Contentment: Good For the Soul and Evidence of Trust

Last night I was blessed to hear a fantastic talk about contentment by a dear friend, mentor, and sister in Christ. Mary Tomlinson, speaker, consultant, and president of On-Purpose Partners, reminded us of five pillars of contentment*:

(1) Devoting time with family and friends
(2) Appreciating what we have
(3) Cultivating optimism
(4) Feeling a sense of purpose
(5) Living in the moment

She reminded us that abundant living is about relationships rather than things or accomplishments. She encouraged us to practice gratitude daily, learning to count our blessings rather than our struggles. And she shared that we will grow in contentment as we learn to trust God.

Here are a few verses on contentment that are worth pondering:

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" (Hebrews 13:5)

"But godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6:6)

"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 everything through Him who gives me strength." (Written by the apostle Paul from prison, Philippians 4:12,13)

If Paul learned to be content whether he was free or behind bars, there is hope for all of us! If we derive all strength from our fragile souls, we are doomed. But if we seek and rely on God as our rock, we will discover His sufficiency, sovereignty, and faithfulness. His love endures forever. As we know God more, we learn that we can trust Him, and we experience a peace that helps us stand in overwhelming circumstances.

As we learn to trust our Creator we discover the joy of contentment. Although we may not have arrived there fully, once we experience this exchange, the relationship helps us to trust again during the next challenge.

May we all learn, like Paul, to trust God in every circumstance and live for Him.

Trusting Him and, thus, content,
Dr Mari

For more ways to grow in contentment, read Living in the Moment. To find out more about Mary Tomlinson and her work to help individuals and organizations identify and pursue their purpose, visit www.onpurposebusiness.com/marytomlinson.

* From the Mayo Clinic's How to be Happy: Tips for Cultivating Contentment.

Covenant Prayer by John Wesley

I was reminded of this powerful prayer of surrender today while learning from Adam Hamilton's book and video journey, 24 Hours That Changed the World. During this season of Lent, I invite you to pray these words of John Wesley every day.

Covenant Prayer by John Wesley

I am no longer my own, but Thine.
Put me to what Thou wilt, rank me with whom Thou wilt;
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by Thee or laid aside for Thee,
exalted for Thee or brought low by Thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to Thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, 

Thou art mine, and I am Thine. 

So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven.  

Amen.

Let Faith Arise!

For all those going through tough times right now... Chris Tomlin's song I Lift My Hands reminds us to let faith arise!

There is a Healer. Lift up your hands.

Let faith arise!
Dr Mari

Click here to listen to his song.

Truth for Today: The Light of the World

"There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 

He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, 

so that through him all men might believe. 

He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 

The true light that gives light to every man 

was coming into the world." 

 (John 1:6-9, emphasis added)

^{How curious that John described Jesus as light. His birth was announced by a bright star, and the book of Revelation, the very end of the Biblical account, refers to Jesus as the bright Morning Star.}

<sup>Without light, we walk in darkness, we stumble and fall. Yet, the psalmist proclaims, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (Psalm 119:105)

Jesus, the Word made flesh, the Logos, is also the light of the world.

What lights the way on your path?

In Him, 
Dr Mari

For the first article in this series, visit Truth for Today: Introducing a New Segment.</sup> 

Dr Mari's Health & Hope Corner - February 2012

In this month's Health & Hope Corner, Children: Our Hope for Tomorrow, I share about a nine year-old with a big heart. After a disappointing injury, he could have stayed home feeling sorry for himself. Instead, he chose to rise above it, finding ways to encourage others and learn during his recovery.

This young man's maturity, optimism, and positive attitude in facing adversity remind me of Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Visit Hope Matters for the full article.

Truth for Today: Introducing a New Segment

"In the beginning was the Word, 

and the Word was with God, 

and the Word was God. 

He was with God in the beginning. 

Through Him all things were made; 

without Him nothing was made that has been made. 

In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. 

The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." 

(John 1:1-5) 

Jesus: The Light of the World.

John the evangelist opened the Gospel he was inspired to write with these five verses. Referring to Jesus as the Logos, the Word made flesh, John reminds us that Jesus - the Son of God - the second Person of the Trinity, was present since the beginning of the world. "Without Him, nothing was made that has been made." Nothing. He further calls Jesus (or, more accurately, the life in Jesus) the light of men.

John refers to "the Word" as "He," the same One whose "Be still!" calmed the seas and the winds, and whose word brought the dead back to life. The Word is God's Christ;
His name is Jesus.

Over the coming weeks, I will post segments from this Gospel with short reflections to help keep us focused throughout the day. I will keep them short so that we can spend more time re-reading and meditating on God's Word.
May this Truth for Today bless you.

In Him,
Dr Mari

Inspiration from a 7 Year-Old

These beautiful words came straight from the heart and hand of a seven year-old who loves and serves the Lord. May they bless you as much as they've blessed me.

The Trees of the Lord's Fruit

"The Lord is saying today to us, 'I will come again for the dead and the sick, the blind, mute or deaf.'

He will help the weak. He will help the poor. The Lord is with us today right now. He has sent the Holy Ghost to our hearts. He has come to heal. The weak will be in front of the strong. The Lord is grace and righteousness. We don't see Him but He's near. He's guiding us to tell about Him. God is love! (1st John 4:8)

We should  love the Lord like Mary. We should be faithful and stand up for what's right like Jesus. We should do things that are good when not asked to. We shouldn't cheat, steal or hurt other people. We should help the poor like Jesus."