How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on…
Month: May 2014
The Pathway to Contentment
Are you content? Before you answer that question, you have to interpret the meaning of contentment. Generally that question falls on our ears as “Are you happy?” or “Are you satisfied?” Any dictionary from your bookshelf will confirm that hunch, affirming that contentment is “the state of being happy or satisfied.” But in my opinion,…
American’s Television Viewing Habits
Barna Research has published a new study on the television viewing habits of Americans, including their favorite television programs. If the study piques your interest, find it HERE.
The Problem with Contentment (part 2)
Before we can get a grip on managing our desires we have to first understand how desire works. The reformers gave some consideration to this and proposed the following helpful framework. First, we become aware of a desire. I won’t spend any time on discussing where the desire originates because I’m not sure its cut…
The Problem with Contentment
Why is it that we have more of everything than we’ve ever had, yet are relatively less content than former generations? Why is it that we are more bored with life and all of its accessories than children in third world countries who only have rocks and sticks to play with? We know that the…
10 Factors that Determine the Size of Your Vision by Will Mancini
Excellent post on vision by Will Mancini. Find it HERE.
A Letter to my Children on Mother’s Day
I am married to the greatest woman I have ever known. She also happens to be your mother. For years I have taught people about the grace of God, but I understand God’s grace most clearly when I see you mom and realize that I don’t deserve her, for she is far greater than anyone…
Jesus on Worry
On Sunday I tried a pulpit experiment. I asked our congregation to take out their cell phones and to text me in one or two words what they were worried about. Within one minute my phone “blew up,” and I received about 50 texts from our members. Their list of worries could be categorized as…
Barna Research on Moms and Mothering
American mothers are stressed and work and home, exhausted and generally overcommitted. Yet Barna Research reports that American moms are generally more satisfied than you might suspect. Check out their findings HERE.
The Man Who Needed Nothing (part 2)
I think Jesus’ most helpful words concerning contentment are found in the Sermon on the Mount. Upon examination of these verses, it would appear that Jesus is giving three independent thoughts. But something larger is at work. I want to break down the three thoughts and then help synthesize them into Jesus’ point. 1. Your…