It is impossible to be thankfully discontent.

Kenny Luck points out this self-evident truth and looks to the life of Paul for some inspiration. Paul writes his letter to Philippi from prison. He is a prisoner in body but a completely liberated man in heart, mind and soul.

 

“I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:10-13).

 

Where does your strength come from?

Thank-Therapy

My dad started to teach my brothers and I to pray with thanksgiving some time ago. He reasoned with us that God knew our needs and instead of asking all the time we could spend time seeking Him through thanksgiving and praise. He modeled the prayer of thanks to us and taught us how to bow our hearts before God and simply say thank you for all the wonderful things he has done.

 

I tried to lead a group of seminary students in this form of prayer and was absolutely astounded at just how difficult they found it. We’re so ingrained to come before Him and make our demands like petulant children that we barely have the skill set to come before Him and acknowledge His goodness alone.

 

I was reminded of this as I read a challenge this week: to begin each day by thanking God for at least twenty five things. This is “thank-therapy”. And the promise is that it will not only change your level of contentment, but also your character. Try it out. It’s quite liberating.

Still Confused...

Last night I was thinking about this summary of life and I began to wonder what the plaque in the British Museum would read if I was on display. If somebody saw fit to add me to the artifacts in the British Museum, what would they write on the plaque beneath me? How would they summarize what characterized my life? I don’t think it would be too different to the post below. So the question is: what do I need to do to erase that plaque and write a new one? How should I be living life to have a plaque written that would honor God?

Confused?

What characterizes life today? In the British Museum a sign proclaims that "Trade, feasting, and warfare dominated secular life in the Middle Ages." Are we that different? Kenny Luck writes: We still confuse net worth and self-worth, trade character for gratification, [and] seek power through position. Not exactly a poster board summary of the Christian life; but a fair reflection all the same. How confused is your life?

Two thirds of British men would rather play with themselves

2 April 2009 11:38 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

1 in 3 British men would prefer to play video games than be with their partner, with 72% claiming they’d shun their missus for the night to play a new release. From a study of 1130 British men, of those in relationships, 32% that said they would prefer to play video games gave reasons ranging from their “partner being hard to please” to the prospect being “not as much fun” as gaming.  Further cementing the sad truth about video game addiction in the British male, 41% said if they were given $50, they’d spend it on a video game.  The research was carried out by PlayStation3 site.

I saw this on a friend's Blog and had to share it. Now I have to find some research claiming that 92% of American men would rather play with themselves. Why do my countrymen always let me down?

God’s Warrior or Mercenary?

I’ve been talking with a lot of people recently about the indifference many of us seem to exhibit when it comes to living out our faith on a day-to-day basis. Francois Fenelon once asked: “To just read the Bible, attend church, and avoid “big” sins – is this passionate, wholehearted love for God?” I think we all know that it isn’t, so how sad that we call ourselves the army of God when we’re really just a bunch of mercenary’s.

You see a mercenary is a soldier who is paid to fight in an army – one who only fights for personal gain. When the going is good the mercenary builds his credit; but as soon as the going gets tough the mercenary cashes in his chips and gets the heck outta Dodge. A warrior, on the other hand, serves and works with dedication to a cause. Kings would often have to supplement their armies of warriors with mercenaries to gain numbers for a tactical advantage. It would cost the king a lot to hire those mercenaries and ultimately they would desert him to save their own neck. Not so with the king’s warriors.

We serve THE KING. So my question is; do we serve him as a warrior or a mercenary? He paid the ultimate cost to purchase our lives and calls for a dedicated army of warriors. I don’t believe he has any interest in hiring mercenaries. So what are we playing at? Isn’t it time to stop cashing in and serve Him with everything we have in times of peace and trouble?