I have written a few articles for Associated Content/Yahoo Contributor Network
over the past few years. Since Yahoo is shutting down the business entity at the
end of the month, I am re-publishing a few pertinent pieces here.
Reflections on the Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs (July 2012)
The way to contentment is complete satisfaction in Christ and the things of God. To be mindful of the things of the Kingdom of Heaven and not be consumed by the cares of this world is a daily battle. One must think of 2 Corinthians 10:5 and diligently seek to live this out: "we are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ."
Contentment involves drawing strength from Christ through afflictions and burdens, and even everyday life. A good, steady temper in the heart produces the fruit of contentment. Depending upon circumstances and "creatures" for contentment is a miserable condition. True Christian contentment involves the stripping away of desires, whether worldly or "godly ambitions." Desires may grow from seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, but Matthew 6:33 must be the chief desire of a man or woman who desires to live a godly life in Christ Jesus. This results in a greater trust in Christ, and obedience - when the love of God becomes your sole desire.
Many times in scripture, God chastises those who murmur against His providence. Since not a sparrow falls dead to the ground apart from His knowledge, it is proper to say that all things are from the hand of God. Ecclesiastes 7:14 says, "In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: has God not set one against the other..." Children of Israel in the wilderness did not understand this important lesson. God said to them: "The curses shall pursue you and they shall be on you for a sign, and a wonder, and on your head forever: because you did not serve the Lord you God with joyfulness and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things."
The way to contentment is to exercise faith, in not what can be seen, but in God's Holy Word. God is good. In Him there is no shadow or turning. Always make good interpretations of His ways towards you if you love Him and are called according to His purpose.
Crosses and afflictions and repining, as well as sins like pride and coveting can cause a great deal of discontentment. The way to contentment when one meets with any cross is to open the heart to God in prayer, and like His faithful servant David, walk away rejoicing.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Being a Supportive Wife During Hard Financial Times
I have written a few articles for Associated Content/Yahoo Contributor Network over the past few years. Since Yahoo is shutting down the business entity at the end of the month, I am re-publishing the pieces related to womanhood here.
Being a Supportive Wife During Hard Financial Times:
Musings and Lessons Learned from Washington Irving's "The Wife" (December 2010)
In "The Wife", a short story written by Washington Irving (1783-1859), the narrator's friend is fraught with agony over telling his wife about the financial losses he has suffered. The following article consists of musings inspired by "The Wife".
I recently came across a story written by Washington Irving (1783-1859) titled The Wife. Irving is best known for his short stories, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle. Although I had not read those stories in years, I remember them as being frightening and satirical, respectively. Imagine my surprise when I sat down to read The Wife, a moving, inspiring, and heart-felt story. The following article consists of musings inspired by The Wife.
Make Dollars Stretch. Everyone at some point has heard a tale of women of who made meals out of nothing, like the Frontier women of old that did not shrink from adversity but rose to be a husband's strongest ally and comforter. I once read of a wife in the Depression-era Ozark Mountains of Missouri that made do with soups of wild herbs.
Money fights and money problems are among the top reasons frequently cited for divorce today. There are so many jewels in prose of The Wife about the nature of trust and love. The narrator's friend is fraught with agony over telling his wife about the financial losses he has suffered. Whether one is a long-time married man who has endured financial storms or a young man hoping and praying that he does not marry the next "Real Housewife" of so-and-so or Peggy Bundy (for the old school readers), The Wife seems like it could be an encouraging read for men.
"...so is it beautifully ordered by Providence, that woman, who is the mere dependent and ornament of man in his happier hours, should be his stay and solace when smitten with sudden calamity; winding herself into the rugged recesses of his nature, tenderly supporting the drooping head, and binding up the broken heart."
The above excerpt is from The Wife. All things considered, I was still bristled by the "mere dependent and ornament of man" phrase until I thought deeper about it. Some ornaments, while dazzling and beautiful, when put under pressure, become nothing more than shattered glass. Yet others can withstand pressure because they are composed of something else entirely.
Make Your Dwelling Place a Home. What makes a home is not elegant china patterns, the newest furniture, or a Martha Stewart dinner spread, but the spirit of honor bestowed upon family and guests. It is making people feel as if they do exist, and matter, when they walk through that door. In the same vein, it does not take a lot of money to make home-cooked meals and have a clean house. Proverbs 14:1 says "the wise woman builds her home, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands."
From The Wife: "There is in every true woman's heart a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity; but which kindles up, and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity. No man knows what the wife of his bosom is- no man knows what a ministering angel she is- until he has gone with her through the fiery trials of this world."
Though I am presently unmarried, I am preparing for marriage in the case that God has set apart for me a husband, in whom I would highly esteem. Among other initiatives, I am learning to budget my finances while conquering the wiles of covetousness and discontentment. I would love to be a stay-at-home mom. For now, I work diligently and faithfully in my present duties.
I find it helpful to read blogs on homemaking and books on keeping house, such as Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House by Cheryl Mendelson. My Grandmother recently told me that she was storing five months of food for the winter months. I thought to myself "that's so cool!" She maintains a vegetable garden, stocks her cupboards with food, and keeps a deep freezer full of meat given to her from a relative who fishes and hunts wild game. No cat food for her! Every time I call her she always seems to be returning from taking someone a home-cooked meal.
There are so many women, both young and old who have shared with me valuable concepts on maintaining a well-oiled home. I shall consider their ways and be wise. To me, the heart of The Wife relates to what Apostle Paul said in his letter to the church at Phillipi:
"Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him [Christ Jesus] who strengthens me"
Sources:
The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon."The Wife" by Washington Irving, 1820; full text: http://www.textfiles.com/etext/AUTHORS/IRVING/irving-wife-596.txt
The Bible (NASB)
Being a Supportive Wife During Hard Financial Times:
Musings and Lessons Learned from Washington Irving's "The Wife" (December 2010)
In "The Wife", a short story written by Washington Irving (1783-1859), the narrator's friend is fraught with agony over telling his wife about the financial losses he has suffered. The following article consists of musings inspired by "The Wife".
I recently came across a story written by Washington Irving (1783-1859) titled The Wife. Irving is best known for his short stories, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle. Although I had not read those stories in years, I remember them as being frightening and satirical, respectively. Imagine my surprise when I sat down to read The Wife, a moving, inspiring, and heart-felt story. The following article consists of musings inspired by The Wife.
Make Dollars Stretch. Everyone at some point has heard a tale of women of who made meals out of nothing, like the Frontier women of old that did not shrink from adversity but rose to be a husband's strongest ally and comforter. I once read of a wife in the Depression-era Ozark Mountains of Missouri that made do with soups of wild herbs.
Money fights and money problems are among the top reasons frequently cited for divorce today. There are so many jewels in prose of The Wife about the nature of trust and love. The narrator's friend is fraught with agony over telling his wife about the financial losses he has suffered. Whether one is a long-time married man who has endured financial storms or a young man hoping and praying that he does not marry the next "Real Housewife" of so-and-so or Peggy Bundy (for the old school readers), The Wife seems like it could be an encouraging read for men.
"...so is it beautifully ordered by Providence, that woman, who is the mere dependent and ornament of man in his happier hours, should be his stay and solace when smitten with sudden calamity; winding herself into the rugged recesses of his nature, tenderly supporting the drooping head, and binding up the broken heart."
The above excerpt is from The Wife. All things considered, I was still bristled by the "mere dependent and ornament of man" phrase until I thought deeper about it. Some ornaments, while dazzling and beautiful, when put under pressure, become nothing more than shattered glass. Yet others can withstand pressure because they are composed of something else entirely.
Make Your Dwelling Place a Home. What makes a home is not elegant china patterns, the newest furniture, or a Martha Stewart dinner spread, but the spirit of honor bestowed upon family and guests. It is making people feel as if they do exist, and matter, when they walk through that door. In the same vein, it does not take a lot of money to make home-cooked meals and have a clean house. Proverbs 14:1 says "the wise woman builds her home, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands."
From The Wife: "There is in every true woman's heart a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity; but which kindles up, and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity. No man knows what the wife of his bosom is- no man knows what a ministering angel she is- until he has gone with her through the fiery trials of this world."
Though I am presently unmarried, I am preparing for marriage in the case that God has set apart for me a husband, in whom I would highly esteem. Among other initiatives, I am learning to budget my finances while conquering the wiles of covetousness and discontentment. I would love to be a stay-at-home mom. For now, I work diligently and faithfully in my present duties.
I find it helpful to read blogs on homemaking and books on keeping house, such as Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House by Cheryl Mendelson. My Grandmother recently told me that she was storing five months of food for the winter months. I thought to myself "that's so cool!" She maintains a vegetable garden, stocks her cupboards with food, and keeps a deep freezer full of meat given to her from a relative who fishes and hunts wild game. No cat food for her! Every time I call her she always seems to be returning from taking someone a home-cooked meal.
There are so many women, both young and old who have shared with me valuable concepts on maintaining a well-oiled home. I shall consider their ways and be wise. To me, the heart of The Wife relates to what Apostle Paul said in his letter to the church at Phillipi:
"Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him [Christ Jesus] who strengthens me"
Sources:
The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon."The Wife" by Washington Irving, 1820; full text: http://www.textfiles.com/etext/AUTHORS/IRVING/irving-wife-596.txt
The Bible (NASB)
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