Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1322284
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM DECEMBER 23-29, 2020 UCW 17 DAN DEBRULER, General Manager, WCLN. Comments? Editor@upandcomingweekly. com. 910-484-6200. FAITH Christmas is an odd time for me. I love to give gifts, but I don't really care to "add to the collection" of unwanted gifts. In my home, we often talk about trusting God to meet our needs. That doesn't mean we stand on the shore and watch for our ship to come in. We work hard to make sure we've done all we can to provide for our family and others, but still we trust God. Sometimes I'll pray and ask for specific things — you know, a par- ticular amount of money, favorable diagnosis of a car problem — and I suspect you do too. Nothing wrong with that, but there's truly more to having your needs met than having stuff go your way. It may be as simple as being content with where you are and what you have. My wife and I must be on the same wavelength concerning cont- entment. We have a little chalk- board in our kitchen where we'll write a recipe or date night idea, but recently I walked into the kit- chen and saw these words: "W hat if God has already provided?" That stopped me. And the thought has haunted me for weeks. W hat if, in my quest for more and better, I've overlooked what I already have? It's caused me to take stock of my time, talents and resources. It's even changed the way I pray and how I look at pretty much everything. Discontentment runs rampant in our culture, and today I want to offer you three choices you can make in your life that can lead you to genuine, biblical, lasting cont- entment. 1. Seek contentment as a life- style. Choose it. Acknowledge that you would not be happier if you had more. You wouldn't be — you'd likely be more miserable. God's Word contains clear warnings for us: "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the king- dom of God." (Mark 10:25) 2. Learn to say, "I have enough." Let those words reign in your home. Push back from the table and say, "I've had enough." W hen money comes your way — a sur- prise bonus from work, an inheri- tance from your great-uncle, even finding $50 in your coat pocket — resist the cravings for more. 3. Settle it. Here's a challen- ge — choose a lifestyle; don't let your income dictate your life- style. Choose a comfortable level of living that meets your needs, and don't compromise that with more spending when more income arrives. If you don't choose a life- style, this culture will choose one for you, and by default it will be the lifestyle of living beyond your means. Be counter-cultural. Be radical. Be others-oriented. Let enough be enough. Learn from the examples of those around you (both the contented and the covetous). You'll save yourself some heartache and know the joy of a truly contented attitude. More does not equal happier. I promise. And remember this from Philippians 4:19 – "And this same God who takes care of me will sup- ply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." (New Living Translation) The art of contentment by DAN DEBRULER SHIP GIFTS EARLY! Westwood & Fort Bragg • Signs • Banners • Business Cards • Digital & Wide Format Printing • Graphic Design • Copies/Prints • Plaques & Engraving Services • Binding/Laminating • Notary Services • Direct Mail Solutions • UPS/USPS • Packaging Material/Supplies • Document Shredding • Mailbox Solutions • Freight Services • AARP • MILITARY • AAA DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE Get ready for the Holidays! Print/Sign Shop Debbie & Steve Milburn, Owners L O C A L V E T E R A N O W N E D B U S I N E S S Fort Bragg: Fort Bragg Mini-Mall 910.436.7877 | theupsstorelocal.com/4787 Westwood: 439 Westwood Shopping Center 910.860.1220 | theupsstorelocal.com/2974 •Customized Acrylic Christmas Ornaments Discontentment runs rampant in our culture. The antidote may be as simple as being content with where you are and what you have.