Fountains of Life

Is The Grass Always Greener?

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Most of us have heard this expression countless times: “The grass is always greener on the other side,” with the meaning that the situation somewhere else always seems better than where we are. Usually it’s an assumption that a different set of circumstances — job, family, location, weight, friends, spouse — would make us happier.

There’s also a thought-provoking counter expression: “The grass is always greener where you water it.” Or another way to phrase it — “fertilize the side you’re on.”

Sometimes it’s hard to be content on our own side. The Apostle Paul encourages us in Phil. 4:11-13 that there’s a secret to living content: be strengthened by God. Having been through shipwrecks, beatings, imprisonment, and even a snake bite, I think he probably has a clue about this contentment thing.

As for today, during this time of pandemic, there have been more rules and regulations placed upon us than ever before. Some regions require masks to be worn at all times, some areas have curfews in effect, some situations order a quarantine when traveling from certain areas, some schools are opening while others are not. All of these conditions have brought up quite a bit of conflict and discontentment. To be honest, they have for me. That’s why Father God brought me to these words from brother Paul. 

Instead of wishing I could do “this,” or complaining because I can’t do “that,” what if I chose to water the grass I’m standing on instead of looking for greener grass? 

  • I could choose to be thankful and focus on the opportunities and privileges I do have rather than what I don’t. 
  • I could choose to be at rest and trust God for the uncertainties that lie before me, rather than be anxious and worry about the future. 

If I have the ability to change my situation, I can take action — I don’t have to play a victim. If circumstances are beyond my control, then I need to rely on God’s promises and rest in His unfailing love. He’s a good Father.  

In these verses, Paul states that he has “learned” to be content. I don’t think we’re born with contentment or else we’d see small children happy with whatever toy we give them and willing to share. No, this doesn’t usually happen. We have to learn to be satisfied with our present set of circumstances. 

Learning is a process. There are lessons. Think of life as a class you’re going through, a journey of explorations. Be involved in it, don’t just let it happen to you. 

So as much as we presume the other side has greener grass, let’s take a lesson from Paul and ask the Lord to give us strength to be content right where we are. 

We may find out it’s actually better. 

 

(By Cyndi)

Questions

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  • How do I remain at rest in God’s love when I can’t feel it nor sense it? 
  • What do I do when I’m afraid — is He even there?
  • How do I keep my faith and trust in God when things don’t seem to be going my way?

Fortunately, we have the Word of God to use as an anchor and grounding device when these types of questions come up. The Bible is unequivocally,  undeniably, and undoubtedly, absolute truth. It is a plumb line we can always use to measure everything else. 

So with this certainty established, let’s look at some of these questions.

The Word tells me God loves me no matter what. That there’s nothing I can do or say (or not do or not say) that would make Him stop loving me. (Rom. 8:38,39) It’s not about what we can or cannot feel, it’s simply an unchangeable fact. Just as I am my father’s daughter, nothing can ever change that; he was part of my conception. Even in death (my father’s) I’m still his daughter. So no matter what the circumstance or situation, nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.

Psalm 56 is a great chapter about fear and trust. The psalmist brings out many fears he’s feeling and how God so sees all the tears we shed He puts them in a bottle. (vs.8) Father is very aware of what we’re going through and wants to comfort us in the midst of these fears.

Hebrews 13:5 reminds us that He will never leave us or forsake us. And look at the context before that: 

“Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you.”

I can be content. I don’t have to worry about anything — not about money, food, my job, my kids, nothing. (Luke 12:27-31) Not that money is going to fall from the sky or a job is going to magically appear for me if I
choose to not look for one, but it’s a matter of me doing what I know to do in the natural, and trust Him for guidance and direction. Father God will take care of me. This is true because the Word says so, not because I feel like He will, but because the Word is Truth. Emotions change and can lie; His Word cannot. 

And when things aren’t going my way? Father’s love is still there. I have to choose to not lean on my own understanding (Prov. 3:5) but believe and trust in His care. It’s a choice. He hasn’t forgotten about me. In fact, the Word says He’s graven (carved) us on the palms of His hands. (Isa. 49:16) I’m that close to Him at all times.

David, the Psalmist, was very close to God, and I think one of the reasons why was because he asked a lot of these same questions. He expressed his fears and doubts to the Lord, being totally honest and straightforward with Him. And in the Word we can see where God answered him and comforted him. This vulnerability brought him closer to the Lord. 

This is the same relationship that Father God wants with us. So go ahead and ask Him whatever questions you have. Express all your worries and concerns. Then get in the Word. Maybe use a Bible promise book to help. Take some time to be in the Scriptures and let them ground you and be a foundation in times of instability. (Matt.7:24) Lord knows we all have doubts, frustrations, and questions throughout life, so it’s comforting to be established in His unchanging Word. 

Feeling Forgotten

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Ah, that smell of rain in the distance and the sight of cumulonimbus clouds building in the sky. But such a tease as all of it stays miles away from my house, never to release one single drop of precipitation near me.

Once again I watch other parts of town get rain while we continue to go days without any! I try watering my plants every day but the poor things are dying in all this summer heat! Summers in Florida are so fickle. It’s either lots of rain or none, depending on where you live. Sometimes it feels like God has forgotten all about my plants.

And sometimes it feels like He’s forgotten all about me too. I notice good things happening to others, yet not to me. “Rain” is pouring on some people yet I haven’t felt a drop in days. I’m drying out, dying — just like my plants. Why, God? What happened? 

In these times we’re living in, I’m finding that I want to judge quickly, compare myself to others, and use my mouth to speak my thoughts and opinions to whomever will listen. However, I don’t think any of those are fruits of the spirit. I know God’s not mad at me and hasn’t stopped loving me, but it could explain some of these feelings — I’m looking at everyone else but me to be the problem. He’s waiting.

He’s waiting because my focus has been on all this external stuff around me. He’s waiting because I’m looking at all the negatives and “lacks” that I perceive I’m having. He’s waiting because He loves me so much He lets me rant and rave all I want until I’m so desperately missing that still small Voice in my life that I’ll shut up and take a good look at myself. And repent. 

Rain will always be falling somewhere. In fact, the rain falls on the just and the unjust. (Matt.5:45) It’s not a question of whether God loves me or not, He does and always will. It’s a matter of the condition of my own heart. Am I jealous? Envious? Proud? Self-righteous? 

I can tell a lot about my heart by how I respond to where the rain is falling.

Usually the problem isn’t about the things that happen or don’t happen, it’s about how I respond to them. I can’t always change or control what’s going on around me, but I can adjust my heart and how I react to those things. I can choose to be angry, bitter, and upset, or I can choose to be thankful, grateful and positive. As much as I want to put blame on someone or something else, it really is my choice. 

Deut. 30:19 — This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.

Here’s the choice: life and death, blessings and curses. Every day we have choices to make — to hear and believe what’s in the media, or read and believe the Word of God. I try my best to not watch much news because it keeps me from having to repent too much, as my heart is easily moved by emotional stories (and I start judging). 

I’ve been trying to count my “blessing stories” at the end of the day — those good and positive things that have happened to me throughout the day. Some of you may keep a gratitude journal in a book or app (and there are many!), but whatever you do, I highly recommend some sort of means which can help you make wise choices. I personally need the help.

When I feel like I’m forgotten by God and I see the rain on everyone else but me, I first express what’s in my heart to God (thank you David for your examples in the Psalms!) and then I make a choice to find something true, honest, just, pure, etc. (Phil. 4:8) to focus on. Gratefulness and thanksgiving keep me at peace while I’m waiting for it to rain on me. 

 

—By Cyndi

 

An Afternoon Thunderstorm

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By Cyndi

Good ol’ Florida. Once again we’re getting pounded by a summer afternoon thunderstorm. The sky darkens all around, the rumbles roll in stereo through the air, and rain gets fiercely dumped onto the already waterlogged lawns. Cracks of lightening shudder the house at times while my cat anxiously hides in a chair trying to sleep.

Listening to the downpour outside, God gently reminds me that this will all be over soon. You see, usually within thirty minutes or less this storm line will pass over us. The thunder will fade into the distance, the rain will slack off, then the sun will come back out from behind the clouds and cause a layer of steam to rise from the roads. This is the normal, seasonal pattern of summer afternoons in Florida. Storms come and they go.

Such is the pattern of life also: storms come and they go. They darken our lives, wreck havoc on our emotions, and sometimes actually cause real damage — but they eventually pass.

On the Bible Study Tools website I did a search for “and it came to pass” and it came up with 446 results. Wow! I think we can soundly say that nothing stays the same. And this world-wide storm we’re all in right now will eventually pass. Obviously not as quickly as an afternoon thundershower, but sooner or later it, too, will pass and be gone.

So what do we do while we’re waiting for it to pass?

One of my favorite words that David used to describe God in the Psalms was “fortress.” Here are a few examples:

    • Ps. 91:2—I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God in Him will I trust.
    • Ps.144:2—My goodness, and my fortress: my hight tower and my deliverer, my shield and He in whom I trust.
    • Ps. 31:3—For thou art my rock and my fortress: therefore for thy name’s sake lead me and guide me.

A fortress is a place of “exceptional security.” We can hide in His love and rest knowing He will guide and direct us, keep us safe, and give us peace in the midst of whatever storms come our way. Whether it’s a medical, physical, emotional, or spiritual attack, He’s our stronghold, our high tower. 

Again God reminded me that just like I can sit in my own home with a raging bombardment of lightening and thundering all around me — even knocking out my “power” at times — I can reside totally unharmed and untouched by this disturbance. My fortress (my abode, the place where I live) keeps me safe and dry during it all. (Jn.15:7; 1Jn.4:16)

So, my dear reader, take refuge in our Fortress as these storms pass us by. Build walls of scriptures around you, encompass yourself with bricks of worship, and soak your atmosphere with His presence. Remove any fiery darts of media that try to attack your mind and instead rest and trust in our faithful Father. Abide in Him. There is no storm that will ever be able to tear down our High Tower. The deluge will come and go, but He will always stand strong.

___________

(Here’s a great song by Hillsong to keep in your heart during this time.)

Surf Dad

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By Cyndi

A man stands in chest deep water, with two of his sons close by. “Good pop-up that time, Ian!” he shouts to one of the boys in shallower water. “Looking good!” he says to the other one catching the next wave as it breaks. The third son, the eldest, about twelve I’d guess, is further away from them sitting on his surfboard. “Aaron, won’t you come over here and be near us?” he motions with his hand. He wants to be around all of his children. I call this man “Surf Dad” to myself because I don’t know his name but he’s a regular at this spot — a local surfer teaching his three boys to surf.

And what a fine example of a father I see in this man. I’m sure he’s not perfect, none of us are, yet, the manner in which he handles his boys outshines many other dads. He speaks to them with kindness and seems to be patient with them as they learn. There have been times when I have accidentally gotten in his way surfing but he always smiles and says, “No worries,” and paddles back out for another wave. I hear him constantly encouraging his boys, supporting all their efforts and pressing them on.

Observing Surf Dad made me think about Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father. Jesus was taught the carpentry trade from him. I know the Bible doesn’t tell us how Jesus grew up, but from the little knowledge we have of how Joseph responded to Mary and his dreams from God, I have a feeling Joseph was probably a lot like Surf Dad. I bet he was patient when Jesus was little, sweeping the shop, sanding boards, watching His father work. I imagine encouraging words and “teaching moments” coming from Joseph as he trained Jesus in all the tricks of the trade. And I have a feeling they liked hanging out together. 

Isn’t this the kind of dad we all want? Well guess what? We have one. 

Some of us were blessed with one in the natural (I’m one of those people), but Father God wants to be this kind of a dad to each of us now! Jesus came to show us what the Father is like. John 14:9, “If you’ve seen Me, you’ve seen the Father.” He was meek and lowly of heart, compassionate and caring, gracious and merciful, and also liked to play with children! These aren’t just the character traits of Jesus, they’re of our Heavenly Father too!

It’s very possible that Surf Dad is a Christian, since his traits resemble Father God’s so much (plus I’ve seen a fish sticker on his truck), or he may just be a good dad. I don’t know for sure, but either way I feel he paints an excellent picture of how the Father wants to relate to us.

Both Surf Dad and Joseph show us that God always sees us as His sons and daughters with whom He wants to spend time with, encourage, comfort, and express love to. It’s up to us to believe He is, and receive Him as this type of Dad. 

 

(Photos taken from 911surfreport.com   Thanks Eddie.)