The BrightHaven Mission

We aim to live a life of simplicity that glorifies God.

How does this mission evolve into our everyday lives?

For the home, we are resolved to de-clutter and streamline our activities and possessions into things that benefit and make our lives and home more beautiful and enjoyable. For our spiritual lives: getting rid of the junk that hinders communication and interaction with one another, with family, community and our world.

We want to be active partakers in the life of our community: with the spirit of cloistered living (spiritual preparation and discipline) and the activity of fully involved persons. In family, we want our actions to be honest and loving.

From ELCA

What does God’s word say about simple living?
The prophets, priests, evangelists and Jesus are pretty clear:

• God is a God of abundance, not scarcity. (John 10:10)
• You don’t save yourself by the way you live, by what you have or keep, by how big you build your barn or how tall you stack your CD’s. (Luke 9:25)
• God isn’t exactly all that pleased with hoarding, selfishness or fear about dying. (Luke 12:32-34)
• Be satisfied with what God gives you. (1 Timothy 6:5b-10)
• The only question about “giving your life away” is “How will I do it?” (Matthew 16:24-25)
• The reason you have anything is to get God’s work done, not to make yourself into God. (1 Timothy 6: 17-19)
• The blessings around you? They’re given to you for redistribution. (Proverbs 19:17)
• Most of the important things in life are simple at their core. If you’ve been following along in the Bible, you already know what they are. (Philippians 4:8-9)
• For answers to questions, pray. (Isaiah 65:24)
• For courage, bind yourself to the community of believers around you. (Isaiah 43:1-3; John 17:15-19)