What do you do when life overwhelms you? Even the happiest people can be overwhelmed with grief. Things happen. Circumstances can blindside you. You may be the most hopeful, optimistic person, and suddenly you wake up with only darkness in your soul. It is awful. When the children of Israel were taken captive by KingContinue reading “Ecclesiastes is the Book for Those Overwhelmed With Life’s Disappointments. Psalm 137.”
Category Archives: Happiness/true joy
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST JOY? 3 John 4.
Pictured: Willie Wales, 1897 – 1985. What is your greatest joy? Good grades? Good friends? Traveling? Winning? Achieving? Finishing? The question is easier if you are a parent—because a parent’s greatest joy concerns children. You will have other joys—but children will dominate the top of the list. The Apostle John probably wrote the letter ofContinue reading “WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST JOY? 3 John 4.”
IF THERE WERE A SECRET RECIPE FOR JOY, WOULD YOU FOLLOW IT? Hebrews 1:9
When I cook, I almost never use a recipe. I like to be creative and “let the spirit move me.” But I also cook things that are easy and that I am used to cooking (you could argue there is a recipe; I simply memorized it). But if you cook challenging meals for large groupsContinue reading “IF THERE WERE A SECRET RECIPE FOR JOY, WOULD YOU FOLLOW IT? Hebrews 1:9”
How Do You Get to the Place Called Happiness? Follow the Obedience Road. Hebrews 1:9.
When it comes to portrayals of Jesus on film, my favorite may forever by that of Bruce Marchiano in the Visual Bible’s film, “THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW.” Were I to choose one word to characterize that portrayal I would choose “joyful.” Through prayer and Bible study, Bruce became convinced joy was the key toContinue reading “How Do You Get to the Place Called Happiness? Follow the Obedience Road. Hebrews 1:9.”
WE CAN PRACTICE JOY AND TEACH JOY. 2 Chronicles 17:6-7.
Everything Andrew touched turned to gold. After college he rented a funky space in downtown New Orleans. He poured money into it and transformed it into a restaurant he called “The Grotto.” The Grotto became the city’s hot spot. It was wildly successful, and Andrew was the owner and chef. Then the landlord raised theContinue reading “WE CAN PRACTICE JOY AND TEACH JOY. 2 Chronicles 17:6-7.”
What Do People Want?
People want to be happy. We want to feel hopeful about the future, to feel some joy, to do fun things and have a few laughs. People want to be happy. How do you become happy? To children, happiness looks like thrills—a trip to the circus, a ride on a roller coaster, a day toContinue reading “What Do People Want?”
Household Words: 