Strength To Be Content

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." ~ Philippians 4:13

If you've ever heard this verse quoted as a declaration to go do something great for God, or go out and achieve your dreams, or get that job, or pass that exam, or any such thing, raise your hand. Yeah, me too.

But you know what - it doesn't mean that. At least not primarily.

This verse isn't about achievement. It's about contentment. Paul is wrapping up a paragraph talking about a secret that he's learned, namely, the secret of being content in any and every situation. When Jesus knocked Paul off his horse, Paul gave up what was most likely a life of relative ease. He chose suffering with Jesus - and found true joy and contentment in following in His footsteps.

So,whether I'm poor or in plenty, starving or stuffed, I can do this! God gives me strength to be content! I can live for God and fulfill my calling in Christ in perfect contentment, without being choked by the worries and cares of the world, because God gives me the strength to be content, at peace, and satisfied. And beyond that, being contented is a real sign to others that this world just isn't all it's cracked up to be (and it's really cracked up), nor is it our home. Contentment loudly proclaims that God is my provider and He's totally dependable, whatever comes.

That's cool!

This weekend our pastor said there are two things that are true about contentment:

1. Contentment is always possible and,

2. Contentment is always chosen.

The best part of it all is that it has nothing whatsoever to do with health or wealth or circumstance, but everything to do with the all-surpassing power of God's strength. Awesome.

It's ALL The Time

How many times? How many times have I heard someone declare "God is good!" when they found a short line at Wal-Mart when they were in a hurry, or a good deal on the car of their dreams, or got front row tickets to a concert they thought was sold out?

Why is it we only hear "God is good" when things like this happen - things that aren't even that important! How about because of Jesus my death sentence has been lifted: "God is good!" How about even though outwardly I'm wasting away yet inwardly I'm being renewed day by day: "God is good!" How about the fact that we have a roof and some food in the fridge: "God is good!"

Moreover, how about "God is good" when your tire is flat, when your flight is delayed, when your children are ill, when your bank account has an echo?

God IS good. God is GOOD. His goodness goes beyond our shortsighted ideas of how life ought to be. His goodness, love and favor towards those whom He has adopted by grace is unquestionable. It is rich, comforting and stabilizing. He is good ALL the time.

Wow That Guitar!

Below you'll find a sweet, sweet song from a guy I just discovered a few days ago: Glen Hansard. The thing that piqued my curiosity about Hansard was his guitar. He plays a 20 year old Takamine dubbed "The Horse", and brother, it's been rode hard! Observe:

Makes me feel better about the wear on my Taylor. Anyway, back to the song - it's tender, and the official video tells even more of a story. Unfortunately, embedding was disabled so you'll have to CLICK.

Such As These

One morning last week I ran across this article from the AP. It tells the most unbelievable story about the bodies of approximately 2,000 aborted babies hidden away in a Buddhist temple in Bangkok.......

It seems that abortion is actually illegal in Bangkok (and these bodies were ostensibly from illegal abortions), but there are three tiny exceptions that allow a "legal" abortion: "Abortion is illegal in Thailand except under three conditions — if a woman is raped, if the pregnancy affects her health or if the fetus is abnormal."

Oh. Alright. If a woman is raped, we kill the baby (stunning logic). If the pregnancy causes the mother any health problems, we kill the baby (You harm me, I kill you - does this argument have any merit in any other circumstance???) . If the baby is abnormal (that is, if the child might be born with a congenital defect that would require the parents to give it extra special care and attention), we kill the baby. None of this makes sense, nor will it ever. I'm tired of it. Really tired. Some day, there will be no more abortions and this despicable evil will never be thought of again.

Unexpected Arrows

I have one brother and one sister. They're both older than I am (and they ALWAYS will be!). I married and started a family well before my brother did, and to ensure the survival of the family name, my wife and I had five sons. Having accomplished that, I began to think of my brother who had sired no children of his own, and I felt sorry for him.

However, while I was in the process of filling my quiver, my brother did get married to a lovely lady who already had three children of her own. Boom. Instant family. Nevertheless, my brother and his wife have had no children together, nor will they. Like I said, I used to feel sorry for him about this, but not these days. Although I have seen and experienced firsthand the blessing of bringing one's own children into the world, I've witnessed how God blesses in other ways.

Although I may have been given the responsibility of raising five sons in the ways of the Lord, my brother was chosen for a very different and special mission: embrace and love a woman and her children who had been terribly hurt, and become a father and grandfather to a bunch of folks that desperately needed it.

You see, I got married and added my wife and our 5 subsequent children to the family. Hurray! But my brother got married and has, over the last several years, added no fewer than 20 people to our family circle. He is loved by all of them and the Lord has blessed him as (dare I say it!) an honored and respected patriarch.

So here's to my brother, and here's to God our Father who uses each of us in very important and unique ways, and "sets the lonely in families."

All In

It's Wednesday, so it's time for a song for my wife...I'm all in for life.

With These Words

One of these days there will be no more doubt to cloud the mind . . . no more temptation that blinds . . . no more separation from those who we hold in our hearts in Christian love . . . no more injustice that violates the innocent and helpless . . . no more abortions . . . no more politics . . . no more relationships ragged with humain frailty. Nope, no more. Because we will be with the Lord forever. Are you encouraged?