Peter Fitch, St. Croix Vineyard Sunday, November 25, 2018 Look at the Lilies Peter Fitch, St. Croix Vineyard Sunday, November 25, 2018

Neurological Nesting to . . . For 4 or 5 minutes each day this week: Believe that you are loved Rest in that love Extend it to others On the last day it became a different kind of nest Instead of sensing that I was making neurological connections in order to sense God’s Presence, I found that I was visualizing a ”nest of gratitude” in my heart I heard the word “contentment”

This led me to some words of Jesus (Matt. 6) 25 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 

Matthew 6:25-34 28 And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 

Matthew 6:25-34 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Questions Is this true for everyone or is it true in some special way for people who try to do v. 33? (But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you) Suspicion: negative emotions get you stuck and stagnant; contentment and meaningful activity get you back in the positive flow of life Also, what does this mean? Bishop Mark . . .

National Indigenous Anglican Bishop Bishop Mark MacDonald

Vimeo The Meaning of Mission is Changing (2011)

Back to Contentment . . . Great quotes from many authors Important in all religions

Some of the best I found “Contentment is the greatest form of wealth.” Acharya Nagarjuna “Now and then it’s good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.” “Comparison makes finding contentment a million times harder.” “A contented heart is a calm sea in the midst of all storms.” “Contentment makes poor men rich, discontent makes rich men poor.” Benjamin Franklin “Life is about balance. Be kind but don’t let people abuse you. Trust but don’t be deceived. Be content but never stop improving yourself.” 

Tom Shadyac

Two Questions, I AM (documentary film) What’s wrong with our world? What can we do about it?

Contentment 1. Relationships: “The key source of contentment is having many positive relationships in your life.” 2. Service to others: “Once you find more contentment in your life, you are automatically going to want to provide service to the people around you.” 3. Morgan Freeman (in the role of God) said this to Steve Carrell in Evan Almighty: “The key is to do acts of random kindness each day.”

St. Paul 11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:11-13)

Secrets for how to get there . . . 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-9 8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.