes against the grain of our culture, and we are constantly pulled in the direction of complexity. What do I mean it's a discipline? I mean, it takes consistent work over a long period of time. You have to chase it, follow it's direction, and abandon other options. It is limiting in the sense that you have placed limitations on your available options. Navy Seal Team 3 commander Jocko Willink , popularized the idea that discipline = freedom. However, I initially found this idea from Richard Foster's book Celebration of Discipline from 1978, which was also the first book I read that brought up this idea of Simplicity. So, even though Simplicity is a discipline, it also brings immense freedom. What do I mean it's a grace? I mean that it is a gift from God, it is a gift that is given freely, and when accepted, it brings more freedom. When we live simply, we are living and loving as God designed. There's a beautiful old song " 'tis a gift to be simple, 'tis a gift to be free" that plays in my head every time I think of Simplicity as a grace. Now, before we get into practices and how to live a more simple life, I think it is important to note what Richard Foster warns us of in his book Freedom of Simplicity (which I HIGHLY recommend). He says: "Simplicity is an inward reality that can be seen in an outward lifestyle. We must have both; to neglect either end of this tension is disastrous." Let's not put the cart in front of the horse. Any good practice of Simplicity will start internally and work it's way externally. Jesus warns that those who only polish the external, neglect the internal, and live a hypocritical life, their greed and selfishness hide behind a thin mask. So let's start with the internal. First week, detox. Yep, the first thing is a cleanse, we've got to get a clear mind, body, and spirit. Jesus said it's not what comes in that defiles, but it is what comes out (of the heart) that defiles. And in order to make sure our heart is in good condition we have to limit what comes in. Surprise! Another paradox. For additional study and resources check out: Freedom of Simplicity by Richard Foster Bridgetown’s series on Simplicity The More of Less by Joshua Becker Enough by Adam Hamilton The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker Soulful Simplicity by Courtney Carver Essentialism by Greg Mckeown Trail Life by Ray Jardine If you have a thought, prayer, or prayer request, please leave a voicemail here. Send an email: zacheway@gmail.com

“aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 “since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” Hebrews 12:1 “I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.” Ecclesiastes 4:4 “godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8 For additional study and resources check out: Bridgetown’s series on Simplicity The More of Less by Joshua Becker Enough by Adam Hamilton The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker Soulful Simplicity by Courtney Carver Essentialism by Greg Mckeown Trail Life by Ray Jardine If you have a thought, prayer, or prayer request, please leave a voicemail here. Send an email: zacheway@gmail.com

It is important to focus on cultivating my heart more than I create or consume especially when dealing with the senseless murder of George Floyd. For this reason, I will be shifting the frequency of this podcast to monthly or weekly. As we're almost halfway through June, we begin practicing and learning about the spiritual discipline of Simplicity and the fruit of the spirit: Goodness.  The practice of simplicity is both a discipline and grace. When we enter into it, we find contentment and freedom.  The Bible doesn’t mention simplicity directly, but it has become so clear to me that I see it connected to freedom and contentment. It’s like the key that unlocks the secret of contentment and freedom, which Paul talks so much about.  Jesus lived simply, the disciples and apostles lived simply, we see repeatedly in Gods word a call to simplicity, yet we live so disconnected from that world it seems, constantly distracted and surrounded by crippling complexity and overwhelming abundance.  Our homework for the week is to pick up the book Freedom of Simplicity and listen to or read it. We will get into practical tips and best practices later, but it’s important to begin with a firm foundation. Because when we build our practice of simplicity on the sand we’re blown and tossed by the wind and the next thing you know we’re listing to some guru telling us to cut out people who aren’t adding value to our lives. But this is not the way of Jesus.  For additional study and resources check out: Bridgetown’s series on Simplicity  The More of Less by Joshua Becker  Enough by Adam Hamilton The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker Soulful Simplicity by Courtney Carver Essentialism by Greg Mckeown Trail Life by Ray Jardine If you have a thought, prayer, or prayer request, please leave a voicemail here.

Welcome to episode 38 of This Is The Way, a short and simple podcast focusing on a spiritual discipline, a fruit of the Spirit, and scripture. There's a reason that Kindness is the fifth fruit of the spirit, you need the first four, first. Love, Joy, Peace, and Patience, all preceding Kindness. Joy-filled people are grateful, peace-filled people are content. Grateful and content people are kind. When we are grateful, we express our thankfulness for our circumstances, surroundings, and grace. When we are content, our internal dependence on circumstances and surroundings is overshadowed by God's grace. We are no longer held back by expressing thankfulness only when things are going right. When we are content, we can be grateful even in the hardest of times. When we are thankful, we narrow our focus and shift our gaze to what is directly in front of us. We're not worried about what tomorrow will bring, not obsessing over yesterday's mistakes. In Proverbs, we're encouraged to: "Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil." Proverbs­4:25-27 The answer to anxiety is peace. Paul wrote from prison, "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." ­Philippians 4:6-7 'Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. ' Philippians 4:8-9 If you have a thought, prayer, or prayer request, please leave a voicemail here. I'm looking for people to give little (5min) devotional this month on solitude of kindness. If you're interested or know someone who might be, let me know: zacheway@gmail.com

Welcome to episode 37 of This Is The Way, a short and simple podcast focusing on a spiritual discipline, a fruit of the Spirit, and scripture. Free and light. A glass can only spill what it contains. Kindness overflows from a full Spirit. A full spirit is not overburdened and weighed down but is free and light. Shame and guilt are cruel taskmasters, they are not meant to rule over you but to lead you to repentance. God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance. God's kindness leads to repentance, and repentance turns the addiction and slavery into freedom. God calls all who are weary and heavily burdened, He gives us rest. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. Do you want to become free and light? Let God's kindness lead you to repentance.  Therefore you have no excuse or justification, everyone of you who [hypocritically] judges and condemns others; for in passing judgment on another person, you condemn yourself, because you who judge [from a position of arrogance or self-righteousness] are habitually practicing the very same things [which you denounce]. And we know that the judgment of God falls justly and in accordance with truth on those who practice such things. But do you think this, O man, when you judge and condemn those who practice such things, and yet do the same yourself, that you will escape God’s judgment and elude His verdict? Or do you have no regard for the wealth of His kindness and tolerance and patience [in withholding His wrath]? Are you [actually] unaware or ignorant [of the fact] that God’s kindness leads you to repentance [that is, to change your inner self, your old way of thinking—seek His purpose for your life]? Romans 2:1-4 Amplified Version “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST (renewal, blessed quiet) FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 Amplified Version What are you carrying that you need to put down? What has been weighing you down? Let it down at Jesus's feet. If you have a thought, prayer, or prayer request, please leave a voicemail here. I'm looking for people to give little (5min) devotional this month on solitude of kindness. If you're interested or know someone who might be, let me know: zacheway@gmail.com

Welcome to episode 36 of This Is The Way, a short and simple podcast focusing on a spiritual discipline, a fruit of the Spirit, and scripture. Today we're focusing on the fruit of the Spirit: kindness, we will be reading from Titus chapter 3. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:3-7 Without God's kindness, we are foolish, filled with envy and malice (ill will), hating others, addicted to our vices. The fruit of the flesh stands as opposed to the fruit of the Spirit. So when we remember God's kindness, let us become transformed into the image of his son. When we see ourselves being unkind, in word, thought, action, or Facebook comment, let us remember the kindness of God and allow Him to change our hearts. When we find ourselves envying others, let us not forget God's loving-kindness. If we find ourselves wishing or hoping for something bad to happen to others, let us remember God's loving-kindness. When we find ourselves disobeying God's commands, let us remember His loving kindness. When we despise or hate someone, we are not filled with God's love, and we have forgotten His loving kindness. God please make me aware of your presence and fill me with your Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. Help me to show kindness intentionally, not halfhearted or our of obligation, but that my kindness would overflow from a heart that is full of your love. If you have a thought, prayer, or prayer request, please leave a voicemail here. I'm looking for people to give little (5min) devotional this month on solitude of kindness. If you're interested or know someone who might be, let me know: zacheway@gmail.com

Welcome to episode 35 of This Is The Way, a short and simple podcast focusing on a spiritual discipline, a fruit of the spirit and scripture. We’re over halfway through the month of kindness and solitude, and tbh I’m learning a lot. It’s been rough, but good. Like working out at the gym, I’m sweating and sore and exhausted these solitude and kindness muscles are weak and I’m sore in places I didn’t know existed before. Dallas Willard warns that “We can only survive solitude…if we cling to Christ there” (Spirit of the Disciplines). That’s how I feel right now, I am surviving, clinging to Christ. Here’s some small tips I’ve learned along the way: Create space, this is both an environment and time. Get rid of distractions, make it easy to do the right thing. If you find yourself constantly thinking about something else or running through your mental checklist. Do not practice solitude in a cluttered environment, it makes it more difficult. Start small and give yourself grace. You might think okay, I’m going to spend 15 minutes in solitude- and that’s great! But if you’re just starting out, start with 5 minutes, prepare your heart, mind and your environment. Do it first thing in the morning, wake up early. Don’t use your phone before you practice solitude. The best moments I have had in solitude is when I was walking outside just before the sun rose and the city was still sleeping. Start with a breathing prayer, repeat over and over the same phrase and pay attention to your breathing. Oftentimes I find myself starting with “God help me, give me grace” If you have a thought, prayer or prayer request please leave a voicemail here. I'm looking for people to give little (5min) devotional this month on solitude of kindness.  If you're interested or know someone who might be, let me know: zacheway@gmail.com

Wow, episode 34. It seems like a year since COVID-19 shutdown, but like 2 days since this podcast started.  “Practicing solitude has been the most formative part of my walk with Jesus.” Ruth Haley Barton Jesus practiced solitude, and we are commanded to “be still”. There is a stillness in the quiet that we can't get when surrounded by noise, this noise can be external, environmental, and internal distractions or business. Richard Foster in celebration of disciplines wrote, “Loneliness is inner emptiness. Solitude is inner fulfillment” “Loneliness often speaks to our need to be with and know ourselves. It reveals our need for solitude. We learn through solitude that we need to stop activities in order to give ourselves a chance to hear our hearts and listen to what they are saying, sometimes waiting to get clarity. We do this through stopping, listening, waiting, resting, planting, and trusting. We need to rest for the heart to regain strength, replenish hope, and prepare for the next step. We need to plant, tending to the seeds of desires, needs, longings, and hope within us. And we need to trust that we are emotional and spiritual creatures who need time out from the world’s incessant urban clanging. Valuing our loneliness through” Chip Dodd, The Voice of the Heart: A Call to Full Living “Learning to be quiet before the Lord is one of the greatest challenges we face today in our quest to enter in and experience true intimacy with Him”. James Goll Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Psalm 62:1 The LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him. Habakkuk 2:20 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19:12 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Psalm 131:1-2 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. Luke 6:12 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. Mark 6:31 Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders. Job 37:14 Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Psalm 4:4 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. Mark 4:39 In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3 If you have a thought, prayer or prayer request please leave a voicemail here. I'm looking for people to give little (5min) devotional this month on solitude of kindness.  If you're interested or know someone who might be, let me know: zacheway@gmail.com