Here is this month's message from Caring Hearts Board Member Gary Simpson:
CONTENTED CHRISTMAS
“When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.” - Deuteronomy 8:10
God gave instructions to the Israelites before they went into the promised land. Speaking through his prophet, Moses, He said, “When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.” (Dt. 8:10)
It’s easy to thank God when our stomachs are full like they were on Thanksgiving and will be this Christmas. But I wonder if we would still be as grateful to God if we didn’t have as much as we’ve grown used to.
Years ago on a trip to San Luis we were out in the villages on the edge of town where people eked out an existence living in tiny one room houses made of colorful bricks. My translator and I were walking the streets of sand inviting anyone we saw to come to a spot where we were going to sing, preach and hand out bags of rice and beans. As we passed one house a young mother invited us in. She had a small flat iron griddle on which she was making fresh tortillas. She offered some to us and at first I declined not wanting to take anything from someone who had so little, but she insisted. It was delicious and we thanked her and invited her again to our gathering. I remember that day vividly because the young woman seemed so content. She had no refrigerator and no stove, none of the things we all take for granted and yet she seemed satisfied with her humble life.
The Apostle Paul wrote that we are to … “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
We may all get to do just that. Our economy is in the biggest crisis it’s faced since the great depression in the 1930’s. Bank failures, home foreclosures and massive lay-offs are becoming common place. We need to prepare ourselves for what lies ahead and I really do believe that like the Apostle Paul, we can all learn to “Be content whatever the circumstances.” After all, our joy at Christmas is not found in abundance of our possessions. It’s found in the abundance of God’s love for us.
Your faithful giving has made the ministries of Caring Hearts possible for more than 20 years. Thank you for your generosity and faith. May God supply all your needs and may you be blessed as you have blessed others.
It’s easy to thank God when our stomachs are full like they were on Thanksgiving and will be this Christmas. But I wonder if we would still be as grateful to God if we didn’t have as much as we’ve grown used to.
Years ago on a trip to San Luis we were out in the villages on the edge of town where people eked out an existence living in tiny one room houses made of colorful bricks. My translator and I were walking the streets of sand inviting anyone we saw to come to a spot where we were going to sing, preach and hand out bags of rice and beans. As we passed one house a young mother invited us in. She had a small flat iron griddle on which she was making fresh tortillas. She offered some to us and at first I declined not wanting to take anything from someone who had so little, but she insisted. It was delicious and we thanked her and invited her again to our gathering. I remember that day vividly because the young woman seemed so content. She had no refrigerator and no stove, none of the things we all take for granted and yet she seemed satisfied with her humble life.
The Apostle Paul wrote that we are to … “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
We may all get to do just that. Our economy is in the biggest crisis it’s faced since the great depression in the 1930’s. Bank failures, home foreclosures and massive lay-offs are becoming common place. We need to prepare ourselves for what lies ahead and I really do believe that like the Apostle Paul, we can all learn to “Be content whatever the circumstances.” After all, our joy at Christmas is not found in abundance of our possessions. It’s found in the abundance of God’s love for us.
Your faithful giving has made the ministries of Caring Hearts possible for more than 20 years. Thank you for your generosity and faith. May God supply all your needs and may you be blessed as you have blessed others.
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