Contentment
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
~Philippians 4:11, NIV
“Our attitude toward our circumstances determines, to a degree, how we interpret what God is doing in our lives.”
~Thomas Watson
My father-in-law, Woodrow Wilson Marbut, was the most contented person I have ever known. I marveled at how little it took to please him. He departed this world in July of 1981 with ALS at the youthful age of sixty-three. June and I were with him when he got the diagnosis. The doctor told him what would happen and gave him a time frame. He also expressed his regret that medical science had no cure for ALS. It was a long ride home. Papa always rode in the shootgun seat with one hand on the handle that opens the door. He was always ready to bail out. He never said a word and he never shed a tear; at least not in my presence. He never said, “Why me?” He never complained. I have to be honest, I don’t think anyone will ever accuse me of being the most contented person they know, but I will say this—aging helps!
Thomas Watson says, “Contentment is one of God’s advocates or spokesman.” Discontent says, “Why me LORD?” Or perhaps, “LORD, you could have prevented this; why did you allow this to happen to me?” Contentment sees suffering, hardship, and trials in a different light. Contentment gives God the benefit of the doubt. Contentment is not an advocate for evil, nor does it say that everything is good: what contentment says is “God is good.” It doesn’t matter what happens, Contentment will say that God is good. Doubt and unbelief say “God cannot be trusted,” Contentment says, “Yes He can.” Impatience says, “Why doesn’t He do something to get me out of this trial?” Contentment says,“He is doing something, this trial will teach me things I could never learn otherwise.” Discontent says, “God must be angry with me.” Contentment says, “God is looking out for me.”
- When it rains, it pours. Now Don Murphy is in Decatur Morgan Hospital with pneumonia. I will be headed that way in a little while. June’s surgery will certainly be sometime after lunch: we don’t really know. She doesn’t check in until noon so it could be three or four o’clock before they get to her. Bill had a little nausea yesterday and I do not know if he got to do therapy. Had a good visit with Bill and Carol yesterday morning. Judy goes back to doctor today.
- Tomorrow Joe is doing a tribute to our Veterans. We will meet in the fellowship hall. Our lunch menu is a Soup Bar.
- Menu for November Wednesday day services: today is Soup Bar, Nov. 18 Pizza, Nov. 25 BBQ THERE IS NO PM SERVICE November 25 {Thanksgiving Eve}
- December 4…49er Christmas Party at 11:30. Christmas finger foods. Bring your favorite Christmas candy or cookie. Too bad I couldn’t save our OPEN HOUSE snacks. All those sandwiches I labored over for two hours had to be chunked. It broke my heart. I do not like to throw food away.
- I hope you have a great day and thanks for reading the blog.
Extra/Extra
There are two schools or philosophies in ministry, at least among Baptist. One group believed you should stick to the gospel and never mention moral or ethical issues. One preacher told me years ago, “Jack, you do more harm than good; besides “Honey draws more flies than vinegar.” I didn’t think a whole lot of him before he made this rediculous statement and I thought less after I heard him say it. Then there are a few, very few, who are like Elijah, Amos, Jeremiah and John the Baptist: they denounce immoral leaders and condemn things like abortion and same sex marriage. We are not popular and we get little to no affirmation from our peers but praise God, we get it from godly laymen who are aching to hear someone tell the truth. We probably have around 200 subscribers and very few are preachers. I can think of only four who read the blog and I don’t think any of them are politically correct.