Contentment

"A contented man is the one who enjoys the scenery along the detours." George Herbert

"...Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything." 2 Corinthians 6:10

"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." Philippians 4:12

"Suffering is having what you don't want and wanting what you don't have. Subtract your wants and you'll have contentment." Joni Eareckson Tada

How many of us suffer from a lack of contentment? For me personally, it's a huge struggle. I find myself frequently looking at what others have and wishing I had something similar. Wouldn't it be nice to have a larger house, better furniture, more money to play with, a body without stretch marks, etc? As Joni says, though, we need to subtract our wants from the equation if we ever want to be truly happy.

When we aren't content with what God has blessed us with we're essentially telling Him that He's not good enough for us or to us. When I look at it like that, I sure don't want to offend God with that attitude of ungratefulness.

Faith is...

Faith is...doing the right thing regardless of the consequences, knowing God will turn the ultimate effect to good. Pamela Reeve

Backyard birds

I have recently developed a passion for bird watching. I have two feeders in the backyard along with a hummingbird feeder. So far I have seen a Northern Cardinal, a Tufted Titmouse and either a wren or sparrow of some type. We also have a hummingbird that just found our feeder.

House Wren

Northern Cardinal

Tufted Titmouse

Earthquake

I was jolted awake at 5AM this morning by a 2.8 earthquake. It felt like something had hit the house. I checked outside, but didn't see anything. I then passed it off as Annabelle (our rottie) jumping up too quickly and hitting the bed. The local Christian radio station just happened to be talking about it when my alarm went off at 7AM.

Birds of Prey

We were able to go to the Birds of Prey sanctuary last Friday for a field trip with our local homeschool group. Dd had a great time and took lots of great pictures. I, unfortunately, spent the entire time lying on a picnic bench in the shade as I got sick within 30 minutes of our arrival. We learned that the sanctuary opened in 1991 and they ministered to 8 birds that year. This past year, they ministered to around 360!

Look at that wingspan!

I believe this is a kestral. They are pretty small compared to the other birds shown.

Kingfisher environmental

This past Thursday we got the opportunity to go to the Isle of Palms beach for a field trip. We learned about erosion, all sorts of neat sea creatures, and sand dunes. We had a picnic lunch on the beach afterwards. Dd fell asleep in the car on the way home. Playing at the beach really wears you out!

Learning about erosion.

Shells that we brought up in the seining net.

Seining in the surf.

A small flounder. All living creatures were released back into the sea.

Fathers, Help Your Kids Stand Tall

Taken from 30 Days to Experiencing Spiritual Breakthroughs by Bruce Wilkinson. This excerpt was taken from Steve Farrar.

1. Be a leader yourself - "There is as much risk in doing nothing as in doing something." "Are you standing tall or just standing around?"

2. Be a spiritual submarine under the surface of your children's lives - "A man who has put on the full armor of God is a force to be reckoned with. The prayers of a man who has put on the full armor of God are lethal."

3. Expect your children to be leaders

4. Encourage your children to be leaders - Encouragement-to put courage in

5. Remind your children that they are leaders

6. Support them in their leadership - be there with large ears and a large heart

7. Reward them for demonstrating leadership - "acknowledge their achievement or accomplishment verbally"

Wisdom

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:17-18