September 23, 2004

Devotional guides to help strengthen your walk in Christ

September 23, 2004

Postby Rev. Doc » Thu Sep 23, 2004 7:34 am

Contentment

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."
Philippians 4:11

We usually think that if we had more we would have more contentment. But, that is not always the case.

Philip Parham tells the story of a rich industrialist who was disturbed to find a fisherman sitting lazily beside his boat. "Why aren't you out there fishing?" he asked.

"Because I've caught enough fish for today," said the fisherman.
"Why don't you catch more fish than you need?' the rich man asked.
"What would I do with them?"
"You could earn more money," came the impatient reply, "and buy a better boat so you could go deeper and catch more fish. You could purchase nylon nets, catch even more fish, and make more money. Soon you'd have a fleet of boats and be rich like me."

The fisherman asked, "Then what would I do?"
"You could sit down and enjoy life," said the industrialist.
"What do you think I'm doing now?" the fisherman replied as he looked placidly out to sea.

Prayer: Ask God to help you find contentment in life, regardless of your circumstances.

"Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor."
~Benjamin Franklin.
"The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending, then having the two as close together as possible."
~George Burns
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Postby Mr. SmartyPants » Thu Sep 23, 2004 4:58 pm

"You could sit down and enjoy life," said the industrialist.
"What do you think I'm doing now?" the fisherman replied as he looked placidly out to sea.


those lines were really awesome. It was touching
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Postby Staci » Thu Sep 23, 2004 5:02 pm

Just one word... AMEN!

Thanks Rev. Doc, I really needed to hear this one today. *~_~*
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Postby true_noir_chloe » Thu Sep 23, 2004 9:43 pm

^____^

[size=84][color=seagreen]YOU SEE


You see into the deepest part of me ---

beyond the fog I hide behind.

You cast your light upon the shadows

that stretch like cobwebs in my mind.

You ease the pain when I am hurting,

and morbid visions from my past

pierce into the realm of Reason

as though I danced on blades of glass.

You grant me strength when I have fallen

and, once again, I've lost my way.

You take my hand in Yours and lead me

into the promise of a brand new day.

You bring order to all my chaos,

yet set my well-laid plans awry.

You place me on a firm foundation ---

then give me wings so I can fly.

You sand away my roughened edges

and polish all the dullest parts

until I stand before Your presence...

a newly-sculpted work of art.

You see into the heart within me,

right through my motives and selfish will.

And yet, in spite of all You see

You say You love me even still.


~by D.M.~

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