Recently I was chatting with several friends about the spirit of discontent that appears to permeate every facet of twenty-first century society. One friend shared her grandchildren were encouraging their parents to divorce. There was no abnormal conflict between the Dad and Mom, so they began to probe why their children would make such a suggestion. Investigation yielded that several of their friend’s parents were divorced. Now on holidays they received many more gifts than they had when their parents were married! My friend’s children firmly confirmed that they intended to stay married and that they would continue in the established family gift-giving traditions. Regrettably, the inability of our culture to focus on and express gratitude for the present is prevalent. Such a worldview establishes the foundation for a lifestyle of discontentment.
Read MoreMaking A House A Home
ARE YOU CONTENT IN YOUR TESTS AND TRIALS?
As a college professor I have two primary responsibilities to my students; the first is to provide them with instruction in the subject matter content, and the second is to measure whether or not they have mastered it. Their subject matter mastery is usually measured in the form of a test—and it is always my desire that they will earn a high grade on it. I know, however, for it to be a valid measurement that the test must be difficult enough to align with their academic maturity—I do them no favors if it is too easy, and it is not a reliable measurement if it is too difficult.
Read More
SUMMER 2016--CONTENT OR DISCONTENT?
Developing a heart of contentment can be challenging even in the midst of the summer season when the living is supposed to be "easy”. Contentment is defined as “having an ease of mind or satisfaction.”[ Contentment, from a biblical perspective, is much more than mere satisfaction with life. For the Christian woman the dictionary definition of contentment merely reflects the outward manifestations of an individual’s deep, inner convictions. Drawn from the Greek word arkeo, contentment primarily signifies sufficiency or satisfaction. Scripture teaches that godliness with contentment is great gain (Ps. 37:16; 1 Tim. 6:6), God’s promises should lead to contentment (Heb. 13:5), and those who seek contentment from money are never satisfied (Eccles. 5:10). Believers are instructed to exhibit contentment in their callings (1 Cor. 7:20), with their wages (Luke 3:14), with their possessions (Heb. 13:5), and with the food and raiment one has (1 Tim. 6:8). Would you like to reflect back on this summer as one that reflects that application of 1 Timothy 6:6 which teaches that “there is great gain in godliness with contentment”? Perhaps the following strategies will assist in fulfilling that desire.
Read More
CHOOSING CONTENTMENT BY CULTIVATING A DILIGENT HEART
The month of February offers a cafeteria plan of emotions—from blessing to boredom the menu items are endless. Consider our options as women. We can be encouraged because we are making progress on the goals we set for the new or discouraged because it appears that we regress more than move forward. The quiet and solitude of the winter landscape can be enjoyed or the fact that “the Groundhog” saw his shadow may propel us to despair because it appears that winter will last forever. The “season of love” spanning February 1 to 14 can be delightful or disappointing. What we place on our emotional plate is largely determined by choosing emotions that produce contentment.
Read MoreWHAT ARE YOU THINKING?
“Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.”
Proverbs 4:23
If we are going to create a peaceful home ambiance we must monitor what we think. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us that we are to be careful about what we think because it will affect everything that we do.This is especially true in the management of our homes.
Read MoreI WILL LIKE . . . VIGNETTES OF WOMEN WHOSE LEGACIES IMPACT THE 21ST CENTURY HOME
The silence deepened in the already attentive class as the young widow, with tears gently flowing down her cheeks, raised her hand and asked if she might share a thought with the students. A native of West Africa, she traveled from her homeland to pursue professional training as a Home Economics teacher so she could support her elementary-aged son. Her youngest brother, comparable in age to her son, also made the journey with them. She was the guardian of both boys.
Read More