Tag Archives: contentment

Grass

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While channel surfing a few days ago I ran across one of our favorite cartoons, “3-2-1 Penguins”.  It was an episode I had not seen before.  There was a planet with lush, green grass all over it and a nice white fence down the middle.  The sheep on each side of the fence were complaining about the grass on the other side of the fence being greener.  They ended up in court where it was suggested that both groups switch sides.  They did and still complained that the grass was greener on the other side.

Sound familiar?  It does to me, unfortunately.  I have been accused as a child that I would complain even if I were hanged with a new rope.  I don’t know about that, really.

One of the greatest passages in all of Scripture on green pastures is Psalm 23.  Here we are told in Psalm 23:2, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.”  The sheep that lie down in green pastures are sheep that have been provided for and are comfortable enough to lie down.  Sheep are nervous animals and will not just lay down anywhere.  They have to be calm, cool and collected because of the Shepherd’s care.

As you go through life do you look at the fences and think that the grass is really greener on the other side?  I hope not.  If you do then you need to put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ and then you will see that the grass is all the same color; but, you view of your circumstances are drastically different.

So, how are you doing?

Refined

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Dr. Paul Chappell wrote yesterday in his “Launch Out in His Word” e-mail, ”

‘”Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.”  Proverbs 25:4-5

When silver is mined from the ground it is commonly mixed with a number of other elements. In order to get pure silver that can be used for commercial or industrial purposes, it must be refined. Silver has an extraordinarily high melting point—it must be heated to nearly 2,200 degrees in order to be refined to complete purity. Only when it has been through that process does the silver become useful for its intended function. Beautiful service pieces, high tech equipment, and collectible coins all become possible once the silver has been refined. Without that process, it is largely worthless.’

So, you see my friend, the trials and the difficult times that we face are not designed to kill us.  On Sunday, my Pastor, Pastor Al Ray said, “God does not do things to us.  He does things for us.”  God is working in our lives to make us more like Jesus Christ.  His intent is to refine us and purify us.  It is difficult to allow this to happen as it is a painful process.  If we will allow Him to do His purifying work in us then one day we will be a fine vessel that He can use for His glory.

So, how are you doing?