Godliness with contentment is great gain.
The Apostle Paul in his first letter to Timothy
In a sermon a few weeks back, I noted that we all want to be content. I also explored how illusive contentment is outside of a deepening relationship with God. In this Atlantic Monthly article, the author notes that Americans have much larger (and nicer homes) than fifty years ago, but “home happiness” is flat. In this article, Gary Thomas reflects on how many blessings we take for granted – such as a bed. By the way, being thankful isn’t just a good idea, it’s a command: “Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess. 5:18).
Listening to Our Prayers: What do you pray for? And what does that tell you about your heart? If your deepest desires are not principally for more of God, then what we are asking for is something we esteem more highly than Him. And that is called idolatry.
Caution: One of the easiest times to sin is when we are sinned against – e.g., it is challenging to be around hateful people and not hate and it is hard to be around toxic people and not get angry. (As an aside, toxic people are almost always better at being toxic than we are at being wise and loving). My point is, we never feel more justified doing evil than when we are self-righteously confronting evil.
What is a Father? The joke is, a Dad is a man who carries a pictures of his children in his billfold, right next to where his money used to be. While I am talking about Dads, happy Father’s Day to all the Dad’s out there. And you can click here to read Brad Wilcox’s recent testimony before congress on the importance of Fathers in the lives of their children.
The Prayer of Examen: Soren Kierkegaard once noted that “Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.” This poses a problem both for those who want to understand things before acting, and also for those who do not take the time to reflect on the past. The historical solution for the second point has been called the Prayer of Examen. It is often practiced at night by recollecting the activities, conversations, encounters, and emotions of the day. By replaying these events in our mind – under the direction of the Holy Spirit – we can grow to understand ourselves more fully, and also to grow. You can click here for a brief article on the Prayer of Examen.
Money or Mammon?: When does money become more than money? Tim Keller suggests it has an unhealthy grip on our heart if: 1) We cannot give large amounts of it away; 2) we get scared if you might have less than we’re accustomed to having; 3) we see people who are doing better than us — even though we may have worked harder or might be a better person — and it gets under our skin. If any of these are true, money is no longer just a tool; it has become the scorecard. He also notes that no matter how much money you have — though it’s not intrinsically evil – money has incredible power to keep you from God.
This Year’s Rolling Stones Concert is Sponsored By …: If you take in a Stones concert this summer, expect to hear commercials about managing your retirement income. The sole sponsor of this year’s tour is The Alliance for Lifetime Income. It makes sense, after all, Mick and Keith are both 75. (It all makes one wonder, will they still be touring when they are 80?)
Character’s Comeback: Leaders across the ideological spectrum agree we need more “character formation.” If you read between the lines you realize that there is less alignment over what constitutes character than we might like, but most everyone agrees that the weakening of traditional institutions and a culture that promotes me > we and pleasure > purpose is not doing a great job of promoting moral wisdom.
Quotes Worth ReQuoting:
- If your conception of God is radically false, the more devout you are, the worse it will be for you, better you be an atheist. William Temple
- It is our option to look to the greatness and goodness of God and what He will do in our lives. Peace is the assurance that things will turn out well. We no longer strive, inwardly or outwardly, to create some outcome. To be at peace with God and others is a great attainment and depends on graces far beyond ourselves and our own efforts. Even in cases where struggle exists between others and me, there does not have to be a struggle within me. I may have to resist others, but I do not have to make things come out right. I do not have to be mad at those whose course of action I resist. Dallas Willard
Closing Prayer: Lord, you know those who are sore stricken and heavy of heart. As their days, so let their strength be. Heal the sick, comfort the weary, succor the tempted, give peace to the dying and light at eventide. Watch over us who are still in our dangerous voyage, and remember such as lie exposed to the rough storms of trouble and temptations. Frail is our vessel, and the ocean is wide; but as in your mercy you have set our course, so steer the vessel of our life toward the everlasting shore of peace, and bring us at length to the quiet haven of our heart’s desire, where you, O our God, are blessed, and live and reign for ever and ever. [Amen.] -Augustine (354-430)