Author: The Center City Christian

Real Talk – The Secret of Being Content

I have been buying new shoes at a discount department store lately. Before military school, I went to a public high school. And this is Real Talk, so let’s be real. Especially in high school, I cared about popularity. And I felt that being accepted at that school was related to wearing expensive clothing. And that stayed with me until I came to Christ. Anytime I bought clothes, everything had to be name brand.

But that’s not the reason why I went to military school. The reason is that I was a mess. The more I chased the acceptance of the in-crowd, the further it became.

The Secret of Being Content
Buying inexpensive clothing also contradicts the worldly view of materialism.

The apostle Paul wrote about knowing “what it is to be in need” and “what it is to have plenty” (Philippians 4:12 NIV). And after reading his story (Acts 7:58—28:31) and his letters, this particular verse especially speaks to me.

There were times in my life, like when I was growing up, that I certainly had. And there were other times in my life, like in my testimony about being homeless, that I had not.

But I declare with great joy 😁 that the Lord has set me free and given me confidence in this area! To be content with maintaining a budget and no longer living beyond my means.

Image by Neonbrand via Freely Photos

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Real Talk – The CCC

I remember when I first transferred to my four-year university. I changed my major to Public Administration (I graduated with a degree in Marketing 😂) and had aspirations to run for mayor of Allentown and rebuild the city. While working at a retail store, I worked with a retired engineer who told me about the CCC.

The Civilian Conservation Corps was a program established as part of the New Deal during the Great Depression. It helped lower the unemployment rate by providing jobs for hundreds of thousands of young men on environmental conservation projects.

The CCC
Yellowstone National Park

From then on, I wanted to start something that used that acronym. What I didn’t know was what it would be or if it would ever happen. It reminds me of this Scripture verse about being set apart:

Romans 8:28 KJV

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

This verse is a promise that if we love Him and are “called” (have received Christ), God will work in “all things” for our good, even things far into the future. And to fulfill His purpose. The short story mentioned above certainly seemed like an isolated incident at the time!

Therefore, my only response is praise! 🙌

Image by Andre Ehrlich via Canva.com