Comments on: The Secret of Contentment http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/04/21/the-secret-of-contentment/ with Mart De Haan and Friends Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:00:49 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: daisymarygoldr http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/04/21/the-secret-of-contentment/#comment-651 daisymarygoldr Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:09:14 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/04/21/the-secret-of-contentment/#comment-651 Contentment in a Christians’ life is not about the material stuff or the circumstances. When we accept Christ, we don’t cease to be Human nor are we transformed into superhuman beings. We continue in this world as needy creatures and will have numerous desires which God loves to fulfill. Depriving ourselves of the wonderful things that God wants us to enjoy is also not going to help. Therefore, like Paul we learn to be content ‘in’ every situation though we may not be content ‘with’ our circumstances or our material needs. We ought to be always thankful whether we ‘have’ or we don’t. This is achieved by knowing God (I Timothy 6:6) and learning to trust Him for everything! Contentment in a Christians’ life is not about the material stuff or the circumstances. When we accept Christ, we don’t cease to be Human nor are we transformed into superhuman beings. We continue in this world as needy creatures and will have numerous desires which God loves to fulfill. Depriving ourselves of the wonderful things that God wants us to enjoy is also not going to help. Therefore, like Paul we learn to be content ‘in’ every situation though we may not be content ‘with’ our circumstances or our material needs. We ought to be always thankful whether we ‘have’ or we don’t. This is achieved by knowing God (I Timothy 6:6) and learning to trust Him for everything!

]]> By: r elliott http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/04/21/the-secret-of-contentment/#comment-642 r elliott Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:40:57 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/04/21/the-secret-of-contentment/#comment-642 Hi, Everyone...I especially appreciate B. Murphy's comments. In its simplicity, it is poignant and very vibrant. And...I am grateful for this very timely forum on contentment. I am striving to practice it daily and failing, at times, then getting refocused again. I share B. Murphy's values of living out of debt and not having to go to a job which I don't like. I just returned from a beautiful trip to Kauai with my mother and brother. There, I did not drive or take my cellphone. I spent alot of quiet time with God and was reconnected with these spiritual and economic goals. Hi, Everyone…I especially appreciate B. Murphy’s comments. In its simplicity, it is poignant and very vibrant. And…I am grateful for this very timely forum on contentment. I am striving to practice it daily and failing, at times, then getting refocused again. I share B. Murphy’s values of living out of debt and not having to go to a job which I don’t like. I just returned from a beautiful trip to Kauai with my mother and brother. There, I did not drive or take my cellphone. I spent alot of quiet time with God and was reconnected with these spiritual and economic goals.

]]> By: Mart De Haan http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/04/21/the-secret-of-contentment/#comment-640 Mart De Haan Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:01:45 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/04/21/the-secret-of-contentment/#comment-640 Thanks so much for your thoughts. I hope some of the rest of us will share some of the struggles and insights-- depending on where we are... Thanks so much for your thoughts. I hope some of the rest of us will share some of the struggles and insights– depending on where we are…

]]> By: Gale L. Jarvis http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/04/21/the-secret-of-contentment/#comment-638 Gale L. Jarvis Mon, 21 Apr 2008 11:58:57 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/04/21/the-secret-of-contentment/#comment-638 Good Morning everyone, Mart I believe this is such an important subject, as nearly every thing else you bring up for others to think about is. I agree with hal.fshr, contentment must be learned from a desire to be content, and then asking the Holy Spirit for guidance in how to be content in the things in life i need to be content with. The word ( ask ) has been so important to me over the years, the Holy Spirit desires for me to learn how to trust, lean on, rely on Him more and more, and me continually asking for help and recieving it has given me more contentment than i can ever explain. Contentment comes in many packages, not just material things. Good Morning everyone, Mart I believe this is such an important subject, as nearly every thing else you bring up for others to think about is.
I agree with hal.fshr, contentment must be learned from a desire to be content, and then asking the Holy Spirit for guidance in how to be content in the things in life i need to be content with.
The word ( ask ) has been so important to me over the years, the Holy Spirit desires for me to learn how to trust, lean on, rely on Him more and more, and me continually asking for help and recieving it has given me more contentment than i can ever explain.
Contentment comes in many packages, not just material things.

]]> By: B Murphy http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/04/21/the-secret-of-contentment/#comment-637 B Murphy Mon, 21 Apr 2008 11:54:07 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/04/21/the-secret-of-contentment/#comment-637 Thank you for this opportunity to share my most heartfelt belief. Be content with what you have but never with what you are. This is a note I wrote to myself when I was sixteen years old. By Gods grace I have counted my wealth in my love for the Lord, family, friends, and community. Some of the richest people I have known had no money. Some of the poorest people I have known had wealth beyond my imagination. God blessed me with a husband who shares my obsession with contentment. We live each day in wonder and awe surrounded by the gifts our Lord has bestowed on us. We have committed ourselves to being debt free and healthy. We have not kept up with the styles and drove new cars. The blessing is that we are not working jobs we hate to pay bills. I find it difficult to go to lunch with my fiends because I eat such a counter cultural diet. The blessing is that we do not get sick. This didn’t come about by sheer grace. God tested us and taught us that we are weak. In our surrender, He came and gave us His strength. I encourage everyone to stop shopping and read the Bible. I encourage everyone to realize that our bodies are the temple of God and treat it as such. Just as the Trinity is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, so are we body, mind, and soul. When all three are in harmony true wealth that only Lord can provide will fill your days. Thank you for this opportunity to share my most heartfelt belief.

Be content with what you have but never with what you are. This is a note I wrote to myself when I was sixteen years old. By Gods grace I have counted my wealth in my love for the Lord, family, friends, and community. Some of the richest people I have known had no money. Some of the poorest people I have known had wealth beyond my imagination. God blessed me with a husband who shares my obsession with contentment. We live each day in wonder and awe surrounded by the gifts our Lord has bestowed on us.

We have committed ourselves to being debt free and healthy. We have not kept up with the styles and drove new cars. The blessing is that we are not working jobs we hate to pay bills. I find it difficult to go to lunch with my fiends because I eat such a counter cultural diet. The blessing is that we do not get sick.

This didn’t come about by sheer grace. God tested us and taught us that we are weak. In our surrender, He came and gave us His strength. I encourage everyone to stop shopping and read the Bible. I encourage everyone to realize that our bodies are the temple of God and treat it as such. Just as the Trinity is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, so are we body, mind, and soul. When all three are in harmony true wealth that only Lord can provide will fill your days.

]]> By: hal.fshr http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/04/21/the-secret-of-contentment/#comment-636 hal.fshr Mon, 21 Apr 2008 11:02:18 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/04/21/the-secret-of-contentment/#comment-636 I found the insights on contentment especially helpful this morning. A quick look at a commentary gave this additional insight. “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Phil. 4:11).The words “have learned” are in a construction which speaks of entrance into a new condition. Paul had not always known that. He may have been reared in the lap of luxury, and had not known want as a young man. - Adapted from Wuest Word Studies I found the insights on contentment especially helpful this morning. A quick look at a commentary gave this additional insight. “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Phil. 4:11).The words “have learned” are in a construction which speaks of entrance into a new condition. Paul had not always known that. He may have been reared in the lap of luxury, and had not known want as a young man. – Adapted from Wuest Word Studies

]]> By: brownsfan1642 http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/04/21/the-secret-of-contentment/#comment-635 brownsfan1642 Mon, 21 Apr 2008 10:44:13 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/2008/04/21/the-secret-of-contentment/#comment-635 I would suggest that, on the point, "put a price on it," we could also say, "understand the value of it." Cost and worth are not always pure equals, and if our thinking can go to something's worth, it could help us in this area. I would suggest that, on the point, “put a price on it,” we could also say, “understand the value of it.” Cost and worth are not always pure equals, and if our thinking can go to something’s worth, it could help us in this area.

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