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Where Do We Find Contentment?
“Become rich in the things of God, and you will find contentment.
Chad Madden/Unsplash
Contentment is a state of mind that will fit any circumstance we find ourselves in.
By the standards of many people today, contentment comes from accumulating possessions and in increasing the amount of wealth that we have. To many, things like power and success pave the way to contentment. Yet in this world we can observe poor people who are laughing, singing and enjoying life, while wealthy and powerful people seem to be dissatisfied no matter how much they have or where they are. What is the difference? Where does contentment come from?
Paul wrote that he learned to be content in whatever state he was (Philippians 4:11). Contentment does not come from getting more and more—because the eye is never content with how much it sees (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11). Contentment is a state of mind that will fit any circumstance we find ourselves in. We can be content with much or with little—if we diminish our wants and change our focus to be on the spiritual more than on the physical. Being rich in the things of the world and poor in the things of God is one great cause of discontentment. Being rich in the things of God is where lasting contentment lies.” From: https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/blogs/this-is-the-way/where-do-we-find-contentment
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How Darwin’s Theory of Evolution Changed the World
“Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution has permeated nearly every aspect of our world and changed it dramatically. How is Darwinism affecting you?
Evolutionary thinking is all around us. Anytime we visit a zoo or natural history museum, watch a nature program or read a science or wildlife magazine, we will likely be exposed to evolutionary concepts.
In most public schools and universities, evolution is a major part of the biology and science curricula. We’re bombarded from nearly every avenue with the idea that life originated by chance and eventually developed into the organisms we see today.
It’s had a major effect on our society. A 2019 Pew Research Center study reported that a total of 81 percent of American adults believe in evolution. This includes 33 percent who hold that humans evolved due to processes like natural selection with no involvement by a Creator, along with 48 percent who think human evolution occurred through processes guided or allowed by a higher power.
Rewind 160 years to the beginning of Darwin’s theory of evolution
Historically speaking, the belief in evolution is a relatively new phenomenon. Throughout the history of Western civilization, people in most cultures believed that humankind and all forms of life were specially created by God (or other deities, albeit false).
It wasn’t until 1859, when British scientist Charles Darwin published his book On the Origin of Species,that the public began to think otherwise. This was a major turning point in history, because it influenced people’s decisions to turn their backs on God, the Bible and religion.
Nothing “right” about evolution
The truth is, nothing good can come from accepting Darwin’s theory of evolution or its modern adaptations. It is a cruel, depressing and hopeless approach to our existence. Without knowing that we have a loving God who’s in control and that there’s an incredible purpose to our lives, it is impossible to have a truly positive outlook.
Moreover, no culture can survive when individuals make their own rules and live for themselves.
Ruthless competition at the expense of others is the exact opposite of how God wants mankind to live. The Bible instructs the strong to help the weak (Romans 15:1-3).
The other major problem with Darwin’s theory of evolution is that it’s unprovable. If evolution were true, there should be abundant evidence in the fossil records of transitional forms between species and proof of new species developing in the wild—but there isn’t. The only proof has been for microevolution—adaptation, or minor changes within existing species—which we do not dispute. (See our online article “Microevolution vs. Macroevolution.”)
Furthermore, neither Darwin nor any other scientist has been able to come up with a credible answer for where the original single-celled organism came from.
Still, many people cling to the idea of evolution and insist it’s true. This is to be expected. Romans 8:7 says that “the carnal mind is enmity against God.” Human nature would rather believe there is no God and no purpose for life, rather than submit to a higher power.
The Bible tells us that “scoffers will come in the last days” (2 Peter 3:3). There will be those who doubt God’s existence and ridicule those who don’t believe in evolution, right up until the time Christ returns.
But that’s when the scoffers and all of mankind will learn the truth—that we do have a Creator, and submitting to Him is the only way to a truly happy, meaningful existence.”
Complete article at: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/god/is-there-a-god/proof-of-god/darwins-theory-of-evolution/?
More on this subject at: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/god/is-there-a-god/proof-of-god/can-christians-believe-in-evolution/
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Update.
As usual, we had a good Bible study with the visiting pastor from a church in Anderson, TX. I think it is so great that he comes all the way to our senior apartments in Navasota to do this on his own time every Sunday afternoon.
It was cold, windy and wet most of the week and when I took the dog out on her leash it wasn’t very good for my health, so I was still coughing, though the sneezes had gone. Oh! What a luxury it must be, to be able to let a dog out into a fenced yard. I still wasn’t up to par, so I didn’t really do much, just the minimum of laundry, cooking, dishes, cleaning, and taking care of the dog. She had come out of her shell and wanted to play, but didn’t really know how to play “nice”, and used my arms as tug-toys. My old, thin skin can’t take much of that. I bought her a tug-rope, squeaky bones, balls, chewy things, but she didn’t even know how to play with them. She had been abused, ignored and left in a back yard most of her life so now she has to learn how to live in a house with people, and play nice, so that she can be adopted. Learning things like “No toofies on skin” is something that her siblings would have taught her if she hadn’t been taken away from them too young.
I went to therapy on Tuesday, but they still didn’t do much for my back, and I have been getting better doing my own exercises. I went for the Thursday appointment, and they didn’t even have it on their schedule, so I came home.
Friday, my church friend and I had our usual Bible study, still in Daniel, ready for Bible school on the Sabbath, the next day. I arranged different kinds of cookies in a pretty tin for the church potluck.
The Sermon was “Who Are You?” from Acts 19:11-20, the gist of it was: Don’t mess with the devil, if you don’t know Jesus”.
Well, it is going to be up to 68° tomorrow, but going back down to 29° on Wednesday.
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