New gadgets come with default settings. The sounds a mobile phone uses to notify us of calls and messages are its default settings. The font on our word processor is pre-set. Our computer’s web browser has a default search engine.

Human beings come with default settings. One of those settings – discontentment. Think about it. From the very beginning. God created Adam and Eve and put them the Garden where they had anything they could possibly want. Everything was at their disposal. There was only one thing they couldn’t have – the fruit of one tree. And what did they want? You guessed it! That fruit.

We live in a perpetual state of discontentment. We are relentlessly wanting the latest device, the most current fashions, less wrinkles, and better vacations. We change schools, move houses, switch jobs, hop churches and get divorces at a greater rate than any generation before us. All because of our default setting – discontentment.

But there is good news. If we don’t like the default ringer on our phone we can change it. If we’re not happy with the default font or web browser, we can choose a different font and a new browser. And we can reset the discontentment default, too. While it is not as easy as flipping a switch, it can be learned. Here are a few ways we can do that:

1. Be Thankful

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

No matter what circumstance we find ourselves in, there is ALWAYS something to thank God for! We should make a habit of writing down the things we are thankful for – tangible and intangible. And when we find ourselves wanting something (but knowing we don’t need it), we can take out that sheet of paper and be reminded of all that we already have.

2. Rely on God

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger abundance and need. I can do all things though him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13

Perhaps Philippians 4:13 is one of the most misused verses in all the Bible. We paint it on signs to encourage our favorite team that they can win if Christ is on their side. But the verse is really saying even if our team loses they can handle the defeat with Christ’s strength. Interesting the context these words are found in – we can be content in times of plenty and times of scarcity – with God’s help.

3. Be Generous

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Giving is the antidote to materialism. Start somewhere. Give today. Move the discontentment setting closer to contentment.

 

Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have… Hebrews 13:15

 

 

 

Today is ½ price chocolate day! That’s right, it’s February 15th, the day following the highly commercialized extravaganza known as Valentine’s Day where we tell that special someone in our lives, “I love you” complete with overpriced cards, candy and flowers.

I’m not a big fan of Valentine’s Day. But I do love half-off chocolate! And it does give us an opportunity to talk about love. And what better way to do that than by turning to the love chapter – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (CEB):

Love is patient, love is kind, it isn’t jealous, it doesn’t brag, it isn’t arrogant, it isn’t rude, it doesn’t seek its own advantage, it isn’t irritable, it doesn’t keep a record of complaints, it isn’t happy with injustice, but it is happy with the truth. Love puts up with all things, trusts in all things, hopes for all things, endures all things.

I was once challenged to make 1 Corinthians 13 personal by putting my name in place of the word love. So, for me, it would read, “Ryan is patient, Ryan is kind, Ryan isn’t jealous, Ryan doesn’t brag…” and so on.

Go ahead, try it.

Convicting, isn’t it?

That’s why I’m not a big fan of Valentine’s Day. There’s nothing wrong with buying cards, candy and flowers to celebrate love. But are we living that love every day? Or does our record of complaints last longer than the chocolate that swiftly disappears and the flowers that quickly fade?

Today is ½ price chocolate day. So, go buy yourself a chocolate heart and remember that Valentines’ Day isn’t just one day of the year but every day.

2017 Influenza Virus = 3                Smallwood Family = 1

Three of us down. One has avoided the infirmary and hopefully he continues to dodge the bullet. And I know it’s not just affecting us. I’ve heard of many who are out of order with the same stuff. One school we know was missing over 200 kids today. And another school is cancelling classes to try and bring an end to the outbreak.

Because typing hurts my fingers, I’ll be brief. But it reminds of something Jesus said:

Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. Mark 2:17

Jesus is often called the Great Physician because of this claim.  He used a common experience (doctors help the physically ill) to describe a spiritual reality (Jesus saves the spiritually sick).  It’s an analogy that hits close to home in a broken world – and when you have the flu.

So, let’s say I finally give in and go see a doctor. If I want to get well there are a few things that must happen:

1. I have to be honest.
When I make an appointment with my doctor I must be honest about my symptoms. I have to tell him my head feels like it’s about to explode. My throat feels like I swallowed a thousand razor blades. My chest feels like an elephant decided to camp out there. And that woodpeckers have taken up residence in every bone in my body. Sure, the doctor can perform lots of tests to determine the problem, but it certainly helps if I am willing to be honest.

Likewise, when we come to the Great Physician, we must be honest about our problem. We have to acknowledge the habit we can’t kick, the hang-up that nags us, and the hurt we can’t seem to shed. True, He already knows the condition and the cure. But there is hope found on the other side of honesty. Once I have acknowledged or confessed the problem, the Physician can go to work.

2. I have to follow the doctor’s orders.
The doctor will get to the cause of my symptoms and will order up the cure. Perhaps I’m prescribed some tasty medicine. Maybe the doctor tells me I need to give in, stop working and rest. Or conceivably I’m told I need to eat better and exercise more (Isn’t that what they always say?). Bottom line is I must follow whatever is prescribed to get well.

Likewise, once we’ve acknowledged our letdowns before the Great Physician, we must follow whatever is prescribed. The word we use is repentance which literally means we must go a different direction. We must give up the habit we are struggling with, the hang-up we don’t want to let go of or the hurt we are trying to harbor. Bottom line is we must follow the Great Physician’s orders.

I hope you don’t have the flu but I hope you realize you are sick. We all are! And that’s okay. Jesus didn’t come for those who think they are well but for those who admit they need the Great Physician.

Are you being honest? Are you following the Doctor’s orders?

Last week I shared with you my expertise in loading the dishwasher (https://jryansmallwood.com/2017/01/25/youre-loading-the-dishwasher-wrong). It was met with the applause of lots of men out there who share a similar plight. Considering that, this week I thought I would share with you my talent for doing laundry.

In our nearly 24 years of marriage, Amy has almost always done our laundry. I absolutely help and even do it from time to time but when it comes to the division of labor in our house, Amy has always taken the lead with keeping us in clean clothes. One evening several years ago, we were having a very innocent discussion and the topic of laundry came up. In that conversation, I simply stated that I would do the laundry differently than Amy does. I believe I said that I would do it more efficiently. (I know, next week’s blog is on ten things you should never say to your wife). Amy didn’t move things from the washer to the dryer and from the dryer to the closet as quickly as I preferred. So often, at my doing, her clothes ended up on the floor of her closet. I simply stated her method wasn’t as efficient as mine. And that was the day she went on strike. Amy continued to do everyone’s laundry except for mine. I was on my own. If I wanted clean underwear, I better make sure they get that way. And I did – my way. Very efficiently I might add.

Let’s just say my views on doing the laundry were religious. The word “religion” literally means “a particular system” and we usually relate that to faith and worship. But we can be religious about anything from the way we brush our teeth to the way we eat a hamburger and to the way we load the dishwasher or do laundry. The danger is when we begin to think our system is the only right one. Let’s admit it. There are lots of different ways to do laundry. And they can all be valid ways. They all get the clothes clean!

The point is this – instead of claiming our answers for the world’s problems are the only right ones, let us take note of those who see it differently than we do. Rather than attacking those on social media who express an opposing view, let us have open and meaningful conversations about our differences. Instead of propagating slander and using hurtful words, let us find common ground and use that to move forward for the common good.

The strike has since come to an end. Amy still takes the lead with doing most of our laundry – even mine – but we work together to get it done. May we be a people who work together to make the world a better place.