We've all heard it before:
I'm not actually sure I've ever heard it spoken with a sincere attitude; usually it's shortened to 'The grass is greener..!' and said with a slight hint of banter and a half eye-roll (oh, and don't forget the shrug)."The grass is always greener on the other side."
...a disposition of the heart that freely and joyfully submits to God's will, whatever that will may be. (p. 28)First, we are taught that we must address our heart if we want to be content. Mere self-denial is not enough to breed contentment:
I imagine that Saint Benedict encountered many discontent monks who were absolutely dying for a piece of bacon. (p. 29)Second, we are given a great example of how freely and joyfully submitting to God's will is very important:
Dentist appointments are a part of life that I tolerate. I know dentists are good for me, but I really don't like going to the dentist.Third, we cannot choose when we shall be content:
Often we treat God like some sort of divine dentist. We know, at least in theory, that he is good and that all he does is good. We know from Romans 8:28 that God works all things for the good of those who love him. But when life starts to get rough, we adopt a "grin and bear it" attitude. We know that somehow God will work everything for good, but in the meantime we're going to climb into our bunker and prepare for whatever bombs God is going to drop. This is not biblical, God-honoring contentment. (p. 31)
We don't experience a breeze or backache that hasn't first been ordained by God for our good and his glory. (p. 32)
...for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. (Philippians 4:11) (p. 29)So in understanding contentment, we must know that mere self-denial, tolerating trials, and choosing when to be content are not going to cut it.
Complaining...[is] a slap in the face of God. (p. 103)
We're saying that God hasn't been good to us, that he's not so kind after all. We're telling a lie about God. That's why complaining is so wicked. (p. 104)
Call the defendant to the stand. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
The accused is charged with the following crimes: dangerous neglect of family, failure to give child support, and family abandonment. This person is a deadbeat and a menace to society. He needs to be taken off the streets and locked up until he can get his act together. The name of the accused: God. (p. 106-107)
Complaining turns us into blasphemers. (p. 108)I will surely be re-reading this chapter many times to remind myself of the impact my complaining has on my view of God; especially what it communicates to others.
Just a few thoughts. Remember the cross today:
There is nothing that I or you could have done, had we lived at the time of Christ, to delay or accelerate the eternally-appointed moment when Christ would breathe his last breathe (sort of) and fall into the grave.
His physical body was completely destroyed. Every one of us would have been completely deserving had it been us on the cross.
The prophets of old told of this day, however most did not truly understand it.
He came to save us from the grave.
We praise his name and aim for his fame.
Happy Easter, Christ saved my keister!
No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.1 Cor 7:22
For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ.Matthew 25:21
His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’Romans 1:1
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,The Greek word that is referred to in these verses is (or a form of) douloß* (duolos) meaning: a slave, bondman, man of servile condition. Strong's Concordance further explains it as giving yourself up to another's will or interests.
Here is one resource I have been recommended to read by @Sola5Girl and @lunchboxsw (read a review here)
"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (ESV, emphasis in original manuscripts...or not)
The next installment in 'The Chronicles of Narnia goes to Hollywood' has been nearly confirmed - The Magician's Nephew is next!
and 
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