CONTENTMENT IS A GIFT FROM GOD

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

I Timothy 6:6

A sound heart is the life of the flesh:

but envy the rottenness of the bones.

Proverbs 14:30

 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove 

thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: 

and, behold, this also is vanity.

I said of laughter, It is mad: 

and of mirth, What doeth it?

I sought in mine heart to give myself unto 

wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; 

and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what 

was that good for the sons of men, which they 

should do under the heaven all the days of their life.

I made me great works; I builded me 

houses; I planted me vineyards:

I made me gardens and orchards, 

and I planted trees in them of all kind 

of fruits: I made me pools of water, to water 

therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:

I got me servants and maidens, and had 

servants born in my house; also I had great 

possessions of great and small cattle above 

all that were in Jerusalem before me:

I gathered me also silver and gold, and 

the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: 

I gat me men singers and women singers, 

and the delights of the sons of men, as musical 

instruments, and that of all sorts.

So I was great, and increased more than all that 

were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom 

remained with me.  And whatsoever mine eyes desired 

I kept not from them, I withheld not my 

heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in 

all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.

Then I looked on all the works that my hands 

had wrought, and on the labour that I had 

laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity 

and vexation of spirit, and there was no 

profit under the son.  And I turned myself to behold 

wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what 

can the man do that cometh after the king? even 

that which hath been already done. Then I saw that 

wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.

The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the 

fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also

that one event happeneth to them all.

Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth 

to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; 

and why was I then more wise? Then I said in 

my heart, that this also is vanity.

Ecclesiastes

2:1-15

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BUILDING BRIDGES OR DAMS

Photo provided by Patricia Ziegler

We are all given an opportunity in life to build a 

bridge.  It can be building a bridge at work or in 

your family or in friendships.  It's our choice what 

we do with the opportunities we are given.  I have

been guilty many times with building a

dam instead of a bridge.  

When we decide to build a bridge we must 

understand that there will still be an extreme

amount of debris that flows under the bridge.

It will be a wonderful experience for many people

who walk across the bridge in order to get to the 

other side but for some they will only see the 

debris from the tree or the trash that has been 

thrown into the river and is passing under the 

bridge.  This may cause distress in their 

lives even though you built the bridge

to bring joy and assistance.

There will be some that see the bridge as a

means to carry assistance and hope to 

someone on the other side whereas, some

will see the bridge as a means to carry 

harm and discouragement across to others. 

Does this mean that we should never

build the bridge?  Does that mean that 

we are wrong if we choose to build a 

bridge and for some reason a person

decides to use it for evil instead of 

using it for good?  

No, the goal in life is to go forth and build 

bridges of hope, comfort and peace

for others so whenever they find

themselves in the depth of despair they

will have something to hold on to in

order to get across and keep traveling.

One of the reasons the bridge may be there

to begin with is because the person who built 

it had found hardship in that very location and

instead of moving on and leaving a difficult 

path for others coming behind they made a 

choice to stop and build a bridge in order to 

make it a little easier for someone else crossing

that path later. Even though the bridge
were the means of access for someone
who decides to bring destruction instead of
hope across it, the builder isn't to blame.  

Various people crossing the bridge, doing good, 

may have different plans. One may be on his way 

to deliver a gift of flowers while the other 

is on his way to take a meal to someone

for comfort.  There may be a third that crosses

the bridge to bring music and another to bring 

the scripture. They all may be going to the 

same house to deliver something of great 

comfort but the only path is to cross the bridge.

Even though they are not crossing for the same 

reason or at the same time they are all doing things

that bring joy into others' lives.  

We are each given gifts in our lives and I have 

found that my greatest gift is also my greatest

weakness. Does that mean that we should stop

using that gift?  No, but what it does mean is that 

we need to be aware that it can be used to assist

us or used to cause us to stumble.  So by the grace

of God may we learn to use that gift to build 

bridges and not build dams.

With the church being the bridge we can see 

how God uses it to bring about more than we 

could ever dream possible. 

Christ founded the church (Matthew 16:18)  

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, 

and upon this rock I will build my church; 

and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it

Christ purchased it with His blood (Acts 20:28),   

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the 

flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath 

made you overseers, to feed the church of God, 

which he hath purchased with his own blood.

He is intimately passionate about it  

(Acts 9:4)  

And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying 

unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me"

It is the body of Christ 

(Ephesians 1:22-23) 

...the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him 

that filleth all in all.

The church is the dwelling place of His Spirit 

(Romans 8:9),  

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be 

that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not 

the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

The church is the very instrument God uses to 

take the gospel into the lost world 

(Revelation 5:9)  

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy 

to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou 

wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood 

out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

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FAITHFULNESS SPRINGS UP NEW LIFE

Becoming faithful isn't something that normally 

happens over night. Faithfulness comes 

by exercising our faith in small amounts

as we walk through our daily lives.   If you 

have ever broken a leg, you know that after 

wearing a cast on it for some time that 

your leg becomes weak from not using 

the muscles, due to walking on crutches 

for weeks on end.  You have the cast 

removed and you slowly build up 

strength and learn how to use those

muscles again for walking long distances, 

running, jumping, kicking and whatever 

else the leg is needed for.  

Our faith is not any different; if I don't use 

it, then I will loose it.  When I begin to 

step out in faith and I see the Lord open

doors and answer my prayers it gives me

courage to take a larger step the next time.

The same is true if I allow my faith

to become dormant, then it gets smaller 

and smaller and the day comes that we 

even questions the faith in other peoples 

lives.  

May we be challanged to stretch and grow in 

the faith and knowledge of our 

Lord Jesus Christ.

God is faithful, by whom ye were called 

unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus 

Christ our Lord.

I Corinthians 1:9

It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are 

not consumed, because his compassions 

fail not.  They are new every morning: 

great is thy faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

But the Lord is faithful, who shall 

stablish you, and keep you from evil.

I Thessalonians 3:3

A faithful man shall abound with 

blessings: but he that maketh haste to be 

rich shall not be innocent.

Proverbs 28:20

His lord said unto him, Well done, thou 

good and faithful servant: thou hast been 

faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler 

over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Matthew 25:21

 He that is faithful in that which is 

least is faithful also in much: and he 

that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

Luke 16:10

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WHAT DOES FAITH LOOK LIKE TO YOU?

Now faith is the substance of things 

hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

For by it the elders obtained a 

good report. Through faith we understand 

that the worlds were framed by the word 

of God, so that things which are seen 

were not made of things which do appear.

By faith Abel offered unto God a more 

excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he 

obtained witness that he was righteous, 

God testifying of his gifts: and by it 

he being dead yet speaketh.  By faith Enoch 

was translated that he should not see death; 

and was not found, because God had 

translated him: for before his translation 

he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

But without faith it is impossible to please 

him: for he that cometh to God must believe 

that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them 

that diligently seek him.  By faith Noah, 

being warned of God of things not seen as 

yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the 

saving of his house; by the which he 

condemned the world, and became heir 

of the righteousness which is by faith.

By faith Abraham, when he was 

called to go out into a place which he should 

after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he 

went out, not knowing whither he went.

By faith he sojourned in the land of 

promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in 

tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs 

with him of the same promise:

For he looked for a city which hath 

foundations, whose builder and maker 

is God. Through faith also Sara herself received 

strength to conceive seed, and was delivered 

of a child when she was past age, because she judged 

him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang 

there even of one, and him as good as dead, 

so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, 

and as the sand which is by the sea shore 

innumerable.  These all died in faith, not 

having received the promises, but having seen 

them afar off, and were persuaded of them, 

and embraced them, and confessed that they 

were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

For they that say such things declare 

plainly that they seek a country.

And truly, if they had been mindful of that 

country from whence they came out, they 

might have had opportunity to have returned.

But now they desire a better country, 

that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not 

ashamed to be called their God: for he 

hath prepared for them a city.

Hebrews 11:1-16



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A LIGHT POLE TEACHES US THE IMPORTANCE OF LOOKING AT WHO WE REALLY ARE

This blog wasn't written by me but it was written

by my niece Emily Laird Carruth. I felt it was a great 

topic and wanted to share it with my readers as many 

of us need to take note of what is being said here. 

Thanks Emily for looking at things and writing in 

such a way that we understand and you drove a 

great point across that many times we forget. 

Photo by Emily Laird Carruth

Take a good look at this powerline pole. 

What do you see? 

There's trash hanging from it and it is leaning a
little, right?  This pole symbolizes
everyone in this world.  Just by looking
at it you think maybe someone should
clean it up a little, or its just a stupid pole, or
even an ugly sight. I see something that has
seen a lot of darkness and a lot of light. It's
been through many storms (hints the trash) to
you it may just be a pole. But if it wasn't for this 

pole that has been through so much we'd miss an 

essential part of living. This pole holds up the cables 

to give you light in the dark. It helps keep you cool in 

the heat of day and warm on the cold nights. 

It may be an eye sore but it is an important part of
life.  Anytime you feel as though you are not
worthy or you don't belong, just remember you
have an important role in this life. Keep your
head up and press on. You may bring more light
to people than you think.

If you struggle with that then you should
quote Psalms 139:14 every day as God
made you exactly how he intended for
you to be created.

Psalms 139:14
 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and
wonderfully made: marvellous are thy
works; and that my soul knoweth right well.



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GOD BLESS AMERICA

White signifies purity and innocence
Red signifies hardiness and valour
Blue signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice


II Chronicles 7:14-20
If my people, which are called by
my name, shall humble themselves, 

and pray, and seek my face, and turn 

from their wicked ways; then will I 

hear from heaven, and will forgive their 

sin, and will heal their land.

Now mine eyes shall be open, and 

mine ears attent unto the prayer that 

is made in this place. For now have I chosen 

and sanctified this house, that my 

name may be there for ever: and mine 

eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me, 

as David thy father walked, and do 

according to all that I have commanded 

thee, and shalt observe my statutes and 

my judgments; Then will I stablish the throne 

of thy kingdom, according as I have 

covenanted with David thy father, saying, 

There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel.

But if ye turn away, and forsake my 

statutes and my commandments, which 

I have set before you, and shall go and serve 

other gods, and worship them;

Then will I pluck them up by the roots 

out of my land which I have given them; 

and this house, which I have sanctified for 

my name, will I cast out of my sight, 

and will make it to be a proverb and a 

byword among all nations.




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FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD

Photo by Lisa Villarreal

His love is unfathomable

His mercies are new every morning

His kindness has no limits

His patience is beyond comprehesion

His goodness surrounds us daily

His blood washes our sins away

His holiness engulfs our doubts and fears

His gentleness washes away our insecurtities

His hope gives us light for the future

His faith sustains us through the storm

His joy fills our hearts with singing

His power fills us with strength to carry on

His peace calms the storms that rage inside us

His meekness teaches us to be humble

His restraining power teaches us endurance

His glory causes us to stand in awe of His presence

His death brings eternal life for those who trust in Him

His kingdom has no end

For God sent not his Son into the world 

to condemn the world; but that the world 

through him might be saved.

John 3:17



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