The Art of Divine Contentment: An Exposition of Philippians 4:11
"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11
"Highlights" from Chapter 14 Rules About Contentment...
Rule 1. Advance faith. All our disquiets do issue immediately from unbelief.
Rule 2. Labour for assurance. Labor to say "my God" and "I know whom I have believed".
Rule 3. Get a humble spirit. The humble man studies his own unworthiness and cries out with Paul, that he is the chief of sinners.
Rule 4. Keep a clear conscience. O take heed of indulging any sin!
Rule 5. Learn to deny yourselves. Look well to your affections, bridle them in. Do two things: mortify your desires and moderate your delights.
How?
1) Get a right judgment of the things here below.
2) Often seriously meditate of mortality.
Rule 6. Get much of heaven into your heart. Fly aloft in your affections, thirst after the graces and comforts of the Spirit; the eagle that flies above in the air, fears not the stinging of the serpent; the serpent creeps on his belly, and stings only such creatures as go upon the earth.
Rule 7. Look not so much on the dark side of your condition, as on the light. Do not pore upon your losses but ponder your mercies.
Thou art not fully sanctified in this life, how then thinkest thou be fully satisfied? *Never look for perfection of contentment till there be perfection of grace.*
Rule 8. Consider in what posture we stand in the world.
We are in a military position; we are soldiers.
We are in a peregrine condition; we are pilgrims and travelers.
We are in a mendicant condition; we are beggars.
Rule 9. Let not your hope depend upon outward things. O never place your felicity in these dull and beggarly things here below! Say with thyself, "if friends leave me, if riches take wings, yet I have that within which comforts me, an heavenly treasure; I still have an interest in God, and that interest cannot be broken off."
Rule 10. Let us often compare our condition. Make this fivefold comparison.
1) Let us compare our condition and our desert together; if we have not what we desire, we still have more than we deserve.
2) Let us compare our condition with others; are you in prison? are you in the lion's den? are you wondering in sheep's skins? art thou tormented with stone or gout? Some Christians who have been in a lower condition, have looked better, been more patient, and more contented than we who enjoy abundance. Can you take up their cross and walk cheerfully under it? or will you murmur under even lighter crosses?
3) Let us compare our condition with Christ's upon the earth. He was rich, yet for our sakes became poor (2Cor.8:9). Jesus Christ was in a low condition, he was never high, but when he was lifted up upon the cross, and that was his humility:he was content to live poor, and die cursed.
4) Let us compare our condition to what it once was. It was a Christless and hopeless condition: but now God hath cut off the entail of hell and damnation; he hath taken you out of the wild olive of nature, and ingrafted you into Christ, making you living branches of that living vine; he hath not only caused the light to shine upon you, but into you, and hath interested you in all the privileges of sonship; is not here that which may make the soul content.
5) Let us compare our condition with what it shall be shortly. God may presently seal a warrant for death to apprehend us; and when we die, we cannot carry estate with us; honor and riches descend not into the grave, why then are we troubled at our outward condition? O lay up a stock of grace! Be rich in faith and in good works, these riches will follow us.
Rule 11. Bring not your condition to mind, but bring your mind to your condition. One man has a whole manor and is discontent; another is satisfied with a few acres of land; what is the difference? The one studies to satisfy curiosity, the other necessity; the one thinks what he may have, the other what he may spare.
Rule 12. Study the vanity of the creature. It matters not whether we have less or more of these things, they have vanity written all over them; the world is like a shadow that declineth; it is delightful, but deceitful; it promiseth more than we find, and it fails us when we need it most. All the world rings changes, and is constant only in its disappointments: what then, if we have less of that which is vanity?
Rule 13. Get fancy regulated. What is the reason one tulip is worth five pounds, and another not worth one shilling? Fancy raiseth the price; the difference is rather imaginary than real; so, why it should be better to have thousands than hundreds, is, because men fancy it so; if we could fancy a lower condition better, as having less care in it, and less account, it would be far more eligible.
Rule 14. Consider how little will suffice nature. Christ hath taught us to pray for our daily bread...not to thirst and not to starve is enough; and the apostle saith, "having food and raiment let us be content." The stomach is sooner filled than the eye; how quickly would a man be content, if he would study rather to satisfy his hunger than his humour.
Rule 15. Believe the present condition is best for us. Flesh and blood is not competent to judge. O what a strange creature man would be, if he were what he could wish himself! A wise Christian hath his will melted into God' will, and thinks it best to be at his finding.
Rule 16. Do not too much indulge the flesh. We have taken an oath in baptism to forsake the flesh. The flesh is a worse enemy than the devil; an enemy within is worst. The flesh puts us upon the immoderate pursuit of the world; it consults for ease and plenty, and if it be not satisfied, then discontent begins to arise. O let it not have the reins! Martyr the flesh!
Rule 17. Meditate much on the glory which shall be revealed. It is but a while and we shall be with Christ, bathing ourselves in the fountain of his love; we shall never complain of wants and injuries anymore. O eternity, eternity! Think often of the kingdom prepared. This is an excellent means to bring the heart to contentment.
Rule 18. Be much in prayer. It is not our strong resolutions, but our strong request to God, which must give the heart ease in trouble; by prayer the strength of Christ comes into the soul, and where that is, a man is able to go through any condition.
The Art of Divine Contentment: An Exposition of Philippians 4:11
"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11
"Highlights" from Chapter 13 How a Christian May Know Whether He Hath Learned This Divine Art...
1st.Character: A contented spirit is a silent spirit.
"I was silent; I would not open my mouth,
for You are the one who has done this." Psalm 39:9
"Let him sit alone in silence,
for the LORD has laid it on him." Lam.3:28
There is a sinful silence; when God is dishonoured, His truth wounded, and men hold their peace, this silence is loud sin; and there is a holy silence, when the soul sits down quiet and content with its condition.
2nd.Character: A contented spirit is a cheerful spirit.
Contentment denotes more than patience; for patience only denotes submission, contentment denotes cheerfulness.
Contentment looks upon God as a wise God; and whatever He does, though it be not willingly, yet sensibly, it is in order to a cure.
Contentment not only submits to God's dealings, but rejoices in them; he does not only say, "just is the Lord" but "good is the Lord".
3rd.Character: A contented spirit is a thankful spirit.
Thankfulness is a degree above cheerfulness.
Some will bless God for prosperity, while the contented Christian will bless Him for affliction..."in everything give thanks." 1Thes.5:18
A contented Christian in the greatest of straits hath his heart enlarged and dilated with thankfulness; he often contemplates God's love in election; he sees that he is a monument of mercy, therefore desires to be a pattern of praise.
4th.Character: No condition comes amiss to him; "in whatever state I am in."
Paul knew how to manage every state; if he were in prosperity, he knew how to be thankful; if in adversity, he knew how to be patient; he was neither lifted up with the one, nor cast down with the other. A contented Christian doth not choose his cross, but leaves God to choose for him; he is content both for the kind and the duration.
5th.Character: The contented Christian will not turn to sin in order to rid himself of his troubles.
With reverence, the contented Christian says, God hath cast me into this condition; and though it be sad, and troublesome, yet I will not stir, till God fetch me out.
"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11
"Highlights" from Chapter 13 How a Christian May Know Whether He Hath Learned This Divine Art...
1st.Character: A contented spirit is a silent spirit.
"I was silent; I would not open my mouth,
for You are the one who has done this." Psalm 39:9
"Let him sit alone in silence,
for the LORD has laid it on him." Lam.3:28
There is a sinful silence; when God is dishonoured, His truth wounded, and men hold their peace, this silence is loud sin; and there is a holy silence, when the soul sits down quiet and content with its condition.
2nd.Character: A contented spirit is a cheerful spirit.
Contentment denotes more than patience; for patience only denotes submission, contentment denotes cheerfulness.
Contentment looks upon God as a wise God; and whatever He does, though it be not willingly, yet sensibly, it is in order to a cure.
Contentment not only submits to God's dealings, but rejoices in them; he does not only say, "just is the Lord" but "good is the Lord".
3rd.Character: A contented spirit is a thankful spirit.
Thankfulness is a degree above cheerfulness.
Some will bless God for prosperity, while the contented Christian will bless Him for affliction..."in everything give thanks." 1Thes.5:18
A contented Christian in the greatest of straits hath his heart enlarged and dilated with thankfulness; he often contemplates God's love in election; he sees that he is a monument of mercy, therefore desires to be a pattern of praise.
4th.Character: No condition comes amiss to him; "in whatever state I am in."
Paul knew how to manage every state; if he were in prosperity, he knew how to be thankful; if in adversity, he knew how to be patient; he was neither lifted up with the one, nor cast down with the other. A contented Christian doth not choose his cross, but leaves God to choose for him; he is content both for the kind and the duration.
5th.Character: The contented Christian will not turn to sin in order to rid himself of his troubles.
With reverence, the contented Christian says, God hath cast me into this condition; and though it be sad, and troublesome, yet I will not stir, till God fetch me out.
The Art of Divine Contentment: An Exposition of Philippians 4:11
"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11
"Highlights from Chapter 12 Three Estates in which we must NOT be contented...
1) "We must NOT be content in our natural estate." (IE. content to be without Christ)
"For a man to be in debt, body and soul; in fear every hour to be arrested and carried prisoner to hell, shall he be content? O get out of this condition! The smell of brimstone and fire is upon you!"
"The longer a man stays in his sin, the more sin strengthens. Therefore it is mercy when we are disquieted about sin."
"It is one of the worst sights to see a bad conscience quiet. I wonder to see a man in his natural estate content. What! content to go to hell?
2) "We must NOT be content where God is apparently dishonored."
"If a man's trade be such that he must trespass a command, better to knock off and divert, better to lose some of his gain, so he may lessen some of his guilt."
"Or, if a man live where the name of God is not called upon, unless when it is taken in vain, he is not to content himself with such a place, but rather come out of the tents of these sinners; for there is double danger in living among the profane...
2 Dangers:
1) Lest we come to be infected with the poison of their ill example. O how prone we are to suck in example; men take in deeper impressions by the eye than the ear!
2) We are liable to incur their punishment."
3) "We are NOT to be contented with our growth in grace."
"It is not enough that there be life, but there must be fruit."
"O covet more grace! "press on toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" Phil.3:13-14."
"The hypocrite brings forth only sour grapes; the godly man grows in love, faith, and humility which cast a fragrancy and perfume."
"Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart." 1 Peter 1:22
"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness." 2 Peter 1:5-6
"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11
"Highlights from Chapter 12 Three Estates in which we must NOT be contented...
1) "We must NOT be content in our natural estate." (IE. content to be without Christ)
"For a man to be in debt, body and soul; in fear every hour to be arrested and carried prisoner to hell, shall he be content? O get out of this condition! The smell of brimstone and fire is upon you!"
"The longer a man stays in his sin, the more sin strengthens. Therefore it is mercy when we are disquieted about sin."
"It is one of the worst sights to see a bad conscience quiet. I wonder to see a man in his natural estate content. What! content to go to hell?
2) "We must NOT be content where God is apparently dishonored."
"If a man's trade be such that he must trespass a command, better to knock off and divert, better to lose some of his gain, so he may lessen some of his guilt."
"Or, if a man live where the name of God is not called upon, unless when it is taken in vain, he is not to content himself with such a place, but rather come out of the tents of these sinners; for there is double danger in living among the profane...
2 Dangers:
1) Lest we come to be infected with the poison of their ill example. O how prone we are to suck in example; men take in deeper impressions by the eye than the ear!
2) We are liable to incur their punishment."
3) "We are NOT to be contented with our growth in grace."
"It is not enough that there be life, but there must be fruit."
"O covet more grace! "press on toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" Phil.3:13-14."
"The hypocrite brings forth only sour grapes; the godly man grows in love, faith, and humility which cast a fragrancy and perfume."
"Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart." 1 Peter 1:22
"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness." 2 Peter 1:5-6
Luke 2
The Birth of Jesus
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
To God be all the glory!
I thought for Christmas Eve I would share a blog post from Desiring God Ministries on why it's really not good to include Santa in our tradtions surrounding Christmas. I pray this will minister to you and encourage you to keep the focus on Christ tomorrow and all throughout the year...
Desiring God Blog
Thinking About Santa
Posted: 15 Dec 2009 12:05 AM PST
(Author: Noel Piper)
Over the years, we have chosen not to include Santa Claus in our Christmas stories and decorations. There are several reasons.
First, fairy tales are fun and we enjoy them, but we don't ask our children to believe them.
Second, we want our children to understand God as fully as they're able at whatever age they are. So we try to avoid anything that would delay or distort that understanding. It seems to us that celebrating with a mixture of Santa and manger will postpone a child's clear understanding of what the real truth of God is. It's very difficult for a young child to pick through a marble cake of part-truth and part-imagination to find the crumbs of reality.
Third, we think about how confusing it must be to a straight-thinking, uncritically-minded preschooler because Santa is so much like what we're trying all year to teach our children about God. Look, for example, at the "attributes" of Santa.
* He's omniscient—he sees everything you do.
* He rewards you if you're good.
* He's omnipresent—at least, he can be everywhere in one night.
* He gives you good gifts.
* He's the most famous "old man in the sky" figure.
But at the deeper level that young children haven't reached yet in their understanding, he is not like God at all.
For example, does Santa really care if we're bad or good? Think of the most awful kid you can remember. Did he or she ever not get gifts from Santa?
What about Santa's spying and then rewarding you if you're good enough? That's not the way God operates. He gave us his gift—his Son—even though we weren't good at all. "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). He gave his gift to us to make us good, not because we had proved ourselves good enough.
Helping our children understand God as much as they're able at whatever age they are is our primary goal. But we've also seen some other encouraging effects of not including Santa in our celebration.
First, I think children are glad to realize that their parents, who live with them all year and know all the worst things about them, still show their love at Christmas. Isn't that more significant than a funny, old, make-believe man who drops in just once a year?
Second, I think most children know their family's usual giving patterns for birthday and special events. They tend to have an instinct about their family's typical spending levels and abilities. Knowing that their Christmas gifts come from the people they love, rather than from a bottomless sack, can help diminish the "I-want-this, give-me-that" syndrome.
And finally, when children know that God's generosity is reflected by God's people, it tends to encourage a sense of responsibility about helping make Christmas good for others.
Desiring God Blog
Thinking About Santa
Posted: 15 Dec 2009 12:05 AM PST
(Author: Noel Piper)
Over the years, we have chosen not to include Santa Claus in our Christmas stories and decorations. There are several reasons.
First, fairy tales are fun and we enjoy them, but we don't ask our children to believe them.
Second, we want our children to understand God as fully as they're able at whatever age they are. So we try to avoid anything that would delay or distort that understanding. It seems to us that celebrating with a mixture of Santa and manger will postpone a child's clear understanding of what the real truth of God is. It's very difficult for a young child to pick through a marble cake of part-truth and part-imagination to find the crumbs of reality.
Third, we think about how confusing it must be to a straight-thinking, uncritically-minded preschooler because Santa is so much like what we're trying all year to teach our children about God. Look, for example, at the "attributes" of Santa.
* He's omniscient—he sees everything you do.
* He rewards you if you're good.
* He's omnipresent—at least, he can be everywhere in one night.
* He gives you good gifts.
* He's the most famous "old man in the sky" figure.
But at the deeper level that young children haven't reached yet in their understanding, he is not like God at all.
For example, does Santa really care if we're bad or good? Think of the most awful kid you can remember. Did he or she ever not get gifts from Santa?
What about Santa's spying and then rewarding you if you're good enough? That's not the way God operates. He gave us his gift—his Son—even though we weren't good at all. "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). He gave his gift to us to make us good, not because we had proved ourselves good enough.
Helping our children understand God as much as they're able at whatever age they are is our primary goal. But we've also seen some other encouraging effects of not including Santa in our celebration.
First, I think children are glad to realize that their parents, who live with them all year and know all the worst things about them, still show their love at Christmas. Isn't that more significant than a funny, old, make-believe man who drops in just once a year?
Second, I think most children know their family's usual giving patterns for birthday and special events. They tend to have an instinct about their family's typical spending levels and abilities. Knowing that their Christmas gifts come from the people they love, rather than from a bottomless sack, can help diminish the "I-want-this, give-me-that" syndrome.
And finally, when children know that God's generosity is reflected by God's people, it tends to encourage a sense of responsibility about helping make Christmas good for others.
The Art of Divine Contentment: An Exposition of Philippians 4:11
"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11
"Highlights" from Chapter 11 Divine Motives to Contentment...
1st Divine Motive: Consider the Excellency of it...
"There are two things in a contented spirit which make it like heaven: 1.God is there. 2. Rest is there."
"Contentment makes a man in tune to serve God."
"Contentment fits a man to bear burdens."
"Contentment prevents many sins and temptations...
SINS:
There are two sins in particular which contentment prevents: impatience & murmuring...
Impatience arises from a lack of faith; a lack of love for God; and a lack of humility.
Murmuring is quarrelling with God. The murmurer saith that God hath not dealt well with him and he deserves better... In Numbers 17:10 murmurers are likened to rebels; and is not rebellion as the sin of witchcraft? O Christian, be not as a witch, a sorcerer, or as one that deals with devil!
A contented Christian doth not murmur, but admire.
TEMPTATIONS:
"Satan takes great advantage of discontent because it eclipses reason and weakens faith which leads to atheism and apostasy."
"Contentment sweetens every condition...Do I meet with crosses? My comfort is, if they be heavy, I have not far to go."
"Contentment is the best commentator upon providence..."Love thinketh no evil" of God's providence, no matter how dark. God is wise; he hath done this either to prevent some sin or to exercise some grace."
2nd Divine Motive: Hath not God given thee Christ?
"A Christian hath "one thing needful"...Is there not enough inexhaustible treasure locked up in Jesus Christ to give the soul content?"
4th Divine Motive: God hath His end and Satan misses his end.
""The devil will cast some of you into prison" Rev.2:10...Why doth the devil throw us into prison? It is not so much the hurting of our body, as the molesting of our mind, that he aims at...O let us not gratify our enemy! for he loves to warm himself at the fire our passions...Repentance is the joy of angels, and discontent is the joy of the devils.
7th Divine Motive: Consider the evil of it.
"Discontent is unworthy of a Christian's profession. It was the saying of the heathen, bear thy condition quietly, "know thou art a man"; so I say, bear thy condition contentedly, "know thou art a Christian."
9th Divine Motive: The shortness of life. It is "but a vapor", saith James (Ja.4:14)
"We have but a short time here, and death calls us presently off the stage; therefore to thirst immoderately after the world, is an extreme folly."
"Death begins a wicked man's hell, but it puts an end to godly man's hell."
"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11
"Highlights" from Chapter 11 Divine Motives to Contentment...
1st Divine Motive: Consider the Excellency of it...
"There are two things in a contented spirit which make it like heaven: 1.God is there. 2. Rest is there."
"Contentment makes a man in tune to serve God."
"Contentment fits a man to bear burdens."
"Contentment prevents many sins and temptations...
SINS:
There are two sins in particular which contentment prevents: impatience & murmuring...
Impatience arises from a lack of faith; a lack of love for God; and a lack of humility.
Murmuring is quarrelling with God. The murmurer saith that God hath not dealt well with him and he deserves better... In Numbers 17:10 murmurers are likened to rebels; and is not rebellion as the sin of witchcraft? O Christian, be not as a witch, a sorcerer, or as one that deals with devil!
A contented Christian doth not murmur, but admire.
TEMPTATIONS:
"Satan takes great advantage of discontent because it eclipses reason and weakens faith which leads to atheism and apostasy."
"Contentment sweetens every condition...Do I meet with crosses? My comfort is, if they be heavy, I have not far to go."
"Contentment is the best commentator upon providence..."Love thinketh no evil" of God's providence, no matter how dark. God is wise; he hath done this either to prevent some sin or to exercise some grace."
2nd Divine Motive: Hath not God given thee Christ?
"A Christian hath "one thing needful"...Is there not enough inexhaustible treasure locked up in Jesus Christ to give the soul content?"
4th Divine Motive: God hath His end and Satan misses his end.
""The devil will cast some of you into prison" Rev.2:10...Why doth the devil throw us into prison? It is not so much the hurting of our body, as the molesting of our mind, that he aims at...O let us not gratify our enemy! for he loves to warm himself at the fire our passions...Repentance is the joy of angels, and discontent is the joy of the devils.
7th Divine Motive: Consider the evil of it.
"Discontent is unworthy of a Christian's profession. It was the saying of the heathen, bear thy condition quietly, "know thou art a man"; so I say, bear thy condition contentedly, "know thou art a Christian."
9th Divine Motive: The shortness of life. It is "but a vapor", saith James (Ja.4:14)
"We have but a short time here, and death calls us presently off the stage; therefore to thirst immoderately after the world, is an extreme folly."
"Death begins a wicked man's hell, but it puts an end to godly man's hell."
The Art of Divine Contentment: An Exposition of Philippians 4:11
"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11
"Highlights" from Chapter 10 A Suasive to Contentment...
"Discontentment is sin. It labors to hide itself under some mask or vindicate itself by some apology."
Apologies & Replys...
Apology: "I have lost a child"
Reply: Oftentimes, our love to relations is more than our love to religion. We must be content, not only ehen God gives mercies, but when He takes away. look not so much upon a temporal loss, as a spiritual gain. O, be not discontented that a mercy is taken away from you, but rather be thankful that is was lent you so long. Be thankful of the loss of burden or the saving from future evils. Think of the mercies you still enjoy. Christ hath given you His only Son. Why complain of losses if you have Christ? He is his Father's brightness (Heb.1:3), his riches (Col.2:9), his delight (Ps.42:1). Is there enought in Christ to delight the heart of God? Then there should be enough in Him to ravish us holy delight.
He is wisdom to teach us, righteousness to acquit us, sanctification to adorn us; He is all in all. Why then are thou discontented? Though the child be lost, yet thou has Him for whom all things are loss.
Apology: "I have a great part of my estate largely melted away"
Reply: God hath taken away your estate, but not your portion. Honor and estate are rather luxuries than essentials. Be content; if God dam up our outward comforts, it is, that the stream of our love may run faster another way.
Apology: "It is sad with me in my relations"
This apology branches into two particulars...
1st: "My child goes in rebellion"
Reply: a) The child's sin is sometimes the parents sermon. Look upon your child's rebellion and mourn for your own rebellion.
b) To see him undutiful is your grief, yet not always your sin. Hast thou seasoned his tender years with religious education? Thous canst do no more; parents can only work knowledge, God must work grace.
Weep for the child, pray for him; but do not sin for him by discontent.
2nd: "My husband takes ill courses"
Reply: Mourn for his sins but do not murmur. God hath placed you in your relation; you must not quarrel with God. God often turns the sins of others to our good; and makes our maladies our medicines.
Apology: "My friends have dealt unkindly with me"
Reply: Why should we think it strange to have the same measure dealt out to us as Jesus Christ had? Look upon the unkindness of thy friend, and mourn for thy own unkindness against God; shall a Christian condemn that in another, which he hath been guilty of himself? You have a friend in heaven that will never fail you. Pr.18:24
Apology: "Disrespect from the world...I have not that esteem from men as is suitable to my quality and grace."
Reply: Honor is in him that gives it. It is better that God approve, than men applaud. Discontent arising from disrespect savours too much of pride; a humble Christian hath a lower opinion of himself.
Apology: "I meet with very great suffering for the truth"
Reply: Your sufferings are not so great as your sins. Shall we not with much constancy and patience devote ourselves to injuries for religion, and rather suffer for truth than the truth suffer for us?
Apology: "The evil of the times: heresy & impiety"
Reply to heresy: It should make us mourn when every man's opinion is his bible, but let us not murmur through discontent. God can make the errors of the church advantageous to truth; some had never so studied to defend the truth by scripture, if others had not endeavored to overthrow it by deceitful reasoning.
When we see others have the "leprosy in the head", how thankful are we to God that he hath not given us over to believe a lie and so be damned?
Reply to impiety: It is indeed sad to live among the wicked, yet, we ought, if there be any spark of divine love in us, to be very sensible of the sins of others, and to have our hearts bleed for them.
Apology: "My sins disquiet & discontent me"
Reply: Be sure not to lie to God or yourself; a man's disquiet about sin may be beyond its bounds, in 3 cases...
1. When it is disheartening, that is, when it sets up sin above mercy.
2. When sorrow is indisposing, it untunes the heart for prayer, meditation, and holy conference. This is not sorrow but rather sulleness and doth render a man not so much penitential as cynical.
3. When it is out of season. This is when God calls us to be thankful for a special mercy and Satan puts us to mourning; therefore God looses the acknowledgment of mercy, and we the comfort.
"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11
"Highlights" from Chapter 10 A Suasive to Contentment...
"Discontentment is sin. It labors to hide itself under some mask or vindicate itself by some apology."
Apologies & Replys...
Apology: "I have lost a child"
Reply: Oftentimes, our love to relations is more than our love to religion. We must be content, not only ehen God gives mercies, but when He takes away. look not so much upon a temporal loss, as a spiritual gain. O, be not discontented that a mercy is taken away from you, but rather be thankful that is was lent you so long. Be thankful of the loss of burden or the saving from future evils. Think of the mercies you still enjoy. Christ hath given you His only Son. Why complain of losses if you have Christ? He is his Father's brightness (Heb.1:3), his riches (Col.2:9), his delight (Ps.42:1). Is there enought in Christ to delight the heart of God? Then there should be enough in Him to ravish us holy delight.
He is wisdom to teach us, righteousness to acquit us, sanctification to adorn us; He is all in all. Why then are thou discontented? Though the child be lost, yet thou has Him for whom all things are loss.
Apology: "I have a great part of my estate largely melted away"
Reply: God hath taken away your estate, but not your portion. Honor and estate are rather luxuries than essentials. Be content; if God dam up our outward comforts, it is, that the stream of our love may run faster another way.
Apology: "It is sad with me in my relations"
This apology branches into two particulars...
1st: "My child goes in rebellion"
Reply: a) The child's sin is sometimes the parents sermon. Look upon your child's rebellion and mourn for your own rebellion.
b) To see him undutiful is your grief, yet not always your sin. Hast thou seasoned his tender years with religious education? Thous canst do no more; parents can only work knowledge, God must work grace.
Weep for the child, pray for him; but do not sin for him by discontent.
2nd: "My husband takes ill courses"
Reply: Mourn for his sins but do not murmur. God hath placed you in your relation; you must not quarrel with God. God often turns the sins of others to our good; and makes our maladies our medicines.
Apology: "My friends have dealt unkindly with me"
Reply: Why should we think it strange to have the same measure dealt out to us as Jesus Christ had? Look upon the unkindness of thy friend, and mourn for thy own unkindness against God; shall a Christian condemn that in another, which he hath been guilty of himself? You have a friend in heaven that will never fail you. Pr.18:24
Apology: "Disrespect from the world...I have not that esteem from men as is suitable to my quality and grace."
Reply: Honor is in him that gives it. It is better that God approve, than men applaud. Discontent arising from disrespect savours too much of pride; a humble Christian hath a lower opinion of himself.
Apology: "I meet with very great suffering for the truth"
Reply: Your sufferings are not so great as your sins. Shall we not with much constancy and patience devote ourselves to injuries for religion, and rather suffer for truth than the truth suffer for us?
Apology: "The evil of the times: heresy & impiety"
Reply to heresy: It should make us mourn when every man's opinion is his bible, but let us not murmur through discontent. God can make the errors of the church advantageous to truth; some had never so studied to defend the truth by scripture, if others had not endeavored to overthrow it by deceitful reasoning.
When we see others have the "leprosy in the head", how thankful are we to God that he hath not given us over to believe a lie and so be damned?
Reply to impiety: It is indeed sad to live among the wicked, yet, we ought, if there be any spark of divine love in us, to be very sensible of the sins of others, and to have our hearts bleed for them.
Apology: "My sins disquiet & discontent me"
Reply: Be sure not to lie to God or yourself; a man's disquiet about sin may be beyond its bounds, in 3 cases...
1. When it is disheartening, that is, when it sets up sin above mercy.
2. When sorrow is indisposing, it untunes the heart for prayer, meditation, and holy conference. This is not sorrow but rather sulleness and doth render a man not so much penitential as cynical.
3. When it is out of season. This is when God calls us to be thankful for a special mercy and Satan puts us to mourning; therefore God looses the acknowledgment of mercy, and we the comfort.
The Art of Divine Contentment: An Exposition of Philippians 4:11
"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11
"Highlights" from Chapter 6 The Nature of Contentment...
"Contentment - a sweet temper of spirit, whereby a Christian carries himself in an equal poise in every condition."
Webster's 1828 definition, contentment - satisfaction of mind; appeasment; gratification; quietness of spirit. Content, literally means held, contained within limits, hence quiet; having a mind at peace.
"1. Contentment is a divine thing - we can not acquire it ourselves, it must be infused to us by God."
"2. Contentment is an intrinsical thing - contentment lies within the soul, and doth not depend upon external comforts. Contentment arises from apprehension of God's love."
"3. Contentment is a habitual thing - it is a settled temper of the heart."
"Highlights" from Chapter 7 Reasons Pressing to Holy Contentment...
"1. It is God's precept. Hebrews 13:5 "Be content with such things as you have."
"Though our hearts become as a raging sea, they should be stilled by His word."
"2. It is God's promise to "never leave us, nor forsake us." We should be content to be at God's disposal."
"Highlight" from Chapter 8...
"The way to be comfortable, is not by having our barns filled, but our minds quiet."
"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11
"Highlights" from Chapter 6 The Nature of Contentment...
"Contentment - a sweet temper of spirit, whereby a Christian carries himself in an equal poise in every condition."
Webster's 1828 definition, contentment - satisfaction of mind; appeasment; gratification; quietness of spirit. Content, literally means held, contained within limits, hence quiet; having a mind at peace.
"1. Contentment is a divine thing - we can not acquire it ourselves, it must be infused to us by God."
"2. Contentment is an intrinsical thing - contentment lies within the soul, and doth not depend upon external comforts. Contentment arises from apprehension of God's love."
"3. Contentment is a habitual thing - it is a settled temper of the heart."
"Highlights" from Chapter 7 Reasons Pressing to Holy Contentment...
"1. It is God's precept. Hebrews 13:5 "Be content with such things as you have."
"Though our hearts become as a raging sea, they should be stilled by His word."
"2. It is God's promise to "never leave us, nor forsake us." We should be content to be at God's disposal."
"Highlight" from Chapter 8...
"The way to be comfortable, is not by having our barns filled, but our minds quiet."
The Art of Divine Contentment: An Exposition of Philippians 4:11
"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11
"Highlights" from Chapter 3...
"This word, "I have learned," is a word that imports difficulty; it shows how hardly the apostle came by contentment of mind; it was not bred in nature...It is an easy thing to be wicked but matters of religion must be learned."
"Good things are hard to come by."
"There are two pregnant reasons why there must be so much study and exercitation: 1. Because spiritual things are against our nature. 2. Because spiritual things are above our nature."
(In this section, Watson goes on to describe individually why faith, self-denial, self-examination, and self-reformation are all against our nature...he concluded with...)
"We must implore the Spirit to teacheth! Is.48:17"
"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11
"Highlights" from Chapter 3...
"This word, "I have learned," is a word that imports difficulty; it shows how hardly the apostle came by contentment of mind; it was not bred in nature...It is an easy thing to be wicked but matters of religion must be learned."
"Good things are hard to come by."
"There are two pregnant reasons why there must be so much study and exercitation: 1. Because spiritual things are against our nature. 2. Because spiritual things are above our nature."
(In this section, Watson goes on to describe individually why faith, self-denial, self-examination, and self-reformation are all against our nature...he concluded with...)
"We must implore the Spirit to teacheth! Is.48:17"
"Highlights from Chapter 4...
"The main proposition I shall insist upon, is this, that a gracious spirit is a contented spirit. The doctrine of contentment is very superlative, and till we have learned this, we have not learned to be Christians."
"Contentment is a hard lesson. If our first parents clothed with innocency had not learned to be content, O how hard shall we find it, who are full of corruption!"
"To bid a natural man to live by faith, and when things go cross, be contented, you bid him do what he hath no skill in."
"To live contented upon God in the deficiency of outward comforts, is an art which "flesh and blood hath not learned;" nay, many of God's own children, who excel in other duties of religion, when they come to contentment, how they do bungle. They have scarce become masters of this art."
"Highlights" from Chapter 5...
"1. We must be sensible of our condition and humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God."
"2. We must pray. When any burden is upon the spirit, prayer gives vent, and it easeth the heart. "Hannah, having prayed, and wept, she went away, and was sad no more." "
"The difference between a holy complaint and a discontented complaint; in one we complain to God, in the other we complain of God."
"3. We must forego: ~ vexatious repining (murmuring) ~ uneven discomposure (being easily agitated, defeated, and confused) ~ childish despondency (uninformed depression)
The Art of Divine Contentment: An Exposition of Philippians 4:11
"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11
A quote from the FOREWORD by C.H.Spurgeon: "Although Thomas Watson issued several most valuable books, comparatively little is known of him - even the dates of his birth and death are unknown. His writings are his best memorial; perhaps he needed no other, and therefore providence forbade the superfluity."
"Highlights" from Chapter 1 An Introduction to the Text...
"Care when it is eccentric, either distrustful or distracting, is very dishonourable to God"
(The meaning behind some of these words seem to change over time, so using my Webster's 1828 dictionary, I translated the above quote to...)
Discontentment, which is deviation from divine law, comes either from not trusting in God or because of distractions away from heavenly things; both dishonor God.
"Highlights" from Chapter 2 The First Branch of the Text...
"I have learned"
"not "I have heard" thus..."
"It is not enough for Christians to hear their duty but they must learn their duty."
"Christians hear much, but it is feared, learn little."
"How can you say you have 'learned' what sin is, if you have not learned to leave sin! You have not learned - you have heard. Will you have learned what a viper is, yet still play with it?"
"A man may know much of Christ - so did the devils."
"A man may preach Christ - so did Judas."
"A man may profess Christ - there are many professors that Christ will not profess (Matt.7:22-23)
"To learn Christ is to believe in Him."
"To learn Christ is to love Christ."
"To learn Christ is to be made like Christ."
"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11
A quote from the FOREWORD by C.H.Spurgeon: "Although Thomas Watson issued several most valuable books, comparatively little is known of him - even the dates of his birth and death are unknown. His writings are his best memorial; perhaps he needed no other, and therefore providence forbade the superfluity."
"Highlights" from Chapter 1 An Introduction to the Text...
"Care when it is eccentric, either distrustful or distracting, is very dishonourable to God"
(The meaning behind some of these words seem to change over time, so using my Webster's 1828 dictionary, I translated the above quote to...)
Discontentment, which is deviation from divine law, comes either from not trusting in God or because of distractions away from heavenly things; both dishonor God.
"Highlights" from Chapter 2 The First Branch of the Text...
"I have learned"
"not "I have heard" thus..."
"It is not enough for Christians to hear their duty but they must learn their duty."
"Christians hear much, but it is feared, learn little."
"How can you say you have 'learned' what sin is, if you have not learned to leave sin! You have not learned - you have heard. Will you have learned what a viper is, yet still play with it?"
"A man may know much of Christ - so did the devils."
"A man may preach Christ - so did Judas."
"A man may profess Christ - there are many professors that Christ will not profess (Matt.7:22-23)
"To learn Christ is to believe in Him."
"To learn Christ is to love Christ."
"To learn Christ is to be made like Christ."
Well, I have posted 79 times since I started this blog in April! That means there is 21 more to go before my BIG 100th BLOG GIVEAWAY!!! I've never done a giveaway, so this will be my first and I am very excited about it!!! It's going to be a very special 'edification' gift!!! So, I hope you'll stay tuned and be looking forward to it.
In the meantime, I would like to do something new on my blog...
I'm calling it a: "Book Highlight".
What I would like to do is share some of my favorite books with you by giving you the "highlights" of each chapter! For those of you who are not "readers" you will really enjoy these little snippets of edification. And for those of you who are avid readers, hopefully it will inspire you to read the whole book!
The first book I would like to "highlight" is: The Art of Divine Contentment by Thomas Watson. This is the most powerful book I've ever read on the fruit of contentment and I know it will be of the utmost encouragement to you. I pray you'll be faithful to follow along and reap the fruits of this labor for the glory of God.
This past Friday, Jamey & I celebrated our 16th Wedding Anniversary!
For those of you who know us well, you know the INCREDIBLE testimony God has so graciously given us over the years...and today, we want to give Him all the honor, praise, and glory!
Thank you Father for your patient loving kindness towards two depraved sinners such as us! We love you and praise your Holy Name! Thank you for never leaving nor forsaking us. Thank you for 16 wonderful years of guidance and protection. Words cannot express our eternal gratitude for all Your grace and mercy. We look forward to spending all eternity worshipping You in the splendor of holiness! Thank you Lord, we love you!
A Cherished Memory...
(Yes, that's mud on my arm... We were mud-boggin!
It's good to laugh and play and act like kids every now and then :)
A song for my hubby...
You're Still The One
Shania Twain
(when I first saw you, I saw love.
(when I first saw you, I saw love.
and the first time you touched me, I felt love.
and after all this time, you’re still the one I love.)
Looks like we made it
Look how far we’ve come my baby
We mighta took the long way
We knew we’d get there someday
They said, ’i bet they’ll never make it’
But just look at us holding on
We’re still together still going strong
You’re still the one I run to
The one that I belong to
You’re still the one I want for life
You’re still the one that I love
The only one I dream of
You’re still the one I kiss good night
Ain’t nothin’ better
We beat the odds together
I’m glad we didn’t listen
Look at what we would be missin’
I’m so glad we made it
Look how far we’ve come my baby
I love you Jamey and I'm very thankful for the 16 years we've shared together. I pray there be MANY more to come.
Psalm 119:11-16
11. Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.
12. Blessed are You, O LORD;
Teach me Your statutes.
13. With my lips I have told of
All the ordinances of Your mouth.
14. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
15. I will meditate on Your precepts
And regard Your ways.
16. I shall delight in Your statutes;
I shall not forget Your word.
God is glorified not only by His glories being seen, but by its being rejoiced in. When those that see it delight in it, God is more glorified than if they only see it. ~ John Piper
That I may not sin against You.
12. Blessed are You, O LORD;
Teach me Your statutes.
13. With my lips I have told of
All the ordinances of Your mouth.
14. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
15. I will meditate on Your precepts
And regard Your ways.
16. I shall delight in Your statutes;
I shall not forget Your word.
God is glorified not only by His glories being seen, but by its being rejoiced in. When those that see it delight in it, God is more glorified than if they only see it. ~ John Piper
I have thought I am a creature of a day, passing through life as an arrow through the air. I am a spirit come from God and returning to God; just hovering over the great gulf, till a few moments hence I am no more seen. I drop into an unchangeable eternity! I want to know one thing, the way to heaven - how to land safe on that happy shore. God himself has condescended to teach the way: for this very end he came from heaven. He hath written it down in a book. O give me that book! At any price give me the Book of God! I have it. Here is knowledge enough for me. Let me be homo unius libri [a man of one book].
~ John Wesley 1746
Here is a quote from Death in the City by Francis A. Schaeffer...
The church in our generation needs reformation, revival and constructive revolution. At times men think of the two words, reformation and revival as standing in contrast to one another, but this is a mistake. Both words are related to the word restore.
Reformation refers to a restoration to pure doctrine, revival refers to a restoration in the Christian life. Reformation refers to a return to the teachings of scripture; revival speaks of a life brought into it's proper relationship to the Holy Spirit.
The great moments of church history have come when these two restorations have simultaneously come into action so that the church has returned to pure doctrine and the lives of the Christians in the church have known the power of the Holy Spirit. There cannot be true revival unless there has been reformation and reformation is not complete without revival.
Such a combination of reformation and revival would be revolutionary in our day.
May we be those who know the reality of both reformation and revival so that this poor dark world may have an exhibition of a portion of the church returned to both pure doctrine and Spirit filled life.
There are SO MANY things to be thankful for...where O where to begin?! Actually the problem is more...where to end! This post could go on for years and years! But since I only have a few minutes to post, I guess I'll just share a couple of things I'm eternally grateful for...
First & Foremost: My Precious Salvation!Thank you Lord, for the gracious gift of your Son,
whose blood has atoned for my sin.
"Behold! What manner of love the Father has given unto us
that we should be called the sons of God!"
Your Precious Holy Word..."Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."
"Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day."
Your Magnificent Creation...
"You are the LORD, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you."
A Happy & Blessed Marriage...
"Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him." ...For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh."
Plus 4 Wonderful Children..."Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate."
The Gift Of Homeschooling\Homemaking... "...tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and His might, and the wonders that He has done...so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments..."
"...admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed."
Watching Them Grow...
And Play...
And Smile...
And Laugh... O there is just too many blessings to name!
I'm thankful for...
friends
family
church
health
protection
provision
chastisement
earthly comforts
service opportunities
PRAYER
warnings
rest
love
joy
peace
patience
kindness
goodness
faithfulness
gentleness
self-control
etc...etc..etc...
OK I'M FORCING MYSELF TO STOP NOW!!!
I pray you all have a very blessed Thanksgiving Day!
:)
Love, Mrs.Burnsed
In my last post I recommended The Valley of Vision. This book is a collection of Puritan prayers and devotions that have been a wonderful source of blessing to me over the years. You can purchase it in paperback (shown below) or in black leather. Here is sample of one of the prayers...
O THOU MOST HIGH,
In the way of thy appointment I am waiting for thee,
My desire is to thy name,
My mind to remembrance of thee.
I am a sinner, but not insensible of my state.
My iniquities are great and numberless,
but thou art adequate to my relief,
for thou art rich in mercy;
the blood of thy Son can cleanse from all sin;
the agency of thy Spirit can subdue my most powerful lusts.
Give me a tender, wakeful conscience
that can smite and torment me when I sin.
May I be consistent in conversation and conduct,
the same alone as in company,
in prosperity and adversity,
accepting all thy commandments as right,
and hating every false way.
May I never be satisfied with my present spiritual progress,
but to faith add virtue, knowledge, temperance, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity.
May I never neglect
what is necessary to constitute Christian character,
and needful to complete it.
May I cultivate the expedient,
develop the lovely, adorn the gospel,
recommend the religion of Jesus,
accommodate myself to thy providence.
Keep me from sinking or sinning in the evil day;
Help me to carry into ordinary life portions of divine truth
and use them on suitable occasions, so that
its doctrines may inform,
its warnings caution,
its rules guide,
its promises comfort me.
One of the greatest sermons ever preached was by Jonathan Edwards in 1741: Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God. Click on the title to read the whole sermon or click on the picture below to purchase the audio version. I highly recommend the audio version!!! Max McLean has the most soothing voice and trust me you will need all the soothing you can get when listening to this sermon!!! It is BY FAR like nothing I've ever heard! For a lost man to sit under this sermon and walk away unaffected is a mind-boggling thought. It shook me to the core and I've already experienced God's saving grace! WARNING: THIS SERMON IS NOT FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED!
I also recommend Max McLean's: The Listener's Bible and The Valley of Vision. Then go to Radio Shack and purchase a pillow speaker. Place this tiny little speaker under your pillow at night and fall asleep listening to the Word of God or Puritan prayers from The Valley of Vision. It has been a huge blessing to me over the years and I hope it now blesses you!
In the meantime...if you'd like, here is an excerpt of the sermon to wet your appetitie...
Your wickedness makes you as it were heavy as lead, and to tend downwards with great weight and pressure towards hell; and if God should let you go, you would immediately sink and swiftly descend and plunge into the bottomless gulf, and your healthy constitution, and your own care and prudence, and best contrivance, and all your righteousness, would have no more influence to uphold you and keep you out of hell, than a spider's web would have to stop a fallen rock. Were it not for the sovereign pleasure of God, the earth would not bear you one moment; for you are a burden to it; the creation groans with you; the creature is made subject to the bondage of your corruption, not willingly; the sun does not willingly shine upon you to give you light to serve sin and Satan; the earth does not willingly yield her increase to satisfy your lusts; nor is it willingly a stage for your wickedness to be acted upon; the air does not willingly serve you for breath to maintain the flame of life in your vitals, while you spend your life in the service of God's enemies. God's creatures are good, and were made for men to serve God with, and do not willingly subserve to any other purpose, and groan when they are abused to purposes so directly contrary to their nature and end. And the world would spew you out, were it not for the sovereign hand of him who hath subjected it in hope. There are black clouds of God's wrath now hanging directly over your heads, full of the dreadful storm, and big with thunder; and were it not for the restraining hand of God, it would immediately burst forth upon you. The sovereign pleasure of God, for the present, stays his rough wind; otherwise it would come with fury, and your destruction would come like a whirlwind, and you would be like the chaff of the summer threshing floor.
This past Monday several mothers and daughters joined together for our 2nd Annual Mother\Daughter Quilting & Tea Party. It was a big success with 37 in attendance! Several other families wanted to come but couldn't and three families were unable to attend due to illness...The Barr's, The Cases's, & The Dimillo's...hope you're feeling better soon...we missed you all and hope to see you next year!
Here are some pics for you to enjoy...
Mom had to get in a quick photo shoot before everyone arrived...
22 pictured, but doesn't include Lauren or the Brower girls :(
9 moms pictured but missing Mrs. Brower Maybe I should explain...
The Brower's cows got out that morning causing them to be late!
But I did get some pics after they arrived!
The Browers!
The Smith's
The Bryl's
The Hope's
The Johnson's
The Burnsed's
The Lynn's
The Feldman's
The Sparling's
The Reedy's
Alyssa
Lilly Ann
Michelle
Debbie & Laura
Making a quilt...
I love Berry's smile :)
Bethany
For a moment it looked like they were praying :)
How sweet is this?
Hi Provvy!
Brianna & Leah
LillyAnn & Bethany
Mrs. Hope giving Alaina knitting lessons
Becky teaching Susanna...how sweet :)
Lots of little moma's that day :)
Girl talk...
What sweet fellowship...
The little ones really enjoyed visiting under the tree
I love the homemade dresses...so feminine
They're gonna make good moma's one day!
Fun! Fun! Day...
Lots of little moma's that day :)
Girl talk...
What sweet fellowship...
The little ones really enjoyed visiting under the tree
I love the homemade dresses...so feminine
They're gonna make good moma's one day!
Fun! Fun! Day...
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