Recipe for Contentment

I am posting this as a reminder today. I really needed this.



Recipe for Contentment

time required: Hebrews 10:35-39
preheat at 1 John 3:1-3

Ingredients: 
Matthew 6:8, 32         Matthew 5:45
Matthew 7:9-11          1 Corinthians 10:13
1 Timothy 6:6-8         Romans 8:28-39
Hebrews 13:5-6          Proverbs 31:25
Philippians 4:11-13   1 Peter 5:10-11
Job 2:10

~~~~~~
Directions:
Matthew 6:9-21, 25-34   1 Peter 4:19
Matthew 7:7-8                    1 Peter 5:6-9
Proverbs 3:5-6                   1 Timothy 6:17
Proverbs 19:23                   Exodus 20:17
Hebrews 13:5-6
Philippians 2:14-15
Romans 8:24-25

Serves All: O taste and see that the Lord is Good! Psalm 34:8

*Can be made under all circumstances according to Paul’s not-so-secret recipe! Philippians 4:12*

Hebrews 1:3“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

I did it again

went and stayed away much longer than I had planned.  Guess I needed this little break from the blogging world.

Not sure about anyone else, but  the last several weeks my life has been rather busy and at the same time, I can’t tell you alot that I have actually done.  Nothing that would look like a major accomplishment, but one of great self satisfaction for me.

One of my primary focus though has been less time at the computer.  Seems some days get lost while sitting at the computer, and I have made a pretty concentrated effort to stay away from the computer during the days.  Spending much more time, getting caught up on things around here and puttering around with some “fun things” for the home.

My weekends have been full with all my kids here, so I have been spending time with them and doing quite abit of cooking.  It’s all good!  Something I have greatly missed since they have all been away. 

I’m just taking in the wonderful days of Autumn, enjoying the weather and fall festivities in the area this time of year with family and friends. It has been like a breath of fresh air.

A little run down of some of the things I have been up to:

• Antiquing with friends
• Fall festivals and carnivals
• Watching apple butter being made (and buying some) can you say YUMMO?
• Decorating my front porch for Fall
• Traipsing around hunting down the perfect pumpkins
• Going to farmers markets
• Creating list of upcoming crafting projects
• Hitting some yard sales with my bf
• Starting to organize photos (getting them ready to scan)
• Cooking home cooked meals for my kids on the weekends
• Watching football on Sundays with my sons
• Reading for pleasure
• Spending more time studying THE WORD
• watching movies with my hubby
• getting to bed earlier

So as you can see, I haven’t gotten alot to show for my time away, except a content heart.  Which is a wonderful feeling.

I feel like I have been a terrible blogging friend/buddy, but this season has been a time for slowing down and making some changes and something that I feel like I really needed to do.

Not sure how often I will be around, maybe daily, maybe once a week…maybe when I feel like I have something to share….basically I am just taking this time as God leads me too, to enjoy those things that I get great joy from. My home, family, and friends. I know I will not be gone totally, because there is just so much out there in blogland and friends that I love to visit with and learn from. 

K…since I have a few minutes tonight by myself…going to do some blog hopping. It’s been awhile. 

Hope your having a blessed week so far.

Jeremiah 29:11“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

More on Contentment

Since yesterday’s post I spoke about my contentment, I decided to do a little researching and reading what the bible and bible scholars had to say.  This is what I found.

What is contentment? One definition states that contentment is “happiness with
one’s situation in life.” 1 Another definition states that contentment is “the state of
being contented; satisfaction; ease of mind.” 2 So, contentment could generally be
defined as a state where a person is happy and not anxious with life no matter what
the circumstances.

after spending some time reflecting on God’s word and about contentment in our lives,  I ran across this commentary…from Biblegateway.

It is a good work to succor and help a good minister in trouble. The nature of true Christian sympathy, is not only to feel concern for our friends in their troubles, but to do what we can to help them. The apostle was often in bonds, imprisonments, and necessities; but in all, he learned to be content, to bring his mind to his condition, and make the best of it. Pride, unbelief, vain hankering after something we have not got, and fickle disrelish of present things, make men discontented even under favorable circumstances. Let us pray for patient submission and hope when we are abased; for humility and a heavenly mind when exalted. It is a special grace to have an equal temper of mind always. And in a low state not to lose our comfort in God, nor distrust his providence, nor take any wrong course for our own supply. In a prosperous condition not to be proud, or secure, or worldly. This is a harder lesson than the other; for the temptations of fullness and prosperity are more than those of affliction and want. The apostle had no design to urge them to give more, but to encourage such kindness as will meet a glorious reward hereafter. Through Christ we have grace to do what is good, and through him we must expect the reward; and as we have all things by him, let us do all things for him, and to his glory. (Php 4:20-23)

John MacAuthur gives these secrets to contentment: (you can read in detail these secrets)

• First, learn to give thanks in all things.
• Second, learn to rest in God's providence.
• Third, learn to be satisfied with little.
• Fourth, learn to live above life's circumstances.
• Fifth, learn to rely on God's power and provision.
• Finally, become preoccupied with the well-being of others.

Contentment and the Bible

What brings contentment? Contentment is a gift from God and grows out of having His perspective on life. "I 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. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:12-13, NIV.

Contentment grows out of humility and trust in God. "My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me." Psalm 131:1, NIV.

Contentment grows out of devotion to Christ and eternal values. "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Matthew 6:24, NIV.

Coveting is a barrier to contentment. "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." Exodus 20:17, NIV.

Materialism is a barrier to contentment. "People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction." I Timothy 6:9, NIV.

I’d like to say that I am feeling more content today about things, but that isn’t the case.  Still at this moment, I feel like I am dangling by a thread with uncertainties.Even a little down about where and how things stand.  So much is going on in my head and heart and I know I need to “be still” and listen.   I know I need to turn all these things over to God and let him do  the work….but my human flesh begs me to hang on.   I know I must “Let go and Let God”.

Is this something that you struggle with too?  If so, how do you cope with being content?

First things first

I think I have finally decided on which blog to use….I am going to stick with Blogger for now.  :)  Woo Hoo, glad I have made that decision.  As stated before there are things about both that I really do enjoy, but overall I think that the blogger blog feels more like me. 

I’m just a simple girl from the country  with a love of a simpler time and lifestyle. I love the the fresh farmhouse in the spring feel of it.    So for now, you don’t have to change any links….however I am going to keep the wordpress blog around for a bit jic.  :)  Cause that is how I operate.

So do you like the new look here?  I spent two weeks, making changes to both blogs, before I actually settled here.  It was fun, but relearning wordpress was not.   Anyway, let me know what you think.

Confession time…..ladies over the last several weeks, I have really been struggling with contentment.  Not really sure why, but I think priorities has something to do with it.  I feel myself just wanting to isolate and reflect.  So I have decided it is time to do something about this.  I have drifted away from using my list to keep me on target, and it shows.  Not necessarily in my home, but in my heart and mind. And for me that is more important than what my house looks like.  Here are some things that I plan to do:

• Spend time with my creator
• Study the WORD
• Memorize scripture
• WORK off that list

As you can see there isn’t much on the list of things I plan to do, but GOD is first and center, and I think that is where my problem lies, I just have been lazy lately and haven’t taken  the time I need to spend  with God, and I am feeling the effects. 

There is so many uncertainties in my life at the moment, and I believe they have fueled this problem.  I have a hard time staying focused on one thing, or accomplishing any project that I tackle. However, I am reminded in Proverbs 3:5-6…..”Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understandings, In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” 

I know we all feel discontent at times and that is when we really need the support of our fellow Christians, to support and encourage us through, so that  Satan doesn’t get a strong hold on us and keep us from moving forward.  I hope you will remember me in prayer this week as I try to get myself back on track….. Thanks!

Hoping to get around to visit with you all later today or tomorrow.

Hugs,