"Can We Teach Discipline?"

In order to determine if we can teach discipline, we must first define discipline. Discipline means training to act in accordance with rules. This clearly states that it takes training in order to be disciplined. Parents take time to train their children to be disciplined while at home or when out in public. Just like our children, we too need to be disciplined. Our heavenly Father does just that. God expects His followers to be disciplined and act according to His words in the Bible.

"Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray." Proverbs 10:17 (NIV).
"For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light and correction and instruction are the way to life" Proverbs 6:23 (NIV).
"Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty." Proverbs 28:19 (NIV).

These verses tell us that God wants us as Christians to follow the rules and be disciplined and obedient to His teachings. We will be faced with the consequences for not following His teachings. Once we are taught the correct way, we should continue to move forward and never turn back to our undisciplined ways.

"Discipline is the training that develops and corrects." Charles Stanley

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:11 (NIV).

"Being Content With What We Have"

Contentment means different things to different people. For me, contentment was having an understanding that I should be happy with everything in my life and be thankful.

"But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6 (NIV).

This verse tells us that we should honor God and center our desires on Him. Turning our thoughts and desires to God will allow God to teach us how to accept the gifts that God gives to us and be thankful for them. Not everything that happens in our lives are good and we must not dwell on the negative aspects because when we dwell on the negative situations, we are allowing ourselves to disobey God.

"The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace." Psalm 29:11 (NIV)

Each of us need to come to our own understanding of what it means to be content or to have contentment. No matter the troubles that we are facing in our own lives, we must remember that Jesus went through all these pains and sorrows so we could have an eternal life with Him!

"The most powerful life is the most simple life. The most powerful life is the life that knows where it's going, that knows where the source of strength is; it is the life that stays free of clutter and happenstance and hurriedness." Max Lucado

New Chapter

I want to first apologize for not writing anything in a very long while. Many people know the situation that I am in and will understand the meaning of this post. "If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic." Luke 6:29 (NIV). "But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." Matthew 5:39 (NIV). I never really thought too much about these passages except that I thought it was referring to a physical altercation. I never realized that it can also refer to closing a chapter in ones life and opening a new chapter. While I still have a heavy heart about the entire situation and will always love the times that we had. I do realize that we will never be able to be together again and have come to the realization that I know God has plans for my life and will walk with me through the rough times.

I guess I should have continued to write my blogs as a way to get through these times, but I wasn't thinking clearly. I am extremely busy with work, school, and spending as much time with my kids as possible that I am finding it difficult to find time to write on this blog page. I will begin making time to write more frequently.