OK, so the title got your attention and you’re wondering what right I have to ask such an audacious question. Before you rule out reading this article, let me say that I believe with all of my heart that teenagers have a real need for God in their life. They need God’s friendship, God’s power, God’s encouragement, and God’s comfort in their daily lives. There’s no question about it, we’re living in an era where teenagers who live life apart from God and His truth truly are hopeless.
The truth is that the reality that teenagers need God and how their lives are lived out in their families, their schools and their churches are at complete opposites…and at times they really don’t have a need for God. Teenagers today have everything they could ever want. Long gone are the days where most teenagers have to work to buy their first car, let alone their clothes, their food, their video game stations), and their cell phones (with unlimited texting). Teenagers today receive a lot of handouts. Consequences for their actions are unheard of, and how dare we make our teenagers feel uncomfortable in a social setting. Giving everything to teenagers that they want isn’t encouraging students to have a “dependence” on God and a constant need in their life for His help.
I recently was at a gathering of junior high students and I was astonished at how many of them had their own cell phones (yes, 6th grade students were texting at this event). To be honest, I was bothered, irritated and curious as to why a junior high student has a need for a cell phone. Are they and their family so busy that the child has to have their own cell phones? I proceeded to ask several of these students who was paying the cell phone bill, and they told me that “mom and dad” were. How is paying for a junior high students cell phone encouraging them to “need God”? The more we give our children and the more needs they have that are met, the less likely they are to need God in their daily lives.
I recently was in one of our area high schools, and I was amazed at the amount of vehicles in the student parking lot. Some of these vehicles were brand new and nicer than most of the cars in the teacher parking lot. What ever happened to five or six year old cars with a few problems that teenagers inherit as their first car, and are responsible for maintaining these cars. Just because a family has the financial means to buy a reputable and classy car, is it necessarily the best for the teenager? How does it encourage students in their daily need for a higher power to direct them in their lives? Can’t they get along with a used car just as much as them have a new or close to new car?
Teenagers have very little needs (materially speaking) in their lives today. Their cars are nicer, they have all the latest gadgets, a lot of things are handed out to them, they have very little ownership in their possessions, and this translates to their interaction with the God of the universe. They have very little need for God and His activity in their lives. Everything is taken care of. Clothes on their backs, cars to drive, TV’s and computers in their rooms, any sport they want to play is granted, dance lessons, piano lessons, iPOD’s, and discretionary money often given to them by parents to spend as they see fit.
As a youth pastor, I’m serious about students developing a passionate relationship with Jesus Christ. In order for this to take place, their needs to be “gaps” or “needs” in their lives. When a teenager has everything they could ever want, is this necessarily right? Sometimes depriving a student from life’s luxuries produces dependence on other people and ultimately on God Himself (this is ultimately the message of the New Testament…living in community with people and with God).
Mandy and I have two small children, but when Logan (our oldest) is old enough to get his driver’s license, his first car will be a used car (not a jalopy, rather just a used car). He won’t have all the gadgets, and he’s going to have to have some ownership in some of his material possessions. This flows out of our desire for Logan to see that he needs God to meet His needs (materially, socially, emotionally, and spiritually). If mom and dad meet all of his material needs, where in the world will Logan sense in his own life that He needs God? We have a passion to see that Logan recognizes that God is the “giver of all good things” and that everything that He needs can be found in God Himself…not his parents, or his church, or his school’s athletic program, or his car or even his iPOD, but God Himself.
We’re living in a successful world, and each of us craves for success in every facet of our lives. I recently came across this great statement: “The greatest danger that success brings, aside from arrogance, is the fear to lose what has been gained.” May we who love teenagers and want the best for their lives (parents, coaches, youth leaders, community leaders) encourage students to have a “loose grip” on their earthly possessions, and encourage them at times to do without certain gadgets or material things. Moving in this direction will create a generation that is “content” with what they have, and encourage in their lives a need for God.
I hope I’ve stirred your thoughts and got you thinking!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Why Mandy and I Are Adopting from Africa
Part of my purpose in blogging is to write on matters pertaining to culture, spirituality and social justice. In regards to the last, I have to admit that God has really been stirring in my heart the need to be socially aware of the injustices that take place in our world. From slavery and prejudice to the sexual slave epidemic in Thailand and Vietnam, God has shown me that he detests injustices. In 2006, I took a group of high school students to Africa, and to make a long story short, God ruined my life (for the better). I thought that this would be another missions trip with a group of students but it turned out to be an experience that would rock my world. Upon my return from West Africa, I began to think about the impoverished people in our world on a daily basis. Every time I would pick up a knife and fork to eat, I would think about those who had nothing to eat. Every morning when I would get dressed, I would think about the people that I had seen who had nothing and lived on less than a $1.00 a day. It was during this time that God was calling Mandy and I to re-evaluate how we were living...and the question resonated inside me: Was their more of "us" that we could give over to "Him"?
I knew that God was calling me to do something tangible to help solve the myriad of problems that plague the great continent of Africa. Mandy and I were already sponsoring a child with Compassion International, but we felt that He was calling us to do more. We started to talk about the idea of adopting a child from Africa. The more we dreamed and talked about this idea, the more excited we became. We talked about it frequently, prayed about it and then decided to pursue an adoption from Africa.
We both were settled on Africa and we both wanted a little boy. We then pursued a variety of organizations that would help us achieve our dream of an international adoption. We were led to a great organization that only adopts orphans, America World (www.awaa.org). So, in December of 2007 we applied to adopt a little child from Ethiopia. We were then accepted into this program and are now at the stage where we're waiting for our "referral" (when we'll receive biological and a brief medical history of our child).
The more we move ahead in this process, the more we feel close to the heart of God and His mission for our lives. Since we embarked on this journey of adopting an orphan from Ethiopia, God has taught us so much as to how He views the underprivileged, specifically the orphans in our world. Our world is filled with orphans, and Ethiopia itself has hundreds of thousands of orphans. These children have been orphaned due to the parents being unable to feed their children, or the parents have died due to AIDS. I learned that God hates suffering, and wants for His followers to be agents of change and hope to these orphans.
As I read Isaiah 1:16-17 and then James 1:27 (and numerous other passages), I was reminded that true Christianity is when we care for the lonely, the widow, and the orphan. God is serious about the orphan dilemma and the more I read Scripture and see the heart of God, the more I realize how adopting an orphan fit into God's master plan for our lives. We now see that our purpose in adopting an oprhan is to ultimately come close to the heart of God (who aches for the lonely and abandoned).
In less than three months (fingers crossed), Mandy and I will board a plane and go pick up our new baby boy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. When we finally look into his eyes, the care and love that we've been given by our Lord Jesus will be given to this precious life. Isn't this what Christianity is all about...passing it on? Allowing the love of Jesus to become such a pivitol part of our lives that it starts to spread and move into the lives of other people.
Mandy and I have been called to adopt. This may or may not be your calling...but I assure you, you do have a calling. God wants you to remember His irrisistable love and bring that love into the lives of those around you. Yes, he wants you to enter the lives of other people in Jesus name. It's His mission for your life. How's that for purpose?
Go Live Life Large!!!
I knew that God was calling me to do something tangible to help solve the myriad of problems that plague the great continent of Africa. Mandy and I were already sponsoring a child with Compassion International, but we felt that He was calling us to do more. We started to talk about the idea of adopting a child from Africa. The more we dreamed and talked about this idea, the more excited we became. We talked about it frequently, prayed about it and then decided to pursue an adoption from Africa.
We both were settled on Africa and we both wanted a little boy. We then pursued a variety of organizations that would help us achieve our dream of an international adoption. We were led to a great organization that only adopts orphans, America World (www.awaa.org). So, in December of 2007 we applied to adopt a little child from Ethiopia. We were then accepted into this program and are now at the stage where we're waiting for our "referral" (when we'll receive biological and a brief medical history of our child).
The more we move ahead in this process, the more we feel close to the heart of God and His mission for our lives. Since we embarked on this journey of adopting an orphan from Ethiopia, God has taught us so much as to how He views the underprivileged, specifically the orphans in our world. Our world is filled with orphans, and Ethiopia itself has hundreds of thousands of orphans. These children have been orphaned due to the parents being unable to feed their children, or the parents have died due to AIDS. I learned that God hates suffering, and wants for His followers to be agents of change and hope to these orphans.
As I read Isaiah 1:16-17 and then James 1:27 (and numerous other passages), I was reminded that true Christianity is when we care for the lonely, the widow, and the orphan. God is serious about the orphan dilemma and the more I read Scripture and see the heart of God, the more I realize how adopting an orphan fit into God's master plan for our lives. We now see that our purpose in adopting an oprhan is to ultimately come close to the heart of God (who aches for the lonely and abandoned).
In less than three months (fingers crossed), Mandy and I will board a plane and go pick up our new baby boy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. When we finally look into his eyes, the care and love that we've been given by our Lord Jesus will be given to this precious life. Isn't this what Christianity is all about...passing it on? Allowing the love of Jesus to become such a pivitol part of our lives that it starts to spread and move into the lives of other people.
Mandy and I have been called to adopt. This may or may not be your calling...but I assure you, you do have a calling. God wants you to remember His irrisistable love and bring that love into the lives of those around you. Yes, he wants you to enter the lives of other people in Jesus name. It's His mission for your life. How's that for purpose?
Go Live Life Large!!!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Thoughts on Obama and Servanthood
The media is buzzing with Obama and tomorrow's inauguration. Hundreds of thousands of people will descend on Washington today and tomorrow to catch the festivities and hear President Obama's Inaugural Address. Today, Oprah, Dr. Phil and a few of the other over-paid television personalities talked about Obama and the invitation that he's given to Americans to step up to the plate of volunteerism. Obama has even appeared on prime time television spots asking Americans to step up and serve in their local communities. I have to ask myself...what is all the fuss about? Although Obama is calling us to a noble and good cause, is this really new? Is the invitation a fresh and new cause or is it an ancient calling?
Although I love the recent emphasis that Obama and America is placing on serving other people and volunteering in their community, I have to give credit where credit is due. Jesus is the One who has called humanity to this grand cause of servant hood and to give up our rights for the rights of other people. Jesus is the One who modeled selfless living in the eye of adversity and consistently made the mark of "true living" (Christianity) about self-sacrifice and service. If Jesus (and not Obama) called us to this lifestyle, our life ought to be one giant outpouring of love and service to those that need it the most.
I love to see people serve. There's nothing more exciting than serving another human being, but it's equally exciting when you watch a person in the act of servant hood. I saw this several years ago with a junior high student from our church. This student was walking out of the church on a Sunday with his father when he noticed the tires on a specific truck were bald. The son, recognizing the need and being moved to action, approached his father and said that he wanted to purchase four new tires for the owner of this vehicle. The smart father knowing that the owner of the truck didn't have a lot of money and wanting to foster servant hood in his soon helped his son purchase these four new tires. The junior high student picked up the tab on the tires. Now this is servant hood!
I see servant hood in the life of our missionaries who work with the denomination that I belong to (www.cmalliance.org). They are fearless, selfless and serve with very little recognition. Now this is servant hood. They move to foreign countries, learn a foreign language, become acquainted with a foreign culture (and they make very little money). This is servant hood.
I have some friends who live lives of servant hood. They live on 50% of their income while they give the other 50% away to Christ's Kingdom work. What selfless love. What sacrifice. They do this because they love. They do this because obedience and servant hood have become the anthem of their lives. Their servant hood is to be applauded.
I can't think of a better way to take up Christ's call to be servant's than to serve the poor, the oppressed, the hurting, the disenfranchised, the lonely, the widows, the orphans and the alienated. Our world is filled with a myriad of opportunities to serve the underprivileged and unfortunate. Our communities are loaded with opportunities to feed, touch, clothe and help the hurting. This is what Jesus wants. This is what Jesus requires.
Although I respect President-elect Obama's passionate plea for Americans to hold the mantle of servant hood, my mind goes back to the words of the Apostle Paul in Galations 5:13, "serve one another in love". Servant hood is empty and futile unless it is motivated by the love of Jesus Christ. Our hours of volunteering in our churches and communities have very little effect, unless they come from a deep desire to see people encounter the unconditional love of their Creator. Now this is servant hood. When we let go of our desire for trophies, recognition and accolades and instead do acts of service out of our love for Jesus and our fellow-man, individuals become changed, communities are changed and eventually our world will be changed. Make no mistake about it though, it starts with Jesus and His love and how this love can be spread through a simple act of service.
What about you? Do you have a neighbor that needs their driveway shoveled? Do you know of a widow that could use a dozen cookies along with some conversation? Do you have an extra $32.00 a month to sponsor a child through Compassion International (www.compassion.com)? What about offering that student who walks to school every day a ride? Don't complicate this and whatever you do, don't do nothing. Do something. Do it now!
Go Serve!!!
Although I love the recent emphasis that Obama and America is placing on serving other people and volunteering in their community, I have to give credit where credit is due. Jesus is the One who has called humanity to this grand cause of servant hood and to give up our rights for the rights of other people. Jesus is the One who modeled selfless living in the eye of adversity and consistently made the mark of "true living" (Christianity) about self-sacrifice and service. If Jesus (and not Obama) called us to this lifestyle, our life ought to be one giant outpouring of love and service to those that need it the most.
I love to see people serve. There's nothing more exciting than serving another human being, but it's equally exciting when you watch a person in the act of servant hood. I saw this several years ago with a junior high student from our church. This student was walking out of the church on a Sunday with his father when he noticed the tires on a specific truck were bald. The son, recognizing the need and being moved to action, approached his father and said that he wanted to purchase four new tires for the owner of this vehicle. The smart father knowing that the owner of the truck didn't have a lot of money and wanting to foster servant hood in his soon helped his son purchase these four new tires. The junior high student picked up the tab on the tires. Now this is servant hood!
I see servant hood in the life of our missionaries who work with the denomination that I belong to (www.cmalliance.org). They are fearless, selfless and serve with very little recognition. Now this is servant hood. They move to foreign countries, learn a foreign language, become acquainted with a foreign culture (and they make very little money). This is servant hood.
I have some friends who live lives of servant hood. They live on 50% of their income while they give the other 50% away to Christ's Kingdom work. What selfless love. What sacrifice. They do this because they love. They do this because obedience and servant hood have become the anthem of their lives. Their servant hood is to be applauded.
I can't think of a better way to take up Christ's call to be servant's than to serve the poor, the oppressed, the hurting, the disenfranchised, the lonely, the widows, the orphans and the alienated. Our world is filled with a myriad of opportunities to serve the underprivileged and unfortunate. Our communities are loaded with opportunities to feed, touch, clothe and help the hurting. This is what Jesus wants. This is what Jesus requires.
Although I respect President-elect Obama's passionate plea for Americans to hold the mantle of servant hood, my mind goes back to the words of the Apostle Paul in Galations 5:13, "serve one another in love". Servant hood is empty and futile unless it is motivated by the love of Jesus Christ. Our hours of volunteering in our churches and communities have very little effect, unless they come from a deep desire to see people encounter the unconditional love of their Creator. Now this is servant hood. When we let go of our desire for trophies, recognition and accolades and instead do acts of service out of our love for Jesus and our fellow-man, individuals become changed, communities are changed and eventually our world will be changed. Make no mistake about it though, it starts with Jesus and His love and how this love can be spread through a simple act of service.
What about you? Do you have a neighbor that needs their driveway shoveled? Do you know of a widow that could use a dozen cookies along with some conversation? Do you have an extra $32.00 a month to sponsor a child through Compassion International (www.compassion.com)? What about offering that student who walks to school every day a ride? Don't complicate this and whatever you do, don't do nothing. Do something. Do it now!
Go Serve!!!
Monday, January 12, 2009
My "Top 8" List (the positive one)
I can't stand being around negative people. They get me discouraged, bring morale down and they have a hard time seeing the positive things in life, even when God is working and life is full of blessings. Sometimes I find myself being negative. I'm quick to give a remark or comment without really thinking, or I'll make a comment about a situation or individual when I'm not really informed about what is going on. Negative people are draining. When I get around a negative person, I become tired. Literally, they drain me of energy and my ability to dream and ultimately be productive. The more I think about negative people, the more I realize how I don't want to be negative. I really don't want to be a negative person. So, I thought I'd write about things that I'm thankful for...the positive things in my life that come straight from the hand of God. Here's my "TOP 8" List (not necessarily in order of importance):
8.) I'm thankful for my home...plenty of space, big backyard, and 2 fireplaces (one of which I never use).
7.) I'm thankful for my church...a church that loves Jesus, worships with honesty, concerned about the world and the people really love each other.
6.) I'm thankful for the country of Ethiopia...where our new son will be adopted from in the next four months (fingers crossed)...a country also rich in heritage and in desperate need of attention and care from Jesus-followers.
5.) I'm thankful for my grill...it's been so good to me over the years.
4.) I'm thankful for Mandy, Logan and Landon...the 3 most important and beautiful people in my life...my life is rich because of them.
3.) I'm thankful for my small group...other couples that gather with me and Mandy for prayer, reflection, bible study and laughter, and incredible deviled eggs.
2.) My youth group...I love the high school students at our church. I love to see them become radical and passionate in expressing their faith. They are so awesome!!!
1.) My roast beef dinner I had tonight. It sounds minuscule, but I'm really thankful for it. Considering that over 1 billion people live on less than $1 a day (and thousands of children in our world died today due to hunger and malnutrition), I ate like a king tonight, and for this I'm truly grateful.
So, there's my "Top 8" List of Positive things in my life.
What about you? Go make a "Top 8" List...what would it say?
Grateful,
Paul
8.) I'm thankful for my home...plenty of space, big backyard, and 2 fireplaces (one of which I never use).
7.) I'm thankful for my church...a church that loves Jesus, worships with honesty, concerned about the world and the people really love each other.
6.) I'm thankful for the country of Ethiopia...where our new son will be adopted from in the next four months (fingers crossed)...a country also rich in heritage and in desperate need of attention and care from Jesus-followers.
5.) I'm thankful for my grill...it's been so good to me over the years.
4.) I'm thankful for Mandy, Logan and Landon...the 3 most important and beautiful people in my life...my life is rich because of them.
3.) I'm thankful for my small group...other couples that gather with me and Mandy for prayer, reflection, bible study and laughter, and incredible deviled eggs.
2.) My youth group...I love the high school students at our church. I love to see them become radical and passionate in expressing their faith. They are so awesome!!!
1.) My roast beef dinner I had tonight. It sounds minuscule, but I'm really thankful for it. Considering that over 1 billion people live on less than $1 a day (and thousands of children in our world died today due to hunger and malnutrition), I ate like a king tonight, and for this I'm truly grateful.
So, there's my "Top 8" List of Positive things in my life.
What about you? Go make a "Top 8" List...what would it say?
Grateful,
Paul
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Swimming and Following Jesus
The other day, Logan and I went to see one of the students from my youth group in a swim meet. Swimming truly does have a culture of its own. I noticed that swimmers have their own handshakes, they all wore speedos and many of them wore funky hats (that were way too tight). I also noticed that swimmers are passionate in their sport and fiercely competitive.As I sat and watched the different races, I thought back to teaching Logan how to swim. Logan and I have spend hundreds of hours at a local health club swimming in the pool. Although Logan doesn't wear a speedo or a tight cap and we don't have a swimmer handshake, he has no doubt learned to swim. I'm so proud of him. It wasn't always like this. Logan hasn't always been a swimmer.
There was a time when Logan was scared with the thought of being in a pool of water and he was even more petrified at being separated from his daddy in the water. He clinged to me...gripping me so tightly that their were often scratch marks down my arm. He would squeeze my neck and yell if I threatened to let him go and swim on his own. Although those days were just a couple of years ago, I can say with a proud fathers heart that Logan can now swim on his own. He loves the pool. He jumps in on his own, and can actually dive and touch the bottom of the deep end. I have to admit...the kid is good!
As I've mentioned it wasn't always like this. At times, we had to fight the timidity together. He had a fear of letting go of me so we conquered this fear together. He was reserved and dreaded the thought of being in the deeped on his own...and I had to challenge him to step out and have him believe in himself. All of this swimming and the lessons learned keep drawing me back to Jesus and what it means to follow Him.
Following Jesus can at times be very scary. I believe that if we're truly following Him, He'll call us to step out into the unknown where the only thing we have to rely on is His Word and who He says that He is. Jesus will often ask us to something really risky (like going to the bottom of the deep end), and the only think that we can cling to is the simple fact that He says that He will never fail us (enough for me).
I've learned so much from the swimming pool and teaching Logan how to be a swimmer. Their are so many parallels to my walk with Jesus and what it means to follow Him with my "entire being". Trust, faith, adventure and risk are all things that I've seen in the swimming pool and things that God calls His followers to live out. Is there any other way to live? Is it really living if we settle for mediocrity, second-best and life that is adventure-less? Maybe the bigger question is, "Is it really swimming, if we never let go, and cling to comfort and security?
May Jesus today give me the audacity and courage to do the things He's calling me to do, and be the man He's calling me to be. It always involves risk. It's always adventure-filled and always a life of trust and faith...just like a swimming pool.
Go swim!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Thoughts on Dick Clarke and New Years Eve
Happy New Years!!!
Last night, my wife and I had some friends gather at our house for some food, celebration and some good ole' fashion hang-out time. It was sweet. A couple of our party attendees couldn't resist turning on Dick Clarke's Rockin' New Years Eve on ABC. Dick Clarke has been hosting this event from New York City's Time Square for numerous years, and I must say I admire his longevity. Following a stroke in 2004, Dick Clarke has been largely confined to a wheelchair and his speech is somehwat slurred. To this end, I admire his fortitude and noticeable passion for life and for the entertainment industry. His energy and enthusiasm at the age of nearly 80 is to be applauded.
While I admire his role in this world-wide televised event, I couldn't help but think of a few remarks made by Clarke that I just couldn't let go. At one point in the telecast following the dropping of the ball at Times Square, Clarke was remarking on all of the partying and revelling going on in the streets, and he said: "This is what it's all about. Everyone is so happy. This is the best New Years party in the whole world. This is what it's all about." Is it really? Is it really what life is all about? Is life merely reduced to having a good time and simply being happy? In other words, does life exist for us? No doubt, people in Times Square last night were happy and excited, but is this truly the essence of life? If it is, I think humanity is pretty shallow.
In light of Dick Clarke's comments regarding the human spirit and the need to be happy, I contest that God's way has much more to do with "being content" than "being happy". The challenge is that when life doesn't produce happiness, that we still have a choice as human beings to live lives of contentment. In the midst of disaster, war, divorce, financial instability and political meltdowns, we have the choice to be content. To be content is difficult when one lives for themselves and their goal is to seek pleasure and prosperity (happiness). Rather, contentment can become a reality when we live for Jesus and when His life becomes our first love. When we wrap ourselves up in the love of God and the mission of God, we can have purpose, and then contentment will be ours for the keep...no matter how messy life can get.
So, when the ball starts to drop in another 364 days, don't let the aim of your life and your remarks be about happiness (me-centered living), rather let your life's aim be an inner-contentment that can only come from God Himself. In the meantime, think often about God, live unselfishly and crave for contentment no matter how bad things get. It's the only way to live. It's the best way to live.
Last night, my wife and I had some friends gather at our house for some food, celebration and some good ole' fashion hang-out time. It was sweet. A couple of our party attendees couldn't resist turning on Dick Clarke's Rockin' New Years Eve on ABC. Dick Clarke has been hosting this event from New York City's Time Square for numerous years, and I must say I admire his longevity. Following a stroke in 2004, Dick Clarke has been largely confined to a wheelchair and his speech is somehwat slurred. To this end, I admire his fortitude and noticeable passion for life and for the entertainment industry. His energy and enthusiasm at the age of nearly 80 is to be applauded.
While I admire his role in this world-wide televised event, I couldn't help but think of a few remarks made by Clarke that I just couldn't let go. At one point in the telecast following the dropping of the ball at Times Square, Clarke was remarking on all of the partying and revelling going on in the streets, and he said: "This is what it's all about. Everyone is so happy. This is the best New Years party in the whole world. This is what it's all about." Is it really? Is it really what life is all about? Is life merely reduced to having a good time and simply being happy? In other words, does life exist for us? No doubt, people in Times Square last night were happy and excited, but is this truly the essence of life? If it is, I think humanity is pretty shallow.
In light of Dick Clarke's comments regarding the human spirit and the need to be happy, I contest that God's way has much more to do with "being content" than "being happy". The challenge is that when life doesn't produce happiness, that we still have a choice as human beings to live lives of contentment. In the midst of disaster, war, divorce, financial instability and political meltdowns, we have the choice to be content. To be content is difficult when one lives for themselves and their goal is to seek pleasure and prosperity (happiness). Rather, contentment can become a reality when we live for Jesus and when His life becomes our first love. When we wrap ourselves up in the love of God and the mission of God, we can have purpose, and then contentment will be ours for the keep...no matter how messy life can get.
So, when the ball starts to drop in another 364 days, don't let the aim of your life and your remarks be about happiness (me-centered living), rather let your life's aim be an inner-contentment that can only come from God Himself. In the meantime, think often about God, live unselfishly and crave for contentment no matter how bad things get. It's the only way to live. It's the best way to live.
"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."
---The Apostle Paul
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