Image: Golden Gate Bridge by Joseph C. Filer and Jason W. Filer. Many of the biggest projects on earth are civil engineering projects. The Great Pyramid at Giza is the height of a fifty-story building and built out of “bricks” that weigh 5,000 pounds. How did they do that in 2560 B.C.? The Great WallContinue reading “Civil Engineering: All Hands on Deck! Nehemiah 3:1-31.”
Category Archives: Joy
Ecclesiastes is the Book for Those Overwhelmed With Life’s Disappointments. Psalm 137.
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.”
Feel Good About Your Work, Achievements, Skills, and Talents. Genesis 1:4.
When I taught high school, I remember being chastised by my students. I was talking about being aware of one’s strengths and weaknesses: “For example, I know that I write well. But I don’t always listen well—” “Wow, Mr. Wales. That’s pretty arrogant, don’t you think?” “What? Saying that I write well?” “Yes. That’s soContinue reading “Feel Good About Your Work, Achievements, Skills, and Talents. Genesis 1:4.”
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”
ROSE-COLORED GLASSES. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
When I was a child, John Conlee sang a song about perspective: “But these rose-colored glasses that I’m looking through, Show only the beauty, ‘cause they hide all the truth.” I remember asking, “What are rose-colored glasses?” Mama told me it means you don’t see the negatives. That is not a bad thing. If youContinue reading “ROSE-COLORED GLASSES. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.”
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.”
Picture Jesus Happy.
Do you know anyone who is happy all the time? Who is it? What makes him so happy? Solomon was the wisest person, and Samson may have been the strongest. But can you imagine the happiest person who ever lived? I wonder what that person was like? How do you picture Jesus? Happy? Sad? Angry?Continue reading “Picture Jesus Happy.”
People Who Do What is Right are Happy!
Aren’t coloring books fun? Remember the smell of grinding crayons into that thick paper? Did you try to stay inside the lines? In a 1992 TV ad, a nerdy teacher in Kissinger glasses walks up and down the rows of an elementary classroom saying, “Stay within the lines. The lines are our friends,” but oneContinue reading “People Who Do What is Right are Happy!”
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