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"When you're feeling so blue that no sunshine breaks through and you haven't the ghost of a smile, just hunt up a few who are bluer than you, and try cheering them for a while." -- Russ Sharpe
ARE YOU REALLY HAPPY?
October 14 , 2018
Dr. Joe Pettigrew
“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.”
Philippians 4:11
We’ve heard the stories:
A man leaves his wife of many years for a woman he has met at work—disorienting and disillusioning his family.
A woman turns from her husband, opting for the man she connected with online, leaving her family heartbroken and bewildered.
A couple, longtime pillars of their local church, suddenly bolt to join a new fellowship that just opened its doors—prompting their home church of many
years to wonder what went wrong.
A family is ripped from its community—their friends, their schools, their church—when an unexpected job change demands relocation.
What these stories have in common are displacement and disruption. And circumstances like these can easily and understandably lead to discontentment. We’re
troubled with the way our stories have unfolded, unhappy with the life we know. Things weren’t supposed to be this way.
The apostle Paul had every reason to be discontent. He endured shipwrecks, beatings, whippings, being stoned, going without food and drink, being betrayed
and being cold and sleepless. And undoubtedly he did struggle with discontentment. But the apostle wrote, “I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.” With God’s help, this is something we can develop
by treasuring our good gifts no matter the circumstances.
Even in our most difficult times, we can find things to be thankful for. It takes practice to think about what is pure and lovely when confronted with corruption
and ugliness.
Thought of the Day: Because of what God has provided, you can be content with the good in your hard situations. May you rest in Him as you pray for His
kingdom to come.
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DO WE REALLY NEED ALL THIS?
December 30 , 2018
Dr. Joe Pettigrew
“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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 all this through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:11-13
“Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure
in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Luke 12:33-34
The presents have all been purchased, wrapped, given and many have even been returned. Most homes have stuff everywhere. Think what you received and what
you gave this Christmas. Think what your children and grandchildren received this Christmas.
As much as I would like to point the finger of blame toward everyone else, my wife and I were as much a part of the problem as anyone. Yes, our children
and grandchildren were showered with gifts as we showed our love by providing more toys and books and art supplies and clothes than they could ever use. We were guilty of filling our home and theirs to the brim with really
nice stuff that none of us needed.
A simple trip to Target would inevitably result in a cute toy or a limited edition pair of rain boots from the latest designer-inspired line. We could barely
open the internet without finding just one more present, one more gift, one more “happy" for someone.
Finally, we woke up and realized that we were literally drowning in stuff. Our family may be different from yours, but I doubt it. Is it time to start a
mission to purge the chaos in our life and start getting rid of all the excess stuff we have accumulated?
I realize your home is not filled with junk; it’s filled to the brim with really nice stuff. The question is, do we really need all of it. Could others
use our excess? It’s easy to purge things that are broken or damaged or old or junky, but it is a lot harder to justify eliminating things that are still useful or valuable. It seems so wasteful.
Thought of the Day: Have you filled your home and your life with stuff? Why not be an example to your children and friends by making your life more simple
this next year.
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