Be Content

 Friday, January 25, 2013         A special picture for our family.  Dad is in Glory and Ry at 13.

"I know how to get along with humble means and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need" (Phil. 4:12).

 

Hey Gang:  I found the following statement in a magazine that rang my bell, "Contentment begins when comparison stops.”  How true that is, at least for yours truly.  You see, I have always had a hard time being content at anything.  When I do a project I always end up doing far more than I anticipated.  If you don't believe that, come and see the Christmas displays in our basement. When I set out to do a writing project, I am never content to leave it until it is completely done, corrected and published.

 

If I am in the final stages of a wood project and my bride calls for lunch or some other important chore, I tend to want to complete the project before I answer her call.  On top of this my brain seems to be stuck in a nonstop mode.  For me to sit down and read a book is agony and pain.  I presently have four books in the mill, one on page 18, the second on page 34, a third on 59 and the last on page 102.  (Note:  page 102 is a tremendous victory.)

 

This trait equipped me to be a role model for kids that I have worked with, for I have yet, in more than fifty years of working with dysfunctional children, have found one who is content.  As a matter of fact I have often taught in workshops and shared that they are dysfunctional because they are unable to find contentment.  It is like having an itch you cannot scratch and you spend every waking hour trying to fill that churning in your gut.

 

Does that mean I am plagued with uncontentment the rest of my life?  At age 79, if I am going to learn what Paul meant when he wrote, "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." (Phil.4:11), I am going to have to get myself in gear, so me thinks I am talking to me, and not you, this time around.. 

 

Now, let me share with you a neat diversion we developed in our Girls’ Wilderness Quest Program that seemed to lead to contentment.  We built four shelters in a remote part of the campus.  They had no electricity, no water, no facilities of any kind and the girls had to walk half a mile to get to the dining hall and to do most activities.  One day one of the staff suggested we alternate boys and girls in the camp.  The result was open rebellion on the part of the girls and boys alike.  The girls did not want to move out and the boys did not want to move in.

 

When asked why the girls were so adamant in remaining in the primitive setting the main reason was "Here, we can be us, we do not have to put on a front - no make-up, no being concerned about our clothes, etc.  In other words they were content to be who they really were.   

 

Soooo, do you get the point?  "Contentment does begin when comparison is put to bed.   I believe I have learned that we cannot weigh our contentment on a scale of stuff.  When stuff is your measurement, you will never have enough because there is always someone out there who has "more stuff".

 

Blessings,  

 Gramps

Just Butt IN

 

Monday, January 28, 2013

  "Oh, that I had wings like a dove!  I would fly away and be at rest.  Behold, I would wander far away, I would lodge in the wilderness.  I would hasten to my place of refuge from the stormy wind and tempest." (Ps. 55:6 - 8)

 Hey Gang:  Everybody in the world has heard, and perhaps even used, the words ‘Butt Out’.  Some have modified the words and say, "Hey man, give me some space!"   I believe the major problem in our world today is that mega multitudes of folks have said to Abba Father, “Just "Butt Out."  And when He is told to ‘Butt Out’, I do believe that is precisely what He does.

 Let me ask you a question this morning: “Do you think America has sent a message to Abba Father to ‘Just Butt Out’?  I certainly believe that is precisely what has been said.  My prayer for many months prior to the election was, "Lord, I pray you will' Butt In' - to the Affairs of our Nation".   I felt that was a prayer that Abba Father would hear.  I am instructed to pray for our leaders and did not want to dishonor that command to us.  But at the same time, I wanted Abba Father to know that if our country is going to repent of our gross sin, it could only happen if He, YHWH "Butt's In".  

 I confess, after the election I was depressed, I mean really depressed.  Not so much about the President's re election, although that, too, was a depressing reality, but rather I had such deep hopes that this would be the time when God would "Butt In" and lead us out of the wilderness.  It was truly a time when I needed a restoration of Spirit in my heart and soul. 

I found myself being drawn to 2 Chronicles 7:14, a verse that is very familiar to all who have been called by His name.  It is a powerful verse that gives us hope even in the most difficult times.  But, the more I pondered on this verse, the more I began to understand there is a Covenant involved in the fulfillment of this verse.

 The first thing that hit me was the tiny word "if".  The fulfillment of the Covenant is determined by the tiny word "if".    "If" My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways".  The prerequisites for fulfillment of the covenant - humble ourselves, pray and put away our wicked ways. 

 I began to seek God's counsel on where I had failed.  Was pride an issue with me? Have I not humbled myself before you?  Have I failed in my praise and adoration to you through prayer and worship?  Lord, is there lurking in the recesses of my heart things that do not bring honor and glory to you?

Sooooo, my friends, I fell better this morning after unloading the guilt feelings I have harbored since I did not get my way on election day.  Confession is good for the soul.   Isn't that what God's word teaches us?  I am glad I know that He is Sovereign God and I know His kingdom is forever.

Blessings, 

Gramps

PS It is hard to believe what has happened to our country in the last 10 years!! Continue to pray for our country and our leaders to seek God’s wisdom and thank Him for revival that is sweeping through our country and others nation. Including Israel!  We are 10 years closer to His return!

The Quiet Sermo

Monday, January 27, 2014

"But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin".  (I John 1:7)

 Hey Gang:  I have had the following story in my archives for years. For some reason I never felt it was important to send it along to you.  But I recently talked with a man who said he searched for a church for years where praise and worship was important, molded in with pure Bible Study; but he failed to find it and now he has chosen to be his own church.  After hearing his story, I returned home and got out the worn and torn endorphin file and dug out this story:

 "It seems that a member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going.  After a few weeks, the Pastor decided to visit him. 

 It was a chilly evening.  The Pastor found the man at home alone, setting before a blazing fire.  Guessing the reason for this Pastors visit, the man welcomed him, ledt him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited.

 The Pastor made himself at home but said nothing.  In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the Pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone.  Then he sat back in his chair, still silent.  The host watched all this in quiet contemplation.  As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.

 Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting.  The Pastor glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave.  He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire.  Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

 As the pastor reached the door to leave, the host said with a tear running down his cheek "Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon.  I shall be back in church next Sunday."

 Sooooo, my friends, Home Bible study and prayer are essential to keeping our keel deep in the water, but the fellowship of believers keeps the coals burning in our heart and souls.

Blessings,

Gramps

PS 2024 is a good year for change. Our Pastor has been emphasizing the importance of connection with God and His Word, and others. Covid fear has continued to isolate many for various reasons.  If you feel isolated or just alone, remember the coal that lost its glow until re-connected in the fire (church family).  Find a Bible believing church and choose to get connected. Spread the Holy Spirit fire.  Gma J

Is Your Wealth In God's Storehouse?

 Wednesday, January 29, 2014

 God’s power principle for today: “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” (John 15:10).

 

Hey Gang:  The woman lived in poverty, much to the chagrin of her lawyer son who faithfully sent her a check each month to cover her every need.  Her son heard of her stunning poverty and called her on the phone: “Mother, I hear that you don’t have enough money to pay your bills.”  ‘That’s right” she said sadly.  “But how can that be?  Don’t you get my letters every month?”  “Yes, I get your letters”.  “Then what do you do with the money?”  “What money?  All you send is those pieces of paper with your name scrawled on the bottom.”  She lived in poverty even though she had thousands of dollars available to her.  All she had to do was cash the checks!

 Before you are too hard on the woman, think about your situation.  God has given you promises to cover your every need, but they do you no good until you cash them.  The Bible is filled with promises from our Heavenly Father with checks addressed to each of us but they are of no value if you have not plugged your power cord into God’s power supply.

 There is the story of "old man" for that was his identification.  Just plain "old man".  He lived in a ram- shackled cabin in one of the hollows in the mountains of Pennsylvania.  A young man, who happened to drive by his house regularly, always checked to see if there was smoke coming out of the chimney.  One day he noticed - there was no smoke.  Old man had passed away.  But who cared, he was just an old hermit who, like so many, passed from this earth without making even the slightest impact on his world.

 But, as distant family went through his earthly possessions that were sparse, they found a very beat up Bible. In the Bible were pieces of paper with names and dates, Jane, 1934 let, Mark, 1935 back, Joyce 1940 brain surgery.  After much research they found that in each case money, that was not available to care for these needs, suddenly came from an unknown source. “Old man” had chosen to live in poverty so that he could provide a "shirt tail to hang onto" for those who had needs.

 I do not know if the story of "Old Man" is true, I suspect it is.  I can say this, it impacted my life and made me more sensitive to the needs of people around me who are hurting.  I pray when I stand before my heavenly Father “He will say well done, true the faithful servant.”

 Studying the promises of God can be like trying to drink out of a fire hydrant.  They are so powerful and so many of them that they may knock us off our feet.

 Paul challenges our hearts with a tremendous promise that we can take to the bank: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” and just six verses later he gives us this pearl of great price “My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”  (Phil 4:13,19)

 Soooo, my young chicks, take Malachi’s advice: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts.  If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.” (Mal. 3:10)

 Wait!! Don’t stop there, read the blessing that follows: “Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your  vine in the field cast its grapes,” says the Lord of hosts”. (v.11)

 Blessings,

 Gramps